For this track with commentary and explanation, go here.
Books and courses to get you well on your way in developing a biblical apologetic, and carrying it out.
How to use the Apologetics Track.
Theology
Now, it is necessary that you build your apologetic from a sound theology. Theology determines apologetic methodology. If you need help getting started with that, read:
Your Bible! Internalize as much of it as you can. Dedicate time to reading for scope, and also dedicate time to read in detail. For help in your Bible reading, read Let the Reader Understand.
Most essentially for theology:
- The Westminster Standards: The Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF), The Westminster Larger Catechism (WLC), and The Westminster Shorter Catechism (WSC). Available FREE in ebook formats. Available in a free app for iOs and Android.
- The Forgotten Trinity by James White. Trinitarianism is what we are defending, so we had better know it.
- Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhof (FREE)
- Lectures on Calvinism by Abraham Kuyper (FREE). This will show that sound theology is actually a worldview.
- Highly recommended: Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin (FREE).
I would recommend nailing all, but not necessarily the Institutes, before diving into apologetics.
Now, on to apologetics.
The Apologetics Track
Stage One — Foundations
Know Why You Believe by K. Scott Oliphint (review)
Pushing the Antithesis: The Apologetic Methodology of Greg L. Bahnsen, edited by Gary DeMar
Presuppositional Apologetics: Stated and Defended, by Greg Bahnsen
Always Ready by Greg Bahnsen
Basic Training for Defending the Faith, taught by Greg Bahnsen
Defending the Christian Worldview Against All Opposition, taught by Greg Bahnsen
Defending the Faith: An Introduction to Apologetics, taught by Dr. Michael J. Kruger
Biblical Logic: In Theory & Practice, by Joel McDurmon
Stage Two — Engagement
The Open Hand – Persuasoria
Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl
Inerrancy and Worldview: Answering Modern Challenges to the Bible by Vern Poythress (review)
The Last Christian on Earth: Uncover the Enemy’s Plot to Undermine the Church by Os Guinness
Fool’s Talk: Recovering the Art of Christian Persuasion by Os Guinness
The Reason for God by Timothy Keller
A Serrated Edge: A Brief Defense of Biblical Satire and Trinitarian Skylarking, by Douglas Wilson
L’Abri (New Expanded Edition) by Edith Schaeffer
Cornelius Van Til: Reformed Apologist and Churchman by John Meuther
Apologetics 101 taught by William Edgar, and read Christian Apologetics (2nd edition, edited by William Edgar) by Cornelius Van Til. Edgar’s little book Reasons of the Heart is also a textbook for the class.
The Closed Fist – Dissuasoria
Christian Theistic Evidences (2nd edition, edited by K. Scott Oliphint) by Cornelius Van Til
Five Views on Apologetics edited by Steven B. Cowan
The Bahnsen/Sproul Debate Over Apologetic Method (Full Audio) (Full Transcript)
James White – Apologetic Methodology: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
How To Answer The Fool: A Presuppositional Defense of the Faith (film of Sye Ten Bruggencate). Watch online FREE.
Greg Bahnsen versus Gordon Stein debate, “Does God Exist?”
Worldview Apologetics taught by James Anderson
Classes, all FREE, taught by Timothy Tennent.
What’s Your Worldview?: An Interactive Approach to Life’s Big Questions by James Anderson
Finding Truth: 5 Principles for Unmasking Atheism, Secularism, and Other God Substitutes by Nancy Pearcey
Scripture Alone: Exploring the Bible’s Accuracy, Authority and Authenticity by James White
*Dr. James White Full Interview ‘NWO Bible Versions’ (King James Onlyism)
*The Roman Catholic Controversy by James White
*Mary—Another Redeemer? by James White
*James White versus Robert Wilkin debate (Anti-Lordship, no-repentance “gospel”)
*Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit with Counterfeit Worship by John MacArthur
Prosperity? Seeking the True Gospel by Mbugua, Maura, Mbewe, Grudem, & Piper
*A Definitive Look at Oneness Theology: In the Light of Biblical Trinitarianism, (4th Edition — Revised, Updated, and Expanded) by Edward Dalcour
*Trinity vs. Modalism Debate: James White vs. Roger Perkins (Oneness, Unitarian)
*The Same Sex Controversy: Defending and Clarifying the Bible’s Message About Homosexuality by James White and Jeff Niell
The Gay Christian Movement: A Response Part 1 and Part 2 by James White
*What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qur’an by James White
*Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air by Francis Beckwith and Greg Koukl
*Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen (FREE) (and FREE audio)
*Debate: Is the Bible True? (White vs Crossan) (The Jesus Seminar, Liberalism)
*All these with the asterisk can either be blended with Stage Three, or completed afterwards.
Stage Three — Reinforcement
The Defense of the Faith (4th edition, edited by K. Scott Oliphint) by Cornelius Van Til
Revelation and Reason: New Essays in Reformed Apologetics edited by K. Scott Oliphint and Lane G. Tipton
The Apologetic Implications of Self-Deception by Greg Bahnsen, the last chapter (FREE)
Van Til’s Apologetic: Readings & Analysis by Greg Bahnsen
Francis Schaeffer – The Early Years (iTunes U) and Francis Schaeffer – The Later Years (iTunes U) taught by Jerram Barrs, and read The Tapestry: The Life and Times of Francis and Edith Schaeffer, by Edith Schaeffer