Why God Makes Sense in a World That Doesn't: The Beauty of Christian Theism

Why God Makes Sense in a World That Doesn't: The Beauty of Christian Theism

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. "Defends the coherence, beauty, and power of the Christian story" This winsome and accessible apologetics book for a new generation makes the case that Christianity offers a compelling explanatory framework for making sense of our world. "In a few short years, Ortlund has become one of the world's leading Christian scholars. Writing from the heart, he shows us the eminent plausibility of the existence of God--and of the resurrection of Jesus." -- Matthew Levering , Mundelein Seminary "This is the ideal book to give thoughtful unbelievers, and one that believers will find most useful as a model for intelligent evangelism in the twenty-first century." -- Jerry L. Walls , Houston Baptist University "An approach to apologetics that is much needed today. Ortlund makes an argument for God that is as rigorous as it is beautiful and is as convincing as it is compelling." -- Karen Swallow Prior , Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; author of On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books "Remarkably lucid and engaging. Ortlund's compelling case is made with philosophical clarity, candor, and an impressive use of a wide variety of illustrations from fiction, poetry, and film." -- Richard J. Mouw , Paul B. Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics, Calvin University "A marvelous, engaging book that defends the coherence, beauty, and power of the Christian story--the one story to rule them all." -- Paul Copan , Palm Beach Atlantic University; author of Loving Wisdom: A Guide to Philosophy and Christian Faith "Ortlund's considerable talents applied to the ultimate question have yielded an impressive and eminently readable treatise. Impressively researched and beautifully crafted, this book makes contagious the author's obvious delight at exploring life's mysteries." -- David Baggett , Center for Moral Apologetics, Houston Baptist University "This book will help you consider how wagering on God and Jesus might surprisingly make sense to you after all." -- Josh Chatraw , executive director, Center for Public Christianity Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is a scholar, pastor, and writer with a growing profile among the next generation of Christian apologists and philosophers. He serves as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai in Ojai, California, and is the author of a number of books, including Retrieving Augustine's Doctrine of Creation , Theological Retrieval for Evangelicals , and Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage . He blogs at gavinortlund.com.