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DANA POINT, Calif., Feb. 12 /Christian Newswire/ -- The empty tomb of Christ was not only intended to offer the church a future hope, according to best-selling author Josh McDowell in his most compelling book since Evidence That Demands a Verdict. In this first collaboration with his son Sean McDowell, titled Evidence for the Resurrection: What It Means for Your Relationship with God (Regal Books), Josh views this key event in human history through a fresh lens, called relevant apologetics, designed to answer crucial life questions people face everyday in our culture.

On Feb. 2, 2009, Evidence for the Resurrection hit national bookstore shelves and online storefronts as a pre-Easter book release for pastors and youth leaders who want to get a jump on the holiday teaching. Simultaneously, companion books for teens and children, titled Jesus: Dead or Alive? and Jesus is Alive!, will also release. A free, 6-page downloadable Evidence for the Resurrection pamphlet containing the book's foundational messages and related information is available online at www.josh.org/risen.  

"While the resurrection promises us a new and perfect life in the future, God loves us too much to leave us alone to contend with the pain, guilt and loneliness of our present life," says Josh McDowell.

The McDowells contend that, though millions worldwide dress-up in Sunday bests and attend Easter services to commemorate the resurrection, so few apply its power for their everyday lives. Skeptics of the resurrection date back to the first century when Thomas, the disciple, placed his hand into Jesus' side. A Barna Research report found that 25 percent of adults and 51 percent of churched young people do not believe Jesus came back to physical life after he was crucified.

In Evidence for the Resurrection, the McDowells lead readers step by step through God's original intention in creation, how that intention suffered a damaging blow, and his incredible solution for once again restoring the estranged relationship with man and woman. The last half of the book presents a thorough but accessible exploration of the many compelling evidences and solid reasons for our conviction that Christ's resurrection actually occurred as a real event in history.

Josh is a well-known former agnostic who, since 1961, has argued biblical truth on the basis of careful, historical research and analyses. He has delivered his ministry messages about apologetics and problems facing young people to more than 10 million young people and adults in 113 countries, and has written or co-written more than 100 books, including classics More Than A Carpenter and Evidence That Demands a Verdict.

Sean, 32, one of four McDowell children and the only son, is cut from a similar cloth. Like Josh, he graduated with honors from Talbot Theological Seminary, has published previous ministry books, (including Ethix: Being Bold in a Whatever World, Broadman and Holman), speaks professionally, and is a father.

As head of the Bible department at Capistrano Valley Christian Schools in San Juan Capistrano, CA, everyday Sean is confronted with why the new message is critical. "Young people have these questions about the resurrection--not necessarily dead or alive questions. They have relevant-to-their-life questions that deal with real-life relationships."

For more information about Evidence for the Resurrection, please visit www.josh.org/risen.