Top 5 Books for Spiritual Seekers

[@kevinderochie6990]

I personally loved “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist” and “Cold Case Christianity”

[@mkl2237]

Great choices. I love “Stealing from God” by Turek as well

[@kevinderochie6990]

@@mkl2237 I have a copy, but I haven’t read it yet. Looking forward to it, though

[@vivianedepaula693]

Thank you. 😊

[@captainmartin1219]

I will check those out.

[@tromdial7719]

I just moved into my apartment and am filling a new shelf in living room with apologetics books to gift for non-Christians, so this video is a blessing. Thanks.

[@lynoxberry1507]

I would recommend 'Mere Christianity' by C. S. Lewis. It's like sitting in a comfy armchair beside a fire with a kindly, wise uncle sitting opposite, talking about why Christianity is so good and beautiful, and why it all makes sense. It's a wonderful book for people who are just beginning their journey on the narrow road, and a reminder of why it's the only road to traverse. Reading the book is like being wrapped in a warm blanket. Perfect bedtime reading.

[@OldThingsPassAway]

Seconded!

[@joyf5539]

Have you ever read the great divorce C.S.Lewis, I think it could be a good one too. It’s a different kind of book.

[@tlawhon]

I loved Mere Christianity... the whole time I was reading it, I couldn't stop thinking "This is the best book I've ever read!"

[@morganclare4704]

Lewis wanted to return to Rome in his latter life and he half believed in Evolution.

[@joyf5539]

@@morganclare4704 I have seen neither of these things and I have read most of what he has written. If you have some references I will gladly read them. The only Evolution reference I have found is “Funeral of a Great Myth” written in 44 and published after his death in 67.

[@hhstark8663]

*The top 5 books for a non-Christian mentioned in the video:* - _The Gospel of John_ - _The Great Quest_ by Os Guinness - _More Than a Carpenter_ by Josh McDowell - _The Reason For God_ by Timothy Keller - _The Case for Christ_ by Lee Strobel

[@hhstark8663]

The book *_Evidence That Demands a Verdict_* (2nd edition) should be on the list!

[@channingb2577]

My first book that really helped me was "I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist." After that, I'd suggest almost anything that C.S. Lewis wrote in the apologetics/theology/philosophy vein.

[@MegUSN52]

I was quite surprised that C.S. Lewis didn't make the top 5. His words resonate to this day.

[@HisGlory768]

Love the idea of your top books on various subjects! Please do that!

[@jeanfrederick8589]

I second this!! Start with biblical sexuality.

[@LeonParrish-q6w]

My marriage is in ruin. I'm asking for prayers to reunite my family. Please, and thank you.

[@mbb--]

🙏

[@prattle4092]

Lord, by your grace, bring reconciliation to this marriage. May there be genuine repentance, genuine forgiveness and by your power genuine love for each other that would bring healing to this marriage.

[@Mena-Mahrous]

🙏

[@lindacornett1114]

Praying for you and your marriage.

[@michaelkarimian7538]

Please do more top book lists for apologetics, as I love getting my hands on the latest books. How about for the next top book list, how about tackling Pain and Suffering or The Resurrection? Thank you Sean so much for shining for Christ.

[@majorphenom1]

Thanks for sharing 🙏🏿 His grace and mercy be upon you and your loved ones 🕊️🥛🍯

[@geoffreywooledge6118]

Problem of pain c.s. lewis

[@johnnyl4677]

"Soul Care" by Dr. Rob Reimer- transformed me by helping me understand the types of brokenness that affect everyone, believer or not and that Grace covers the multitude of sins that affect every individual. I went from a superficial Sunday going, pray to God when I need him Christian to one that understands I am a child of God no matter my past and to seek Jesus always!

[@ironickmusic6103]

I always enjoy the books you recommend. I read as many as I can. Thank you.

[@ProfYaffle]

Thank you. Will put them on my shelf and pray i can share them with visitors

[@godsgospelgirl]

The Case for Christ changed my life. ❤ Definitely one of my favorite books ever.

