The Apologist‘s Bookshelf

I am using this podcast to give an overview of Stephen Meyer's influential book Signature in the Cell, which argues for an intelligent designer based on recent discoveries about DNA.

This book looks at young people born after 2000 (known as Gen Z). I cover two chapters that discuss the characteristics of this generation and ten strategies to connect with them.

This massive book tackles scientific, philosophical, and theological problems with theistic evolution. This podcast focuses on a chapter demonstrating the incompatibility of T.E. with New Testament teachings.

As the title says, this book wrestles with difficult Bible passages. I look at issues dealing with why there are differences among the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), the different genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke, and why Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man.

R. C. Sproul, well-known theologian, pastor, and teacher, answers  more than 300 frequently asked questions about life and faith. I discuss a chapter in which he considers faith--what it is and how to effectively share it with others.

J. Warner Wallace's book does an amazing job revealing reasons we can be confident in the existence of God. Let's take a look at his chapter on the fine tuning of the universe that scientists have been discovering over the past few years.

Phil Yancey has written a classic that examines the problem of pain and suffering. This podcast covers a chapter that talks about our "groaning planet" with and possible answers to this problem that everyone wrestles with.

This book is a collection of essays on apologetics. I'm talking here about chapter 3 in which Greg Koukl covers his extremely useful list of tactics to use when interacting with a non-believer. This is good material that he expands upon in his book Tactics.

This podcast covers several different issues the book discusses--the idea of a flat earth, the supposed war between Christianity and science, and the weaknesses of the Darwinian account of evolution.

Natasha Crain has another powerful book parents can use to help keep their kids focused on Christianity. I look at her chapter that answers the question "Do we really have free will?"

John Stonestreet and Brett Kunkle have written an important book every parent should read. They tackle many important threats to our kids. I look at one chapter that discusses the evils of pornography and what parents can say to their children about it.

Doug Groothuis, in this massive book's twentieth chapter, discusses doubt, skepticism, and the hiddenness of God.

Craig Blomberg, noted scholar and author, covers six issues that he thinks are important for us to wrestle with when it comes to the Bible. I look at his intro where he lays these questions out to explain why he still believes the Bible.

This podcast will feature key beliefs and practices of Muslims as covered in this book.

Greg Koukl's book does a great job explaining Christianity to many people who don't understand its message. In this podcast, I discuss two of his chapters that focus on Jesus--Was he just a recycled redeemer, another myth? Who exactly was he?

The authors answer two questions that I focus on in this podcast--Are the New Testament accounts of demons true? Why are there four different gospels?

In his monumental work, N. T. Wright covers a lot of material relating to the New Testament. I discuss his opening chapters on why we should study the New Testament and how to see it as history.

Greg Koukl's book is excellent for dealing with a huge influence on our society--relativism. This podcast focuses on chapters 1 and 2, dealing with the death of truth, pleasure ethics, and what a relativism hero looks like.

Three professors have written a book which argues that the gospel satisfies our longings for truth, beauty, and meaning. I cover their first chapter: "An Invitation to Apologetics."

This time I'm looking at a fascinating topic that can't be confirmed--is the Shroud of Turin the actual burial cloth of Jesus?  Phil Fernandes does an excellent job going over the historical and scientific evidence that has been accumulated. See what you think.

Let's take another look inside Lee Strobel's  popular book. This time I cover a chapter that explores the gospels--Can they be trusted? Who wrote them? When were they written?

Tim Keller's book, The Reason for God, was a New York Times bestseller. This is the second podcast I have devoted to the book, this time focusing on the difficult issue of evil and suffering existing in a Christian worldview that says God is good.

Phil Fernandes, noted speaker and author, wrote this book as a response to the New Atheists Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins. The chapter I cover deals with the issue of whether Jesus claimed to be God.

Dan Story is the author of several clear and compelling books. In this one, I look at his chapter on whether Christianity is responsible for environmental degradation and how other religions have handled environment issues.

This book, now renamed How Christianity Changed the World, tells of the many blessings Christianity has brought to humanity. Today's podcast looks at ways Christianity influenced education for the better.