Ideas and Books for a New Apologist

By Douglas Groothuis, PhD

I recently had a delightful lunch with a man in his early forties who has just discovered Christian apologetics, that is, the defense of Christianity as objectively true, compellingly rational, and pertinent to all of life (my definition). Although this man has been in the church for decades, he had only recently heard of this vital and necessary discipline. He has since launched an apologetics ministry with a six-week class that has been well received. Good for him and his church! I offered to mentor him in this. I am also mentoring another man about his age who has started an apologetics podcast.

This leads me to compile a short list of significant ideas and book recommendations on apologetics. But first, some ideas:

1.      We often need to offer an apologetic for apologetics, since many are ignorant of or even hostile to this enterprise. The best way to make the case for Christianity is from the Bible and to connect apologetics to evangelism. Every Christian should see the need for evangelism, so as we show that apologetics is tightly related to evangelism, people should become interested. The apologist and theologian Francis Schaeffer, one of my heroes, said that apologetics is “pre-evangelism.” Through apologetics, we commend the truth of Christianity and remove obstacles to belief, such as postmodern perspectives, relativism, and New Age ideas. Jesus was an apologist (please see my essay on this) as was the apostle Paul (Acts 17:16-34, especially). The apostle Peter tells us to have a reason for the hope that is within us, something that we can present to others (1 Peter 3:15). Of course, I could go on.

2.     The case for apologetics can also be made by appealing to great Christian minds through the centuries who defended the faith given once for all to the saints (Jude 3). These include Augustine, Irenaeus, Anselm, Thomas Aquinas, Blaise Pascal, Francis Schaeffer, G. K. Chesterton, and C. S. Lewis, who is probably the most well-known among Christians through this fiction. Lee Strobel’s apologetics books, starting with The Case for Christ, have sold millions of copies and initiated many into apologetics. His background in journalism and engaging style in interviewing apologists (including myself) has done much to commend the cause of Christ.

3.     Although it is sometimes said that “nobody comes to Christ through apologetics,” this is flagrantly false. Recently, Lee Strobel and Nabeel Qureshi, the late ex-Muslim, became Christians through arguments for Christianity. Of course, the Holy Spirit gets all the credit, but “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:17) works through arguments to win people to Christ.

4.    Apologetics is also crucial for addressing the doubts that Christians sometimes face. A doubt overcome through apologetics makes for a stronger and more courageous faith. Those tempted to “deconstruct” their faith can be encouraged to remain faithful to Christ through good arguments. This is the story of author and podcaster, Alissa Childers, who encouraged progressive Christianity and had to address it by learning apologetics. I have been on her excellent podcast several times.

Now to a short list of books on apologetics.

Apologetics books are written at three levels: advanced, intermediate, and popular. All are significant, and it is sometimes difficult to know where to place a particular book. (For example, my work Christian Apologetics is a massive 850 pages and addresses many issues in depth. However, it is not written in a dry style, nor does it assume previous knowledge of the subject.)

1.      Advanced: J. P. Moreland, Scaling the Secular City (Baker, 1987). Willian Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith, 3rd ed. (Crossway, 2007); Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, 2nd ed. (InterVarsity, 2022).

2.     Intermediate: C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity; Josh and Sean McDowell, Evidence that Demand a Verdict, reviewed and updated (Authentic Media, 2018) William Lane Craig, On Guard (David C. Cook, 2010) J. P. Moreland, The God Question, rev. ed. (IVP, 2021); Douglas Groothuis and Andrew Shepardson, The Knowledge of God in the World and in the Word (Zondervan, 2022); Francis Schaeffer, The God Who is There (InterVarsity, 1968); G. K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy (Image Books, 1908).

3.     Popular: The “case for” books by Lee Strobel, all published by Zondervan: The Case for Christ, updated, expanded (Zondervan, 2016); The Case for Faith, updated and expanded (Zondervan, 2021) The Case for a Creator (Zondervan, 2009); The Case for Miracles (Zondervan, 2018); The Case for Heaven (Zondervan, 2021); and Is God Real? (Zondervan, 2023). (I am interviewed in The Case for Miracles, The Case for Heaven, and Is God Real?) These books are popular, but thoughtful and well-documented. See also Lindsey Medenwaldt’s Bridge Building Apologetics (Harvest House, 2024). Alisa Childers refutes progressive Christianity in her book, Another Gospel (Tyndale, 2020). A ministry called Mama Bear Apologetics offers resources for parents.

There are several magazines and online resources that address apologetics, including The Christian Research Journal and The Worldview Bulletin. I write regularly for both.

While I am an ardent proponent of good, old fashioned reading of books and articles, other resources are available:

1.      Illustra Media offers several excellent videos defending intelligent design, such as “Unlocking the Mystery of Life,” “The Case for a Creator,” and “Living Oceans.”

2.     I have an active web page, with a blog subscription: DouglasGroothuis.com. I also offer a weekly podcast (TruthTribe); am on X (@DougGroothuis); and on Instagram.

I am going to make myself stop, since I said “short list” a few paragraphs ago. I have been doing apologetics for nearly half a century, so I have much to offer. There is an ocean of resources available, but none will do any good if you do not use them. I encourage everyone to develop some skills in apologetics for the glory of God and for the furtherance of the gospel in our needly world (Matthew 28:18-20).