Books: Missions, Evangelism, Apologetics

The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict By Josh McDowell / Thomas Nelson When Josh McDowell (More Than A Carpenter) was a pre-law student, he was challenged by a group of Christians to investigate the claims of Jesus from a purely intellectual standpoint. At the time, he felt supremely confident Christianity would fail such an examination, so he set out to prove that Christianity was a sham. Along the way, he discovered something else; he discovered Jesus. Evidence that Demands a Verdict may have started out as an attempt to prove Christianity intellectually false. What it has now become is something completely different. McDowell uncovered in his research the incredible resiliency of the Christian faith, and the strength of its intellectual claims. Thus, when he came to setting out his findings, he ended up creating one of the best Christian apologetic references available. And now he has made that reference work even better, revising it and updating it for the 21st century. The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict maintains and strengthens McDowell's original arguments for the validity of Christianity. Jam-packed with information, this book looks at why the Bible can be trusted, including its historical reliability and accuracy. McDowell explains who Jesus is, and why the New Testament record of his personality and ministry is the best and most authentic source available. He also explains how several worldviews have attempted to discredit Christianity, particularly through the methods of biblical, form, and textual criticism. McDowell also examines several philosophical systems, including skepticism, agnosticism, and mysticism, and offers a cogent defense of the idea and reality of miracles. Few apologetics books can claim the intellectual breadth that The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict has. Its extensive bibliography and documentation give it a firm foundation that enables it to weather even the strongest criticism. It has been a classic apologetic reference since its first publication, and it is now even better.

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Who Made God? And Answers to Over 100 Other Tough Questions of Faith By Zondervan In the quest for truth, you need to know what you believe and why you believe it. Who Made God? offers answers to over 100 commonly asked apologetic questions. Edited by Ravi Zacharias along with Norman L. Geisler, this single volume summary of answers brings together the best in evangelical apologists to equip Christians with biblical and practical answers regarding the Christian faith. Part one answers questions such as: Who made God? How can there be three persons in one God? What is God's ultimate purpose in allowing evil? Does the Bible have errors in it? Part two answers tough questions about other faiths including Islam, Mormonism, Yoga, Reincarnation, and Hinduism. A comprehensive list of suggested resources help you dig deeper so you can be prepared to give careful answers that explain the reasons for your faith.

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More Than a Carpenter By Josh McDowell / Living Books This classic by a Master Apologist is still consistently one of the top titles in apologetics! For over 25 years McDowell has been giving readers thought-provoking insights into the events surrounding Christ's life and asking whether they could all be explained by coincidence. Asking the hard questions about the reliability of biblical records, psychological profiles of disciples and apostles (would they die for a lie if the stories are not true?) and whether or not Jesus can be considered simply a good man who spoke some wise words, the author shows the light of truth while not overwhelming the reader with too much text. Designed as a missions and evangelism tool, this book has a proven track record!

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Defending Your Faith: An Introduction to Apologetics By R.C. Sproul / Crossway Books & Bibles The defense of the Faith is an old and honorable Christian tradition, and should be part of every Christian's repertoire. To aid both fledgling apologists and seasoned veterans in this, R. C. Sproul (The Holiness of God) has produced a book both simple in language and complex in depth to speak to the Church as a whole. Divided into 6 sections, each addressing crucial elements in the study of apologetics, Sproul brings the reader through the full spectrum, from the role apologetics plays in a saving faith through foundational studies of knowledge, reason, and the existence of God, discussing how secular philosophers have misunderstood the Faith, and finally to a presentation of a case for biblical authority. In a manner honed by years of being on the forefront of applied apologetics and a heart for equipping the Church, Defending Your Faith clearly illustrates the need for authentic and fearless defenders of the Faith.

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Letters from a Skeptic: A Son Wrestles with His Father's Questions About Christianity By Dr. Gregory A. Boyd / David C. Cook Greg Boyd is an apologetics professor at Bethel College. When he became a Christian, his father, Ed, thought he had joined a cult. For fourteen years, Greg tried to talk to his father about Christianity, with little success. Then, in what he saw as a last ditch effort, Greg invited his father participate in a dialogue through letters in which Ed could express all his doubts and questions and Greg could attempt to answer them, and prove the validity of his own views. To Greg's surprise, his father agreed. This book is the collection of those letters. Who is this book for? It has a wide potential audience. Its a great example of the power of apologetics, and could be used in a classroom setting to stimulate discussion. Its also a hopeful example for those who have loved ones not yet saved (Ed became a Christian after three years of dialog with Greg). But its also valuable for people who are already Christians, on two fronts. One, its helpful for those seeking answers to questions provided by friends and loved ones. Two, its a wonderful exposition of basic Christian beliefs, and can help believers strengthen their faith. Honest, thought-stimulating, intelligent, well-written. A good addition to any library.

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