Fool’s Talk – Os Guinness
Ravi Zacharias gives the following assessment of Fool’s Talk which I believe is an accurate account of the value of this book. If I were to read only one book on this very short list on the topic of Christian apologetics this would be the book:
“In a battle of ideas, unlike a battle between nations, the goal is not to vanquish the opponents but to win them. Making that challenge even more difficult is that oftentimes, what we win them with is what we win them to. The art and science of dialoguing and debate must bring together the message and the method in concert. No one does this better than my colleague Os Guinness. For years, I have benefited from his incisive thinking and carefully studied presentations. Here, he wisely observes that ‘Our urgent need today is to reunite evangelism and apologetics, and make sure that our best arguments are directed toward winning people and not just winning arguments.’ In this landmark work, I am thrilled to see his unique thinking on these crucial subjects, co-extensive with a lifetime of doing apologetics. It is a must-read for anyone interested in engaging the skeptic or seeker. Few thinkers today rise to the level that Os does, even as he plumbs the depth of vital issues in defense of the historic Christian faith.”
Mere Apologetics: How to Help Seekers & Skeptics Find Faith – Alister McGrath
McGrath’s background in science, philosophy and theology (DPhil Oxford molecular biophysics; Doctor of Divinity; Doctor of Letters in Intellectual History) make him a great resource to engage people with inquiring minds. Having himself come from an atheistic worldview he has an approach to practical apologetics that is exceptionally effective. What is the place of apologetics in our contemporary culture? What is the theological basis of apologetics? Who is your audience and how do you engage them on Biblical and theological issues? Is the Chrisitan faith reasonable? What are some pointers and gateways to faith and apologetics? In questions about faith, McGrath writes: "Apologetics is about communicating the joy, coherence, and relevance of the Christian faith on the one hand, and dealing with anxieties, difficulties, and concerns about that faith on the other." I highly recommend this book as a second book to read along with Guinness.
The Absurdity of Unbelief: A Worldview Apologetic of the Christian Faith – Jeffery Johnson
Without resorting to ad hominem Johnson addresses the fallacies of numerous philosophical and religious systems of belief; among which are philosophical naturalism, relativism, atheism, existentialism, pantheism, materialism, the irrationality of postmodernism and the irrationality of unbelief. He addresses the non-Trinitarian views of God and the short comings and errors of Islam and Judaism. Using a the presuppositional framework of Cornelius Van Til he makes a powerful case for a Biblical Christian worldview. As with Guinness and McGrath he guides the reader to engage seekers and skeptics from their own worldview frame of reference.
Can Man Live Without God?– Ravi Zacharias
This is an older book (published 1994) that takes a more traditional approach to apologetics; however, Ravi Zacharias is a master at engaging honest skeptics and intellectual critics of Christianity in a highly effective manner and there is a great deal that I found profitable in this book. If antitheism was an issue to be addressed in the 90s it is more so today. Zacharias addresses the issues head on followed by chapters answering the questions about “What Gives Life Meaning?” He finishes his book with “Who is Jesus and Why Does it Matter?”
Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions – Gregory Kouhl
The principles laid out in Tactics may offer encouragement to the novice as well as the experienced apologist as he or she seeks to hone their skill in giving a reasoned response to questions about the Christian faith. The opening section of the book is devoted to mastering the “Columbo Tactic;” that is, gathering information, reversing the burden of proof, and using questions to make a point. Of course, there is much more to a successful dialog about faith than this, but the conversation tools provided for the student of apologetics are very helpful. The caution I would suggest in reading this book is that this approach can easily lead the “defender of the faith” to appear to be condescending or dismissive. Keep Peter's admonition (1 Peter 3.15) of responding with gentleness and respect in mind as you enter into conversations about the Christian faith. Nevertheless, with this caveat aside there is considerable meat to digest in this book.
Christianity Considered: A Guide for Skeptics and Seekers– John Frame
A more traditional approach to apologetics from a covenantal understanding of Scripture. John Frame has a unusually detailed grasp of the scope of western philosophy and theology and his mastery of the breadth and depth of Scripture is woven throughout the book. He does not, in my opinion help the reader to engage the seeker as effectively as Guinness, McGrath and Johnson; consequently, if I had to prioritize which of the books I would read on this list Frame’s would be the last. If I were looking for a tremendous reference and overview of The History of Western Philosophy and Theology his book by that title would head my list.
ADDITIONAL BOOKS
The forgoing books are geared for the Christian apologist; however, there are several excellent books that may prove helpful to give to unbelievers looking for answers about the Christian faith. Among the books that I’ve found helpful are the ones listed below.
The God Who is There: Finding Your Place in God’s Story– D. A. Carson
More Than a Carpenter– Josh McDowell
Evidence that Demand a Verdict – Josh McDowell
Mere Christianity – C. S. Lewis
Basic Christianity – John Stott
A Case for Christ – Lee Stobel
A Case for Faith – Lee Stobel
Who Moved the Stone –Frank Morison
Ultimate Questions (tract / booklet) – John Blanchard
Ravi Zacharias gives the following assessment of Fool’s Talk which I believe is an accurate account of the value of this book. If I were to read only one book on this very short list on the topic of Christian apologetics this would be the book:
“In a battle of ideas, unlike a battle between nations, the goal is not to vanquish the opponents but to win them. Making that challenge even more difficult is that oftentimes, what we win them with is what we win them to. The art and science of dialoguing and debate must bring together the message and the method in concert. No one does this better than my colleague Os Guinness. For years, I have benefited from his incisive thinking and carefully studied presentations. Here, he wisely observes that ‘Our urgent need today is to reunite evangelism and apologetics, and make sure that our best arguments are directed toward winning people and not just winning arguments.’ In this landmark work, I am thrilled to see his unique thinking on these crucial subjects, co-extensive with a lifetime of doing apologetics. It is a must-read for anyone interested in engaging the skeptic or seeker. Few thinkers today rise to the level that Os does, even as he plumbs the depth of vital issues in defense of the historic Christian faith.”
Mere Apologetics: How to Help Seekers & Skeptics Find Faith – Alister McGrath
McGrath’s background in science, philosophy and theology (DPhil Oxford molecular biophysics; Doctor of Divinity; Doctor of Letters in Intellectual History) make him a great resource to engage people with inquiring minds. Having himself come from an atheistic worldview he has an approach to practical apologetics that is exceptionally effective. What is the place of apologetics in our contemporary culture? What is the theological basis of apologetics? Who is your audience and how do you engage them on Biblical and theological issues? Is the Chrisitan faith reasonable? What are some pointers and gateways to faith and apologetics? In questions about faith, McGrath writes: "Apologetics is about communicating the joy, coherence, and relevance of the Christian faith on the one hand, and dealing with anxieties, difficulties, and concerns about that faith on the other." I highly recommend this book as a second book to read along with Guinness.
The Absurdity of Unbelief: A Worldview Apologetic of the Christian Faith – Jeffery Johnson
Without resorting to ad hominem Johnson addresses the fallacies of numerous philosophical and religious systems of belief; among which are philosophical naturalism, relativism, atheism, existentialism, pantheism, materialism, the irrationality of postmodernism and the irrationality of unbelief. He addresses the non-Trinitarian views of God and the short comings and errors of Islam and Judaism. Using a the presuppositional framework of Cornelius Van Til he makes a powerful case for a Biblical Christian worldview. As with Guinness and McGrath he guides the reader to engage seekers and skeptics from their own worldview frame of reference.
Can Man Live Without God?– Ravi Zacharias
This is an older book (published 1994) that takes a more traditional approach to apologetics; however, Ravi Zacharias is a master at engaging honest skeptics and intellectual critics of Christianity in a highly effective manner and there is a great deal that I found profitable in this book. If antitheism was an issue to be addressed in the 90s it is more so today. Zacharias addresses the issues head on followed by chapters answering the questions about “What Gives Life Meaning?” He finishes his book with “Who is Jesus and Why Does it Matter?”
Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions – Gregory Kouhl
The principles laid out in Tactics may offer encouragement to the novice as well as the experienced apologist as he or she seeks to hone their skill in giving a reasoned response to questions about the Christian faith. The opening section of the book is devoted to mastering the “Columbo Tactic;” that is, gathering information, reversing the burden of proof, and using questions to make a point. Of course, there is much more to a successful dialog about faith than this, but the conversation tools provided for the student of apologetics are very helpful. The caution I would suggest in reading this book is that this approach can easily lead the “defender of the faith” to appear to be condescending or dismissive. Keep Peter's admonition (1 Peter 3.15) of responding with gentleness and respect in mind as you enter into conversations about the Christian faith. Nevertheless, with this caveat aside there is considerable meat to digest in this book.
Christianity Considered: A Guide for Skeptics and Seekers– John Frame
A more traditional approach to apologetics from a covenantal understanding of Scripture. John Frame has a unusually detailed grasp of the scope of western philosophy and theology and his mastery of the breadth and depth of Scripture is woven throughout the book. He does not, in my opinion help the reader to engage the seeker as effectively as Guinness, McGrath and Johnson; consequently, if I had to prioritize which of the books I would read on this list Frame’s would be the last. If I were looking for a tremendous reference and overview of The History of Western Philosophy and Theology his book by that title would head my list.
ADDITIONAL BOOKS
The forgoing books are geared for the Christian apologist; however, there are several excellent books that may prove helpful to give to unbelievers looking for answers about the Christian faith. Among the books that I’ve found helpful are the ones listed below.
The God Who is There: Finding Your Place in God’s Story– D. A. Carson
More Than a Carpenter– Josh McDowell
Evidence that Demand a Verdict – Josh McDowell
Mere Christianity – C. S. Lewis
Basic Christianity – John Stott
A Case for Christ – Lee Stobel
A Case for Faith – Lee Stobel
Who Moved the Stone –Frank Morison
Ultimate Questions (tract / booklet) – John Blanchard