Nine Books for When You Doubt

Author: Chris Castaldo, PhD
April 26, 2023

During Dr. Michael Rydelnik’s outstanding sermon, Dealing with Doubt, he said that one way we can respond when doubts arise is to go back to the evidence. He said that his own studies into the messianic prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures have steadied his faith.

I wholeheartedly agree, and so here are nine great books to help reassure you about your own faith when doubts show up unannounced. Obviously, you don’t need to read all of them (and there are many other options out there), but perhaps you will be drawn to one or two when you need to remember why you believe.

The Messianic Hope: Is the Hebrew Bible Really Messianic? by Michael Rydelnik (B&H Academic, 2010) – Describes the many messianic prophecies in the Old Testament.

The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller (Dutton, 2008) - Keller addresses common doubts about Christianity and presents a case for why faith in God is reasonable.

Help My Unbelief: Why Doubt Is Not the Enemy of Faith by Barnabas Piper (David C Cook, 2015) - Piper explores the role of doubt in the Christian life and offers practical advice for navigating it.

Disappointment with God: Three Questions No One Asks Aloud by Philip Yancey (Zondervan, 1988) - Yancey wrestles with the problem of evil and suffering and explores how Christians can maintain faith in the midst of doubt.

The Case for Faith: A Journalist Investigates the Toughest Objections to Christianity by Lee Strobel (Zondervan, 2000) - Strobel interviews scholars and experts to address common objections to Christianity and presents evidence for the faith.

Faith and Doubt by John Ortberg (Zondervan, 2008) - Ortberg explores the tension between faith and doubt and offers encouragement for those struggling with uncertainty.

God on Mute: Engaging the Silence of Unanswered Prayer by Pete Greig (David C. Cook, 2007) - Greig explores the experience of unanswered prayer and offers hope and encouragement for those struggling with doubt.

The God Who Is There: Finding Your Place in God's Story by D.A. Carson (Baker, 2010) - Carson presents a compelling case for the truth of Christianity and addresses common objections to faith.

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis (HarperOne; Revised edition, 2015) - This classic work explores the foundations of Christian belief and provides a thoughtful, rational defense of the faith.

Chris Castaldo, PhD, is lead pastor of New Covenant Church in Naperville and author of the forthcoming book, The Upside Down Kingdom, from Crossway.

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