Thursday, November 25, 2010

Top 5 Books for Christmas Giving

If you are considering getting thoughtful gifts for important people in your life, then you might want to consider giving them some books to make them think. Here are my top five recommendations with reasons.

Who Made God? Searching for a Theory of EverythingWho Made God? Completely readable - completely excellent. Actually, one of my favorite reads this year. I thought, I could give this to anyone and they would understand it, enjoy it, and be challenged by it. Full of wit, humor, and sharp thinking. This definitely makes it to the top of my list. (review here)

Is God Just a Human Invention? And Seventeen Other Questions Raised by the New AtheistsIs God Just a Human Invention? Another book with a question for a title - but questions are good, and this book tackles about 18 of them that are being asked the most these days. Written by Sean McDowell and Jonathan Morrow, with contributions from a ton of excellent specialists, this book is a phenomenal resource and doesn't have to be read in any particular order. (an interview with the authors here)

Evidence for God: 50 Arguments for Faith from the Bible, History, Philosophy, and ScienceEvidence for God: 50 Arguments for Faith from the Bible, History, Philosophy, and Science is another book loaded with great content - 50 essays! - with contributions from a ton of top-notch apologists. A close competitor with the previously mentioned book that happens to be a great resource.

On Guard: Defending Your Faith with Reason and PrecisionOn Guard: Defending Your Faith with Reason and Precision by William Lane Craig is excellent for personal study or group studies. Weighty material that is clear, precise, and put together really well. I'd give this to Christian young people in high school and college who want to strengthen their apologetics foundations. (review here)

Pocket Handbook of Christian ApologeticsAnd finally, here's the stocking stuffer of the bunch: Kreeft and Tacelli's Pocket Handbook of Christian Apologetics. The reason? Again, lots of material packed into a small book, organized and presented well.

All these books would be my top 5 candidates for apologetics books for giving this Christmas. Of course, you could always give them a Kindle and load it full of books. You can now also "gift" Kindle books to anyone with an email address (for reading on the Kindle, or the Kindle software - PC/Mac/iPhone/Android)

What books do you recommend?

31 comments :

emmzee said...

Great choices, "Who Made God?" is definitely on my reading list!

Can I make a somewhat unorthodox suggestion for an apologetics reading list ... "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. Part of being a winsome apologist is living a life that reflects Christ (Greg Koukl / STR would call this "character"). Sometimes a person's poor character will obscure the truth of their message. Crazy Love certainly spurred me to start living that kind of life ... highly recommended.

Anonymous said...

Easy recommendation: Douglas Groothuis - "Jesus in an Age of Controversy". He writes very clearly, concisely, and convincingly about all the different "Jesus" characters. Awesome!

Andy Wrasman said...

Thanks for the suggested books. "On Guard" is already on my Christmas list.

And to comment emmzee's comment, I wouldn't use "Crazy Love". It seems at times in that book that Francis Chan blends justification and sanctification. I know someone who read it who left questioning his salvation because he wasn't living out his faith well enough.

Unknown said...

Since none are available here in Malaysia i'll opt for "Who Made God."

Anonymous said...

On Guard

Though Craig did not cover Ontological Argument in this wonderful book, On Guard is one I would recommend to a friend.

Super Read-friend, easy to read, easy to follow the argument, easy to memories.

Patrick said...

'Evidence for God' looks extremely good!

Nick said...

Brian. I follow on Facebook, and I hope I've entered right, but I would choose "On Guard."

Unknown said...

I volunteer as a Youth group teacher and they inundate me with tough questions, which is good. The review for "On Guard.." sounds like it would be a great source.

Unknown said...

I would be very interested in "Who Made God?"

Unknown said...

Evidence for God!

Thanks Brian!

e.d.s. said...

Tough choice, but to make a choice, how about "Who Made God?"

Anonymous said...

"Evidence for God" sounds like a book I'd like to read.

Matthew R. Perry said...

I would thoroughly enjoy "Who Made God?" because I teach 11th grade apologetics at a local school, and am finding out how many even in that setting are influenced by a secular worldview.

8violets said...

Since reading your blog, I have prayed to have more conversations with people. I recently had my first with my 23 year old step-son. It was fun. I am giving my copy of "Who Made God" to Nicc for Christmas, so I would love to win a copy for myself - especially since I haven't yet read it. Sure hope I win! Joanne Nitkowski

Anonymous said...

I choose "Evidence for God" ...

thanks for the entry
this would be a gift for my husband
Teresa Carns
tmcarns@att.net

Unknown said...

I would chose "Who Made God?" since it is a highly recommended apologetics book that I don't have yet.

Unknown said...

I would chose "Who Made God?" since it come highly recommended and I don't have it in my library yet.

Anonymous said...

Well Brian, your comment for Who Made God has me deciding that's the one I'd like to get my hands on!

bbigej said...

It is a tough choice. I'd take "Evidence for God."

jeremy said...

I agree that _Jesus in an Age of Controversy_ is well worth picking up though not on this list. It's the best on all the weird Jesus incarnations out there along with Ben Witherington's _What Have They Done with Jesus?_.

Dan Waterman said...

"Who Made God" appears to be a fascinating read. Thanks for recommending it!

Dan

Anthony said...

Another fantastic book by Groothuis (which is just under 100 pages) is "On Jesus" about Jesus's qualifications as a philosopher. This would make a great stocking stuffer!

Go to: www.LogosApologia.org said...

On Guard, Merry Christmas and thanks!

Erin said...

I need the most readable book out of the five for a family member. So I'd choose "Who Made God?"

Qweexel said...

I would go for On Guard: Defending your faith with reason and precision. I've mostly been involved only in Apologetics online, so it would be nice to read from a different format for once.

Teresa said...

I would like to win Evidence for God, 50 arguments for Faith.
thanks for the chance to win.

Nick said...

On Guard is the one for me. I Just finished Tactics by Greg Koukl, and On Guard was next on my list.

Jack Tai said...

Evidence for God: 50 Arguments for Faith-----is my pick.

Matt K said...

I'm glad I finally got around to following this blog. If I'm drawn I'd like On Guard.

MWM said...

I'd be really interested in Craig's "On Guard" =D

J. Minlal H. Mate said...

Please ON GUARD... I really,really enjoy reading Bill.. God bless

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