Essential Reading for Theists (A book recommendation thread)

[Pyrrho]

I rather like The Atheist Debater's Handbook by B.C. Johnson.  One of the things I particularly liked was how it explains how the Bible tells a story, and then later indirectly tells you the story is false.  I mentioned this in an old post; Johnson tells you the story and where to find it; he does not quote it all as I did in my post:

... For example, in Luke 1:26-35, we have:

• 26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

• 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

• 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

• 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

• 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

• 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

• 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

• 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

• 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

• 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

But in Luke 2:41-50:

• 41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

• 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

• 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

• 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

• 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

• 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

• 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

• 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

• 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

• 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

Now, how is it that they did not understand what Jesus was saying there?  There is no way one is going to forget an angel visiting you and telling you that your virgin fiancée has been impregnated by God, so you should go ahead and marry her anyway.  So if this later story is true, the earlier one about the virgin birth is false.  The story is not consistent with itself.

...

Obviously, this recommendation is for a Christian theist, not other kinds, though some of the arguments are more generic.