Economist Who Converted to Christianity at 84 Publishes Book Applying Analytical Rigor to Faith

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An economics professor who taught for thirty-three years and experienced a conversion to Christianity at 84 has released his new work, "Christianity Today," via Christian Faith Publishing.

According to the announcement, the book applies the kind of analytical framework Orr used in his academic career to questions of modern faith, examining Christianity’s strengths and what the announcement describes as its shortcomings, while also addressing Judaism and Islam for comparative context. The announcement states Orr maintains an assessment of Jesus Christ consistent with biblical teaching throughout.

Orr holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in economics from the University of Toronto and the University of Wisconsin. Born in Canada, he taught at three universities over his career: two years in Canada, five in Florida, and twenty-six in California, according to the announcement. His conversion to Christianity came late in life, at 84, a turning point the announcement says redirected his focus toward writing about faith.

The book’s major themes, per the announcement, include fear, doubt, sexuality, discrimination, political engagement, challenges facing church institutions, and eschatology. The publisher describes Orr’s approach as applying a form of cost-benefit analysis to the question of Christian commitment itself, covering what the announcement calls candid discussion of institutional failures within churches alongside doctrinal questions.

"After spending my entire career analyzing economic systems," Orr said in the announcement, "I recognized that faith itself deserves the same rigorous, honest scrutiny. This book represents my attempt to examine Christianity with both intellectual integrity and genuine reverence for its transformative power."

"Christianity Today" is available through bookstores, the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, and Barnes and Noble.

Studio CarryOnHarry finds the more interesting story here less the book itself than the author: a career spent in economics departments, followed by a conversion in his mid-80s that produced a full-length theological work. That’s an unusual arc worth noting on its own terms.

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