[@fredsalfa]

Yes I think that would be great more book reviews on any subject

[@christianshipman5766]

Thank you for this! Youth Pastor here and I'm looking for these books to better help my students who have questions. I would very much be into you doing more top 5 books on other subjects. I'll watch the videos and get the books. Just started reading Evidence.

[@SeanMcDowell]

Awesome, thanks, on it!

[@networktwentythree]

Would love to see more of your top books

[@SeanMcDowell]

On the way!

[@jamesball8238]

Mere Christianity by CS Lewis, it is a treasure trove of fantastically written sentences saying what we all try to say when we speak about Christianity. It communicated truth in such a concise and efficient way, every time I read it I think “that’s exactly what I think but can not articulate in conversation” …. :) can’t believe that it wasn’t on the list!

[@marianaquintanilla1603]

I've also used "Only by Grace" from Spurgeon as it's a small book talking about how salvation is by grace, and "Peace with God" from Billy GRaham (the small book, not the big one) that I give out to new believers or people I'm witnessing/evangelizing

[@meverything]

I appreciate the Spidey laptop-and this video!

[@LaneSims]

Sean, I just bought your study Bible and it is FABULOUS! Unfortunately it was ripped in a few places when I brought it home, but didn’t want to exchange it bc I was so ready to take notes in it and didn’t want to wait, haha. I plan to purchase more for unsaved loved ones. Thank you

[@SeanMcDowell]

Oh no, I am so sorry about that. That’s messed up. I do hope the others come in better shape.

[@LaneSims]

@@SeanMcDowell I’m sure they will. The Bible itself is well made but looks like someone used it and returned it. No big deal. My kids who are 1,2 and 3 years old were thrilled about the new Bible also 😄

[@lightglory7560]

Which study Bible did he recommend?

[@LaneSims]

@@lightglory7560 it’s by him! I’d just type in Sean McDowell study Bible . It’s blue

[@hhstark8663]

*My book list: (easy version)* - _"Answering Atheism"_ by former agnostic Trent Horn - _"I don´t have enough faith to be an atheist"_ by former agnostic Frank Turek - _"Stealing From God: Why Atheists Need God to Make Their Case"_ by Frank Turek - _"The case for Jesus"_ by former agnostic Brant Pitre - _"Mere Christianity"_ by former atheist C.S. Lewis - _"Can we trust the gospels?"_ by former agnostic Peter J. Williams - _"Five proofs of the existence of god"_ by former atheist Edward Feser - _"Is atheism dead?"_ by Eric Metaxas - _"The Dawkins Delusion"_ by former atheist scientist Alistair McGrath - _"The Devil´s Delusion"_ by scientist David Berlinski - _"The last superstition: A refutation of new atheism"_ by former atheist philosopher Edward Feser. - _"On Guard"_ by former agnostic philosopher William Lane Craig - _"There is a god"_ by former atheist philosopher Antony Flew - _"Return of the god hypothesis"_ by former agnostic scientist Stephen Meyer - _"God´s Undertaker"_ and _"Gunning for God"_ by John Lennox - _New Bible Commentary_ by Wenham, Motyer, Carson and France. *My book list: (hard version)* - _"Necessary Existence"_ by Josh Rasmussen and Alexander Pruss - _"Infinity, Causation, and Paradox"_ by Rob Koons and Alexander Pruss - _"Fine-Tuning Fine-Tuning"_ by John Hawthorne and Yoaav Isaacs - _"The resurrection of Jesus: A new historiogeographical approach"_ by Mike Licona - _"A new theist response to the new atheists"_ by Vallier and Rasmussen - _"The blackwell companion to natural theology"_ by Craig and Moreland - _"Insight"_ by Bernard Lonegran - _"Thomisitc existentialism & Cosmological reasoning"_ by John Knasas - _"Aquina´s way to god"_ by Gaven Keer - _"New proofs for the existence of god"_ by Robert Spitzer - _"The son rises"_ by William Lane Craig - _"The Resurrection of the son of god"_ by N.T. Wright - _How reason can lead to god_ by Josh Rasmussen.

