In our lives, we often come across people who are skeptical of Christianity or those who grew up in a Christian household but have lost their faith. Many of these men and women can be extremely good and decent people – souls who have not yet discovered the truth of the Christian faith for themselves. If you have a friend, colleague, or neighbor who identifies as a non-believer but is open to discussing and entertaining matters of faith and religion, you can give them a book or two from our list of the best Christian books for non-believers. With compelling arguments and powerfully written prose, these books are sure to generate interest in the Bible and the Christian faith in even the most ardent skeptics and non-believers.
Here are the best Christian books for non-believers.
The 5 Best Christian Books for Non-Believers to Read
Our top recommendations for the best Christian books for non-believers are:
1. I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist
Some people today consider religious belief an outdated idea that has no merit and can be easily debunked by science. The authors of this book argue that Christianity is more reasonable than other belief systems and is more rational than unbelief. Readers of the book are led through some of the traditional arguments that make a case for the existence of a Creator. The authors also ponder upon the idea of morality and what the New Testament says about Jesus Christ. In the last section of the book, the authors conduct a meticulous examination of the claims of Jesus Christ. This is a book where the authors make logical deductive arguments for Christianity instead of relying on emotional platitudes. If you’ve been searching for an appropriate book to give to a non-believing friend, this is a great choice.
2. The Little Way of Ruthie Leming
This book is the true story of American journalist Rod Dreher, a Philadelphia journalist who travels back to his tiny hometown of St. Francisville in Louisiana after the untimely death of his younger sister Ruthie. A school teacher diagnosed with cancer at the age of 40, Ruthie touched the lives of all those around her who witnessed the courage and serenity with which she dealt with her cancer as it took its toll on her mind and body. Moved by Ruthie’s grace, courage, and unwavering belief, Rod begins to realize that although his sister lived an ordinary life as a mother and schoolteacher, she was on a path to spiritual greatness. Rod and his wife are eventually so affected by Ruthie’s example that they decide to relocate to his hometown, leaving city life in Philadelphia behind. This book is a moving account of the power of the Christian faith and how it can turn even the ugliest situations into cathartic experiences for those who have faith.
3. Mere Christianity
Written by British author and theologian C.S. Lewis, this classic book is about the core beliefs of Christianity, hence the name Mere Christianity. Lewis masterfully articulates the moral argument for the existence of God and allows readers to view Christianity from a fresh and unbiased perspective. As the author is aware of the arguments against Christianity, he takes on them one by one, pointing out the logical inconsistencies in the atheistic worldview. This is a great book for skeptics and non-believers who wish to read an eloquent writer debate their views.
4. More Than a Carpenter
Written by Josh McDowell, himself a former skeptic, More Than a Carpenter was written over the course of the author’s personal struggle with his faith and his attempts to disprove the tenets of Christianity. This book carefully examines the evidence that would prove that Jesus was a true prophet and the founder of the Christian faith. A bestseller since its publication in 1977, this book has sold over 15 million copies, been translated into many different languages, and is credited by thousands of people for bringing them back to Christianity.
5. Dinner with a Perfect Stranger: An Invitation Worth Considering
This book is a work of fiction, but nevertheless, it is an engaging and thought-provoking volume that talks about the meaning of life, the existence of God, pain, and faith, and faithlessness. The book begins with an envelope addressed to the main character, Nick Cominsky, a skeptic who does not believe in Christianity. The letter invites him to dinner with Jesus of Nazareth. Although Nick initially dismisses the invitation as he thinks it is a prank played on him by his friends, his curiosity gets the better of him, and he eventually shows up to have dinner with his mysterious host, who calls himself Jesus. The two men talk about Heaven and Hell and world religions, among other things, and Nick is perturbed by how much his host seems to know about his personal life. A deeply engrossing read, this one is a book that will appeal to non-believers from all walks of life.
Our Final Thoughts
Most people have a crisis of faith in their youth or middle age when they start questioning the validity of their religious beliefs and whether God really exists when there is so much unnecessary suffering in the world.
These books take the most commonly cited arguments against theology and Christianity and persuasively debate against them to convince readers about the truth of Christianity. If you’ve been wondering which book about Christianity to give to a non-believer that you know personally, any pick from our list of the best Christian books for non-believers would be a fantastic choice.
