Why God Makes Sense in a World That Doesn't

Author: Gavin Ortlund
Publisher: Baker Academic
2021 Book Award Winner, The Gospel Coalition (Evangelism & Apologetics)

Christianity Today 2022 Book Award Finalist (Apologetics & Evangelism)

Southwestern Journal of Theology 2021 Book of the Year Award (Honorable Mention, Christian Worldview/Apologetics)

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.

Contents

Preface
Introduction: Beauty, Story, and Probability in the Question of God
1. The Cause of the World: Why Something Is More Plausible (and Much More Interesting) Than Nothing
2. The Meaning of the World: Why Things like Music, Math, and Love Make More Sense If There Is a God
3. The Conflict of the World: Why Good and Evil Shape the Plot of Every Story You've Ever Heard
4. The Hope of the World: Why Easter Means Happiness beyond Your Wildest Dreams
Conclusion: Moving Forward with Probabilities
Indexes