
Welcome to The Apologist’s Bookshelf, a podcast dedicated to exploring the best books in Christian apologetics. I’m Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith—whether you’re a believer seeking to deepen your understanding, or a skeptic exploring the truth claims of Christianity. Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, the reliability of the Bible, creation and design in the universe, and how to engage unbelievers with wisdom and grace. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you. If you’re interested in faith and reason, defending the Christian worldview, or simply love diving into thought-provoking Christian books, this podcast is for you. Podcast: https://theapologistsbookshelf.podbean.com Contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com
Episodes

3 hours ago
3 hours ago
J.P. Moreland, prominent speaker, professor, and apologist, takes on key questions about God and suffering: Who's to blame for natural disasters and cancer? What about the suffering of children? Why doesn't God do more? Can I still trust God in the midst of suffering?
I’m Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith.
Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you.
contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com

5 days ago
5 days ago
This is the updated and expanded version of a classic apologetics book. In this podcast I finish the authors' intro--why apologetics has a bad name, why being a relational apologist is so important, and the story of a former French atheist who tells how to share our faith with non-Christians.
I’m Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith.
Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you.
contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com

Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
Why Believe? (B) | The Apologist's Bookshelf
Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
This completes my look at chapter 2 of Neil Shenvi's book, which considered the Gospels as reliable history.
I’m Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith.
Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you.
contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com

Saturday Jul 05, 2025
Why Believe? (A) | The Apologist's Bookshelf
Saturday Jul 05, 2025
Saturday Jul 05, 2025
Theoretical chemist and apologist Neil Shenvi argues in chapter 2 of his book that we can believe the Gospels provide a generally reliable portrait of the historical figure of Jesus of Nazareth.
I’m Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith.
Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you.
contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com

Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Case Files: Murder and Meaning | The Apologist's Bookshelf
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
J. Warner Wallace, author of many fine apologetics books, has created his first graphic novel. It has been done well artistically, and its message is powerful.
I’m Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith.
Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you.
contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com

Saturday Jun 28, 2025
Christianity on Trial | The Apologist's Bookshelf
Saturday Jun 28, 2025
Saturday Jun 28, 2025
The authors in this chapter contend that the Middle Ages, contrary to some critics, were actually the incubator of some of our most cherished modern values and institutions. These values, they say, were found in the Christian church.
I’m Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith.
Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you.
contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com

Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Person of Interest | The Apologist's Bookshelf
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
In chapter 4 of his book, J. Warner Wallace covers a fascinating topic--prophecies that pointed to the coming of the Jewish Messiah and how Jesus fulfilled them all.
I’m Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith.
Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you.
contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com

Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Why God Makes Sense in a World That Doesn't (B) | The Apologist's Bookshelf
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
This concludes chapter two in the book, which argues things like math, music, and love make more sense if there's a God.
I’m Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith.
Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you.
contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com

Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Why God Makes Sense in a World That Doesn't (A) | The Apologist's Bookshelf
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
This is a good book to give to thoughtful unbelievers. In this podcast I cover a part of chapter two--why things like math, music, and love make more sense if there is a God.
I’m Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith.
Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you.
contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com

Saturday Jun 14, 2025
Apologetics for an Ever-Changing Culture | The Apologist's Bookshelf
Saturday Jun 14, 2025
Saturday Jun 14, 2025
In Chapter 12 of this book, Bobby Conway gives practical steps to help people handle doubts about their Christian beliefs.
I’m Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith.
Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you.
contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com