On Cliffe Knechtle’s rise and apologetics style

There’s something refreshing about Cliffe Knechtle’s approach to Christian apologetics. Recently, Knechtle and his son Stuart spent six hours engaging with students at a university, tackling (typical atheist) questions about faith, morality, and the Bible. It kinda reminds me of the old videos that made Jordan Peterson famous.

What stands out is not just Knechtle’s depth of knowledge, but his calm, respectful demeanor in responding to even the hardest and sometimes hostile questions. Knechtle’s ability to handle questions without losing his cool is impressive. And let’s be honest, with his "unassuming" aura, there’s something about him that reminds you of your high school chemistry teacher. It’s this measured, thoughtful approach that’s earning him a growing fanbase both in person and online. Last time I checked he had around 750k subscribers on YouTube. But while Knechtle’s style is much-needed, it’s just one part of the bigger picture.

Knechtle’s calm, conversational tone is the perfect counter to the loud, often toxic debates that dominate discussions on religion. In one exchange, an atheist student claimed there was no historical evidence for Jesus. Knechtle simply asked, “What’s the historical evidence for George Washington or Alexander the Great?” By comparing Jesus to other historical figures, Knechtle challenges the idea that religious historical claims should be held to a different standard than secular ones.

Or take Knechtle’s calm response when a student challenged him about the violence committed in the name of religion. Knechtle didn’t shy away from the truth—he acknowledged the horrors, but he also pointed out the massive death tolls under atheist regimes like Mao Zedong’s and Joseph Stalin’s. He presented the facts, stayed calm, and let the conversation unfold.

BUT... Christianity doesn’t thrive on calm discussions alone. The opposite of Knechtle would be Sam Shamoun, whose approach couldn’t be more different. Shamoun is known for his rather "toxic" debate style, often pushing back hard against his opponents with insults. Some might see his style as overly aggressive, but the truth is, we need voices like Shamoun’s just as much as we need Knechtle’s. Sometimes, it’s not enough to stay calm. Shamoun’s fire and passion have their place. His willingness to engage head-on, without backing down, speaks to those who feel that faith is being targeted in today’s culture. Christianity is under attack in many arenas, and sometimes it takes a bold, unapologetic defense.

And then there’s Bishop Mari, offering yet another approach. While Knechtle and Shamoun are engaging in public debates and discussions, Bishop Mari brings a more reflective, spiritual tone to the conversation. His focus is less on debate and more on the theological depth of Christianity. He offers a connection to tradition and doctrine, drawing people toward a deeper understanding of their faith, rather than just defending it in the public square.

At the end of the day, Christianity is too rich and too complex to be represented by just one type of voice. And Christianity is stronger because it has voices like Cliffe Knechtle, Sam Shamoun, and Bishop Mari. Each brings something valuable to the table. Knechtle’s calm logic, Shamoun’s bold passion, and Bishop Mari’s theological wisdom are all needed. Together, they form a powerful trio, representing different aspects of the Christian faith and speaking to different audiences.