Ross Douthat “is a super smart guy,” religionsgeek.com avows, “and a unique writer—probably no conservative writer has more liberal readers than he does.” Why? Consider his “intellectual generosity—he can describe both positions he holds and those he doesn’t with fairness and insight.” In his review of Believe, Stephen Mcalpine reckons Douthat “is that increasingly rare beast at The New York Times, conservative and Catholic. …he’s sane, sensible, and firm in his convictions.”
It’s as Christianity Today observes, when it comes to matters of first importance, “Douthat doesn’t soft-pedal.” So, to the writer, “the existence of God…isn’t simply plausible or probable. It’s far and away the most rational interpretation of the evidence.” Indeed, as firstthings.com warrants, “Douthat insists that earnest seekers…should, if we follow things through rationally, end up with not high-minded ambivalence, but active faith.”
But faith is in decline and “hope is fading,” lawliberty.org allows. “But here’s Douthat,” venturing “to and all sundry: try religious faith! It’s good for the soul! It’s audacious. And who says it won’t work? Believe is primarily a work of apologetics, …but it invites reflection….” And it comes complete “with a touching coda on his own Christian faith,” firstthings.com remarks.
Believe: Why Everyone Should be Religious
By Ross Douthat
Zondervan Books, 2025