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Top 5 Books on Christian Apologetics that I Think You Should Read
Always Be Ready to Give a Defense
Christian apologetics is the discipline of defending your faith with rational arguments for Christianity. The Apostle Paul tells us to always be ready to give a defense for the hope that is in us with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15)
Understanding why you believe is almost as important as understanding what you believe. Here is a list of Christian apologetics books that I think would be useful to someone learning to give a defense for their faith and understand why you believe.
The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus
The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus is a book written by apologist Gary Habermas and New Testament scholar Michael Licona to offer an argument for the historicity of Christ's resurrection.
As Paul told the Corinthians, If Christ did not rise from the dead then our faith is useless and we become false witnesses for God because we make a claim that is not true. But we can be sure that we are not false witnesses and that Christ really did rise from the dead. The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus is a great introduction to arguments for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis is one of the most popular Christian apologists of all time. Originally a series of radio broadcasts, C.S. Lewis sets out a clear, rational basis for Christianity. He makes a clear and easy to understand case for belief in the Christian God. This is also the book that I read in my early days of Christianity that inspired me to have a more thoughtful faith. I enjoy reading anything by C.S. Lewis and I would recommend this book to any Christian.
Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics by William Lane Craig
William Lane Craig is one of the top Christian apologists today. Reasonable Faith gives a very thought out, in depth case for the existence of God. This book is probably the most thorough apologetics book on this list and will give you a strong foundation in Christian apologetics. This book is highly recommended.
Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl
Tactics by Greg Koukl is not necessarily an apologetics book. This book does not give the Christian arguments for Christianity, but gives the Christian tactics for exposing faulty thinking to have a more meaningful discussion. This book will give you the tools to equip you to be a good ambassador for Christ. I think this book is needed for any Christian that expect to engage others in conversations about their convictions.
The Case for Christ by Lee Stroble
The Case for Christ by Lee Stroble is a very popular book on apologetics. Stroble interviews several Christian scholars to investigate the validity of Christianity. The book is easy to read and will give you some good evidence for your faith and a good starting point for learning apologetics.
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I would second that recommendation about Cold Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace. Reading that is on my to do list. I have heard him speak on the radio a few times, and seen some videos, and couldn't be more impressed. A great thinker indeed that used to be very skeptical and negative towards believers. An atheist that reconsidered everything when he could no longer deny the evidences.
I would add to this list Cold Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace. Cold case murder detective who moved from atheism to Christianity by evaluating the evidence of Christianity starting with the Gospels.
Hi bockshiner and welcome to HubPages. Really enjoyed this article and your recommendations. My pastor has also suggested some of these and likewise teaches 1Peter 3:15 to our fellowship to remember as we engage the lost world around us. Voted up and useful...
- Author
Thanks for reading my hub ercramer36. There's only one truth!
Great hub! Mere Christianity is great!
Sidkemp - "ways of seeing Christianity as valid that do not invalidate the views of others." - That is not possible. Christianity is either true and everyone else is wrong or Christianity is wrong and everyone else is right. Jesus said He was the way to God, not a way.
Thank you, this is a most useful list. Voted up and useful. I've read Mere Christianity, but not the other works. I think that apologetics can have a new slant in today's multi-ethnic world - ways of seeing Christianity as valid that do not invalidate the views of others.
Sure thing, Bockshiner, and I have that book by Koukl but haven't read it yet, as life has been very busy. Still, I know of Koukl's work fairly well, and have been reading his articles for years, as well as listening to him on the radio and even talking with him a few times on his live show. So I have an idea of how he thinks and points out logical errors or erroneous thinking that people employ. I imagine that his book will only expound on all of those things and help to learn even more.
If there is an error in how I may do some of my discussing with people, it may be that I care too much that they might see their erroneous thinking or logic. I try to share it, for their own good, and test my own ideas hardest.. It doesn't go over too well with people, though I still hope that people care they are handling ideas or lies to only help keep them in the dark on the truth or entertaining lies.
You bring up a good point, that its good to know when something is just a rabbit trail. I care about people though, and care they are thinking and believing in things for very poor reasons.
At any rate, you can tell perhaps why I was impressed to see such a hub, this the stuff I really love to study.
- Author
Thanks for you comment oceansnsunsets. You're right that many attacks are not based on fact or logic. You make good points about arguments. I think Greg Koukl's book Tactics is good for this reason. It can help learn to point out errors in thinking and logic so you know which arguments to engage and which arguments will just take you down a rabbit trail.
Hello Bockshiner, Thanks for posting what I think are some great apologetics book. These are important to read by both sides, as there are quite diametrically opposed views out there. Oddly, there is a strange attack on Christianity, and when you look at the reasons people attack it, their answers are often not based in fact, logic and reasonableness. In fact quite the opposite.
Some might think or accuse that reading a book like any of these, might confirm one's biases, or convince or affirm for poor reasons. My experience has shown that a point made is logical or not, when everything is taken into consideration. Points stand or fall on their own, and opinions are still opinions. Asserting things don't and won't ever make them true or not. Good reasoning based on what we know to be true makes a good point or not.
I encourage all people to look into books like these, if for no other reason than to test their ideas and own philosophies. In fairness, I recommend people read books from leading atheists, if they are really up for challenging ideas and their faith. These kinds of books you share here, answer so many of the atheist attacks we see with precision and reason. Especially William Lane Craigs books, and Greg Koukl. I like all you shared though. There are lots more too! Appreciate your suggestions.
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