The Apologist‘s Bookshelf

Mark Eastman and Chuck Smith discuss two questions relating to the issue of Jesus as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah--Was he described as the Son of God in Jewish scriptures? Will Messiah come twice, according to these scriptures? Book: The Search for Messiah by Mark Eastman and Chuck Smith Purchase book here NOTE—If you wish to listen to previous podcasts that cover different parts of this book,...

Tim Keller, best-selling author and pastor, asks in his first chapter why getting your heart's deepest desire is so often a disaster. Many times we fashion these desires into idols. Book: Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller Purchase book here NOTE—If you wish to listen to previous podcasts that cover different parts of this book, go to podbean and look at the five choices listed right above the podcast...

Philip Sampson shows in chapter 1 how the story of Galileo and the church has been distorted to make Christianity look bad. Book: 6 Modern Myths by Philip Sampson Purchase book here NOTE—If you wish to listen to previous podcasts that cover different parts of this book, go to podbean and look at the five choices listed right above the podcasts (Home, Subscribe, Profile, Connect, and the search ico...

James Emery White, pastor and professor of theology, discusses three cultural currents that are shaping our modern world--secularization, pluralization, and privatization. He explains what these have left in their wake. Book: Serious Times by James Emery White Purchase book here NOTE—If you wish to listen to previous podcasts that cover different parts of this book, go to podbean and look at the f...

J. P. Moreland, noted author, philosopher, and professor, talks of our hunger for drama in what he calls a "thin world." Book: Kingdom Triangle by J. P. Moreland 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 ke...

Lynn Wilder, a former tenured professor at Brigham Young University, discusses LDS doctrinal basics that differ from traditional biblical doctrine. Book: A Personal Encounter with Mormonism by Lynn Wilder 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 Ch...

The first chapter in this best-selling book discusses the fascinating possibility that the Shroud of Turin is the burial cloth of Jesus. Book: The Jesus Discoveries by Jeremiah J. Johnston 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. E...

Daniel Darling asks a key question: Since when does praying to Jesus, loving America, and saluting the flag make you an extremist? Book: In Defense of Christian Patriotism by Daniel Darling 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....

This book seeks to give Christians effective ways to share the good news of Jesus. In chapter 4 he challenges excuses we all use to avoid sharing with others. Book: Unsilenced by James Boccardo 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 fai...

 This podcast looks at a magazine called Salvo, which discusses important recent developments in science, sex, and society. I discuss several interesting articles in a recent issue. People can access for free 20 years of Salvo magazine articles by going to salvomag.com.  Salvo magazine published by the Fellowship of St. James Website for the magazine here I’m Gary Zacharias, a professor of English...

Neil Lightfoot covers the area of textual criticism--figuring out what the original Greek text of the New Testament said. He also explores textual variations to show they are not a threat to understanding the original text. Book: How We Got the Bible by Neil Lightfoot Purchase book here NOTE—If you wish to listen to previous podcasts that cover different parts of this book, go to podbean and look...

Josh McDowell and his son Sean McDowell answer several questions people have asked--Is it possible to know the truth? Is some truth just personal preference? Is God sexist? Is God racist?  Book: 77 FAQs About God and the Bible by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell Purchase book here NOTE—If you wish to listen to previous podcasts that cover different parts of this book, go to podbean and look at the...

Paul Copan deals with three questions related to truth and reality--Why not just look out for yourself? Isn't it ok to do what you want just as long as you don't hurt anyone? Why is God so arrogant and egotistical? Book: When God Goes to Starbucks by Paul Copan Purchase book here I’m Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for a...

In chapter 7 John Lennox deals with artificial general intelligence and considers important issues: our brains as computers, evolution, and possible world domination by AGI. NOTE—If you wish to listen to previous podcasts that cover different parts of this book, go to podbean and look at the five choices listed right above the podcasts (Home, Subscribe, Profile, Connect, and the search icon). Clic...

This concludes the chapter on New Age beliefs. NOTE—If you wish to listen to previous podcasts that cover different parts of this book, go to podbean and look at the five choices listed right above the podcasts (Home, Subscribe, Profile, Connect, and the search icon). Click on the search icon and type in the name of the book. Book: The Compact Guide to World Religions by Dean Halverson, general ed...

This podcast covers the first part of a look at New Age beliefs. NOTE—If you wish to listen to previous podcasts that cover different parts of this book, go to podbean and look at the five choices listed right above the podcasts (Home, Subscribe, Profile, Connect, and the search icon). Click on the search icon and type in the name of the book. Book: The Compact Guide to World Religions by Dean Hal...

Lee Strobel tackles a very common complaint about Christianity: It's offensive to claim Jesus is the only way to God. NOTE—If you wish to listen to previous podcasts that cover different parts of this book, go to podbean and look at the five choices listed right above the podcasts (Home, Subscribe, Profile, Connect, and the search icon). Click on the search icon and type in the name of the book. B...

Neil Shenvi and Pat Sawyer have written a powerful book asserting a biblical vision of race, gender, and sexuality. It's easier to read than their other book dealing with woke ideology (Critical Dilemma) and more practical. This podcast covers the four pillars of contemporary critical theory and fallacies of those espousing woke ideas. This is a book we should all read. Book: Post Woke by Neil She...

Norm Geisler deals with other religious worldviews in chapter four--atheism, deism, pantheism, panentheism, finite godism, and polytheism. For each he discusses its view of God, the world, evil, miracles, and value/ethics. NOTE—If you wish to listen to previous podcasts that cover different parts of this book, go to podbean and look at the five choices listed right above the podcasts (Home, Subscr...

Frank Turek, in chapter 4 of his book, argues that there can be no objective morality unless God exists. Book: Stealing From God by Frank Turek Purchase book here NOTE—If you wish to listen to previous podcasts that cover different parts of this book, go to podbean and look at the five choices listed right above the podcasts (Home, Subscribe, Profile, Connect, and the search icon). Click on the se...

J. P. Moreland starts his book by explaining the loss of the Christian mind in American Christianity and what that has done to the church. NOTE—If you wish to listen to previous podcasts that cover different parts of this book, go to podbean and look at the five choices listed right above the podcasts (Home, Subscribe, Profile, Connect, and the search icon). Click on the search icon and type in th...

Paul Copan deals with two challenges to Christianity in chapters 13 and 14--How can God be three and one? Isn't the idea of God becoming a man incoherent? Book: That's Just Your Interpretation by Paul Copan 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...

Bart Ehrman, best-selling author and professor, tackles the historical sources for Jesus, how to reconstruct the life of the historical Jesus, and the role of women in the ministry of Jesus. Book: Truth and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code by Bart Ehrman Purchase book here I’m Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curio...

Two keys questions are dealt with here--Did Jesus really exist? Can we believe today that Jesus worked miracles? Book: Evidence for God by Dembski and Licona 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 bo...

Charlie Campbell gives short answers to some interesting questions--How can you say Jesus is the only way to God? Wasn't the deity of Christ an invention by the church during the fourth century at the Council of Nicea? How can a loving God send somebody to hell? Haven't certain books of the Bible been lost? Isn't there a conflict between the God in the Old Testament, who is often portrayed as crue...