For an Answer: Christian Apologetics

Here are some Books that we've found useful in our research. For an Answer enthusiastically recommends each to anyone interested in defending the Christian Faith, or in teaching others to do so. We've partnered with ChristianBook.com to make it easy for you to add these books to your library.

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Bible Studies

Exegetical Fallacies, Second Edition

D.A. Carson

Encouraging readers to be more discerning and discriminating in their elucidation of Scripture, Carson exposes improper techniques of biblical interpretation. He groups exegetical errors into categories of word study, grammar, and logic, refuting common misconceptions in a straightforward and accessible style.

An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics

Walter C. Kaiser

Moises Silva

Two leading evangelical scholars provide a lively and balanced treatment of biblical interpretation. For starters, they introduce the field of hermeneutics, evaluate the diverse systems of interpretation, describe the various levels of meaning, and examine the basic principles and practice of biblical exegesis. Then, they analyze the historical-critical tradition. The cultural and linguistic biases that lead to misinterpretation are also thoroughly discussed.

The Gospel According to John

D.A. Carson

This is one of my favorite commentaries, period! Carson is comprehensive, yet always readable. He tackles the difficult passages head on, laying out available options and making his case for the most reasonable. He explores the theological and cultural background of John's Gospel with the grace of a master teacher and the depth of a master scholar.

The Epistle to the Romans, NICNT, New International Commentary on the New Testament Douglas Moo

One of the greatest pleasures and challenges in my Christian life has been to teach verse-by-verse through Paul's Epistle to the Romans. This commentary has been my constant companion and guide. Moo offers exegetical insights I have not found elsewhere. He interacts with leading scholars both past and present and provides ample background material to dig deep into Paul's thought. While I've used Cranfield, Murray, and Bruce in my studies, it has been Moo that has help me get at Paul's meaning - even on the rare occasions in which I disagree with him. Aside James Stifler's now out-of-print gem, this commentary has pride of place in my Romans library.

Original Languages

Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar

William Mounce

Good news for beginning students of Greek! The best-selling resource that set the standard for learning New Testament language is now even better. Featuring revised text---with a new chapter on clauses---it introduces Greek verbs early, and includes helpful "made-up" sentences. The companion CD-ROM is easier to use and offers brief audio summary lectures.

Basics of Biblical Hebrew Grammar

Gary D. Pratico

Miles V. Van Pelt

Poised to become the standard text for seminaries and colleges, this resource offers a complete course for learning the elements of Old Testament language. Following the structure of Basics of Biblical Greek, the authors emphasize the structural pattern of the language, minimizing rote memorization. The accompanying CD-ROM helps students begin working directly with scriptural texts.

Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics

Daniel B. Wallace

Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics is a contemporary intermediate-level Greek grammar that gives students the resources necessary to accurately exegete biblical texts. This is the first textbook to systematically link syntax and exegesis of the New Testament for second-year Greek students. It also explores numerous syntactical categories, some of which have not previously been dealt with in print.

	God Crucified Richard Bauckham	Bauckham offers a new proposal for understanding Christology in its Jewish context; one in which the earliest N.T. Christology "includes" Jesus in the identity of God. He contends that, while this was a radically novel & unprecedented development, it was in no way a repudiation of the strict Jewish monotheistic faith. (from Terry Cullom's Review on Amazon.com). *Highly recommended.*
	The Last Things: Resurrection, Judgment, Glory Donald G. Bloesch	In The Last Things Donald G. Bloesch takes up difficult and sometimes controversial themes such as the coming of the kingdom of God, the return of Jesus Christ, the life hereafter, the millennial hope, the final judgment, hell, heaven, purgatory and paradise. Wrestling with biblical texts that often take metaphorical form, Bloesch avoids rationalistic reductionism as well as timid agnosticism. While he acknowledges mystery and even paradox, Bloesch finds biblical revelation much more than sufficient to illuminate the central truths of a Christian hope articulated throughout the history of the church.
	Systematic Theology Wayne Grudem	Pursue systematic theology and leave the stodginess behind with this introduction to the "science" of biblical doctrine. You'll benefit from the strong emphasis on the scriptural basis of each doctrine and the thorough treatment of categories. You won't outgrow this introduction because it includes a bibliography that's cross-referenced to 34 other systematic theologies.
	Jesus as God Murray J. Harris	A detailed, scholarly (yet readable) examination of 16 verses in which it has been argued that Jesus is called God (Greek: THEOS) in the New Testament. Invaluable footnotes and bibliography for further research. *Highly recommended.* *Not available through ChristianBook.com*
	Slave of Christ Murray J. Harris	The New Testament finds many ways to depict Christians' relationships to their Lord. They are his disciples, sons, daughters, and friends. But it is perhaps too little recognized that they are also his slaves. This study sets out to uncover what it means to be a slave of Christ. Murray Harris begins by assessing the nature of actual slavery in the Greco-Roman world and the New Testament's attitude towards it. Drawing insights from this, he goes on to unfold the metaphor of slavery to Christ.
	Lord Jesus Christ: Devotion to Jesus in Earliest Christianity Larry W. Hurtado	A monumental work designed to replace Wilhelm Bousset's Kyrios Christos (1913) as the standard work on the subject. How did early Christians understand the meaning of Jesus' life and what prompted them to see him as divine? Considers practices in prayer, worship, baptism, healing, and more.
	At the Origins of Christian Worship: The Context and Character of Earliest Christian Devotion Larry W. Hurtado	What distinguished early Christian worship from its ancient Jewish roots? Did Christianity take on any of the elements of the mystery religions? What would a typical Sunday service have been like? Hurtado condenses enormous research, then explains the implications for the modern church.
	Shades of Sheol: Death and Afterlife in the Old Testament Philip Johnston	"For in death there is no remembrance of you," said the psalmist, but what did the ancient Israelites actually believe about the Shades of Sheol? Exploring death and the afterlife in the Old Testament, Oxford researcher Philip Johnston offers fresh evidence that the Hebrews weren't overly preoccupied with the underworld---as some scholars allege. But they were not silent about it, either. Discover how worshiping Yahweh as God of the living led to positive views on the resurrection and afterlife.
	The Holy Trinity: In Scripture, History, Theology, and Worship Robert Letham	In The Holy Trinity Robert Letham helps to redress the shortcoming of evangelicals to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of the doctrine of the Trinity. Letham offers a well-researched volume which examines the doctrine's biblical foundations and traces its historical development from the early church Fathers through John Calvin. He then turns to modern discussion of the Trinity in the work of Barth, Rahner, Moltmann, Pannenberg, Bulgakov, Lossky, Staniloae, and Torrance, examining their respective theologies critically. Letham concludes with his own constructive proposal, engaging four critical issues: the Trinity and (1) the incarnation, (2) worship and prayer, (3) creation and missions, and (4) persons.