The Apologist‘s Bookshelf

Hugh Ross, an astrophysicist as well as founder and former president of Reasons to Believe, wrote this book some time ago. In chapter 13 he argues for Biblical evidence of long creation days. purchase book here I'm Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith. Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you. contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com

Chapter three in this book discusses the rare quality we should all have--discernment, the ability to identify both good and bad ideas. The author gives several useful ways to help us and our kids be discerning. purchase book here I'm Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith. Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you. Contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com

Lee Strobel sat down with Jonathan Wells, holder of two doctorates, and asked him many questions about Darwin's idea of evolution. This chapter in his book is titled "Doubts About Darwinism." purchase book here I'm Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith. Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you. Contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com

In this national bestseller, Eric Metaxas discusses several ways atheism has been challenged by recent discoveries in science and archeology. In this podcast I cover three chapters that focus on scientific findings that point to God. purchase book here I'm Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith. Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you. contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com

Ken Samples, part of the team at Reasons to Believe, asks if Christianity is rational, relevant, and good. In this chapter he takes on the idea that God commanded genocide in the Old Testament. purchase book here I'm Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith. Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you. contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com

Scott Klusendorf answers three objections to the pro-life stance--women will die from illegal abortions, you shouldn't force your view on others, and pro-lifers should broaden their focus by fighting other social ills. purchase book here I'm Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith. Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you. Contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com

Doug  Groothuis has written a massive book dealing with evidences for the Christian faith. In this podcast I will cover a chapter in his book on religious pluralism and the fate of the unevangelized (those who have never heard of Jesus). purchase book here  I'm Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith. Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you. contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com

John Lennox discusses scientific reductionism and its limits, plus in another chapter I cover here, he explains the design we see in the universe. purchase book here I'm Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith. Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you. contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com

This continues a look at competing sources of identity in our society as it relates to the rise of artificial intelligence. I have added a link here to the book in case you'd like to get a copy. Purchase book here    

This book tackles the key issue of how Christians can navigate the world of artificial intelligence. In this podcast and the following one, I cover one chapter focusing on the way many people today get their identity and how this is threatened by artificial intelligence.

This podcast gives an overview of archeological discoveries that reveal the accuracy of Old Testament history.

Physicist Michael Strauss discusses responses of atheists to recent scientific findings: the origin of the universe, its fine-tuning, and the idea that the earth is rare after all.

Mark D. Roberts tackles a key question about Christianity: Do miracles undermine the reliability of the gospels?

This short book does a nice job of exploring the promises and pitfalls of A.I. In this podcast I look at his discussion of the power and possibilities of A.I.

I finish discussing Natasha Crain's chapter on Christian nationalism.

Natasha Crain gives Christians ways to navigate a hostile culture. These two podcasts cover Christian nationalism.

Pastor Hal Seed answers the question of why God was so violent in the Old Testament.

In this podcast I look at the book's coverage of Jehovah's Witnesses.

In the seventh chapter of his book, Randy Alcorn answers the question of what life is like in the present heaven.  Christians need to clearly explain the concept of heaven because there are so many misunderstandings about it.

In chapter one Tim Keller compares various ways cultures train its members for grief, pain, and loss. The sad thing is that our own contemporary, secular Western culture is one of the weakest and worst in history at doing so.

Natasha Crain answers two interesting questions about the existence of God in chapters 5 and 6: What is the difference between God and the Flying Spaghetti Monster? How much evidence do we need to be confident God exists?

Chapter three of this book deals with a powerful argument for the existence of God--design throughout the universe and within our bodies.

This book, by Sean McDowell and Jonathan Morrow, explores many questions raised by the new atheists.  This podcast covers one key question: Is hell a divine torture chamber?

This chapter from Natasha Crain's book looks at deconversion stories and offers ways for us to confront our doubts.

This is a continuation of chapter 2 in Justin Brierley's book.

Continuing through Justin Brierley's stimulating book, I focus on chapter 2, which talks of the grand story that we all used to live by and how it changed.

In chapter 4 McDowell and Sean McDowell  discuss how an anything goes culture is influencing our children's perception of the authority of the Bible, their concept of what is virtuous, their ideas of honor and courage, and even their understanding of justice.

Chapter three of Jim Wallace's book describes the importance of friends in human flourishing and offers wise counsel in choosing friends.

James Emery White, one of my favorite authors, tells us in chapters 3 and 4 of his book the importance of books and education.

In the first chapter of his book, Rod Dreher talks of the new soft totalitarianism that exists today.

In the first two chapters to his book, Os Guinness discusses troubling facts about evil and suffering in the modern world, seven basic questions to explore when thinking about this issue, and the three everyday sources of evil and suffering.

This is one book every Christian needs to have on his/her bookshelf. I cover the first two chapters, in which Greg Koukl discusses how to be an effective witness for Christ and the value of good arguments.

This book by Charlie Campbell has concise answers to the top fifty objections people have about Christianity. This podcast covers six of those challenges with his responses.

In this section of her book, Nancy Pearcey tells how we can identify reductionism, which is a substitute idol for those who have rejected Christianity. 

Josh McDowell, a well-known apologist, wrote this book to show how a popular cultural movement threatens much that we believe. This podcast covers his first two chapters.

Mark Mittelberg used a poll to find out what questions Christians most fear being asked. This podcast covers the first question: "Why do you think God exists?"

Justin Brierley, host of a popular podcast that discusses religious issues, has written a book which discusses why secular thinkers are considering Christianity again. My podcast covers his first chapter, in which he explains the rise and fall of the New Atheism. 

My favorite apologist and personal friend, J. warner Wallace, has a wonderful book that I am going through. This podcast explores his second chapter, which talks of good and bad ways we can seek identity.

In chapters 3 and 4 Greg Koukl explains the three kinds of relativism and critiques the idea that each society has its own unique set of moral values.

Chapter 11 of this book asks the question of whether the disciples of Jesus died as martyrs.

J. Warner Wallace, one of my favorite apologists, has written a book that explores fifteen surprising rules for life and shows how Christianity helps us flourish as individuals.

Phil Fernandes deals with a question we often hear these days: Is Christianity intolerant?

Lee Strobel interviews noted New Testament scholar Craig Blomberg to see if the biographies of Jesus hold up to scrutiny.

Chapter 2 of this book examines what true biblical justice looks like.

Designed for people who believe there is a God and who are seeking spiritual truths, Tim Keller's book was a huge bestseller. Chapter three challenges the idea that Christianity is a straightjacket because it appears to be culturally narrow.

Ron Rhodes has written an excellent book that lays out essential information for people to use when interacting with a Jehovah's Witness. Chapter 4 explains why Jesus is actually God, not a created being as taught by the Watchtower Society.

Justin Brierley has been a host of a show that has Christians and skeptics airing arguments for and against the Christian faith. In this chapter from his book, Justin explains why God makes sense of human value.

Western culture divided in the past into two streams--a Judeo-Christian outlook and an atheist outlook. This podcast covers the atheist side as it subdivided into two streams--one characterized as "modern" and the other as "postmodern."

The Jesus Seminar, made up of very liberal people, often attacked evangelical beliefs about Christianity. This book refutes their challenges. Today I explore the third chapter of the book, which discusses what we can learn about the words of Jesus as recorded in the New Testament.

This is a continuation of the author's responses to objections directed at Christianity.

J. Warner Wallace, one of my favorite speakers and authors, discusses the origin of life and free will in two chapters of his book.