I have been deeply studying Christian Apologetics.
Can you recommend a good book for it?
I do like the CSB Apologetics Bible.
Any other material I should look into?
Discussion
21 comments
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I like the author Ravi Zecharias. He presents good arguments from an Eastern perspective. He is a very talented author.
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Check out anything by Ravi Zacharias. Or Dr. Lennox. You can search them on YouTube and there are tons of videos!
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Anything from RZIM (Ravi Zacharias)
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Josh and his son Sean MacDowell,one book would be The Evidence that Demand’s a Verdict,Josh also has a book that you can buy in bulk to give away,called,More than a Carpenter,and Yes Ravi Zacharias is one of the most deepest Thinkers on Christianity in the World today.
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Best:
K Scott Oliphint – covental apologetics
Greg Bahnsen – Van Til’s Apologetics… anything really, but Always Ready, Presuppositional Apologetics: Stated and Defended
Cornelius Van Til – Christian Apologetics
Frame – Apologetics to the Glory of God
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I don’t Have enough Faith to be an Atheist by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek
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Baker encyclopedia of Christian apologetics by Norman Geisler. But this is reference book. But each day you can 3 to 5 articles.
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I don’t think a person can practice apologetics without a Hebrew and Greek lexical aid, at least working understanding if Hebrew and Greek languages, and a few reference materials concerning the ancient cultures.
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The flood
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Anything you are looking for specifically …I wrote a book defending the Morality of God….
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Also check out J. Warner Wallace. He was a cold case detective in L.A. for 20 years, and an atheist. In short, he decided to investigate the claims about Jesus as he would a true cold case. In doing so he gave his life to Christ and wrote “Cold Case Christianity.” I’ve seen him do his 2 day presentation, and it is amazing. Also get on YouTube and subscribe to Frank Turek’s Cross Examined channel. Frank has numerous videos online where he answers college student’s questions, and most are around 3 minutes. He also debated atheist Christopher Hitchens, and the entire debate is on YouTube.
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Kingdom of Cults by Walter Martin
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This is a “Recommended Reading” list I put together a while back. I have just updated it. I divided it by level of difficulty and category. Hopefully this will help:
Apologetics
(Beginner)The Case For Christ – Lee Strobel – The first book I read on apologetics. Strobel, a former atheist investigates the claims of Christ’s life, death and resurrection. Reads like a detective novel.
The Case for Faith – Lee Strobel – Strobel expands his investigation to include tough objections to Christianity and in the process interviews some of my favorite Christian scholars.
The Faith – Charles Colson – Historical facts for why Christians came to believe as they do make for a fascinating read.
The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? – F. F. Bruce – This short book written decades ago is still relevant and presents a powerful case for the reliiability of the Gospels.
On Guard – William Lane Craig – A beginners guide to WLC. The ultimate beginners guide on how to defend your faith. Complex subjects made easy.
(Intermediate)
I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist – Geisler/Turek – Geisler and Turek use evidentialist and philosophical apologetics to build a cumulative case for Christianity but do so in a non technical manner that appeals to a wider audience. Well done.
Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis – Lewis uses philosophy, reason and logic to defend the faith. A classic.
Reasonable Faith – William Lane Craig – Craig is my favorite Christian apologist when it comes to debates. In this book he covers historical, philosophical and scientific arguments for the existence of God. Again, not light reading especially his explanations of the Kalaam argument, but if you stick to it you will be able to use the same arguments which he has used to defeat EVERY atheist he has ever debated. This is why the inestimable Richard Dawkins refuses to engage him.
The Necessary Existence of God – Michael Robinson – This book explains “presuppositional” apologetics. This apologetic relies on defending the faith strictly from a Christian worldview. Anything outside of this worldview “presupposes” it; therefore it is rendered fallacious. Certainly not for everyone but the book is chock full of nuggets including a list of self refuting arguments, dialogues with atheists and chapters on the Trinity, evolution, and the ‘faith” of atheists.
