Best Polkinghorne book to start with?

I have just come across your name and I see you have quite a few books out on Amazon.com.  There simply isn't enough time in my life to read all of these due to jobs, kids and life demands.  I'm hoping you can recommend a good book to start off.  I "converted" from Atheism at the age of 32 having never attended a day of church in my life and now fancy myself somewhat of a Christian apologist as I've had to convince myself that God exists.  I'm not a push over when it comes to the tough questions.  I'm an educated "enlightened" person who has thought long and hard about many of the questions that have been asked of you.  I have considered many of the topics that appear on the Q&A and found that many of your answers are in line with what I've concluded. 

What I'm looking for is the book that best represents your views on how the bible and science co-exist.  I see several candidates including Testing Scripture: A Scientist Explores The Bible.  What do you recommend?

Response: Well I’m a bit biased but I’d suggest you try Questions of Truth which gives a good overview on many key apologetic questions, and pointers to John’s other books on topics you might want to explore further.

Books to reduce confusion?

I am just so confused right now.There is so much stuff out there and it is hard to distinguish what is true or not.God always came first to me and my whole life so far has been based on Gods words through scripture and Jesus.Now, I have been having doubts and read some books,that I know I should not have. It has had a negative impact on me.

My faith which I thought was stronger then anyone I knew,is now weak.I have based my whole life around him and have talked til I was blue in the face to non believers about him.I have read a few books that I thought would straighten me out and it seems it lasts only for a few days.Then I am back to believing more like a atheist.Sorry to bother you with my problems.I am just trying to get back to where I was.

Response: Don’t worry. God is still there and still loves you!  Humility is a good thing.

If you have been unsettled by silly people like Dawkins and Harris then don’t worry at all – their arguments are completely bogus.  We deal with some of them in Questions of Truth.

But it’s not just a question of argument and reason – it would be good to hang out with some fellow-believers who understood your concerns.  (and if you haven’t already done so, you might want to read/re-read The Screwtape Letters.

A solid apologetics book for a simple layman?

I recently purchased a copy of Socrates in the City.  This book was my first introduction to Dr. Polkinghorne. I’ve been raised in a covenant church and do my best each day to try and honor God.

I admittedly have only recently begun reading anything to be considered worthy. I’ve tackled Mere Christianity and started on the recommended Universes title. 

I’ve probably re-read the speech at Socrates in the City 10 times trying to absorb from it all that I can.  There are so many people in my life I desire to evangelize to, however I fear I’m not a very clever chap and quickly get hung up on what I think should be easy obstacles to overcome conversationally. I believe in God, fearlessly!  However, turning what I know and feel into logical arguments in defense of Christianity is a challenge for me. 

Can you recommend a solid apologetics book a simple layman like me can sink my teeth into that will help give me more fire power?

Response: We wrote “Questions of Truth” to help equip people who had questions about science and religion.

Tom Wright’s “Simply Christian” is a very good general book – in some ways an update for Mere Christianity.

What works of yours I can read and reference.

A Christian of the Catholic denomination, I am also a mature aged postgraduate law student where I have undergraduate and post graduate training in engineering.  Lately, I have experienced a growing interest to clarify my understanding of the world of science with that of my faith.

With this in mind, I recently stumbled upon a PODCast hosted by +plus magazine which had a segment on the 'Quantum Physics and the Nature of Reality' conference held in September 2010.  Importantly, it introduced me to you.

In my younger years I was drawn to ideas of the absurd as put forward by Albert Camus where I had yet to discover Christ.  In my latter years, I feel that of things we do not clearly perceive or comprehend, we might well dismiss as absurd.  Here, quantum physics and the nature of reality captures my attention.

You have written a large volume of distinguished works.  Given my leanings, might you be able to advise me as to what works of yours I can read and reference.

Response: You might start with Questions of Truth which has advice on further reading in each chapter.