The IVP Pocket Reference Series is a great way to build an excellent reference library without having to spend a lot of money. The entire series of 13 books costs $130 ($117 through IVP) and individual pocket dictionaries retail for just $10 ($9 through IVP – less than on Amazon.com and Christianbook.com).
The series includes:
- Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms
- Pocket Dictionary of Theology
- Pocket Dictionary for the Study of Biblical Hebrew
- Pocket Dictionary for the Study of New Testament Greek
- Pocket Dictionary of Biblical Studies
- Pocket Dictionary of Ethics
- Pocket History of the Church
- Pocket Dictionary of Church History
- Pocket Guide to World Religions
- Pocket Dictionary of Liturgy Worship
- Pocket Dictionary of the Reformed Tradition
- Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion
- Pocket Handbook of Christian Apologetics
Since FaithandSelfDefense is primarily an apologetics ministry, I’ll review the two IVP books about apologetics.
The Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (IVP, 2002) was written by Stephen Evans.
Dr. Evans is University Professor of Philosophy and the Humanities at Baylor University. He is the author of other books, including Kierkegaard: An Introduction, Natural Signs and Knowledge of God: A New Look at Theistic Arguments, God and Moral Obligation, Why Christian Faith Still Makes Sense, and Philosophy of Religion.
This dictionary is excellent for Christians at every level of study and involvement in ministry. Whether you are a beginner or have involved in apologetics and philosophy for decades, I believe you will find this pocket-sized dictionary helpful in understanding terms and ideas of importance to talking with people about the Gospel of Christ.
Publisher’s Notes
The Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics Philosophy of Religion is designed to be a companion to your study of these two related disciplines. Among its 300 entries are
- terms, from a posteriori to worldview
- apologists, from Abelard to Van Til
- philosophers of religion, from Alston to Wolterstorff
- movements, from analytic philosophy to voluntarism
- apologetic arguments, from the cosmological to the wager
- theologies, from Arminianism to Zoroastrianism
Here is an affordable and easily accessible “help key” for your readings, lectures, writing assignments and exam preparation. It’s a must-have study aid for any student who expects to cogitate on coherentism or ruminate on Ricouer.
The Pocket Handbook of Christian Apologetics (IVP, 2003) was written by Peter Kraft and Ronald Tacelli.
Dr. Kreeft is professor of philosophy at Boston College where he’s taught since 1965. He has written more than 70 books, including The Best Things in Life, The Journey, How to Win the Culture War, Christianity for Modern Pagans, and Fundamentals of the Faith.
Ronald Tacelli is associate professor of philosphy at Boston College.
The Pocket Handbook of Christian Apologetics is a good introduction to apologetics in a pocket-sized guide. It would be helpful both for the person asking serious questions about God, the Bible and Christianity and the person answering those questions.
Publisher’s Notes
“Be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in you,” wrote the apostle Peter.
That is what apologetics is all about.
Here is a concise, informative guide for anyone looking for answers to questions of faith and reason. Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli have condensed their popular Handbook of Christian Apologetics, summarizing the foremost arguments for major Christian teachings and offering compelling responses to the most common arguments put forward against Christianity. In this book you’ll find answers to questions about
- faith and reason
- the existence of God
- creation and evolution
- predestination and free will
- miracles
- the problem of evil
- Christ and the resurrection
- the reliability of the Bible
- life after death
- heaven and hell
- salvation and other religions
- objective truth
The Pocket Handbook of Christian Apologetics is the place to begin for people with questions about Christianity.
