The Gospel After Christendom: An Introduction to Cultural Apologetics

by Zondervan

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.

In The Gospel after Christendom, scholars and practitioners from the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics define cultural apologetics, explain its biblical and historical grounding, and demonstrate its importance for the church today. Their diverse viewpoints, united in the gospel, offer a balanced approach that can guide Christians to share the Good News with their neighbors in this challenging but exciting time.

With contributions

Sam ChanJoshua D. ChatrawJames P. EglintonSkyler R. FlowersRachel GilsonCollin HansenRebecca McLaughlinIvan MesaAlan NobleGavin OrtlundDerek RishmawyDaniel StrangeBob ThuneChristopher WatkinTrevin Wax

209 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2025

About the author

Zondervan is an international Christian media and publishing company. Zondervan is a founding member of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). They are a part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. and has multiple imprints including Zondervan Academic, Zonderkidz, Blink, and Editorial Vida. Zondervan is the commercial rights holder for the New International Version (NIV) Bible in North America.

Reviews

[Zak Schmoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a difficult book to review because it is a book made up of contributions by several different authors. Some are naturally stronger than others as is to be expected in any collection. My favorite chapters were written by Trevin Wax as he attempts to define what cultural apologetics is (something I was initially concerned about when The Keller Center was launched), Daniel Strange on what he calls subversive fulfillment, and Sam Chan on very practical ways to incorporate cultural apologetics into the ordinary fabric of our everyday lives. I do think that some of the authors still struggle with the necessary integration of the imagination into the project of cultural apologetics, with some authors almost equating apologetics with evangelism. By that definition, J.R.R. Tolkien would not be a cultural apologist, but I think you could argue compellingly that he was. However, overall, I enjoyed this volume. It is worth reading and considering, even if it is not quite what I would expect from a volume like this.