"The Christian faith makes a lot of sense--of the world around us and the ache we feel inside.
If you've ever felt a longing deep in your heart for something you cannot name, this is your chance to explore it. It's an opportunity to ask hard questions, like why is there something and not nothing? What's the point of life if everything came into existence by accident? And if Jesus rose from the dead, would that really be good news?
Why Christianity Makes Sense tackles those questions head-on by showing how the Christian faith not only provides the best explanation for why the universe is the way it is, but also for why that's the happiest possible news we could get.
Because Christianity makes a lot more sense than you may realize.
When C.S. Lewis presented what would become Mere Christianity in a series of radio broadcasts during World War II, he was telling his audience about the sensibility of being a Christian, from a logical and moral standpoint. Now, award-winning author Gavin Ortlund takes up Lewis's tradition by presenting the gospel to a new generation in a fresh way designed to reveal its astounding beauty and depth.
Written in a welcoming style that's easy to pick up and read, Why Christianity Makes Sense unpacks questions about the Christian faith like:
- Will having faith make you happier?
- Does the Bible endorse evils like slavery and war?
- If God is real, why isn't he more obvious?
- What are some of the strongest arguments for the truth of Christianity?
For anyone in search of meaningful answers to the mysteries of the world and the purpose for their life, Why Christianity Makes Sense offers a fresh sense of wonder and enchantment at the gospel of Jesus.
Reflection questions can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download."
"Restless for rootedness, many Christians are abandoning Protestantism altogether.
Many evangelicals today are aching for theological rootedness often found in other Christian traditions. Modern evangelicalism is not known for drawing from church history to inform views on the Christian life, which can lead to a 'me and my Bible' approach to theology. But this book aims to show how Protestantism offers the theological depth so many desire without the need for abandoning a distinctly evangelical identity.
By focusing on particular doctrines and neglected theologians, this book shows how evangelicals can draw from the past to meet the challenges of the present. "
"Learn from Jesus how to disagree with courage and kindness, avoiding divisive arguments.
In this positive and practical book, Gavin Ortlund looks to the Scriptures to discover a way in which to disagree with others that leads to greater understanding, peace, and love-and that shows a watching world something of Jesus.
This is a much-needed book in a society that is losing the ability to disagree well. Whether over politics, religion, or culture, or the more everyday issues of normal life, points of view tend to be held with a polarizing intensity. Often we enter disagreements feeling that we have to win or we avoid them altogether.
Looking to Jesus' example of courage and kindness, readers will be given a framework for engaging in intense disagreements with a love that furthers instead of hinders relationships.
So, whether you tend to fight or flee, learn how to keep calm and stay friends-even when you don't agree."
"Wann sollten Christen sich aufgrund verschiedener Lehrmeinungen trennen und wann sollten sie nach Einheit streben? Diese Frage lässt sich nicht immer einfach beantworten. Gavin Ortlund schlägt in Wofür es sich zu kämpfen lohnt – und wofür nicht vor, das aus der Medizin bekannte Konzept der Triage auf die theologischen Debatten anzuwenden und so die richtigen Prioritäten zu setzen. Er verwendet dabei vier Kategorien und fordert Christen dazu auf, theologische Diskussionen in Demut zu führen, um die Verbreitung des Evangeliums dadurch zu fördern.
• Vom Autor des Christianity Today »Book of the Year 2024«
• Ein Buch über Einheit trotz theologischer Differenzen
• Hilft, theologische Lehrmeinungen zu gewichten"
"A Powerful Defense of The Protestant Tradition.
There's a movement among evangelicals of exploring the more sacramental, liturgical, and historically-conscious church traditions, including Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. This hunger for historical rootedness is welcome-but unfortunately, many assume that this need can only be met outside of Protestant contexts.
In What it Means to Be Protestant, Gavin Ortlund draws from both his scholarly work in church history and his personal experience in ecumenical engagement to offer a much-needed defense of the Protestant tradition.
