Tag Archive for: Apologetics Books

Top Apologetics Books for Beginners

Sean McDowell, professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University, on his blog, lists the top ten apologetic books for beginners with short descriptions of each.

He includes:

  1. Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis
  2. More Than a Carpenter, by Sean and Josh McDowell
  3. The Reason for God, by Tim Keller
  4. The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel
  5. Cold-Case Christianity, by J. Warner Wallace
  6. Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions, by Greg Koukl
  7. Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions about Life and Sexuality, by Nancy Pearcey
  8. On Guard: Defending Your Faith with Reason and Precision, by William Lane Craig
  9. Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion, by Rebecca McLaughlin
  10. Evidence that Demands a Verdict, by Sean and Josh McDowell

I would add the following books to the list:

  1. I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek – One of the best complete introductions to apologetics that covers truth, God’s existence, reliability of the Bible, miracles, and the resurrection.
  2. Can We Trust the Gospels? by Peter J. Williams – A focused, but accessible small book on the trustworthiness of the Gospels.

Plus a Series of Books by Paul Copan

  1. True For You, But Not For Me: Deflating the Slogans That Leave Christians Speechless by Paul Copan
  2. That’s Just Your Interpretation: Responding to Skeptics Who Challenge Your Faith by Paul Copan
  3. How Do You Know You’re Not Wrong? Responding to Objections That Leave Christians Speechless, Paul Copan
  4. When God Goes to Starbucks: A Guide to Everyday Apologetics by Paul Copan

And of course, let’s not forget Sean McDowell co-authored work with Jonathan Morrow:

  1. Is God Just a Human Invention? And Seventeen Other Questions Raised by the New Atheists by Sean McDowell  (Author), Jonathan Morrow

[Editor’s note: Another Bestselling apologetics book, that’s been introducing people to apologetics (and I can vouch for it myself, JDF) is . . .

  1. Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies by Hillary Ferrer

Recommended Resources: 

I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist (Paperback), and (Sermon) by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek 

Stealing From God by Dr. Frank Turek (Book, 10-Part DVD Set, STUDENT Study Guide, TEACHER Study Guide)

Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl (Book)

Jesus, You and the Essentials of Christianity by Frank Turek (INSTRUCTOR Study Guide), (STUDENT Study Guide), and (DVD)      

 

J. Steve Lee has taught Apologetics for over two and a half decades at Prestonwood Christian Academy.  He also has taught World Religions and Philosophy at Mountain View College in Dallas and Collin College in Plano.  With a degree in history and education from the University of North Texas, Steve continued his formal studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a M.A. in philosophy of religion and has pursued doctoral studies at the University of Texas at Dallas and is finishing his dissertation at South African Theological Seminary.  He has published several articles for the Apologetics Study Bible for Students as well as articles and book reviews in various periodicals including Philosophia Christi, Hope’s Reason: A Journal of Apologetics, and the Areopagus Journal.  Having an abiding love for fantasy fiction, Steve has contributed chapters to two books on literary criticism of Harry Potter: Harry Potter for Nerds and Teaching with Harry Potter.  He even appeared as a guest on the podcast MuggleNet Academia (“Lesson 23: There and Back Again-Chiasmus, Alchemy, and Ring Composition in Harry Potter”).  He is married to his lovely wife, Angela, and has two grown boys, Ethan and Josh.

Originally posted at: https://bit.ly/3UwH3ag

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The Best Apologetics Book for Beginners?

The Best Apologetics Book for Beginners?

By Mikel Del Rosario

One of the most common questions I get asked is, “What is the BEST apologetics book for beginners?” In this video, I share my top 5 apologetics book recommendations for people just getting started with apologetics.

Click the links below and use the “Look Inside” feature to decide which one is the best, FIRST Christian apologetics book for you.

Apologetics Books for Beginners:

  1. On Guard: Defending Your Faith with Reason and Precision – William Lane Craig

This book has illustrations, sidebars, and memorizable steps to help you defend the faith with reason and precision. Craig offers four arguments for God’s existence, defends the historicity of Jesus’ claims and resurrection, while also covering the problem of suffering and religious relativism. Along the way, he shares his story of following God’s call in his own life.

  1. Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions, – Greg Koukl

This demonstrates how to navigate spiritual conversations, keeping them moving forward in constructive ways through thoughtful diplomacy. You’ll learn how to stop challengers in their tracks and turn the tables on questions or provocative statements. You’ll also learn how to get people thinking about Jesus. This give you a game plan for explaining the truth about Christianity with confidence and grace.

  1. The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus – Gary Habermas and Michael Licona

This is an accessible, comprehensive, and persuasive resource providing detailed evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. It introduces the popular “minimal facts” approach, utilizing data that are so strongly attested that virtual every critical scholar grants them. It helps you memorize not only these facts, but the data which support them. This book includes helpful charts as well. The authors also demonstrate how to share the material in everyday conversations.

  1. Truth in a Culture of Doubt: Engaging Skeptical Challenges to the Bible -Andreas J. Köstenberger, Darrell L. Bock, Josh Chatraw

This book helps you respond to key arguments skeptical scholars such as Bart Ehrman have raised in his popular books. It will help you think through key issues and explain topics such as the Bible’s origins, the copying of the Bible, alleged contradictions in Scripture, and the relationship between God and evil. After studying this book, you’ll be equipped to respond to a wide variety of critical arguments raised against the reliability of Scripture and the truthfulness of Christianity.

  1. Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World – Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell

This updated and expanded version of the modern apologetics classic offers a defense of Christianity’s core truths and thoughtful responses to key questions about difficult passages in the Bible. This large reference book covers evidence for the Bible, Jesus, the Old Testament, and the nature of truth.

So what is the best apologetics book for beginners? It just depends on what you are looking for. I hope you found one of these suggestions helpful for you!

Recommended resources related to the topic:

I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist (Paperback), and (Sermon) by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek 

Stealing From God by Dr. Frank Turek (Book, 10-Part DVD Set, STUDENT Study Guide, TEACHER Study Guide)

Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl (Book)

Defending the Faith on Campus by Frank Turek (DVD Set, mp4 Download set, and Complete Package)

So the Next Generation will Know by J. Warner Wallace (Book and Participant’s Guide)

Fearless Faith by Mike Adams, Frank Turek, and J. Warner Wallace (Complete DVD Series)

 

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Mikel Del Rosario helps Christians explain their faith with courage and compassion. He is a doctoral student in the New Testament department at Dallas Theological Seminary. Mikel teaches Christian Apologetics and World Religion at William Jessup University. He is the author of Accessible Apologetics and has published over 20 journal articles on apologetics and cultural engagement with his mentor, Dr. Darrell Bock. Mikel holds an M.A. in Christian Apologetics with highest honors from Biola University and a Master of Theology (Th.M) from Dallas Theological Seminary where he serves as Cultural Engagement Manager at the Hendricks Center and a host of the Table Podcast. Visit his Web site at ApologeticsGuy.com.

Original Blog Source: https://cutt.ly/3Eo5Y7n

 

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