Product Description
Rediscover the rich theology of James
Defend the Faith with Confidence: A Reformed Approach to Answering Objections
Apologetics is the calling of every Christian. How can we be ready to defend our hope in Christ?
God impresses truth upon human minds through Scripture, nature, and our senses. In An Introduction to Reformed Apologetics, J. V. Fesko gives readers the foundational tools they need to defend the Christian faith. Drawing from Paul's example in Acts and the legacy of great apologists throughout church history, Fesko presents twelve guiding theses for Christian apologetics. This book:
- bridges method and practice--unlike apologetics books that focus only on defending the right approach, this book actually does apologetics, presenting arguments for the faith and addressing real objections;
- is grounded in Scripture and natural revelation--Fesko explores how God reveals truth through both the book of Scripture and the book of nature;
- engages the classical tradition--draws on figures such as Paul, Calvin, and Cicero to show how Reformed apologetics is rooted in historic Christian thought;
- addresses contemporary challenges--tackles pressing objections including the problem of evil and suffering, the resurrection, and the secularization of modern culture;
- is structured around twelve clear theses--gives students, pastors, and laypeople an organized, teachable framework for defending and commending the Christian faith.
Whether you are a student of Reformed theology, a pastor preparing your congregation, or a believer looking to engage skeptics with confidence, An Introduction to Reformed Apologetics equips you to contend for the faith with both rigor and grace.
Hardcover, 304 pages
Publication Date: September 2026
Table of Contents
A Prayer for the Study of Apologetics
Introduction
Part 1: Groundwork for Reformed Apologetics
1. Our Present Context: A Disenchanted and Secular Age?
2. What Makes Apologetics Reformed: Using the Books of Nature and Scripture
3. Paul at Mars Hill: Paul's Use of the Books of Nature and Scripture
4. Paul's Shipwreck: Confronting Unbelief
5. Calvin and Cicero: The Books of Nature and Scripture in Calvin's Apologetics
Part 2: Basic Reformed Apologetics
6. God's Wisdom in Creation: The Foundation for the Teleological Argument
7. The Macrocosmic Teleological Argument: Evidence for God's Existence from Creation
8. The Microcosmic Teleological Argument: Evidence for God's Existence in the Human Body
9. Apologetics and Literature: Evidence for God's Existence in the Human Heart
10. The Resurrection: Evidence for the Gospel in Scripture and History
11. Evil and Suffering: The Cross of Christ as the Answer to Human Sin
12. Love: The Goal of All Apologetics
Conclusion
Index
Endorsements
"It is not often that a book in apologetics can claim to stand squarely in the historic Reformed tradition while offering new insights into how to do apologetics in the contemporary world, but this one can. Fesko's book demonstrates a deep understanding of the plight of hypermodernity and boldly suggests that historic Christian orthodoxy offers answers to the despair of a post-Christian society. Fesko is not limited by the method of presuppositionalism, but he is not shy about critiquing false presuppositions. He is not limited to evidentialist method but makes judicious use of evidence. He is not afraid to employ metaphysical arguments that have never been proven wrong but just ignored since Kant. He exposes the religiosity of supposedly secular modernity. And he does a masterful job of showing how all his moves are based on scriptural teaching. This is the best single book on apologetics that I know."
Craig A. Carter, professor of theology, Tyndale University; author of Contemplating God with the Great Tradition
"J. V. Fesko's An Introduction to Reformed Apologetics is a breath of fresh air in the world of Reformed apologetics. After almost a century of captivity to a novel method of apologetics that produced far more interest in talking about itself than in talking to lost and dying sinners, Reformed Christians are gradually becoming aware that the old biblical paths of traditional Reformed apologetics are far superior. Traditional Reformed apologetics, as Fesko explains in this book, is grounded in love of God and love of neighbor, utilizes both of God's books (nature and Scripture), and knows that its goal of turning sinners from idols to Christ depends on the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit."
Keith Mathison, professor of systematic theology, Reformation Bible College
"As the psalmist says, 'The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork' (Ps. 19:1). Apologists in the Reformed tradition do not always agree about the grounds and ways for using evidence, but we all know that we cannot escape questions about these matters. While attempting to mediate some of the disagreements about method, J. V. Fesko walks us through some astounding examples of how the reality of God directly confronts every human being and holds us accountable. We should all appreciate his call to see that God's goodness and majesty tear down all objections, summoning everyone to reckon with where they stand before their Maker."
Harrison Perkins, pastor of Oakland Hills Community Church (OPC)
"Dr. Fesko's An Introduction to Reformed Apologetics offers a wise layman's guide to understanding and defending the biblical Christian faith. Positing twelve theses grounded in the faithful Word of God (and not Enlightenment pride or psychology's gnosticism), this book offers faithful guidance for witnessing to our neighbors and friends. Dr. Fesko presents a fruitful analogy: like an orchestra's conductor, an apologist employs and coordinates the truths of Scripture, creation, history, philosophy, literature, science, and nature. This book will provide wisdom for all Christians."
Rosaria Butterfield, author of Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age
Author
J. V. Fesko (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is the Harriet Barbour Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. A minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, he served in church planting and pastoral ministry for more than 10 years and is the author of numerous books, including Reforming Apologetics, The Need for Creeds Today, Theological Foundations for Counseling, The Theology of the Westminster Standards, and The Giver of Life.
