Christian Witness Ten Years Ago vs. Today

Gavin Ortlund shares four ways evangelism, apologetics, and Christian witness have changed from 2014 to 2024.

Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is President of Truth Unites and Theologian-in-Residence at Immanuel Nashville.

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00:00 Western Culture Is Changing
04:17 Sponsorship
05:59 1) Scandal and Abuse
11:23 2) Cultural and Political Polarization
13:55 3) Distraction and Noise
16:38 4) Disillusionment and Disenchantment
18:08 Beauty
21:46 Kindness
26:55 Courage
31:29 Summing Up

[LukeBowman]

sorry this isn’t related to the video but i’ve noticed within the past few months the video and editing quality has been very good!

[MatthewN]

Voice of reason as always. I don't go on social media much, but when I do I instantly remember why I don't! The amount of discharity among christians is astonishing, and seeing it is has made me question my faith over and over again. 'The last thing we need is another angry voice.' Spot on!

[antoninal]

Hi Gavin, I’m 22, I’m one of the young evangelical Christians living in the modern west (Sydney) watching your channel and wrestling hard with Acts 20:24. How could you title this video that, when it was so much more? I’ve been watching you since you had 6K subscribes three years ago. I’ve heard your convictions countless times, but never have I been so deeply, so deeply moved until this video.

I’ve been thinking about whether to go to seminary after I graduate from university. This video is another gentle push from the Lord to get off the fence.

I’m part of my church’s mission team. I love apologetics, though it hurts my head sometimes. I am a timid girl sensitive to stress, but I want to defend the faith. I often think about your video about martyrdom, about that girl whose courage strengthened her to not spit on the cross. I always keep in mind Pascal’s three-step approach since your book, “Why God Makes Sense”, introduced it to me—how to entice people to the beauty of the Gospel.

If the Lord permits, I will make good use of my marketing/creative writing undergraduate degree, once I graduate at the end of this year, and write fiction and fantasy and allegory to show people the beauty of our Lord. I love reading. I love C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, George Herbert, Charles’ Spurgeon, John Milton. I love Till We Have Faces and your video on it.

‘The human heart is designed to be given to a greater cause.’ I will remember what you said, and go, and give myself for my beloved Christ who loved me and gave Himself for me. Acts 20:24. Beauty, trust, kindness, courage. Go look at the stars at night. The Gospel is good news. Not sure what my future will be, but I want Christ to be proclaimed and glorified everywhere. You might never see this comment, but I will remember your encouragement. God bless you!

[sahilthedisciple]

I recently left social media… though it can be a tool for the glory of God, it often is a tool for sin for many

[tim.eichorst]

"We are going to have to work so hard to make it clear that we don't have some other agenda that we're using the Gospel for. "

Thank you for this. This kind of wisdom is why channels like yours are so needed.

[ProfYaffle]

I feel the urgency suddenly to share the Gospel and wonder if anyone else is feeling it.
The people perish for the lack of knowledge Hosea 4:6

[ChristianCombatives]

Offering prayer regularly can bridge a lot of gaps, but if you say you will pray for someone, please make sure you do. The best strategy I've found to not forget is to pray for them right then-and-there, if the situation permits, or as soon as it does.

[barbarawinters]

So excellent. We need this. *I* need this.

[FrenchPastor]

I went to Trinity and I strongly recommend it for those who 1) want a strong and solid background in original languages 2) like to do homework’s that you will use again in ministry 3) who are not American or want a strong connexion with people from all around the world

[gigahorse]

I think the hardest aspect of being a Christian today are LGBT issues. In a very quick period of time, LGBT is accepted as a normal part of life, and if we don’t accept it we are seen as irrational at best and hateful at worst. Unlike something like abortion, it’s difficult to argue a logical case as to why it is wrong for a man to marry a man. I used to be same sex attracted in high school and I wondered why God wouldn’t allow it. I’m personally at peace but getting others to understand is tougher.

A positive aspect about being Christian today is how easy it is to reach thousands of people. I can make one social media post and it will be seen by hundreds. I wish to use this ability to share the gospel and apologetics like so many YouTubers (like yourself) have done to edify other Christians.

[georgeolo]

Courage: "sometimes it takes more courage to disagree with your friend than your enemy" - wow, that's so true and I'm struggling with this now

[GandalfTheBased]

There has also been a change in how we teach our youth in the last 10 years. The changing of our society to post-Christian pagan society has radically changed how I minister to youth in my ministry. Partially in how I teach and prepare my youth to be sent off into the world. 10 Years ago, it was about preparing them for the world that needed God. Now I am preparing them for a world that hates God and needs Him. The issues my students face going into the world and in their middle school and high school lives are drastically different than that of what I faced in my youth group days. Churches have got to wake up to the field we are in or else we will not be good stewards to the call God gave us.

[gardengirlmary]

This video motivates me to want to share my faith too. Thank you for your ministry Dr Ortlund

[LuanaCupcake]

excellent video. thank you for persevering in the Lord . I love your commentary on kindness and courage. Blessings.

[paulabarbian]

One of my ongoing prayers is for "laborers in the harvest". Thank you for saying yes to the Lord of the harvest! You are a blessing in so many ways!!

[alfonso_barajas]

This has become my favorite YouTube channel. Thank you for this great and helpful content, brother. Please continue on and know that the Lord is using your content to help His people — and it’s even helping those who don’t know the Lord yet.

[leehagewood]

I needed to hear your comments on Acts 20:24. Thank you!

[tummasmohr]

Fantastic video - God bless you and your ministry. I pray for you and for myself to find my calling and pursue it with courage.

[marchydecreative]

anyone notice that YouTube made the like buttons glow when Gavis said "like" at the 13 minute mark? that was fun!

[bofletcher]

Gavin thank you so much for your videos. Your work is incredible. I can’t wait for your new book.