Tag Archives: Apologetics

Apologetics Books Published Since 2009

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Prepared by H. Lynn Gardner, November 2011

 

Baker, Hunter. The End of Secularism. Wheaton: Crossway, 2009. $17.99.

 

Beilby, James. Thinking About Christian Apologetics: What It Is and Why We Do It.

Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2011. $17.00.

 

Berlinski, David. The Devil’s Delusion: Atheism and its Scientific Pretentions, reprint edition.  Basic Books, 2009. $16l.95.

 

Blomberg, Craig L. The Historical Reliability of John’s Gospel: Issues & Commentary.

Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2011. Paperback ed., $24.00.

 

Copan, Paul. Contending with Christianity’s Critics: Answering New Atheists and Other Objectors. Nashville: B & H Academic, 2009. $19.99.

 

Copan, Paul. Is God a Moral Monster? Making Sense of the Old Testament God. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2011. $14.99.

 

Copan, Paul. Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Religion. Routledge, 2012. $55.42.

 

Copan, Paul. True for You, But Not for Me: Overcoming Objections to Christian Faith,  rev. ed.  Bethany House, 2009. $14.99.

 

Copan, Paul and William Lane Craig, eds. Come Let Us Reason: New Essays in Christian Apologetics.  Nashville: B & H Academic, (April) 2012. $24.99.

 

Coppenger, Mark. Moral Apologetics for Contemporary Christians: Pushing Back Against Cultural and Religious Critics. Nashville: B & H Academic, 2011.  $24.99

 

Cowan, Steve and James Spiegel. The Love of Wisdom: An Introduction to Philosophy: A Christian Introduction to Philosophy. Nashville: B & H Academic, 2009.

 

Craig, William Lane. On Guard: Defending Your Faith with Reason and Precision. Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2010. $16.99.

 

Craig, William Lane and Chad Meister, eds. God Is Great, God Is Good: Why Believing in God Is Reasonable and Responsible. Downers Grove: IVP Books, 2009. $19.00.

 

Craig, William Lane and J. P. Moreland, eds. A Companion to Natural Theology. Blackwell, 2011. $44.95.

 

Demski, William A. The End of Christianity: Finding a Good God in an Evil World. B & H. Academic, 2009. $22.99.

 

Demski, William and Thomas Schirrmacher, Paige Patterson, eds. Tough-Minded Christianity: Honoring the Legacy of John Warwick Montgomery. Nashville: B & H Publishing, 20009. $31.99.

 

DeWeese, Garrett J. Doing Philosophy as a Christian.  Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2011. $22.00.

 

Downey, Patrick. Desperately  Wicked: Philosophy, Christianity and the Human Heart.

Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2009.  $18.00.

 

Edgar, William and K. Scott Oliphint, eds. Christian Apologetics: Past and Present: A Primary Source Reader (Volume 1, To 1500). Wheaton: Crossway, 2009. $39.00.

 

Edgar, William and K. Scott Oliphint, eds. Christian Apologetics: Past and Present: A Primary Source Reader (Volume 2 From 1500). Wheaton: Crossway, 2011. $55.00.

 

Gardner, H. Lynn. Commending and Defending Christian Faith: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. Joplin: College Press, 2010. $33.00.

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Is it Arrogant to Believe Christianity Is the Only True Religion?

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christianity

When is tolerance a virtue and when is tolerance no virtue? What is tolerance? Traditionally tolerance has meant respecting other people’s right to hold different views than we hold and do things we don’t approve. Recently some have used tolerance to mean that all views are equally true and all practices are acceptable. Tolerance in the traditional sense is a virtue. Tolerance in the new meaning is no virtue.

One of the most frequent objections to Christianity is that Christians are arrogant to claim that Christianity is the only true religion. Blair, a twenty-something woman from New York City, expresses this objection, “How could there be just one true faith? It’s arrogant to say your religion is superior and try to convert everyone else to it. Surely all the religions are equally good and valid for meeting the needs of their particular followers.”[1]

David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons in Unchristian cite evidence that today’s Christians are widely viewed as hypocritical, insensitive, arrogant, and judgmental.[2] I do not defend Christians who do not practice what they profess, who are harsh, unkind, and unloving, who are self-centered and egotistical, and who self-righteously condemn any who do not agree will them. But does the mere fact that we believe Christianity is the only true religion make us insensitive, arrogant, and judgmental?

Pluralism believes that all major religions are equally valid and basically teach the same thing. However, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism all reject Jesus as God in the flesh and that he is the only Savior of the world. They can’t all be true. If they are all true, then they are all false because they contradict each other.

Is it arrogant to say one religion is true and the others are false. “It is no more narrow to claim that one religion is right than to claim that one way to think about all religions (namely that all are equal) is right.”[3] Is it narrow minded or arrogant to say 2 + 2 = 4 and not 3 or 5? Truth is narrow. Truth excludes falsehood.

The biblical view is that Jesus Christ is the only savior and faith in him is necessary to salvation. There is no other Savior or way to be saved.

John 3:16-18: One can be saved by believing in Jesus, those who do not are condemned.

John 14:6: Jesus is the way, the truth, the life, no one comes to the Father but by Jesus.

Acts 4:12:  No one will be saved except through the name of Jesus.

Rom 10:9-10: Only those who accept the lordship and resurrection of Jesus will be saved.

1 Tim 2:5: Jesus is the only mediator between the one God and men.

If Jesus is God in the flesh and died for our sins and rose from the dead than he is the only true Savior.

[1] Timothy Keller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism (New York: Dutton, 2008), 3.

[2] David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity and Why it Matters (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2007), 81.

[3] Keller, 13.

Commending and Defending Christian Faith Now Available

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Commending and Defending Christian Faith:

An Introduction to Christian Apologetics

H. Lynn Gardner

Foreword by Gary R. Habermas

(Joplin, MO: College Press, 2010)

Endorsements:

“. . . an excellent introduction to apologetics.”

Norman L. Geisler, Distinguished Professor of Apologetics, Veritas Evangelical Seminary (www.VeritasSeminary.com)

“. . . specifically crafted for convenient use as a college textbook. . . . can be required along with a second text of Christian evidences to create a well-rounded approach to this subject.”

Gary R. Habermas, Distinguished Research Professor, and Chair Department of Philosophy and Theology, Liberty University

“His handling of the introductory and background issues . . . is thorough, sound, and much needed.”

Jack Cottrell, Professor of Theology, Cincinnati Christian University

“. . . contemporary and timeless introduction to the field that is both scholarly and devotional.”

David Peters, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Apologetics, Florida Christian College

“. . . strong defense of the concept of objective truth from God.”

Johnny Pressley, Dean of the Graduate Seminary, Cincinnati Christian University

“. . . mandatory reading for preachers, youth ministers, campus ministers, youth workers of all sorts, and anyone else who seeks to direct others’ spiritual journeys.”

David Embree, Director, Christian Campus House, Instructor, Department of Religious Studies, Missouri State University

A “how-to-think-about-apologetics” book.

Introduces the basic terms and concepts, key thinkers, and fundamental apologetic issues and questions. States the what, why, and how of apologetics preparing persons for further study of reasons for faith and answers to objections. It does not present the case for Christianity or answer attacks but rather introduces one to the study of Christian apologetics.

Contents:

Part One, Challenges to Christian Faith, helps the reader understand doubt and unbelief which make apologetics necessary.

Part Two, Foundations for Apologetics, discusses concepts essential to the defense of the truth of the Christian faith, including reason, knowledge, truth, and faith.

Part Three, The Practice of Apologetics, discusses reasons for apologetics, defense of the faith in the New Testament and in church history, methods of defense, practical uses of apologetics and guidelines for apologetics.

Audience:

The audience would be Bible college, seminary, and university students as well as leaders and thinkers seeking to defend the faith. It seeks to instruct and motivate Christians to be prepared to present an intelligent and effective case for Christianity.

The book challenges Christians to be good thinkers in how they go about defending and commending Christian faith. It could serve as a first book for beginning a serious study of apologetics.

Objectives:

  • Be prepared to deal with doubt and unbelief.
  • Be acquainted with the role of thinking, knowing, truth, and faith in apologetics.
  • Know why we should defend the faith and how the faith can be defended.
  • Learn from defenders of the faith in the New Testament and in church history.
  • Gain practical suggestions and guidelines for giving a defense of your faith.

H. Lynn Gardner taught apologetics for forty years in Bible colleges, serving eighteen years as academic dean. A graduate of Ozark Christian College, California State University, Wheaton College, with a doctorate from the University of Arkansas. Included in his seven books are Where Is God When We Suffer? What the Bible Says about Suffering and Christianity Stands True: A Commonsense Look at the Evidence. www.lynngardner.info.

ISBN 978-0-89900-947-6: hardback, 501 pages.   Apologetics/Theology/General Bible

List price: $32.99. College Press—1-800-289-3300; email—books@collegepress.com

Internet price: $28.00, www.collegepress.com

The Gardners Accept Invitation to Serve in Jordan

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Barbara and I have accepted an invitation from the Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary (JETS) in Amman, Jordan, to teach for two weeks in August, 2010. I will teach a course entitled, “Worldviews,” which will focus on defending the Christian faith and worldview in response to other systems of thought. Barbara was asked to assist the seminary librarian.

Several years ago it was our goal for retirement to assist Bible colleges and seminaries in this way. But my pulmonary fibrosis and subsequent double lung transplant canceled those plans. I checked with my doctor at Barnes Hospital about this invitation. He asked, “Do you want to go?” I answered that I would like to. He said, “That’s why we do transplants.” They gave some safety tips for the plane trip, since I am immunosuppressed.

This evangelical seminary provides Bible-believing theological education for Arab Christians in the Middle East. I see this as an opportunity to give a strong background in apologetics to these students who will go back as leaders in their respective countries. Barbara will work with the librarian on principles of librarianship.

Jordan is a modern country, progressive in many ways and friendly with the United States. The country has freedom of religion with Christianity being a minority religion.

The seminary has weathered several financial crises but has been able to provide this valuable teaching program. They will take care of us after we get into the country, but we will need to pay for our plane tickets over and back. The Christian Church of Carl Junction has established a fund, Gardner Jordan Fund, for those who would like to make a tax-deductible gift to assist in the plane expense. Checks should be written out to Carl Junction Christian Church. The address is 103 Hodges St., Carl Junction, MO 64834.

Classics of the Christian Faith

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Five Classics

These five books are classics of Christian literature. They speak to the heart issues of Christianity in a forceful and dynamic way. They lead readers into a deeper understanding of the Christian faith. Here is food and guidance to help you grow in spiritual maturity and discipleship. Why not read several of these books as a project this summer? Why not fast from TV, videos, movies, the Internet and feed your soul?

Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2001. Perhaps the most widely read apologetic for Christianity written in English in the twentieth century. Sold millions of copies. Logical reasoning in defense of the Christian faith by a former atheist.

Stott, John R. W. Basic Christianity, 50th anniversary edition. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2008.

Clear and easy-to-read introduction to the Christian faith. Over 2.5 million sold.

Packer, J. I. Knowing God, 20th anniversary edition. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Believing ignorance of God is the source of weakness in churches, Packer helps the reader gain a personal relationship with God through the knowledge of the living God from the Word of God.

Stott, John R. W. The Cross of Christ, 20th anniversary edition. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.

Powerful book stating the doctrinal meaning of the cross, answering misunderstandings, and making personal application of the cross to our lives. Many consider this the best book on the cross.

Foster, Richard J. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, 25th anniversary edition. New York: Harper and Collins, Publishers, 1998.

Practical guidance for one seeking a closer devotional walk with God and growth in spiritual maturity.

Three Potential Classics

Strobel, Lee. The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998.

A relentless search for the evidence answering the question “Who is Jesus.” Worthy of serious attention from every believer and skeptic.

Keller, Timothy. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. New York: Dutton, 2008.

