At one time or another every Christian is called upon to defend the faith. Here are books I recommend as popular-level works on the subject of apologetics.
Top Recommendation
Tactics by Greg Koukl – This excellent book provides tactics useful for addressing particular concerns and objections. See also the follow-up book Street Smarts.
When I think of Christian apologetics, I tend to think of Evidence that Demands a Verdict or some of the classics of days gone by. But in this book Koukl offers a new approach and one that is well-suited to the times. He teaches the Christian to think well, to exemplify grace and to humbly lead a conversation to the truth. “We may spend hours helping someone carefully work through an issue without ever mentioning God, Jesus or the Bible. This does not mean we aren’t advancing the kingdom. It is always a step in the right direction when he help others think more carefully. If nothing else, it gives them tools to assess the bigger questions that eventually come up.”
Other Recommendations
- The Reason for God by Tim Keller – Keller’s book is a powerful antidote to the voluminous works of today’s atheists and skeptics.
- Finding Truth by Nancy Pearcey – Pearcey goes to Romans 1 and shows how it explains all the world’s idolatry.
- Telling a Better Story by Joshua Chatraw. Chatraw explains why the methods of the apologist need to be different now than they were 20 or even 10 years ago.
- Cold Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace – Drawing on his experience as a cold case detective, Wallace makes a compelling case for the Christian faith.
- The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel – This has become a classic; it is still an enjoyable read.
- The Dawkins Delusion by Alistair McGrath – McGrath takes on the formidable Richard Dawkins.