[@greysinferno8214]

Very well read! What book are you currently reading?

[@godsgospelgirl]

Do top 3 or 5 books for evangelizing to other religions, please! Like Muslims or Buddhists or New Agers.

[@cbrooks97]

I wish you could get a standalone Luke. Or better yet, a volume of Luke + John. Luke emphasizes the history more, making it a good choice for more skeptically minded people.

[@JadDragon]

All ready for 5 minutes in church history podcast Jesus lives! ♥️ and is Yahweh God 🙏🏻 Christ ✝️ and King 👑

[@johnchappe315]

Justin Brierly’s Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God is currently my go-to for Millennials and Zoomers.

[@ProfYaffle]

Mike Licona Evidence for Resurrection brought my son through

[@hhstark8663]

Licone wrote two books about the resurrection. One book was called *_The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiogeographical Approach_* . Another book was called *_The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus_* .

[@FPVMike]

I've recommended Justin Brierleys "unbelievable" book. a really great primer which covers most of the core apologetic arguments and its quite easy to read.

[@ThinkitThrough-kd4fn]

I would recommend "the Age of Reason" by Thomas Paine.

[@mbb--]

I recommend Mitch Stokes' How to be an (A)theist and Mary Jo Sharp's Why I Still Believe.

[@russellmiles2861]

Fascinating The Greek Gospels [or Latin translations] do not say Joseph was a carpenter But knock yourself out but starting out with an outright like as the Trouth might set you free

[@ilanabailey9402]

My dad was saved because of your dad’s other book, Evidence That Demands a Verdict. My mom was saved because of The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. ❤

[@SeanMcDowell]

That’s INCREDIBLE. Thanks for sharing!

[@Qegr2023]

Yes i want to hear your suggestions 😊

[@isaacbonilla4687]

Hi Sean. Hey can you make a video concerning the “biblical prophecy on nations argument”? In the first edition of “evidence that demands a verdict” your father had a section on the biblical prophecies about Babylon, Tyre, Petra, Niniveh. For me that was an amazing like of evidence for divine origin. However it seems this line of evidence doesn’t receive considerable attention. Why? Has anything change since the first edition?

[@mkl2237]

David Pawson, a fantastic Bible teacher, makes a good argument why John is NOT the best gospel to share with people… but any is better than none

[@SeanMcDowell]

What’s his argument?

[@mkl2237]

@@SeanMcDowell Dude! Huge fan of you and your dad…. Got lots of your materials. Love y’all. What an honor to get a reply from a Big Dog. Also love David Pawson. His argument is essentially that primarily Mark and Luke are aimed at non-believers, while Matthew and especially John are aimed primarily at believers. And John is primarily in the aorist tense “to go on believing” (more than to start believing…). Mark is the shortest and aimed at what Jesus did. Luke and Matthew largely adds on lot more of what He said. John, more who He was … and it is harder for people to grasp that. Sure, some may. No hard rules. But overall, he comments that the presentation in John is simply beyond what most nonbelievers are quite ready for. Most give out John in hopes people will get to John 3-16… which he also has great teachings on as it may well be the most misunderstood and misused verse in all of scripture. He has great videos on this. Easy to find. Myself, as an amateur… I do think John is the loftiest theologically as it taps preexistence and more. But I also think various people respond to different things depending on SO many variables. So there’s no one answer fits all… and ultimately people need their worldly lenses cleared by the spirit (and the spirit can work with all the gospels). On a side topic, I think a fulcrum of John that’s under recognized is the whole mention of the linens. Small detail but a HUGE point. But that gets into all the shroud stuff. I agree with Pawson that John 3:16 is misunderstood and people naturally add the words “so much” to the “so loved the world”… and folks think that’s the whole story which has problems of its own. Ultimately we are blessed to have many tools in the toolbox. Maybe the best answer is to share what we are most enthused abkut ourselves as this is surely picked up on. No “wrong” gospel to share. But frankly I do think Pawson’s points make a lot of sense perhaps for a large percentage tags of people. Evidence that Demanda a Verdict: Brilliant. The Soul: by your buddy JP Moreland… brilliant. All of Badass Habermas’ stuff: brilliant. Your channel: brilliant. And you interview well.. you know how to bring out highlights and key points. Turek: Stealing from God: brilliant Love this chance to chat. You rock man. Shalom.

