Exciting Debate Updates, Biblical Foundation, Another Gospel
Welcome to the Think Institute Newsletter!
We’ve got some incredible opportunities coming up at The Think Institute—and I want to bring you into them from the start.
First, a few updates on where I’ll be teaching (Lord willing):
In June, I’m returning to Silver Birch Ranch to speak at their annual family camp.
I’ll also be teaching two four-week elective courses on Defending Your Faith for the student ministry at Village Bible Church.
And in late July, I’m headed to Little River Baptist Church in Bumpass, VA, for an Apologetics Weekend.
But here’s where it gets exciting—and where you can directly help advance our mission.
Over the next few months, I’ve been invited to debate three prominent skeptics:
John Gleeson, aka The Godless Engineer
Tom Jump (YouTube link)
Justin, the ex-pastor behind Deconstruction Zone
These conversations matter. Debates are a frontline tool for "taking every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5) and equipping the church to respond boldly and biblically to the world’s toughest objections.
So far, by God’s grace, I’ve participated in about 66 total debates and discussions with non-Christians—each one a chance to proclaim Christ and train others to do the same.
Here’s where you come in:
Our Goal: Raise $5,500
This will fund the full process for all three debates:
Strategic preparation & worldview research
Script development and debate rehearsals
Professional-quality video production and editing
Promotion and follow-up resources to equip the church
If you believe these kinds of debates are vital—not just to expose error, but to exalt Christ and equip His people—please consider partnering with us to make them happen.
Every donation helps us meet this goal and proclaim the truth with boldness and clarity. I believe we can hit $5,000 together. Will you be part of this work?
AN IDEA FROM ME
Why do I think Christianity is true? I'm going to give you the most simple answer that you've ever heard, and if you're a Christian, you're gonna love it. If you're a non-Christian, you're gonna hate it. Okay? But let me explain before you react.
Why do I believe that Christianity is true? Because the Bible tells me so. Now you're going to say, “That's circular reasoning. You can't do that.” Yes, I can. Let me explain why.
As a Christian, the Bible is my epistemological foundation. The Bible is the touchstone by which I test every idea to see if it is true. The Bible is the revelation from God that gives me my basis for understanding and believing in the three laws of logic, moral absolutes, and the preconditions of science or the principles of science, namely induction and uniformity in nature.
With logic, science and morality, you can have intelligibility. You can properly interpret the world. You have a worldview that encompasses all of human life and human experience.
Now, because the Bible is my foundation, it's very important that I believe whichever religion the Bible teaches. So then the question is, what religion does the Bible teach? The Bible teaches Christianity. So how do I know Christianity is true? Because that's what the Bible teaches.
—From today’s livestream! “LIVE: Why I Believe Christianity Is True – Ask Me Anything”
https://www.youtube.com/live/549LTO3Bcmg?si=4kw_fa6jGi7uYVRW&t=267 (Link is timestamped)
A QUOTE FROM SOMEBODY ELSE
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”
—The Apostle Paul (Galatians 1:8–9) (I thought this might be appropriate in light of the new pope being chosen (click here to learn more about the unbiblical teachings about salvation found in the Roman Catholic Church from CARM.org).
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Speaking of the new pope, Robert Francis Prevost (Leo XIV) is from Chicago! What are your thoughts about having an American pope? Are you optimistic? Pessimistic? Don’t care?
Respond to this email in seven days, and I will write you back.
By the way, have you seen my video responding to the selection of the new pope? You can catch that here: Christian Apologist REACTS to New Pope.
Please be praying for The Think Institute this Summer! May we be faithful and uncompromising as we seek to carry out the work the Lord has given us to do.
In Christ,
Joel Settecase
President, The Think Institute
P. S. Christian men, get real accountability and learning! Try out the Hammer & Anvil Society free for eight weeks. Learn more here: https://thethink.institute/society.x