The Apologist‘s Bookshelf

Greg Koukl's book Tactics has sold more than 500,000 copies, which shows it has great value for Christians who want to defend their faith. In chapters 3 and 4 Koukl introduces the Columbo tactic--what it is and its advantages in managing a conversation. Book: Tactics by Greg Koukl Purchase book here NOTE—If you wish to listen to previous podcasts that cover different parts of this book, go to podb...

Chapter 7 in this book discusses Scientology--its beliefs and how it contrasts with Christianity. Book: The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions by Ron Rhodes 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...

Dr. Jeff Myers, president of Summit Ministries, discusses why, contrary to popular thought, truth can be known. Book: Truth Changes Everything by Dr. Jeff Myers 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)...

John Lennox, professor and author, uses chapter 7 to give the reader some idea of the vast complexity of the living cell and DNA. He does this to show the difficulty of life arising from chance. Book: God's Undertaker by John Lennox 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 abo...

Rebecca McLaughlin answers a question often asked these days: Doesn't religion cause violence? Book: Confronting Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin 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 th...

Hugh Ross, astrophysicist and founder of Reasons to Believe, discusses the idea of a multiverse to explain design in the universe and  deals with challenges to the fine-tuning seen throughout the universe. Book: The Creator and the Cosmos by Hugh Ross 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 choic...

Tim Keller, noted pastor and author, responds to the issue of the Christian claim of absolute truth. Does this make Christianity a straightjacket? Book: The Reason for God by Tim Keller 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...

John Lennox, university professor and noted author, compares the Genesis account of creation to the literature of contemporary ancient cultures. Book: Seven Days That Divide the World by John Lennox 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,...

Chapter 7 of this book gives a moral argument for the existence of God. Book: To Everyone an Answer edited by Francis Beckwith, William Lane Craig, and J.P. Moreland 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 searc...

This is a collection of practical strategies for getting a conversation started with Mormons. In chapter 15, a former Mormon tells how to use the Columbo tactic--asking good questions. Book: Sharing the Good News with Mormons (edited by Eric Johnson 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...

Harry Blamires challenges Christians to develop a Christian mind. One characteristic is a supernatural orientation, which sees God as the ultimate reality. This worldview clashes with the current idea that there is nothing beyond the natural world. Book: The Christian Mind by Harry Blamires Purchase book here NOTE—If you wish to listen to previous podcasts that cover different parts of this book,...

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...