The Apologist‘s Bookshelf

Kevin DeYoung, pastor and author, has a book that is called a "liberating approach to finding God's will." In this podcast, I cover his chapter on God's will of decree and will of desire. He asks if God has a specific plan for our lives. Book: Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung Purchase book here I’m Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This...

Hugh Ross, noted astrophysicist and founder of Reasons to Believe, deals with two interesting questions in this podcast--Are we alone in the universe? Could life exist on a moon rather than a planet? 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,...

I jumped around and picked three topics--the date of the Exodus, the character of the Biblical prophets, and apocalyptic literature in the Bible. 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 typ...

Gary Habermas and J.P. Moreland discuss the idea of reincarnation in the eighth chapter of this book, now called Beyond Death. 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 th...

Historian Rodney Stark opens his book by describing early Muslim conquests in lands that were once Christian. 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: God...

In chapter 6 of the book, the author discusses the fall of the human race in Genesis and the ongoing battle within our hearts in which unhelpful desires wage war with our conscience. He ties this in to the issue of gender dysphoria. 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 (Ho...

Greg Koukl challenges the idea that the story of Jesus is simply a recycled version of pagan religions. 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: Faith Is...

In chapter 7 Lee Strobel interviews a professor of religious studies at Indiana University about the use of scientific evidence to support miracle accounts. 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 i...

This book is dedicated to preparing young Christians for a challenging world. Chapter 4 focuses on helping them develop a worldview that brings significance. 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...

Hank Hanegraaff provides reasoned, biblical responses to many questions dealing with resurrection. In this podcast I cover three questions he answers--Do believers receive resurrected bodies when they die or when Christ returns? If heaven is perfect, won't it be perfectly boring?  Will God raise pets and platypuses from the dead?  NOTE—If you wish to listen to previous podcasts that cover differen...

Greg Koukl, noted apologist and radio host, uses this book to answer tough challenges to Christianity. In chapter 3 he tells how asking questions is an effective way to engage others in conversations. 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,...

Michael Egnor, a neurosurgeon, has written a book arguing for the existence of the soul. In my first podcast of this book, I review his chapter dealing with those who are skeptics of near-death experiences. Book: The Immortal Mind by Michael Egnor 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...

D. James Kennedy explores the Bible's positive influence on science in chapter 7 of his book. 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: What If the Bible H...

The encyclopedia covers the religious views of Harold Kushner, who advocated for a limited God, and Sigmund Freud, an influential atheist who argued that God is a childhood neurosis we never outgrew. 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,...

Chapter four in this booklet is crucial. It lets the Mormon scriptures speak for themselves on the issue of perfection being required to please God. It gives Christians a chance to share the good news of the true Gospel. 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, Subscrib...

Hal Seed covers a crucial question in chapter four: How accurate is the Bible? He discusses both the Old and New Testament writings in his response. 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...

James Emery White challenges Christians to develop their minds, to take seriously the larger world of the intellect.  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...

In chapter two Rodney Stark confronts an incredible lie that says Europe was submerged in the "Dark Ages" from the fall of Rome until about the fifteenth century. Book: The Victory of Reason by Rodney Stark 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...

Chapter 11 in this book discusses how it was Christianity that helped abolish slavery. 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: Under the Influence (now c...

Chapter 13 in this book gives many examples of lives changed through Jesus Christ. 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: What If Jesus Had Never Been B...

Lee Strobel investigates angels, demons, mystical dreams, near-death experiences, and other mysteries of the unseen world. This podcast covers his introduction to the book. 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...

R. C. Sproul answers questions dealing with suffering. 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: Now, That's a Good Question by R. C. Sproul purchase book...

This chapter, which comes from a book discussing the history of Mormonism, covers the background of racism in the LDS church. NOTE: I have done two previous podcasts on this book in case you'd like to hear them as well--9/27/21 and 12/10/22. 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 abou...

Stand to Reason puts out useful booklets on various apologetics topics. This podcast covers reasons why atheists actually do not think critically. Their arguments are often filled with irrelevant distractions and logical fallacies, and the evidence doesn't deliver the conclusion they are after. This is my first podcast dealing with this book.  Book: The Ambassador's Guide to the New Atheists by Gr...

The authors discuss basic traits of cults and their incorrect theological assumptions. NOTE--I discussed another topic from this book (reincarnation) on May 15, 2024 in case you'd like to hear it as well. Book: The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics by Ed Hindson & Ergun Caner. Purchase book here I’m Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ....