Looking for a good book?

Here are some of my favorites from the dozens that propelled me on my journey to doubt-free faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
Science

Bones of Contention: A Creationist Assessment of Human Fossils, Marvin L. Lubenow (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1992). Think the fossil “record” proves evolution? You won’t after you’ve read this extraordinary book. If you cling to popular views of our origins, you won’t like it at all. But if it’s truth you’re after, don’t miss it. 

The Collapse of Evolution, Scott M. Huse (Grand  Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1997). If I had to choose just one book for an overview of how real science supports Genesis rather than Darwin, this would be it. Dr. Huse covers an amazing amount of territory in relatively short order, using language that anyone can understand.

Darwin on Trial, Phillip E. Johnson (Downers Grover, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993). The Harvard-educated author is a lawyer, a law professor at the University of California at Berkeley, and an outstanding writer who makes the case against Darwinism irrefutable. I finally set aside my pen, because I was underlining just about every sentence.

Darwin’s Black Box, Michael Behe (New York, NY: The Free Press, 1996). I don’t think one should have an opinion on biochemical evolution – or on evolution in general – until one has read this incredible book. Okay, if you already reject evolution, I guess you’re off the hook; but for everyone else, this is a must-read.

Darwin’s Enigma, Luther Sunderland (Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2002). If I were to rate my favorite books according to the amount of ink I used to underline and star vital passages, this one would come out near the top. It was here that I first learned a number of critical facts about evolution – and read the admissions of prominent evolutionists, including the late Stephen J. Gould of Harvard, that there really are no transitional forms in the fossil record. Ooops.

The Genesis Flood: The Biblical Record and Its Scientific Implications, John C. Whitcomb and Henry M. Morris (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2003). This is the book that started the modern creation science movement. Drs. Whitcomb and Morris cover everything from arguments against the Genesis Flood to the overwhelming evidence confirming it. It's not a lightweight book; the discussions of geology, hydrology and archeology were challenging for me. Still, outside of the Bible itself, it may be the most significant book in my library.

The Long War Against God, Henry Morris (Green Forest, AR: Master Books, Inc., 2000). When I was an atheist, I figured evolution was a radical new (and well proven)discovery of modern science. Then I read this brilliant book and learned that it’s an idea that has been around practically since the beginning of time. I also learned it’s been foundational to just about every ugly thing that man has ever done to man, especially in the 20th century. Dr. Morris left his earthly tent behind in early 2006; I can’t wait to thank him for this book especially.

The Modern Creation Trilogy, Henry M. Morris and John D. Morris (Green Forest, AR: Master Books, Inc., 1996). If I were stranded on a desert island and could only have the Bible and one other book, this might well be that other. (Sure, it’s a three-volume set, but it’s my little contest so I set the rules.) The Drs. Morris look at scripture, science and society in terms of biblical creation – and perhaps most important, demonstrate beyond the shadow of any doubt that real science supports the Genesis account of our universe’s origins.

Our Created Moon, Don DeYoung and John Whitcomb (Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003). I love this little book. Its authors not only told me everything I’ve ever wondered about the moon and then some; they also put this information into biblical perspective, so that its primary take-away is simply “What an awesome God!”

Scientific Facts in the Bible: 100 Reasons To Believe the Bible Is Supernatural in Origin, Ray Comfort (Gainesville, FL: Bridge-Logos Publishers, 2001). This little book covers, in a nutshell, subjects from medicine and biology to astronomy and archaeology – all in easy-to-read and entertaining style. It's definitely in my top ten. But then, in my humble opinion, Ray Comfort is one of the best writers ever.

Theology

Created for His Glory: God's Purpose for Redeeming Your Life, Jim Berg (Greenville, SC: BJU Press, 2002). This book’s stated purpose is to help us find the peace and joy that the Bible describes. And indeed, it was after I read it that I started viewing just about everything with eternal eyes.Totally life-changing, as is its predecessor, Changed into His Image.

How To Give Away Your Faith, Paul Little (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988). It was not long after a group of girlfriends laughed in my face over my changed life that I picked up this book, billed as “the classic guide on evangelism.” Not only did it turn out to be a big help for sharing my faith; just as important, it gave this baby Christian a better handle on the teachings of Christianity, and answered many of my most pressing questions – including why simply leading a good and moral life won’t get anyone to heaven. 

The Indestructible Book: The Bible, Its Translators, and Their Sacrifices, Ken Connolly. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1996). This book is a must-read for anyone who thinks that all sacred books are alike; it demonstrates  conclusively, in less than 200 beautifully illustrated pages, that the Bible stands alone. Consider this chilling quote: “Some people were so committed to the belief that [the Bible] is God’s book that they were even willing to die  for that proposition. And strangely, others have been willing to put them to death…” Read it and weep. Literally. 

In the Trenches, Reggie White (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1996). Where would I be today without the late Reggie White? I suppose the answer is that God would have used someone or something else to crack open my hard heart, but I will still be eternally grateful to Reggie – not only for writing this excellent football-and-faith book, but more important for always wearing his heart for the Lord on his sleeve, in plain sight for any observant fan.  
 
The Kingdom of the Cults, Walter Martin (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 1985). This 500-plus-page volume is considered the definitive book on cults – not only those that are allegedly “Christian,” but also the overtly non-Christian, all of which deny either the deity of Jesus Christ or the all-sufficient atoning power of His death on the cross -- or both. Dr. Martin covers them in depth in this outstanding book, which also taught me a great deal about true Christianity along the way.

The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Josh McDowell (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999). This book fell into my hands early on in my search – and I’m so glad it did. McDowell covers it all, demonstrating in minute detail why we can trust the Bible as well as Jesus’ claim to be God. He also answers  the most common questions skeptics raise – including how the Bible’s books were chosen and how we can be sure that the Scripture we read today is faithful to the earliest manuscripts. Indispensable.

Things  Unseen: Living in Light of Forever, Mark Buchanan. (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2002). Things Unseen is a book not about heaven itself, the author tells us, but about “heavenly-mindedness.” He observes that this world is not enough for us. He writes about feelings that are both “laughter and mourning, spring and winter,  homecoming and exile,” longings that are really homesickness for heaven. He points out that we’re all dying, and that we’d best all look up. This is not the only Mark Buchanan book I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, but it’s probably my favorite. He really gets it. 
 
Thinking against the Grain, N. Allan Moseley (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2003). Subtitled "Developing a Biblical Worldview in a Culture of Myths,” this book showed me what it means to hold “an intellectually coherent and biblically faithful worldview." I was already a Christian when I read it, but I didn’t know what to do with that fact. Author Moseley provided compelling direction.

Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity, Nancy Pearcey (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2004). Even if you’re not a believer, this would be an engrossing read – especially if you think Bible-believing Christians have checked their brains at the door. It is, in fact, an astounding book that unveils in painstaking historical detail how our worldviews shape our beliefs, often to the detriment of truth. Already thoroughly marked-up, it’s on my list of books demanding a second reading.
 
The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog, James Sire (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997). If your question is “which God?” this is a great  place to begin. If it weren’t for this book, I might still be floundering around in search of the truth.

Last but far from least

The Late Great Planet Earth, Hal Lindsey with C. C. Carlson (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1970). I wish I’d picked up this book on the  amazing truth of biblical prophecy when it was first published. It might have changed everything. Even now, it’s an exciting read.