Always Ready – Greg Bahnsen – A more sophisticated presentation of the presuppositional apologetic from the unparalleled Greg Bahnsen. Bahnsen was a student of Cornelius Van Til one of the early proponents of P.A. In this volume he presents the rationale behind P.A. in a readable yet rigorous approach.
(Advanced)
A Shorter Summa – Peter Kreeft – This is a condensed version of the Summa Theologica (4000 pages) by Saint Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas was the most brilliant theologian of the middle ages. He uses philosophy, reason and impeccable logic to defend the faith. Heavy reading but Peter Kreeft does a masterful job of summarizing Aquinas thoughts with his own notes.
Philosophical Foundations For A Christian Worldview – JP Moreland and William Lane Craig – These are my two favorite Christian apologists so I recommend the text wholeheartedly. I must however warn you that this is not light reading since the book covers areas in philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, ethics, concepts of God, arguments for the existence of God, and Christian doctrines. Those not familiar with philosophy and its constructs will find it difficult.
The Blackwell Companion To Natural Theology- William Lane Craig and JP Moreland – This is THE cutting edge in Apologetics. Here is what an atheist wrote: “As an atheist, I recognize this as the single greatest defense of theism ever assembled. Craig and Moreland basically made a list of the most compelling contemporary arguments for the existence of God, tracked down their foremost living defenders, and gave them 50-100 pages to make their case. The result is awe-inspiring, even for the atheist.” Please don’t attempt to read this book unless you are familiar with propositional calculus.
Philosophy/Logic:
Philosophy Made Slightly Less Difficult- Garrett DeWeese and JP Moreland- Honestly, Philosophy is not an easy subject and is one (along with logic) that I had avoided during my school years. This is to my detriment, since both are necessary tools in the arsenal of the defense of the faith. This book gives a mini course in the basics of philosophy and once read, you will get a sense of the immensity of what you don’t know. Not easy reading, but less difficult than most.
Introduction to logic – Harry Gensler- The best introduction to logic hands down. Covers all areas from beginning syllogisms to symbolic logic. Indispensable to serious students of apologetics.
Nonsense – Robert J Gula – An outstanding text on how to speak, read and write logically. Gula shows how to identify nonsensical arguments that on the surface may seem reasonable but when exposed, fail miserably. Not exciting reading, but if you’re like me and didn’t take logic courses in high school or college then this book is for you.
How Do We Know? An Introduction To Epistemology- James Dew and Mark Foreman – Epistemology is the study of knowledge, or how do we know what we know. For me this was a perplexing subject. Enter How Do We Know? From the opening pages I knew I would be in for more than just basic epistemology. From the differences between necessary and sufficient conditions to the classic Gettier problem, Dew and Foreman guide the reader with the utmost clarity without sacrificing rigor. In a sense this book is almost like a mini crash course in Philosophy 101.
Relativism- Francis Beckwith and Greg Koukl – Required reading for Christians who are weary of being told that all truth, and morality is relative. If you want to learn how these statements are fallacious, get this book.
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“HOW TO DEFEND THE CHRISTIAN FAITH: Advice From an Atheist”
By
John LoftusFor a sense of balance;
“Bible Bloopers: Evidence That Demands a Verdict, Too! A Skeptic Examines Josh McDowell” by Michael Ledo.
“The Case Against ‘The Case for Christ’: A New Testament Scholar Refutes Lee Strobel” Robert M. Price PhD.
“Challenging the Verdict: A Cross-Examination of Lee Strobel’s, ‘The Case for Christ'” by Earl Doherty.
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Apologetics Press/Study Bible
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John Ankerberg and John Weldon,Ready with an Answer.
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Josh MacDowell and his Son Sean, Evidence that Demand’s a Verdict,Josh also wrote a book called More than a Carpenter,that can be purchased in multiple copies for distribution to skeptics.
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The Bible is a good option.
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William Lane Craig and Norman Geisler are my favorites.
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I don’t have enough faith to be an atheist by Frank turek
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