Gavin Ortlund: Finding the Right Hills to Die On

Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage
(Crossway, 2019)

WHO: Gavin Ortlund, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai in Ojai, California.

HE SAYS: “We desperately need to cultivate the skills and wisdom that are involved in doing theological triage so that even when a doctrinal division becomes necessary, it is done with minimal collateral damage to the kingdom of God.”

THE BIG IDEA: All doctrines matter, but some are more essential than others. This book examines how and what to prioritize in doctrine and ministry.

THE PROGRESSION:
Part 1, “Why Theological Triage?” identifies two opposite errors to provide an overall framework for thinking about the importance of doctrine. It also provides a little of the author’s story.
Part 2, “Theological Triage at Work,” works through a number of specific doctrines, attempting to identify criteria for ranking the importance of different issues. The book concludes with “A Call to Theological Humility.”

“Even in our theological polemics, we must exhibit a self-restraint that subordinates our personal likes and dislikes to the concerns of the kingdom.”

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Gavin Ortlund
Gavin Ortlundhttps://gavinortlund.com/

Gavin Ortlund is senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai, California.

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