Recommended Christian Apologetics Books and Resources

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 My Favorite Book:

BruchkoBruchko by Bruce Olson (A riveting true story with appeal for both Christians and non-Christians)

An excerpt:

   ...I ran straight into some vines, tripped, and fell flat on my face, scrambled up, and got tangled in the vines again. Then a searing pain bit into my thigh, and my whole body went limp. I fell.
   Everything seemed to move slowly - even my huge gulping breaths. I looked down at my thigh. A long shaft was sticking out of it, with a neat little punch-hole where the arrow had gone in. The hole was a bright red from the blood, my blood, oozing out and down my leg. I couldn't take my eyes off the arrow. It seemed unreal. It had to be sticking out from someone else's leg. But it wasn't.
   Then I looked up, and my heart almost stopped. I was encircled by dark-skinned, naked men, with huge bows drawn taut. Nine little dots of arrowheads pointed right at me. I forgot about my leg.
   "Don't shoot, don't!" I said in Yuko, pleading also with my eyes. Their eyes, like little black chunks of coal, made no response. Their arms did not relax their bows.
"Oh please," I said in Spanish, "I come as a friend. "Friend," I said in Latin.
   Without taking their eyes off of me, they removed the arrows from their bows. One of the men walked over to me. I cowered. He reached down to my leg and grasped the arrow by the shaft. Putting his foot on my thigh, he yanked out the arrow. I saw little red, dancing stars. I couldn't breathe. I looked down at my leg and saw a bit of my muscle trailing in the blood from where the arrow had been pulled out. Every second the pain seemed to be more than I could stand, and then unbelievably, it got worse...

And you thought you had it bad in your witnessing attempts!

 

For the Non-Christian:

Rare EarthRare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe by Peter D. Ward and Donald Brownlee

A recent (2000) secular book that recognizes the improbable design of the earth. Paleontologist Peter D. Ward and astrobiologist Donald Brownlee examine the unusual characteristics of our galaxy, solar system, star, and Earth and conclude that ET may have no home to go to. Surprisingly, the authors conclude that the amazing "coincidences" are the result of good luck and chance.

Eternity in their HeartsEternity in their Hearts by Don Richardson

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end (Esslessiastes 3:11, italics added).

Don Richardson presents documented evidence from hundreds of primitive cultures from around the world that God, indeed, has put eternity into the hearts of men.

Mere ChristianityMere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

The classic work of C.S. Lewis, a former atheist, who logically describes why Christianity is logical and how right and wrong give us a clue as to the meaning of the universe.

For the Christian

The Pilgrim's ProgressThe Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

An excellent story of the hazards associated with the Christian walk. A must-read for all Christians. There are several recent versions that have been geared toward the younger readers. Our boys have really enjoyed these, often listening for hours.

The Kingdom of the CultsThe Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin - an excellent guide to Christian and non-Christian cults and how to witness to people involved in them.

Evidence That Demands a VerdictEvidence That Demands a Verdict : Historical Evidences for the Christian Faith by Josh McDowell

The definitive book of Christian apologetics. It effectively refutes much of the higher criticism and contemporary "scholarship."

Foxe's Book of MartyrsFoxe's Book of Martyrs by John Foxe.

First published in 1554, the book chronicles the history of the lives, sufferings and triumphant deaths of the early Christian martyrs.

In His PresenceIn His Presence video.

Although this is not a book, it is one of the best resources for Christians who would like to take a break from the garbage in the world. The incredible photography, excellent script with numerous promises from God's word, and great contemporary and classic Christian music will inspire and encourage your soul. Highly Recommended!

 

For Kids

The Chronicles of NarniaThe Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

A classic book of adventure, mystery and humor, with deeper meaning for those who are Christian. If you start reading these books to your kids, they won't let you stop reading (and you will probably continue reading after your kids have fallen asleep!). Lewis' style allows you to "see" the story as it unfolds. The intricacies and subtleties are all come together in the last two books of the series.

