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 message 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. Too often we view disagreements as must-win contests or simply do our best to 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 disagree.
Introduction: Why Disagreement Is Difficult
Contributors | Gavin Ortlund |
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ISBN | 9781802542639 |
Format | eBook |
First published | February 2025 |
Language | English |
Publisher | The Good Book Company |
Culture wars, political polarization, and the toxic climate of social media are making it harder than ever for Christians to have conflictual conversations that build up relationships rather than tearing them down. Gavin Ortlund rightly believes that it is possible for us to disagree without being disagreeable. In The Art of Disagreement—a book blessedly short enough to read before your next hard conversation—Ortlund offers both spiritual encouragement and practical guidance for listening well, speaking wisely, and honoring God whenever we disagree.
Gavin is one of the best models of thoughtful, gracious, and healthy disagreement that I know. In this timely book, he shows us how we can learn from, listen to, persuade, and love one another, with a warmth and wisdom that we can all learn from.
With scandals rocking the Christian world and disagreements between Christians played out on social media for all to see, this book is very timely. With pastoral wisdom and practical application, Gavin Ortlund asserts that while disagreement in itself is not a problem, the way we conduct ourselves when we disagree can be hugely damaging. This book encourages us to be better listeners (one of the indelible marks of wisdom) and challenges us not to try and win the argument but rather to build trust with those with whom we may (continue to) disagree.