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Best Christian Apologetics

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity
A revised foreword and introduction A substantially extended epilogue that shares how Nabeel told his friend David of his decision to follow Christ, how his parents found out, and much more Expert contributions from scholars and ministry leaders on each section of the book, contributions previously included only in the ebook edition An appendix with a topical table of contents (for teaching from Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus ) An appendix tackling the objection that Ahmadi Muslims are not true Muslims And a sneak peek prologue from Nabeel’s forthcoming new book, No God but One: Allah or Jesus ? Nabeel Qureshi is a speaker with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.
Reviews
"For myself, I was reliving the search I had pursued forty five years ago, when my embrace of existentialism had left me so empty and purposeless that I had to reconsider the claims of Christ, just in case they might be true. I found myself anticipating each next step in Nabeel's intellectual journey, as each critical aspect of the truth of Christianity was substantiated by his investigations. I even experienced to a degree Nabeel's family conflicts, though for me it was my mother's amazement and bitter disappointment with my choice after college of seminary instead of medical school."
"The dedication at the beginning of the book, read by the author himself, had me bawling like a baby. I was unaware of how much disagreement about doctrine that there is within different Muslim beliefs and Qureshi walks through them carefully and respectfully."
"I have to say that as a Christian, before reading this book, I had very little knowledge of the Muslim faith and how Muslim children are raised."
"Nabeel’s testimony, the description of his journey in life as a young Muslim and the crisis of faith he experienced all impacted me strongly."
"He pursues the documented evidence with the commitment that whatever he finds he will believe in the God that is truth - even if he finds that the teaching that was a part of his life since birth may or may not be truth."
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Mere Christianity
Lewis, the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground upon which all of those of Christian faith stand together. The volume on the Blackstone edition is recorded at a higher level than HarperAudio's. Whether or not one agrees with Lewis's arguments, it is a pleasure to hear such a skillful reading of an eloquent work.
Reviews
"It is a timeless classic that is as true today as when it was originally penned by Lewis as a series of talks given in London over the BBC during the challenging days of WW2. As you work through this great book take some time to digest the material in each chapter and reflect upon the material that Lewis covers and the thoroughness of his argument and perspectives."
"He expertly (and extensively) uses metaphor to help mere humans understand the incomprehensible facts about God. Lewis's explanation of Christian doctrine from the ground up helps the Christian fill in the blank parts of their theological understanding."
"This book is a very interesting read for Christians, regardless of your religious background."
"Rereading it now I see that this is still an excellent and relevant book for those who are exploring, or new to, following Christ today."
"His insight cuts right to the core of the matter, and he is able to share his insights in a simple and accessible style. He presents a rational argument for his belief in Christianity, and while it may not convert the most stalwart atheists, I do believe it would help them to understand the fundamental belief system shared by most mainstream Christian denominations."
"THE MOST INCREDIBLE BOOK I HAVE EVER READ."
"This book has helped me tremendously on my journey."
"Mere Christianity is a GREAT book, but DO NOT BUY THIS VERSION."
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The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism
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. In this apologia for Christian faith, Keller mines material from literary classics, philosophy, anthropology and a multitude of other disciplines to make an intellectually compelling case for God. Written for skeptics and the believers who love them, the book draws on the author's encounters as founding pastor of New York's booming Redeemer Presbyterian Church.
Reviews
"I have been disappointed by so many Christian books I read- especially those that try to "prove" God."
"Tim Keller continues to be a clarion voice for our time."
"Keller has become a household name and for good reason, he is winsome, wise, and portrays biblical truth in simple yet profound ways."
"Author quotes CS Lewis a lot in this book."
"This book comes as close as possible to a proof of why the God of the Bible is real."
"The author begins with examining why it makes sense to believe in a personal God and from there makes a case for belief in Christ."
"A real thought provoking look at our belief in God."
"This book does an excellent job of talking in a straight forward way about the questions many have about Christian faith."
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Best Christian Faith

Battlefield of the Mind Devotional: 100 Insights That Will Change the Way You Think
This bestselling author and speaker offers a companion devotional to her award-winning message, "Battlefield of the Mind." Joyce Meyer is the bestselling author of more than 100 inspirational books, including The Power of Simple Prayer, Approval Addiction, Power Thoughts and Battlefield of the Mind.
Reviews
"When I was younger, a stay at home mom, I would say that my family was just like the soap opera All My Children. I quit making the negative statements and watched my family return to peace."
"With the leadership of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Joyce Meyer affects millions all over the world, it seems especially true with women."
"This is a very good step by step "how to" discipline the mind from destructive negative affect, e.g. those counter productive messages that sabotage our success."
"Once again, Joyce Meyers delivers a well written and instructive book!"
"This book is extremely helpful for Christian women to get there thinking right, right with God."
"Joyce knows all the tricks and lies the devil tries to make us believe about our selves."
"Joyce has "been there, done that" and has sound, reasonable advice to help you change your direction and attitude."
"A book everyone should have!"
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Best Christian Theological Anthropology

Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self
Dissolve the distractions of ego to find our authentic selves in God In his bestselling book Falling Upward, Richard Rohr talked about ego (or the False Self) and how it gets in the way of spiritual maturity. Shows how to navigate spiritually difficult terrain with clear vision and tools to uncover our True Selves Written by Father Richard Rohr, the bestselling author of Falling Upward Examines the fundamental issues of who we are and helps us on our path of spiritual maturity. Q&A with Robert Rohr, author of Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self. When I use the term False Self, I mean that it is the self we manufacture and adopt to find our identity in the world—our jobs, our occupations, our religion, our culture, our sources of status. How do the concepts of True Self and False Self relate to the questions you explored in Falling Upward ? If you don’t find or recover your True Self, you remain in the first half of life forever, as many people do. Your True Self is the only part of you that really has access to the big questions, things like love, suffering, death, God. But once you make contact with your True Self, there's a natural correspondence between who you are and who God is. When you discover your True Self, it's very easy to recognize the presence of God. It’s not some kind of magical transaction that takes place between you and God, but the death of the passing self, the one you have created for yourself. In other words, once you have experienced the little losses and failings or falling upwards, you know at a deep level that you’ve been there before and none of it is going to kill you. If you don't learn how to die early, ahead of time, you spend your life avoiding all failure, humiliation, loss, and you're not ready for the last death. It may be necessary, but if you are living in that world, that revolving hall of mirrors, you so get enchanted with these reflections of what everybody thinks you are or wants you to be that you forget or you never discover who you really are before you did anything right or anything wrong, before you had your name, your reputation, your education, your family, your culture. The metaphor immortal diamond came from a poem by the Jesuit Englishman, Gerard Manley Hopkins. The last lines of this beautiful poem say, “I am all at once what Christ is, since he was what I am, and/ This Jack, joke, poor potsherd, patch, matchwood, immortal diamond,/ Is immortal diamond.” When I first wanted to clarify this notion of True Self/False Self, I immediately said that's going to be the, the metaphor. I think it names what I'm talking about, something that's strong, true, clear, but hidden within us.
Reviews
"Also, this book arrived in top condition with fast shipping--thank you to the seller!"
"To observe both the False Self & the True Self in the way Richard Rohr describes is like a ton of bricks being removed from my shoulders."
"An important reading for anyone looking to move out the foibles of the lower self as well as the strictures of culture, especially pertaining to the Christian church, toward an expansive view of a higher self in loving relationship with God."
"Spiritual gift for the heart."
"Another of Richard Rohr's wonderfully insightful and inspired books."
"I have just started reading it and I am finding much to ponder and many spiritual insights."
"A culmination of Rohr's work on seeing past the dualism into which western religious thought has descended. A delightful trip into the true beauty of spiritual life."
"Great book."
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Best Theology

Jesus Among Secular Gods: The Countercultural Claims of Christ
Ravi Zacharias and Vince Vitale defend the absolute claims of Christ against modern belief in the "secular gods" of atheism, scientism, relativism, and more. ― Tim Keller, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City RAVI ZACHARIAS is the founder and president of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with additional offices in Canada, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Austria, South Africa, Spain, and Turkey. DR. VINCE VITALE, born in NYC and raised in a family one generation removed from Mafia heritage, went to study philosophy at Princeton University and then took an unexpected journey that led him to God.
Reviews
"Since graduating from college a few years ago, I’ve been looking for books that would help me develop cultural awareness, lead me in my spiritual path, yet still challenge me intellectually. I’m a huge fan of the Ravi Zacharias & Vince Vitale collaboration, having read their book "Why Suffering?" Not only did it help to learn the fine-tuning argument in the beginning of the chapter, but Vitale made it click* of how a God who fine-tunes the world could fine-tune the humans that he (or she?). Most of my professors/peers/coworkers had/have a worldview defined by Atheism, Scientism, Humanism, Pluralism, Relativism, and Hedonism, and it’s so fascinating to see these different perspectives examined in a gracious manner."
"The authors are not only great scholars with immense knowledge within philosophy, worldview's and other topics, but are also frequently meeting real people who hold different positions which the book describes."
"Perfectly pitched for the thinking reader of all faiths and no faith, Jesus Among Secular Gods is a must-read for anyone honestly searching for answers to life’s biggest questions and is willing to follow the evidence where it leads."
"Dr.'s Vitale and Zacharias are as always, on point in their discussion of secularism, multiculturalism, and their deadly impact on society."
"Ravi Zacharias and Vince Vitale's new book 'Jesus among secular gods,' is written with great thought and in such a way that it does not dismiss the objections raised from atheistic and pluralistic philosophies but instead highlights the differences between the Christian worldview in comparison to a few other religious beliefs and especially that of the secular worldviews."
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Best Creationism

Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design
Named one of the top books of 2009 by the Times Literary Supplement (London), this controversial and compelling book from Dr. Stephen C. Meyer presents a convincing new case for intelligent design (ID), based on revolutionary discoveries in science and DNA. the powerful case Meyer presents cannot be ignored in any honest debate. Whether you believe intelligent design is true or false, Signature in the Cell is a must-read book.” (Dr. Scott Turner, professor, environmental and forest biology, State University of New York, and author of The Tinkerer’s Accomplice).
Reviews
"The Signature in the cell was the first book that I have read that explains in no uncertain terms why the genetic code would be impossible for nature to create by randomly combining primordial molecules. Although it doesn't talk about God or any form of religion or spiritual world, it is difficult to avoid the obvious conclusion that something outside of our material universe had something to do with the very first reproducing organism as well as multiple steps along the way to the evolution of the human species. He simply draws the conclusion that an intelligent designer is the simplest, and for all practical purposes, the only explanation for the rise of life from a lifeless world.). It stands upon infinitely firmer ground than the Multiverse which is modern cosmology's latest mathematical/theological attempt to explain the anthropomorphic nature of our world of matter."
"My religion also teaches me that this intelligent being wants mankind to study and learn all they can about this world through physical science, geopolitical science, mathematics, etc. The studies of Dr. Meyer and the many scientists who have worked to understand molecular biology, physics, geology, mathematics and information theory, as presented in this and other books, serve only to attest to what I already knew to be true: that there is an intelligent mind behind all that exists in the physical and spiritual worlds."
"The presentation gets tedious after while because the author tries too hard to court the scientific community."
"A very interesting book with a detailed and good description of DNA, RNA and cell function."
"I think anyone that is adamant against intelligent design will be genuinely stumped by this book and will have to reconsider their views."
"very intense need to understand biology quite a bit."
"An exhaustive review of all the possible ways to explain the appearance of DNA, the origin of life."
