Books on Apologetics
Apologetics
Loving Wisdom
by: Paul Copan
Icons of Evolution - DVD
by: Steve Meyer, Paul Nelson
The Privileged Planet - DVD
by: Guierromo Gonzales, Jay Richards
Unlocking the Mystery of Life - DVD
by: Jay Richards
Unshakeable Foundations
by: Norman Geisler and Pete Bocchino
Holman Quicksource Guide to Christian Apologetics
by: Doug Powell
Doug Powell has written an excellent introduction to apologetics. This "Quicksource Guide" will prove more than helpful for novice as well as the student of apologetics. Powell presents the arguments for the existence of God, the reliability of the Old and New Testaments, Creation over evolution, through to Jesus as the Christ. Each of the 13 chapters is thorough enough to give the reader more than a grasp of the topics. This is a must for the bookshelf.
The Christian Combat Manual
by: Dan Story
Dan Story has some of the best books on "practical apologetics." This offering, The Christian Combat Manual, is his best yet. For someone going off to college this would be a necessary read.
Dan Story approaches apologetics differently than most. He goes on the offensive. Although he thoroughly understands apologetics as a "defense," he also sees it is a tool to strip arguments of their validity. Using the Socratric Method, Dan teaches the reader how to ask questions that corner the opposition.
The book is divided into 5 sections: Establishing Truth and the Reliability of the Bible, Creation or Evolution: Let the Evidence Speak for Itelf; We Can Demonstrate to Atheists that God Exists; Jesus Christ: Man of History or Man of Myth?; and Modern Issues: The World Beyond the Church.
This is a worthwhile book to understand the current battle of worldviews and apologetics
Darwin on Trial
by: Philip Johnson
This book started the movement of what is called "Intelligent Design." Even before Behe's "Darwins Black Box" this book put evolutionists on the defensive. Johnson, a law professor at UC Berkley, challenged the evidence for Darwinistic evolution and showed that much of their claims were philosophical not physical evidence.
Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics
by: Norman L. Geisler
This is a comprehensive resource on apologetics and philosophy as it pertains to Christian apologetics. Geisler has taught apologetics for over forty years - these are his compiled notes on the subject. It is a "must" as a reference tool for any serious Bible student.
Deliver Us From Evil
by: Ravi Zacarias
Ravi Zacarias is the most popular of contemporary apologists. His ability to articulate and defend the gospel always amazes. Ravi is a cultural apologist and this book reveals his insight into the issues of culture. Ravi deals especially with the postmodern mind, provides clear analysis and proven answers.
When Critics Ask
by: Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe
This is a terrific resource for answers when people criticize the Scripture. Geisler and Howe have looked at every verse that may be considered problematic. Whether the verse in question has a seeming contradiction or difficult interpretation, this book handles the answers. This book is truly a popular handbook on Bible difficulties.
Defending Your Faith
by: R. C. Sproul
Sproul's approach to apologetics is also classical. However, his book looks at the subjects surrounding the subject. Sproul mentions other authors and their contribution to the world of thought. This is a fundamental approach to apologetcs. Well worth the read
Christian Apologetics
by: Dr. Norman Geisler
This is the classic on Christian apologetics. Dr. Geisler (Norm) is an incredible thinker and reading his works delivers time and time again. This book is used as a text book in Christian colleges on the subject of apologetics.
Subject matter begins with different ways to determine what is true to the evidence for Jesus Christ and the reliability of the Scripture.
Not A Chance
by: R.C Sproul
R.C. Sproul takes on the theory of "chance" as a power in evolution. He methodically show that "chance" is not a power and therefor cannot cause anything to happen. This is a good argument against the bedrock of evolution's theory of matter + time + chance = existence.
I Don't Have Enough Faith To Be an Atheist
by: Norman Geisler and Frank Turek
This is an excellent primer on apologetics. It's the popular version of Dr. Geisler's course on the subject.
Culture
Atheism Remix
by: Al Mohler
Al Mohler, once again, does the church a great service. In this brief volume Mohler introduces the "new" atheists and what their main arguments are. This was first a lecture series given at Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas, at the end of last Winter.
Dr. Mohler does a fair presentation discussing Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens. He discusses their academic qualifications and backgrounds to help the reader understand their arguments better. He also discusses the holes in their arguments.
This is a must-read for anyone interested in the arguments raised against God and the gospel.
Theology
Convictions Without Compromise: Standing Strong in the Core Beliefs of the Christian Faith
by: Norman Geisler and Ron Rhodes
Conviction Without Compromise, is a welcomed addition to this list. In a day when doctrine is degraded to a non-necessary sidetrack, this book brings the importance of doctrine, explains it, refutes false doctrines, and instructs believers on important issues. Crucial doctrines on the Virgin Birth, Deity of Jesus Christ, His Humanity, Original Sin, are just a few of the non-negotiables.
Geisler and Rhodes lay out Salvation as Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification. They then apply the 14 non-negotiable doctrines to them. Justification is "freedom from the penalty of sin." Sanctification is freedom from the power of sin. And, Glorification is freedom from the presence of sin.
The book is divided into two sections. The first section deals with essential, non-negotiable doctrines. These are the doctrines that are concerned with salvation in Jesus Christ. 14 essential, non-negotiable doctrines are covered with much detail. Each of these non-negotiables are traced through the early Christian creeds to support their biblical origin. This book is rich.
The second section covers doctrines that usually divide the church: Spiritual gifts, Women in ministry, The Sabbath, The Second Coming of Christ, etc. Although both Geisler and Rhodes hold beliefs in each of these areas, they are fair in explaining each position. They then discuss the extremes of each position and how that often leads to division in the church.
Their premise in this book is: In essentials - unity; in non-essentials - liberty; and, in all things - charity. This is definitely the theme of the book.
Convictions Without Compromise ought to be used as a textbook for Sunday School, Christian ed., or any high school, college, or adult education in the local church. This is not a lifeless book of boring doctrine. This is God's word, brought to life through the foundational beliefs that all Christians ought to know about.
