Author: Gavin Ortlund
Subtitle:
How to Keep Calm and Stay Friends in Hard Conversations
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.
Table of Contents:
Introduction: Why Disagreement Is Difficult
Kindness
Courage
Listening
Persuasion
Love

About the author:
Gavin Ortlund is a pastor, author, speaker, and apologist. He serves as President of Truth Unites and Theologian-in-Residence at Immanuel Nashville. Gavin is the author of Why God Makes Sense in a World That Doesn't, The Art of Disagreeing, and Finding the Right Hills to Die On. A fellow of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics, Gavin is married to Esther and they have five children.
Endorsements:
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. ~Philip G. Ryken, President, Wheaton College
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. ~ Andrew Wilson, Teaching Pastor, King's Church London; Author, God of All Things