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Best Religious Ethics

The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values
Defining morality in terms of human and animal well-being, Harris argues that science can do more than tell how we are; it can, in principle, tell us how we ought to be. Philosophers of mind have already discovered that they can't duck the study of neuroscience, and the best of them have raised their game as a result. Sam Harris shows that the same should be true of moral philosophers, and it will turn their world exhilaratingly upside down. As for religion, and the preposterous idea that we need God to be good, nobody wields a sharper bayonet than Sam Harris. If there are more and less effective ways for us to seek happiness and to avoid misery in this world—and there clearly are—then there are right and wrong answers to questions of morality. If we could eliminate war, nuclear proliferation, malaria, chronic hunger, child abuse, etc.—these changes would be good, on balance, for everyone. There are surely neurobiological, psychological, and sociological reasons why this is so—which is to say that science could potentially tell us exactly why a phenomenon like child abuse diminishes human well-being. I think it is important for us to admit that this is not a claim about our personal preferences, or merely something our culture has conditioned us to believe. Moral truths of this kind must find their place in any scientific understanding of human experience. It is safe to say that the optimal response to this dire situation—that is to say, the most moral response—is not to throw battery acid in the faces of little girls for the crime of learning to read. They believe that they will enjoy an eternity of happiness after death by following the strictest interpretation of Islamic law here on earth. Harris: This is the phrase I use to describe the space of all possible experience—where the peaks correspond to the heights of well-being and valleys represent the worst possible suffering. Given that our experience is fully constrained by the laws of the universe, there must be scientific answers to the question of how best to move upwards, toward greater happiness. So scientists fear that answers to specific questions about human well-being may be very difficult to come by, and confidence on many points is surely premature. Anyone who thinks that gay marriage is the greatest problem of the 21st century, or that women should be forced to live in burqas, is not worth listening to on the subject of morality. Religious ideas about good and evil tend to focus on how to achieve well-being in the next life, and this makes them terrible guides to securing it in this one. You do not need to believe that the Bible was dictated by the Creator of the Universe, or that Jesus Christ was his son, to see the wisdom and utility of following the Golden Rule. The problem with religious morality is that it often causes people to care about the wrong things, leading them to make choices that needlessly perpetuate human suffering. Even the faithful can’t really get their deepest moral principles from religion—because books like the Bible and the Qur’an are full of barbaric injunctions that all decent and sane people must now reinterpret or ignore. You don’t get this moral insight from scripture, because the God of Abraham expects us to keep slaves. Q: How will admitting that there are right and wrong answers to issues of human and animal flourishing transform the way we think and talk about morality? Harris: What I’ve tried to do in my book is give a framework in which we can think about human values in universal terms. Therefore, we have divorced the most important questions in human life from the context in which our most rigorous and intellectually honest thinking gets done. Moral truth entirely depends on actual and potential changes in the well-being of conscious creatures. It seems to me that the only way we are going to build a global civilization based on shared values—allowing us to converge on the same political, economic, and environmental goals—is to admit that questions about right and wrong and good and evil have answers, in the same way the questions about human health do.
Reviews
"Top Notch."
"Fabulous read especially with the Harris's fantastic wit."
"Sam Harris shows that spirituality is inherent to humanity and ethics can be determined scientifically."
"In this book with the new foreword, Sam decisively demolishes the myth that morality is about anything other than the well being of conscious beings."
"Sam Harris is a sane and perfectly rational voice in this time of absurdity."
"I have been reading Sam Harris blogs, and articles for a while now in addition to watching numerous YouTube videos illustrating a clearer cleaner path in thinking in regard to religion and critical thinking."
"Everyone should read this book."
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Best Evangelism

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity
In Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, now expanded with bonus content, Nabeel Qureshi describes his dramatic journey from Islam to Christianity, complete with friendships, investigations, and supernatural dreams along the way. -- Mark Gabriel, , Author and former lecturer, University of Cairo. Fresh, striking, highly illuminating, and sometimes heartbreaking, Qureshi’s story is worth a thousand textbooks. His quest brought together several exceptional features: a very bright mind, extraordinary sincerity, original research, and a willingness to follow the evidence trail wherever it took him. This book gives westerners a glimpse of the richness of family and love in a devout Muslim home; it is an enviable picture of respect, devotion, and society. But Christians and Muslims alike are told stories about their religions when they are young, while few have ever personally researched the writings of their founding fathers to assess the validity that undergirds their respective faiths. But it is also a deeply personal heart-wrenching and tear-evoking saga of the life of a young Muslim growing up in the West, a gripping biography that is impossible to put down. We are introduced to the depth of spirituality, the love and honor of family, and the way a person “sees” and “feels” in a devout Muslim home. It reaches both East and West, teaching Christians about Islam from an insider’s perspective and helping Muslims understand the love and truth of Jesus. Nabeel Qureshi masterfully argues for the Gospel while painting a beautiful portrait of Muslim families and heritage, avoiding the fear-mongering and finger-pointing that are all too pervasive in today’s sensationalist world.
