
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. Contact me at: theapolgistsbookshelf@gmail.com.
Episodes

Saturday Sep 02, 2023
Correct, Not Politically Correct--Part 2 | The Apologist’s Bookshelf
Saturday Sep 02, 2023
Saturday Sep 02, 2023
This is the second half of my discussion of Frank Turek's list of six reasons to oppose same-sex marriage.

Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Correct, Not Politically Correct | The Apologist’s Bookshelf
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Frank Turek, a leading apologist, has updated this book, which now covers same-sex marriage and transgenderism. In this and the next podcast, I want to go over Frank's six-point case against same-sex marriage.

Saturday Aug 26, 2023
77 FAQs About God and the Bible | The Apologist’s Bookshelf
Saturday Aug 26, 2023
Saturday Aug 26, 2023
Subtitled "Your Toughest Questions Answered, this book by Josh McDowell and his son Sean McDowell provide solid answers to help people grow in their faith. I look at three questions here--Is it wrong to have doubts about God? What is the moral law argument for God's existence? If God caused everything, then who or what caused God?

Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
The Case for a Creator | The Apologist’s Bookshelf
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Lee Strobel, in one of his many "The Case for" books, interviews Michael Behe, who argues that the complexity of molecular machines could not have come about by accident.

Saturday Aug 19, 2023
Mama Bear Apologetics | The Apologist’s Bookshelf
Saturday Aug 19, 2023
Saturday Aug 19, 2023
Chapter 2 of this book is useful for those who wish to get started in apologetics, whether a mama bear or a man. Hillary Short explains what an apologist is (and isn't) as well as how to get started explaining the truth of Christianity to others.

Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
Improbable Planet | The Apologist’s Bookshelf
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
Noted astrophysicist Hugh Ross explains why our earth is not the result of mere accident. The section I cover deals with the creation of the moon and the fact that earth inhabits not one but seven habitable zones required for life to exist.

Saturday Aug 12, 2023
Talking With Your Kids About Jesus | The Apologist’s Bookshelf
Saturday Aug 12, 2023
Saturday Aug 12, 2023
I really appreciate Natasha Crain, whose books help parents raise good, solid Christian kids. This book covers 30 conversations that every parent needs to have. I'm discussing one key question she raises: Is Jesus a myth?

Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
A General Introduction to the Bible | The Apologist’s Bookshelf
Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
Norm Geisler tackles four major questions about the Bible in this book--Who wrote it? Which books belong in it? Has it been accurately preserved? Has it been adequately translated? I look at a chapter that explores evidences for the inspiration of the Bible. In other words, what is the evidence that the Bible has divine authority?

Saturday Aug 05, 2023
Resurrection | The Apologist’s Bookshelf
Saturday Aug 05, 2023
Saturday Aug 05, 2023
Hank Hanegraaff covers a topic that makes many Christians uncomfortable--the doctrine of hell.

Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
Now That’s A Good Question | The Apologist’s Bookshelf
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
In chapter 20 R. C. Sproul covers important questions: Why do Christians think they know how other people should live? Should Christians impose their ethics upon non-Christians? How can we as Christians ascertain when God's Word was applicable to a certain culture and therefore may not be applicable to us today? How do we uphold Christian ethics without being judgmental?