Retrieving classical Protestant texts and arguments, he exposes how many of the contemporary objections leveled against Protestants are rooted in caricature. He shows how historic Protestantism offers the best pathway forward and to historical rootedness for Christians today.
In his charitable style, Ortlund demonstrates that the 16th century Reformation represented a genuine renewal of the gospel. This does not entail that Protestantism is without faults. But because it is built upon the principle of semper reformanda (always reforming), Protestantism is capable of reforming itself according to Scripture as the ultimate authority.
'I find it hard to overstate the importance of this book for every pastor/minister, elder, and serious Bible student that I know. . .This book automatically becomes my new go-to resource explaining Protestantism. It is fantastic, and I thank God for it. . .' -Bobby Harrington, co-founder of RENEW.org and Discipleship.org, founding pastor Harpeth Christian Church"
"Cultivating Humility in a Gospel-Centered Way
There are many misconceptions about what it means to be humble. Some think that being humble means hiding your talents and abilities or being weak and inauthentic. But the Bible paints a different picture—defining humility as a self-forgetfulness leading to joy and explaining that it is a life-giving virtue that frees you from the restricting needs of your ego.
In Humility: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness, Gavin Ortlund encourages readers that humility is not just an abstract virtue but a mark of gospel integrity. Ortlund examines humility both on a personal level and in the context of the church, giving examples of ways to cultivate it—including meditation on the gospel and practicing intentional gratitude. Drawing from Philippians 2 and historical texts such as C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity and Jonathan Edwards's sermon 'A Christian Spirit Is a Humble Spirit,' Ortlund defines humility in light of the incarnation and death of Jesus Christ, casting a vision for a gospel-centered, humble life.
- First Book in the Growing Gospel Integrity Series: Created in partnership with Union School of Theology, with future volumes written by Sinclair B. Ferguson, Joe Rigney, and Conrad Mbewe
- Written by Gavin Ortlund: Author of Theological Retrieval for Evangelicals: Why We Need Our Past to Have a Future and Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage
- For Small Groups and Individual Study: Questions at the end of each chapter encourage small group discussion"
"It has never been more important to articulate the wonder and enchantment of the Christian message. Yet the traditional approaches of apologetics are often outmoded in an age of profound disenchantment and distraction, unable to meet this pressing need.
This winsome apologetics book for a new generation makes the case that Christianity offers a compelling explanatory framework for making sense of our world. Pastor and writer Gavin Ortlund believes it is essential to appeal not only to the mind but also to the heart and the imagination as we articulate the beauty of the gospel.
Why God Makes Sense in a World That Doesn't reimagines four classical theistic arguments—cosmological, teleological, moral, and Christological—making a cumulative case for God as the best framework for understanding the storied nature of reality. The book suggests that Christian theism can explain such things as the elegance of math, the beauty of music, and the value of love. It is suitable for use in classes yet accessibly written, making it a perfect resource for churches and small groups."
"How might premodern exegesis of Genesis inform Christian debates about creation today?
Imagine a table with three people in dialogue: a young-earth creationist, an old-earth creationist, and an evolutionary creationist. Into the room walks Augustine of Hippo, one of the most significant theologians in the history of the church. In what ways will his reading of Scripture and his doctrine of creation inform, deepen, and shape the conversation?
Pastor and theologian Gavin Ortlund explores just such a scenario by retrieving Augustine's reading of Genesis 1-3 and considering how his premodern understanding of creation can help Christians today. Ortlund contends that while Augustine's hermeneutical approach and theological questions might differ from those of today, this church father's humility before Scripture and his theological conclusions can shed light on matters such as evolution, animal death, and the historical Adam and Eve. Have a seat. Join the conversation."
"In theology, just as in battle, some hills are worth dying on. But how do we know which ones? When should doctrine divide, and when should unity prevail? Pastor Gavin Ortlund makes the case that while all doctrines matter, some are more essential than others. He considers how and what to prioritize in doctrine and ministry, encouraging humility and grace along the way. Using four basic categories of doctrine in order of importance, this book helps new and seasoned church leaders alike wisely labor both to uphold doctrine and to preserve unity."
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