A refreshing and intellectually stimulating case for the reality of God. Contemporary and relevant as the author draws illustrations from his encounters with skeptics and seekers in his New York ministry.

Willard, Dallas. Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ. Colorado Springs: Nav Press, 2002.

Challenging instruction for growing in our spiritual walk, shedding sinful habits, and progressively taking on the character of Christ. Practical guidance for being transformed in heart and life into Christlikeness.

Christianity Stands True Available in Spanish Edition

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Christianity Stands True: A Common Sense Look at the Evidence by Lynn Gardner is now available to Spanish speakers. In addition to English, it is available in Russian, Polish, Czech, and Korean editions and is being translated into Hindi.

Ralph Shead, who is in charge of Spanish projects with Literature and Teaching Ministries, Joplin, Missouri, tells why it is important to be available in Spanish.

Christianity Stands True by Lynn Gardner is a head-on approach to challenge people who do not follow Christ because they think Christianity is not true. Believing the Creator gave us brains so we would use them to think and reason, Brother Gardner shows what is reasonable and what is not. He answers the questions that a skeptic would have before becoming convinced that Jesus really is Lord and that all men are called to be His disciples.

So, why publish a Spanish version of this book? In Latin America (much as in the USA) people hold these beliefs:

  • That science has wounded Christianity with a death blow.
  • It is just a matter of time until all Christians will hide the fact they are believers, if they choose to still believe.
  • Thinking people can’t believe the Bible.
  • Hard questions about the Bible can’t be answered.
  • You either “feel it in your heart” that the Bible is true or you don’t.

Frankly the “feel it in your heart” foundation for faith is one that does not stand against the storms of life. This book will convince an open-minded person who is willing to investigate the evidence that the Bible is a book from God and that Jesus truly is the Savior who died for our sins and gives us a firm foundation for life.

Literature and Teaching Ministries (LATM) is pleased to be a partner with Lynn Gardner and College Press in presenting this introduction to Christian apologetics to the Spanish speaking world. Target release date: July 15, 2010.

Ralph Shead, Spanish projects, LATM, May 2010.

Contact information for Spanish edition:  www.latm.info 417-623-6280, ext. 159

Contact information for English edition:  www.collegepress.com 800-289-3300

College Press Announces a Forthcoming Book

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Commending and Defending Christian Faith:  An Introduction to Christian Apologetics

by

H. Lynn Gardner

Scheduled for publication this fall.

 Introduces the reader to basic terms, key thinkers, and fundamental apologetic issues. States the what, why, and how of apologetics preparing persons for further study of reasons for faith and answers to objections.

Provides the background for the study of Christian apologetics rather than presenting the actual case for Christianity. It is a “how to think about apologetics” book.

H. Lynn Gardner, taught apologetics and New Testament for forty years in Bible colleges, serving eighteen years as academic dean. He holds degrees from Ozark Christian College, California State University, Wheaton College, and University of Arkansas. Included in his six books are Where Is God When We Suffer: What the Bible Says About Suffering and Christianity Stands True: A Common Sense Look at the Evidence.

Through this book you will:

  • Become familiar with apologetics vocabulary, concepts, and key opponents and defenders of Christian faith.
  • Understand the issues, questions, and challenges facing defenders of the faith.
  • Distinguish between doubt and unbelief and understand the causes and consequences of unbelief.
  • Be acquainted with the role of thinking, knowing, truth, and faith in apologetics.
  • Learn why we should defend the faith.
  • Be instructed and inspired by seeing examples of defending the faith in the New Testament and in church history.
  • Be able to recognize and evaluate different apologetic methods or approaches.
  • Be motivated to be defenders of Christian faith by learning about defending the faith from examples, practical uses and opportunities, and guidelines.

Responses to the New Atheism

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Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris have published best-selling books advocating atheism and attacking religion in general and Christianity in particular.

Evangelical scholars have responded to these atheistic critics. Even though at times these authors have more bombast than substance, Christians need to be aware of these enemies of the Christian faith and be prepared to give an answer to this “new atheism.”

Gary R. Habermas, “The Plight of the New Atheism: A Critique,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 51 (December 2008), 813-827.

