Giving Reasons for Faith: Four Basic Resources

Four resources for those just getting started in Christian apologetics–giving reasons for faith

First Peter 3:15 tells us to always be “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” But when you first start answering seekers and skeptics, preparing can seem overwhelming because of the mountain of material out there. Here are four resources for anyone just starting out in giving reasons for faith. They won’t overwhelm you, and they’ll give you a solid foundation upon which you can build.

NIV Study Bible

Bible: NIV Study Bible

Having a good study Bible is an essential for knowing your Bible well, and knowing your Bible is the first step towards effectively sharing your faith. A study Bible will explain cultural and historical details, and will answer questions about apparent discrepancies. The NIV Study Bible is my favorite because it presents multiple views for passages about which evangelical scholars have different opinions (for instance, both Calvinist and Arminian interpretations). Being familiar with multiple views can help keep us from majoring in the minors; it also promotes unity—an essential since Jesus said people will know we’re his disciples by our love for each other.

The Reason for God

Book: The Reason for God

This book, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism, is worth its weight in diamonds just for how it demonstrates respectful engagement with skeptics. Dr. Timothy Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian in New York City, gathered the seven main objections that NY twenty-somethings had against Christianity. In Part 1, he clearly presents the objections and answers them with understanding and respect. In Part 2 he argues for belief in Jesus as Savior. This book is excellent both for learning how to give reasons for faith and for handing out to seekers.

Prepared Defense

Software: Prepared Defense

Load this software on your PC, Mac, iPad, or iPhone. When you’re asked a tough question, select the question in the hierarchical list and quick answers pop up on the screen. Dr. Clay Jones first developed Prepared Defense for use on his live call-in, talk radio program. It’s great for those times when you need a quick answer, when you need your memory jogged, or when you want an exact quote. It lists plenty of resources for studying a topic more deeply. Get it from Biola University as a stand-alone product ($12), from WORDsearch as an add-on for their other software products ($29.95), or from LifeWay as a digital eBook ($29.99).

The Fallacy Detective

Book: The Fallacy Detective

Hans Bluedorn and Nathaniel Bluedorn wrote this delightful book on fallacies (errors in reasoning). It’s important to know fallacies so that you not only avoid using them, but recognize them when you hear them.The Fallacy Detective: Thirty-Eight Lessons on How to Recognize Bad Reasoning is sprinkled with witticisms and comics that keep the tone light. Each short chapter ends with a quiz to help you practice and hone your budding skills.

These four resources will give you a solid foundation for answering basic questions about your faith.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”