[@jamesgoodchild856]

How about a science book like Return to the God Hypothesis by Stephen Myer.

[@Grantcfo]

Cold Case Christianity because it teaches the reader how to think critically about the matters surrounding the resurrection and what they need to decide for themselves: to believe in Christ or not. The updated version also deals with tough objections in the appendix.

[@RivenRock300]

What Bible version does the Authors of these FIVE books use for scriptural references ?

[@guayaquilhook1]

Story of Reality by Gregory Koukl

[@Dknow7812]

Cold Case Christianity and I dont have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist are the two standouts. Ive probably read close to triple digit books on apologetics.

[@osageprairie4211]

I teach a group of young teens. Can you recommend a book to teach apologetics for that age group? Thank you for your recommendations!

[@brando3342]

All of these books are perfect for teens/beginners. Nothing too overly sophisticated here really.

[@americanswan]

Christian psychologist Dr Timothy Jennings books will change your relationship with God forever. Design Law is where it's at.

[@captainmartin1219]

I am shocked you did not mention is God a moral monster. That has to be one of the best Christian related books evenr written.

[@Dalvidos]

Walking in The Dust of The Rabbi Jesus. No competition.

[@WyattLaubacher]

The lie by Ken Ham

[@masbro1368]

I want to ask. My questions... 1. The reality that we can see right now is that in this universe there are trillions of trillions of planets and galaxies. If there are countless trillions of trillions of planets... maybe not only planet Earth has living creatures inhabiting it...? For example, if there are a trillion other planets that have living creatures like Earth and its inhabitants are various types of non-human creatures, would Jesus also be God on those one trillion inhabited planets...? 2. The real facts that we can know right now... the earth is approximately 10 million km, the sun is 1.3 million times as big as the earth, and there is a star called U Scuty that is tens of billions of times as big as the sun . If the celestial bodies were super massive in size like that, the number in the trillions would be uncountable. How big do you think God the Creator is, bro...? Maybe God is only as big as the man Jesus...? 3. According to scientists, the universe is more than 13 billion years old, whereas according to historians, Adam and Eve only existed about 7 thousand years ago. Based on this science... maybe the universe has been empty without any living creatures inhabiting it for more than 13 billion years...? So what was Jesus doing for 13 billion years before there were humans, Adam and Eve...? Please answer me!!!!?!!!

[@ClintonBrownell]

We should NOT be reading Books by MAN telling us how to view GOD. We should be reading our Bible to tell us. Enoch (PROPHET)

[@elliothass7000]

None of these books have any value because they are not rooted in the ancient faith.

[@logan666]

“Don’t bother the critical thinkers in your life; Here are the books I recommend to the vulnerable and emotionally troubled”

[@kurtgundy]

What do you mean? Did you watch the video?

[@WaterCat5]

@@kurtgundy He's referencing that this video is directed towards "seekers" aka people who are disposed to believing in supernatural claims, which tend to be people with poorer education. Not sure about the emotionally troubled aspect. Point is, a well-educated thinker who isn't desperate to change their belief system isn't going to find most of these books convincing.

[@mbb--]

@@WaterCat5 What is your educational background? Then I'll tell you mine and we can see if this stereotype holds.

[@kurtgundy]

@WaterCat5 History is filled with many brilliant people of faith, including the pioneers of the scientific revolution. But never mind those dolts. "Reason for God " and "The case for Christ" in particular are filled with critical thinking. And Stroble came to precisely because he examined the evidence critically.

[@WaterCat5]

@@mbb-- I have dual degrees in physics and math plus graduate work on particle physics. Not like it matters anyway. The point is about statistical averages at a population level. Obviously there are people more educated than me who believe in god.