William Lane Craig and Chad Meister, eds., God Is Great, God Is Good: Why Believing in God Is Reasonable and Responsible (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2009).

Paul Copan and William Lane Craig, eds., Contending with Christianity’s Critics: Answering New Atheists & Other Objectors (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2009)

Ravi Zacharias, The End of Reason: A Response to the New Atheists (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008)

R. Albert Mohler, Jr., Atheism Remix: A Christian Confronts the New Atheists (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2008)

David Marshall, The Truth Behind the New Atheism: Responding to the Emerging Challenges to God and Christianity (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2007)

Alister McGrath and Joanna Collicutt McGrath, The Dawkins Delusion? Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine (London: SPCK, 2007).

Terry Eagleton, Reason, Faith, and Revolution: Reflections on the God Debate (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2009).

Forthcoming;

Phillip E. Johnson and John Mark Reynolds, Against All Gods: What’s Right and Wrong About the New Atheism (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2010).

Resources for Preparing for and Surviving Spiritually at College

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J. Budziszewski, How to Stay Christian in College: An Interactive Guide to Keeping the Faith (Think, 2004). A former atheist and radical, now professor at the university of Texas, gives straight advice on different worldviews and myths that students encounter at college.

Alex McFarland, Stand Strong in College (Tyndale House, 2007). Apologetics youth expert helps the student prepare for the academic, social, emotional, and spiritual challenges he or she will face. Geared to high school students.

Jonathan Morrow, Welcome to College: A Christ-Follower’s Guide for the Journey (Kregel, 2008). This guidebook provides wisdom from biblical truth and practical experience. It discusses intellectual challenges, financial problems, sexual snares, getting enough sleep and more.

Abby Nye, Fish Out of Water (Green Forest, AR: New Leaf Press, 2005). The author tells of her story of facing the anti-Christian atmosphere and pressures she experienced at Butler University and how she survived with her faith intact.

James W. Sire, Chris Chrisman Goes to Colleges: And Faces the Challenges of Relativism, Individualism and Pluralism (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993). Fictional account of three young men at college and how they confronted the dominant ideologies of the secular university.

David Wheaton, University of Destruction: Your Game Plan for Spiritual Victory on Campus (Bethany House, 2005). Professional tennis player and speaker relates his experience at Stanford University. He identifies perils faced in sex, alcohol/drugs, and humanism and gives a game plan for surviving spiritually.

Where Is God When We Suffer? Now Available in Russian

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Last year Sergei Golovin, president of the Christian Center for Science and Apologetics (http://www.scienceandapologetics.org/engin.html) requested permission to translate and publish Where Is God When We Suffer? What the Bible Says About Suffering. The book has been translated and is now available in the Russian language. My Christianity Stands True has been in Russian for several years. Dr. Golovin, a scientist, was converted to Christ and has devoted the last several years to a ministry of building faith in God, Christ, and the Bible among his people. He wrote the following comment about Where Is God When We Suffer?

The Good News of Suffering—Lynn Gardner’s Book in Russian

by Sergei Golovin

The people of The Soviet Union have experienced a great exodus from the Egypt of communism and atheism into the desert of democracy. Now, twenty years later, flourishing enthusiasm is replaced with general apathy and disappointment with religion. Wrong expectations were never met, right expectations were not developed. There is an issue however nobody is indifferent to—the issue of pain and suffering. That makes Dr. Gardner’s book, Where Is God When We Suffer? an extremely effective tool for proclaiming Good News of Jesus in the postcommunist part of the world.

Some books on the issue of suffering comfort a reader. Some explain suffering. Some explore the biblical view of it. Some tell how to cope with suffering and help others. The book by Dr. Gardner shows the issue from all these viewpoints. The book is not just  theoretical reasoning, but is written out of the personal experience of the author who has suffered a lot. Instead of aborting the human race because of sin God’s plan allowed suffering in the world with the goal of redeeming the fallen world through his sharing suffering at the Cross. The Cross of Christ is the only way to overcome suffering. Clear focus on Christ makes this book on suffering a vehicle for the Good News.