Reviews
"For myself, I was reliving the search I had pursued forty five years ago, when my embrace of existentialism had left me so empty and purposeless that I had to reconsider the claims of Christ, just in case they might be true. I found myself anticipating each next step in Nabeel's intellectual journey, as each critical aspect of the truth of Christianity was substantiated by his investigations. I even experienced to a degree Nabeel's family conflicts, though for me it was my mother's amazement and bitter disappointment with my choice after college of seminary instead of medical school."
"The dedication at the beginning of the book, read by the author himself, had me bawling like a baby. I was unaware of how much disagreement about doctrine that there is within different Muslim beliefs and Qureshi walks through them carefully and respectfully."
"I have to say that as a Christian, before reading this book, I had very little knowledge of the Muslim faith and how Muslim children are raised."
"Nabeel’s testimony, the description of his journey in life as a young Muslim and the crisis of faith he experienced all impacted me strongly."
"He pursues the documented evidence with the commitment that whatever he finds he will believe in the God that is truth - even if he finds that the teaching that was a part of his life since birth may or may not be truth."
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Best British & Irish Literature

In Farleigh Field: A Novel of World War II
World War II comes to Farleigh Place, the ancestral home of Lord Westerham and his five daughters, when a soldier with a failed parachute falls to his death on the estate. “The skills Bowen brings to her several mystery series, including Molly Murphy and Royal Spyness, inform the plotting in this character-rich tale, which will be welcomed by her fans as well as by readers who enjoy fiction about the British home front.” — Booklist. It features an English aristocrat’s daughter who works at London’s top-secret home of code breakers, Bletchley Park, and a number of others with high-stakes plots and plans.” — Library Journal. “ In Farleigh Field delivers the same entertainment mixed with intellectual intrigue and realistic setting for which Bowen has earned awards and loyal fans.” —New York Journal of Books. Through the character’s eyes, readers will be drawn into the era and begin to understand the sacrifices and hardships placed on English society.” — Crimespree Magazine. With a deep understanding of the wounded human heart, and an uncanny ability to capture the quiet emotions and the grand scale of war, she rises above her contemporaries. Rhys Bowen’s knowing voice transports Downton fans into a unputdownable family saga—a compelling journey through history, loss, honor and love.
Reviews
"Pamela works at Bletchly Park breaking German codes, Margot is in Paris working for the French Resistance, and Phoebe is at home (she’s only 12) and discovers the body of a soldier whose parachute failed as he tried to land near Farleigh Place. The resolution of each plot line was very realistic and convincing. I loved learning about the group of aristocrats that supported Hitler and created a group to try and make peace with Germany (she calls them the Ring in the novel; in actuality she explains in her Author’s Note that they were called the Link)."
"As the body arouses suspicion - MI5 operative and family friend Ben Cresswell is confidentially asked to investigate who the deceased is as he has no identification and work out whether he is in fact a German spy... and this is where the action seriously begins. The first half of the book is filled with characters’ individual stories which were interesting, but does require intense concentration however it is the last 100 pages where everything takes off and were totally action packed."
"The other was the role of the aristocracy who began to lose privilege, property, power and an entire way of life during the war and their willingness to embrace fascism to hold on to that. The story is well told, although some characters (there is a dauntingly long cast of characters at the front of the book – best to ignore that and plunge in, in my opinion) are stereotypical and thinly drawn."
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