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 polarising 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 relationships instead of hindering them.
So, whether you tend to fight or flee, learn how to keep calm and stay friends—even when you don't agree.
Introduction: Why Disagreement Is Difficult
| Contributors | Gavin Ortlund |
|---|---|
| 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.
This is a winsome, courageous, warm-hearted, and desperately needed book. Don’t let its brevity fool you into thinking it can’t possibly tackle this issue in a searching way. Rather, read it slowly, reflect, repent and commit to relating in Christ-like ways in his strength, and then pass it on to someone else, with the prayer that God may change the way in which we relate to one another for the sake of the gospel of the Lord Jesus!
A tiny book with a tremendous punch! I’m thrilled Gavin Ortlund has written this first-class introduction on how to keep calm and stay friends in hard conversations. What a difference we’d see in church life and online life if we took such sane, biblical, and applied wisdom to heart and put it into action. I plan on getting lots of copies of this book and working through it with our church’s staff team.
