These reading resources are intended for Christian professors who are not
professional philosophers or theologians but who desire to get better in the apologetic enterprise in academe. Some of the recommended reading will focus on what good answers there might be out there to “standard” questions, and some of the reading will discuss ways to interact with people in a way that I think is especially important.
By inclusion, Academic Connections, International does not mean to imply that they agree with everything these authors and suggested readings have to say, but that they are worthy as important research resources and for giving multiple points of view on the subject.
Selected Books (and links for futher information):
General Introduction
Listed in the Order of Suggested Reading
Murray, Michael J. ed. Reason for the Hope Within. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1997. pps. 422.
A very fine book that should be read by all serious apologists who serve in academe. Though some may find this to be a difficult read in places, it’s for the most part a good place to start for apologists who are not professionally trained philosophers but who have graduate education and are acquainted with the current academic culture and the questions which emerge from it. In short, it provides sophisticated specific apologetic answers to specific questions.
No less than the late William Alston (one of the founders of the Society of Christian Philosophers who was a highly esteemed professional philosopher) has this to say about the book on its back cover, “.....a brilliantly executed distillation of recent philosophical explorations of basic themes in the Christian faith, put into a form that is accessible to the general reader...”
Though written more than a decade ago, I think its contents remain for the most part very relevant, mostly up-to-date and scholarly answers to difficult questions. Chapters in this book are typically written to address a specific question or a set of related questions and include things like: theistic arguments, the fine-tuning design argument, God, evil and suffering, arguments for atheism, the nature of faith and reason, religious pluralism, eastern religions, divine providence and human freedom, the incarnation and the trinity, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting, heaven and hell, religion and science, miracles and Christian theism, Christianity and ethics. If you haven’t read widely in Christian apologetic material, this book can allow you to leap-frog over a number of dated Christian responses to good questions.
Newman, Randy. Questioning Evangelism: Engaging People’s Hearts the Way Jesus Did. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2004. pps. 269.
This books isn’t about formulating specific answers to specific apologetic questions. Rather, Randy makes the case for what some might think is the counterintuitive way to do evangelism (and apologetics). That is, he argues that asking questions is better than giving answers and that there is value to learning how to do that with skill and insight. We consider it one of the best practical guides and a book that everyone should read who wants to be effective in doing apologetics inter-personally. While we’re committed to answering questions with the best answers that we can research, mastering the skills that Randy talks about are key to discerning whether there is something deeper going on in the conversation.
Beckwith, Frances, Craig, William Lane, Moreland, J.P. eds. To Everyone an Answer: A Case for the Christian Worldview. Downer’s Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 2004. pps 375.
A useful introduction that lays a basis for doing rational apologetics. Part 2 has five contributors defend different forms of natural theological arguments; Part 3 discusses Christ and miracles; Part 4 deals with philosophical and cultural challenges to the Christian faith; and Part 5 has as its agenda the challenges to the Christian faith posed by other religions
Downs, Timothy. Finding Common Ground: How to Communicate Outside the Christian Community....While We Still Can. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Publishers, 1999. pps. 192.
Downs makes the case that if the Lord isn’t coming back soon, we should consider, given our cultural situation, the importance of not only doing evangelism, but of not neglecting the importance of investing in its future--by sowing. This is a very useful and insightful book that can transform the way you think of and treat people, which is of greatest importance to living out your faith with integrity and to becoming increasingly useful to Him. Again, this is not a book about finding specific answers to specific questions, but it is an important contribution to apologetic and conversational skills--things that are sorely needed by every generation of apologists.
Selected Reference Books to Consider Adding to Your Library
Archer, Gleason. The Encyclopedia of Biblical Difficulties. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1982.
Archer (1912-2004) received his B.A. and PhD. from Harvard University in classics makes an important contribution to handling difficulties in the Bible with proposed harmonizations. FYI, Archer’s work in biblical languages includes helping to translate the NASB & the NIV.
________. New International Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001.
Kaiser, Walter. ed. Classical Essays in the Old Testament Interpretation. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House. 1972. pps. 265.
Kaiser, formerly president of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and old testament scholar, compiles and edits valuable essays written by evangelicals on interpreting (understanding) what the O.T. was asserting. Sections of his books include essays about the Pentateuch, the historical books, the poetical books, the prophetical books, and ethics and O.T. theology. This is a useful book and the last section is especially useful for thinking through responses to charges the “O.T. God” is not worthy of our worship.
Other Selected Relevant & Useful Books
To Consider Adding To Your Library
Moreland, J. P. & Muehlhoff, Tim. The God Conversation: Using Stories and Illustrations to Explain Your Faith. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2007. pps. 151.
Sire, James. The Universe Next Door. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press.
________. Why Good Arguments Often Fail. Downers Grove,Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2006. pps. 185.
Boyd, Gregory A. and Edward K. Boyd. Letters from a Skeptic: A Son Wrestles With His Father’s Questions About Christianity. Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2nd edition, 2008.