The Cross Examination of Jesus Christ

by Randy Singer

Sit in the Courtroom as the Savior Testifies.

Witness the disturbing display of events as Jesus stands against His detractors and the unbridled might of the Roman Empire. In this unsparing up-close account, you will experience the greatest injustice in history — the trial and punishment of Jesus of Nazareth — and gain a fresh appreciation for the enormity of the stakes.

His innocence convicted Him .

But you will also travel with Jesus in the years leading up to His final trial as He reveals eternity’s greatest truths in response to hostile questions from the religious leaders of His day.

· Can you prove that you’re the Messiah?
· How can you defend a woman caught in adultery?
· What does it take to reach heaven?
· How can we know God?
· What is truth?

Whether you embrace the claims of Christ or your verdict is still out, you’ll gain provocative insight into the driving passion behind the carpenter from Nazareth. As you take a juror’s seat in this monumental case, you’ll realize that as Jesus answers His accusers, He’s not just talking to them, He’s talking to you.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, Religion

224 pages, Hardcover

First published March 21, 2006

About the author

Randy Singer is a critically acclaimed author and veteran trial attorney. He has penned nine legal thrillers, including his award-winning debut novel Directed Verdict. In addition to his law practice and writing, Randy serves as a teaching pastor for Trinity Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He calls it his "Jekyll and Hyde thing"—part lawyer, part pastor. He also teaches classes in advocacy and ethics at Regent Law School and serves on the school's Board of Visitors. He and his wife, Rhonda, live in Virginia Beach. They have two grown children.

Reviews

[JaneReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took my time reading this book to absorb what I was reading. The first and last chapters are a fictionalized version of the Biblical account of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus from the point of a Roman officer, the in-between chapters are insights into the teachings and examples of Jesus with Mr. Singer's personal experiences or research added in. The details of the crucifixion was hard to read, but really exposed Jesus' love and sacrifice for us. I enjoyed reading some of the personal stories that Mr. Singer shared but a lot of the other information felt like it was a textbook sharing works from others (the sources are credited). The first and last chapters are the ones that I will remember.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Scribes and Pharisees didn’t believe Christ because they didn’t want to believe. It wasn’t the lack of evidence," quotes Randy Singer. In the Cross Examination of Jesus Christ, Randy Singer provides compelling evidence to bring to light the story of Jesus’ final days through the lens of an attorney’s eye. He provides a different approach to learning about the crucifixion and the undisputed facts surrounding the Bible, the empty tomb, and the resurrection.

Mr. Singer provides reinforcement of God’s ultimate authority. God has no duty to answer all our questions. God, being God, will do things and allow things that our finite minds cannot comprehend. God is under no obligation to make sure we understand the whys and wherefores of His plans.

Randy Singer relives the final hours of Jesus’ life through Jesus’ Roman attorney—Octavian. The Chapters, The Trial and The Verdict are told through Octavian’s perspective. He is with Jesus during His trial, and at His verdict. He describes Jesus after his flogging—“Jesus' face scarred and swollen, the crown of thorns digging deep into his scalp, one cannot bear to look at Him for long. I look at Jesus, but Jesus has no hatred in His eyes, no condemnation. Fear is totally lacking. If anything, His eyes register concern.” …Concern for me, I am not the one who was flogged, I am not the one who will die on the cross, but yet he has concern for me? This surely must be the son of God …He mentions that Jesus filled the room with his presence.

In the end, after Jesus has died, Octavian thinks--Jesus suffered and died on the cross. The answer in your heart does not make sense—for some inexplicable reason, He did this for you!

How could I not feel overwhelmed with emotion while reading this book? We are given a great gift of salvation from a gentle Man who lived 2,000 years ago. He is reaching out today!

[Jeffrey Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Cross Examination of Jesus Christ" is a rare non-fiction book by Christian attorney and legal suspense author Randy Singer. This book was released in 2006 at the same time he released his 6th novel, "The Cross-Examination of Oliver Finney" (later re-released as "The Judge"). There are similarities, but there may be more in Singer's 2014 release, "The Advocate," Singer's venture into historical suspense (or, more accurately, historical legal suspense).

"The Cross Examination of Jesus Christ"s first and last chapter is a fictionalized account of Christ's trial by Pilate and Crucifixion, told in the second person so the reader identifies more with the main character. Singer revists that in the 1st person narrative in "The Advocate".

The remaining eight chapters look at eight confrontations between Jesus and the Pharisees, pointing out that it's possible we're more like the Pharisees than we want to believer. It deals with issues like fasting, the Deity of Christ, the authority of Scripture, and politics, among other things. (He also gives a good defense for a public defender representing a party that obviously is guilty.)

If knowing Singer's a lawyer and a novelist isn't enough hints that he's a good story teller, then reading this book will convince you. Besides the two fictionalized chapters, Singer tells a variety of tales from the Bible, history, current events, the courtroom, personal experience and even some hypothetical situations.

I recommend this book.

[Shay Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

New insights always a good thing!

[Chris Wittkopp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book to read during Holy Week. Another perspective

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will admit, I chose to read this book because it apparently is a key reference to the next book I intend on reading. I am glad it was short, as it was not highly stimulating for me (though I did not expect it to be).



Ironic that I read this over the Good Friday-Holy Saturday weekend, given its content. The book is a decent tale of the 'last day of Christ', with much more detail, which sandwiches eight chapters of quasi-evangelical preaching about how Christ was/is THE answer. While I am not here to praise or bash, it was a little over the top for me.



As I mentioned above, I read this Singer book to tie into THE CROSS EXAMINATION OF OLIVER FINNEY, but will not be running out to grab any more non-fiction by the author. I quite enjoy his legal angle, which most of his books tend to bring out, even with their Christianity salting the chapters, and cannot wait to get back to those stories. But, I am not ironing any dress shirts for Mass tomorrow... sorry!

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This non-ficton book, written in conjunction with Singer's novel The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney, is a defense of Christianity. Singer's penchant for telling stories is obvious, as he mixes in some fictional vignettes with his arguments, which are meant so put Christ on the witness stand and show the reader how logical and airtight his testimony is. Singer also mixes in some codes at the beginning of each chapter, readers of the novel or who look at his website can find out more about the codes and how to crack them. An interesting book, but not much new in th way of apologetics, Singer relies heavily on others.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a long-time student of the Bible, I was impressed by Singer's ability to demonstrate the astute logic Jesus used in quieting his most vociferous and vocal critics, the Pharisees. The chapter "What's Your Sign?" in which the author presents a sterling defense for the resurrection of Christ as historical fact (and as documented in Scripture) is worth the price of the book alone.

[Holli]

in my thirst to learn more about Christ's life I find books that describe the settings and other people almost like novels very easy to read - this is a good combination of both novel and nonfiction ....

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A defense and explanation of the Bible and the gospel, written from the viewpoint of a fictional Roman soldier witnessing the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Lots of interesting history and facts to build up the believer and hopefully at least give the non-believer something to think about.

[Brett Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times, I struggled with this book, but overall I was impressed with how I had to set the book aside and do a little digging for myself. I left this book with a better understanding of the events that led to Christ's crucifixion.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. It was interesting to see things from a former trial lawyer's point of view. A wonderful reminder of what Jesus went through to save us and did it all because he loved us.

[Dzillich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise - written by an attorney. Started off well - a mixture of fiction and scripture but went downhill. I did learn a few things along the way.

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't what I was expecting. It was good, just not what I was expecting.