Biblical research covers a vast ocean of data.  For example, Gary Habermas has collected a bibliography of over 4,500 sources for his 4-volume, multi-thousand-page On the Resurrection project.  See On the Resurrection: Evidences, p. 101 (2024).  

For purposes of this “Evidence Resources” section, the mission is more modest – what resources have been helpful in pulling together the courses and building the “Testimony” section.  The plan is to cover a few topic areas and to expand the list as time allows and the Lord wills.  If your favorite resource is not here (or elsewhere on this site), hopefully you will share your suggestions.

Biblical Defense – Old & New Testament

Encyclopedic Scope: Josh & Sean McDowell,Evidence That Demands a Verdict (2017) – 798 pages

  • Broad coverage of Old & New Testament topics & defenses.
  • Easy-to-find topics spread over 32 separate chapters.
  • Extensive citations to Biblical scholarship.
  • Great resource when you need specific arguments and citations for a particular topic (e.g., Chap. 9: “Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus Christ”).

Structured Coverage: Norman Geisler & Frank Turek,I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist (2017) – 447 pages

  • 12-point structure ranging from God’s existence to New Testament reliability & the Bible as the Word of God [p. 28].
  • Excellent research, tables, & data for defending Scriptures.
  • Chapters well-structured to use as a targeted resource (e.g., Early Testimony (Chap. 9), Eyewitness Testimony (Chap. 10), etc.).

Compelling Analysis: C. S. Lewis,Mere Christianity (1952; renewed 1980) – 227 pages

  • One of the great Biblical defenses of all time.
  • Must-have on your shelf as so many authors & speakers quote this volume.
  • From “Right & Wrong” to the “Doctrine of the Trinity” – great coverage.
  • Arguments based on compelling logic (not many citations) still hold strong.

New Testament Defense – Reliability

Broad Coverage: Craig Blomberg,The Historical Reliability of the New Testament (2016) – 783 pages

  • Comprehensive coverage of New Testament (Synoptic Gospels, John, Acts, Epistles, etc.).
  • Strong focus on rebutting specific critics & criticisms (e.g., entire chapter on “Contradictions Among the Synoptics”).
  • Specific chapter on Miracles (Chap. 14).
  • Great resource when you need specific arguments and citations for a particular topic (e.g., Chap. 13: “Textual Transmission & Formation of the Canon”).

Compact Defense: Benjamin Shaw,Trustworthy: Thirteen Arguments for the Reliability of the New Testament (2024) – 142 pages

  • Excellent overview of 13 defenses supporting New Testament reliability.
  • Short chapters provide quick read on the primary reliability defenses.
  • Many references to latest research & defenses.

Novel Defense: Lydia McGrew,Hidden in Plain View: Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels & Acts (2017) – 276 pages

  • Proven defense from 1800s brought back & expanded with new material.
  • Emphasis on how the Gospels, Acts, & Epistles fit together like puzzle pieces, reinforcing each other by filling gaps, providing explanations, and bringing new light to these books.
  • Detailed New Testament analysis illustrated with memorable inter-connected history.
  • Strong foundation for New Testament as eyewitness testimony.

Resurrection Defense

Unparalleled Coverage: Gary Habermas,On the Resurrection 4-Volume Set (2024-25) – over 3,000 pages

  • Definitive analysis of the Resurrection – 4 volumes, over 3,000 pages, and 4,500 sources.
  • Decades of research & publication on Resurrection.
  • “Minimal facts” approach drives focus to Resurrection facts overwhelmingly acknowledged by leading experts in field.
  • Premium resource when you need specific arguments, citations, and experts on the Resurrection.

Compact Defense: Justin Bass,The Bedrock of Christianity: The Unalterable Facts of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection (2020) – 237 pages

  • Strong overview of key arguments and resources for Resurrection.
  • Excellent quotes & citations for skeptical scholars conceding key facts for crucifixion & Resurrection.
  • Good introduction to 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 as early eyewitness evidence to Resurrection.

Valuable Primer: Josh & Sean McDowell,Evidence for the Resurrection (2009) – 254 pages

  • Backed by extensive scholarship from Evidence That Demands a Verdict.
  • Crisp read with strong facts, key quotes, and good references.
  • Good introduction to defense of the Resurrection.

Miracles – Modern

Extensive Record: Craig Keener,Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts 2-Volume Set (2011) – over 1,172 pages

  • Extensive analysis of numerous modern miracles researched and confirmed.
  • Initial chapter also includes some coverage of New Testament miracles.
  • Review by agnostic scholars who found data for Keener’s present-day miracles to be “highly probable.” See Gary Habermas, On the Resurrection: Evidences, p. 90.
  • Updated & shorter publication with more recent modern miracles: Craig Keener, Miracles Today (2021).

Heaven Experiences: John Burke,Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God’s Promises, and the Exhilarating Future that Awaits You (2015) – 346 pages

  • Extensive collection of Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) documented under a wide variety of circumstances.
  • Discussion of medical and scientific studies and publications documenting NDEs.
  • Good introduction to NDEs as rebuttal to skeptics arguing that nothing exists except what science can explain.

Valuable Primer: Lee Strobel, The Case for Miracles (2018) – 319 pages

  • Strong introduction to miracles, including studies and medical data on modern miracles and impact of prayer..
  • Highly readable with good interviews of experts, helpful references, and overview of key miracle issues.
  • Good testimony by Lee Strobel on his journey from atheist to Christian advocate.

Eyewitness Defense

Most Comprehensive: Richard Bauckham,Jesus and the Eyewitnesses: The Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony (2017) (615 pages)

  • Definitive analysis of New Testament eyewitnesses.
  • Described by Gary Habermas as “sophisticated” and “most noteworthy” work that “may well be the single best book of all there” on Gospel reliability.
  • Superb chapter on “The Women and the Resurrection: The Credibility of Their Stories” published in Gospel Women in (2002).