How to Be a Christian Witness for a Disenchanted World | Gavin Ortlund

Dr. Gavin Ortlund delivered a powerful and timely lecture titled “How to Be a Christian Witness for a Disenchanted World.” Drawing from theology, philosophy, and cultural analysis, Ortlund explored how Christians can offer hope in an age marked by spiritual emptiness and social isolation.

Key Takeaways:

Disenchantment Defines Our Age

• Ortlund described the modern West as spiritually dry and emotionally disconnected, echoing thinkers like C.S. Lewis and Charles Taylor. Many today feel a deep, often unspoken sense of meaninglessness.

The Ache for Transcendence

• Beneath the distractions of modern life lies a longing for beauty, goodness, and something beyond ourselves. Ortlund called this “the ache”—a signal of our need for God.

Friendship as a Lost Virtue

• He highlighted the cultural loss of deep friendship, once considered the highest form of love. Restoring meaningful relationships is key to healing loneliness and despair.

Start with God’s Transcendence

• In sharing the Gospel, Ortlund urged us to begin not just with truth, but with the beauty and goodness of God—meeting people where they are in their search for meaning.

Resurrection as the Ultimate Hope

• The hope of Jesus’ resurrection transforms suffering into glory. It’s not just a comforting idea—it’s the foundation for a renewed life and a restored world.

About Gavin Ortulund

Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is a pastor, author, speaker, and apologist for the Christian faith. He serves as the president of Truth Unites, visiting professor of historical theology at Phoenix Seminary, and theologian-in-residence at Immanuel Nashville. He is the author of several books, including The Art of Disagreeing, Why God Makes Sense in a World That Doesn’t, and What It Means to Be Protestant. You can find his work at truthunites.org

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