Apologetics at the Cross, Second Edition

Some apologetics books teach Christians how to win arguments. This one asks a better question: what kind of people, churches, and conversations make the gospel visible, plausible, and beautiful? Chatraw and Allen give us an apologetics shaped by the cross that is intellectually serious, culturally alert, and attentive to tone, heart, and context. Their 'inside-out' approach is especially valuable for engaging people who do not think they have a God-shaped hole. This is a wise, generous, and deeply useful book. *
—Christopher Watkin, author, Biblical Critical Theory *
The task of apologetics isn't complete until the defense is made practical--and that's why Apologetics at the Cross serves college and seminary students so well. Joshua Chatraw and Mark Allen have developed a comprehensive textbook that is academically grounded yet thoroughly practical. The goal of Apologetics at the Cross is not to promote any particular apologetics method. Instead, this text effectively equips students with a wide array of methods to address a variety of challenges triggered by the condition of secularity.' *
—Timothy Paul Jones, Chair, Department of Apologetics, Ethics, and Philosophy, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary *
Josh Chatraw and Mark Allen have strengthened their outstanding volume on apologetics, connecting a commitment to and defense of the gospel with historical and cultural understanding, faithful living, and the authentic witness. It is a genuine joy to enthusiastically recommend this superb, revised work to students, pastors, and church leaders as a trustworthy resource and guide. *
—David S. Dockery, President and Distinguished Professor of Theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary *
This is a treatment of apologetics and evangelism as if the church matters. I've made it a required text for a course I teach each semester. The second edition's revisions strengthen an already valuable resource. *
—Keith Plummer, Dean of the School of Bible and Theology, Cairn University *
n an exhausted world, does apologetics still matter? Chatraw and Allen answer with a resounding 'yes.' Resisting an 'apologetics of glory,' they commend a method shaped by the Cross, Christianity's great scandal and humanity's great hope. If you are looking for a single volume that introduces the discipline of apologetics with breadth and depth, humility and hope, this is it. *
—Justin Ariel Bailey, Dean of Chapel and Professor of Theology, Dordt University *
'Our secular age, in which belief in God is no longer incontestable, presents many challenges to believers who may feel thwarted in their zeal to share the good news. Apologetics at the Cross gives us a highly valuable tool that equips them to do so while remaining Christ-focused throughout. This comprehensive, yet accessible, book is an important one. It provides a valuable overview of the history of apologetics, a survey and balanced assessment of available apologetical methods, a rich and wise resource of responses to key apologetical questions, and much more.' *
—Paul Copan, Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University *
Apologetics At the Cross is, quite simply, the best contemporary book on the methodology of apologetics. If you want to grow in your skill at defending and commending Christianity, but also are wary about the pitfalls that are typical in many approaches to apologetics, this is the first book to read. I am delighted to see its second edition and hope it receives an even wider reception in classrooms, churches, and wherever spiritual curiosities bubble up. *
—Gavin Ortlund, President, Truth Unites, author, What It Means to be Protestant *
This isn't just another book on apologetics. Chatraw and Allen redefine the task itself, moving us beyond argument to persuasion, beyond debate to witness. Their cross-shaped, 'inside-out' approach equips Christians to engage both the questions people ask and the deeper longings that drive them. *
—Jeremy Treat, Professor of Theology, Biola University *
'This second edition improves on an already wonderful primer to Christian apologetics, bringing it more up to date not only with current theological literature, but also recent debates on cultural apologetics and artificial intelligence. Chatraw and Allen provide an entryway toward developing a persuasive, principled, yet pliable approach to Christian witness. Pick this up as your first step toward understanding Christian apologetics.' *
—N. Gray Sutanto, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary *
This is a welcome addition to the library of books on apologetics. It is also a rare book: most defenses of the faith do not make the gospel their lodestar and template. This one breaks new ground in letting the reason for the Christian hope--Jesus crucified and risen--guide and govern the forms and methods of faith's defense. Apologetics at the Cross incorporates biblical materials, the history of apologetics, and theology to make a cumulative case for the church as a socially embodied cruciform argument whose members are alert to how different people may need to be shown various different paths that lead to, and into, the reality of the gospel. *
—Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Blanchard Professor of Systematic Theology, Wheaton College *