The Gospel After Christendom: An Introduction to Cultural Apologetics by Collin Hansen

Southwestern Journal of Theology 2025 Book Award Winner (Worldview and Apologetics); Christianity Today 2025 Book Award Finalist (Apologetics and Evangelism); Rooted 2025 Book Award Honorable Mention (Best New Book for Bible Teaching) Even after Christendom, our culture is fertile ground for gospel renewal. We need apologetics for the whole church tailored to this moment. Since the fall of Christendom, Christians in Western countries can no longer assume their neighbors share basic familiarity with the Bible or even a sense for God. We now face a strange mixture of apathy and antagonism toward the gospel. Some people view Christianity as yesterday's news. For others, it's the source of today's problems. Lately, though, more and more are open to the idea that Christianity may be tomorrow's hope. Amid these confusing and conflicting shifts, we need apologetics for the whole church and not just for those who enjoy arguing. Cultural apologetics can help uncover opportunities to proclaim the gospel as the only way to fulfill longings for truth, beauty, and goodness. Churches that embrace this approach can be strengthened and renewed as they demonstrate an appealing and convicting way of life that stands out in the world. Read more

From the Publisher In The Gospel After Christendom, readers will find: Praise for The Gospel After Christendom: “At a time when some say Christianity has become culturally obsolete, this book, the best introduction to cultural apologetics on the market, provides demonstrations—rational, artistic, and practical—that the story of God with and for us, the gospel of Jesus Christ, is as necessary as ever for the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty, the sum and substance of human flourishing in all areas of life.” —Kevin J. Vanhoozer, research professor of systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School "In an era where cultures collide and Christianity is often dismissed in many of them or worn with a facade that is not the real thing, we need an approach that is culturally aware and says the gospel is better than the variety of things currently being offered to people. These chapters point the way for all of us to accomplish the calling God gives believers to represent God well in a challenging world. It calls for boldness and care in a way that listens to others’ longings and engages with a biblical response full of grace and truth. Well done." —Darrell L. Bock, executive director of cultural engagement at the Hendricks Center, and senior research professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary "This wonderful book represents so many great things all at once: a practical handbook on evangelism, a treasure trove of both biblical and cultural insight, a powerful apologetic for cultural apologetics itself, and the fruit of the joyous collegiality we’ve found together at the Keller Center. I can’t think of another book I’d rather have close to hand when thinking about engaging western culture with the beautiful message of Jesus Christ.” —Sam Allberry, associate pastor, Immanuel Nashville; author, Is God Anti- Gay? and Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With? "Culture is a moving target. Thus, Christians must be deliberate, nimble, and shrewd in the practice of cultural apologetics. The Gospel After Christendom is a helpful resource in developing the grace and dexterity to effectively evangelize in the culture, while maintaining the courage and convictions to reject the idols of the culture." —Justin E. Giboney, president of AND Campaign "Many fellow believers are used to preaching Christ in non- Christian and anti-Christian cultures. American Christians are not. We need to be. Read this book to discover how." —Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California "This volume brings together some of today’s most creative Christian thinkers to tackle the problem of how to make the case for faith to cynical, secular Westerners who think they’ve already heard it all. The result is both an encouragement and a challenge to twenty- first- century believers." —Molly Worthen, author of Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump