Why Jesus?
Cold Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace
Cold Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace
About the book: Written by an L.A. County homicide detective and former atheist, Cold-Case Christianity examines the claims of the New Testament using the skills and strategies of a hard-to-convince criminal investigator. Including gripping stories from his career and the visual techniques he developed in the courtroom, Wallace uses illustrations to examine the powerful evidence that validates the claims of Christianity.
Why we appreciate this resource: We value his straightforward, no-nonsense approach to the historical realities and evidence for Christianity.
The Reason for God by Tim Keller
The Reason for God by Tim Keller
About the book: Timothy Keller, the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, addresses the frequent doubts that skeptics, and even ardent believers, have about religion. Using literature, philosophy, real-life conversations, and potent reasoning, Keller explains how the belief in a Christian God is, in fact, a sound and rational one.
Why we appreciate this resource: This book provides a good general overview of the answers to some of the main questions that believers and skeptics pose about Christianity. Keller’s tone and approach is thoughtful and approachable, and this work, like his others, has been sharpened by his years of ministry in New York City.
Miracles by CS Lewis
About the book: Do miracles really happen? Can we know if the supernatural world exists? Using his characteristic warmth, lucidity, and wit, Lewis challenges the rationalists and cynics who are mired in their lack of imagination and provides a poetic and joyous affirmation that miracles really do occur in everyday lives.
Why we appreciate this resource: If you find it hard to believe in miracles, you aren’t alone. They appear to require the natural order of things to be reversed. However, C.S. Lewis challenges us to consider whether or not miracles are examples of the natural order being restored!
The The Triumph of Christianity by Bart Ehrman
The Triumph of Christianity by Bart Ehrman
About this book: New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman explores how a marginalized religion in a remote part of the empire became the official religion of Rome. In doing so, Ehrman upends the way we think about the single most important cultural transformation our world has ever seen — one that revolutionized art, music, literature, philosophy, ethics, economics, and law.
Why we appreciate this resource: Though not a professing Christian, Ehrman concludes through his historical research that the Jesus movement should have never gotten off the ground. Its rapid growth and unparalleled impact is an astounding historical fact that merits a closer look.
The ESV Study Bible (English Standard Version)
The ESV Study Bible (English Standard Version)
About this book: The ESV Study Bible was designed to help you understand the Bible in a deeper way. Extensive study notes, charts, maps, and articles make this study Bible a valuable resource for serious readers, students, and teachers of God’s Word.
Why we appreciate this resource: The ESV is a more literal translation of the Bible. It is great for digging deeper and has exceptional study notes.
The NLT Study Bible (New Living Translation)
The NLT Study Bible (New Living Translation)
About this book: Explore the Scriptures with almost 50 of today’s top evangelical scholars. Every feature in the NLT Study Bible has been created to do more than just impart information. Ask questions, and the NLT Study Bible gives you both the words and the world of the Bible. Seek deeper understanding, and find the meaning and significance of Scripture, not just facts.
Why we appreciate this resource: The NLT offers a more readable translation and also includes exceptional study notes.
The IVP Bible Background Commentary (Old Testament version)
The IVP Bible Background Commentary (Old Testament version)
About this book: Providing historical, social and cultural background for each Passage of the Old Testament from Genesis through Malachi, this single volume gathers and condenses an abundance of specialized knowledge from expert scholars—-making it available and accessible to ordinary readers of the Old Testament.
Why we appreciate this resource: This helpful commentary provides background information, historical context, facts, etc., all of which aid in better understanding the Old Testament Scriptures.
The IVP Bible Background Commentary (New Testament version)
The IVP Bible Background Commentary (New Testament version)
About this book: This unique commentary provides, in verse-by-verse format, the crucial cultural background you need for responsible―and richer―Bible study. It includes a glossary of cultural terms and important historical figures, maps and charts, up-to-date bibliographies, and introductory essays about cultural background information for each book of the New Testament.
Why we appreciate this resource: Like the Old Testament commentary above, this volume enriches individual study by providing background information, historical context, and other insights into the Scriptures.