Best Christian Apologetics Books for Adults

Many Christians find evangelism difficult. There are varied reasons for this, but one major roadblock is that we fear the questions people will ask. Do you know how to answer questions—perhaps hostile ones—about sexuality and gender, the role of science, and the existence of suffering in the world?

Effective evangelism is about more than having the right answers—we want to present the gospel in a clear and compelling way, showing how it’s not only true but good and life-giving. Books on apologetics can help you develop and communicate this vision.

Here are six of Reformers Bookshop’s best-selling Christian apologetics books. They’ll help you present the gospel in a compelling way so that lives can be changed by Jesus.

Being the Bad Guys: How to Live for Jesus in a World That Says You Shouldn’t by Stephen McAlpine

While some unbelievers simply see Christianity as irrelevant or make-believe, it’s becoming increasingly commonly to view it as harmful and dangerous. How can we present a compelling case for Jesus in this age? Stephen McAlpine gives wise counsel in this book, considering the tension points between modern ideals and biblical faith as well as giving pointers for effective conversations. 

Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion by Rebecca McLaughlin

It may seem like Christianity is on the decline, but it’s still the most widespread religion globally. Yet there are major questions that skeptics in the West tend to raise against the trustworthiness and goodness of what the Bible teaches. Instead of shying away from such questions, Rebecca McLaughlin tackles them head-on. She doesn’t just defend the Christian faith but presents it as the only truly satisfying answer to our deepest questions. 

7 Reasons to (Re)Consider Christianity by Ben Shaw

There are countless reasons people might give for not accepting Jesus—they think the Bible is a book of fairy tales, they don’t want to give up control of their lives, they consider Christianity to be harmful, or they simply don’t see its relevance. But there are also compelling reasons for skeptics to consider (or reconsider) Christianity’s claims. In this book, Ben Shaw presents seven of those reasons and invites unbelievers to the fullness of life found in Jesus. 

Evangelism in a Skeptical World: How to Make the Unbelievable News About Jesus More Believable by Sam Chan

The good news of Jesus never changes through time or between cultures. But the methods we use to present the gospel in a compelling way do change—and in our post-Christian, unchurched world, we need to think carefully about the how of evangelism. Sam Chan helps us with this book on reaching a skeptical world with the timeless gospel.

Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis

Most of the Christian apologetics books in this list were written in the 21st century. But in his 1952 classic Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis presents a surprisingly prescient and relevant defense of the existence of God, Christian theology, and Christian ethics. This warm and insightful work was originally presented as a series of BBC radio talks, so it’s aimed at a wide audience of Christians and skeptics alike. 

The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller

Tim Keller was a renowned preacher, writer, and apologist—and The Reason for God is probably his best-known book. As a pastor in the highly secular New York City, Keller heard all sorts of reasons why people don’t believe in God. In this book, he collected the most common objections together and provided compelling answers—everything from “Why does God allow suffering?” to “How can just one religion be ‘right’?”. Even 15 years after its first publication, this book is still a best-seller. 

For more options, browse our full collection of Christian apologetics books.