Little Pilgrim's Progress by Helen L. Taylor

The children's version of John Bunyan's classic story of the hazards associated with the Christian walk. An easy-to-understand version geared toward the younger readers. Our boys have really enjoyed this version, often listening for hours.

 

Science and Apologetics

Beyond the CosmosBeyond the Cosmos by Dr. Hugh Ross

An excellent look at some of the more controversial theological aspects of Christianity. This book will encourage your faith and expand your understanding  and appreciation of God's majesty.

The Creator and the CosmosThe Creator and the Cosmos by Dr. Hugh Ross

A classic book for modern Christian apologetics and science. Dr. Ross presents the latest scientific evidence for intelligent design of our world and an easy to understand introduction to modern cosmology. This is a great book to give agnostics, who have an interest in cosmology and astronomy.

The Genesis QuestionThe Genesis Question by Dr. Hugh Ross

This latest book by Dr. Ross presents a response to popular skepticism about the first eleven chapters of Genesis, which account for the vast majority of challenges to the credibility of Christianity. With careful integration of the scientific and theological data, Dr. Ross explains how the ongoing research into the origin and development of the universe, Earth, plant life, animal life, humans, and human civilization match our best understanding of the Hebrew texts. The book describes in colorful detail the highlights of each creation day. It demonstrates the consistency of the Genesis 1 and 2 creation accounts. It offers answers to questions about:

  • Adam and Eve
  • Cain's wife and city
  • long life spans
  • the rapid increase of knowledge and wickedness
  • the purpose and extent of the Genesis flood
  • Noah's ark and its passengers
  • the rise of post-Flood civilization
  • Babel and the dispersion of humanity
  • the "dividing of the Earth in the days of Peleg"

The Creation Date Controversy

Peril in Paradise: Theology, Science, and the Age of the Earth Peril in Paradise: Theology, Science, and the Age of the Earth by Mark S. Whorton, Ph.D. goes beyond the superficial doctrines espoused by the young earth "perfect paradise" paradigm to examine underlying assumptions and extra-biblical teachings of the movement. Peril in Paradise examines verses cited as support for the perfect paradise paradigm in context to determine their actual meaning. In addition, the book compares the perfect paradise paradigm to the perfect purpose paradigm proposed by old earth creationists. Since the book sticks to the scriptures almost exclusively, it cannot be claimed that old earth creationists ignore the scriptures in preference to "fallible science."

The Genesis DebateThe Genesis Debate: Three teams of evangelical scholars tackle the question of how God created the universe by presenting and defending their respective views in a lively, yet friendly, forum. J. Ligon Duncan III and David W. Hall defend the view that the Genesis creation days are six, sequential days, each 24 hours long (the 24-hour view). Hugh Ross and Gleason L. Archer defend the view that the Genesis creation days are six sequential ages of time of unspecified but finite duration (the day-age view). And Lee Irons with Meredith G. Kline defend the view that the Genesis creation days are presented as normal days, but that the picture of God's creating in six days and resting on the seventh is figurative (the Framework view).

A Matter of DaysA Matter of Days: Resolving a Creation Controversy by Hugh Ross examines the biblical creation controversy through an in-depth study of history, theology, and science through a testable creation model that proposes a mechanism to settle this raging dispute.

A New Look at an Old EarthA New Look at an Old Earth by Don Stoner

Don Stoner looks at the age of the earth from a scientific and biblical perspective. He presents much more evidence that is not presented in Creation and Time.

The older version of A New Look at an Old Earth is available online

Evolution

Darwin's Black BoxDarwin's Black Box by Michael Behe

Darwin's Black Box discusses the problems associated with macroevolution at the level of biochemistry and molecular biology.

Evolution: A Theory in Crisis by Michael Denton

A general discussion of some of the problems associated with macroevolution. It is somewhat outdated, but a good introduction to the overall scope.

http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/books.html

 

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