Why Christians Should Engage in Debates (Yes, Even Online)
July 3, 2025
By Joel Settecase*
“Why even do debates?”
That was the first question I answered on a recent livestream. It came from a viewer who was clearly frustrated with the often combative tone that can characterize conversations between believers and skeptics. “Aren’t debates just about winning? I find it only frustrating to talk with people who see conversation as something to conquer.”
That’s a fair question, and it’s one I’ve asked myself—especially after wrapping up a debate with an angry atheist or a snarky skeptic who seemed more interested in “owning” their opponent than uncovering any actual truth.
But here’s the thing: debates, when done rightly, are not about ego. They’re not about conquest. And they’re certainly not about making the other guy look foolish. At least, not if you're a Christian. For us, debates are evangelism. And Scripture gives us every reason to do them—just not the way the world does.
Let me explain.
Debates Are Evangelism
Here’s where the question breaks down: it assumes that debating and evangelizing are two separate things. Like, if you’re doing apologetics, you’re just arguing, and if you’re doing evangelism, you’re just preaching the gospel—never the twain shall meet.
But that’s a false division. Apologetics is not a side quest. It’s a subset of evangelism.
Think about it. When do you find yourself doing apologetics? There are two common ways it comes up.
The Gospel leads to objections
You’re sharing your faith—maybe you’re on a plane, or talking with a co-worker, or just making small talk with a family member—and then boom. Out comes the what-about. “What about all the evil in the world?” “What about science?” “What about the contradictions in the Bible?” Congratulations. You’ve just stepped into an apologetics encounter. But the goal hasn’t changed. You’re still there to proclaim Christ.The objection leads to the Gospel
Other times, it starts with someone pushing back against a Christian worldview. Maybe you’re debating a hot-button political issue, or they’re challenging the morality of the Bible, or they’re just coming after your beliefs. Suddenly, you’re in a worldview clash. You’re called to give a defense—not for the sake of the argument itself, but so you can point them back to the good news of Jesus.
In both cases, the goal is the same: get to the Gospel. That’s not a detour. That’s the destination.
My Method (Scripture-First Apologetics)
The way I teach apologetics is through what I call the T.H.I.N.K. method, but in this context I focus on three basic moves:
Reductio ad Absurdum
I start by showing how the unbelieving worldview collapses on itself. It’s self-contradictory, incoherent, and can’t account for the preconditions of intelligibility—like logic, science, or morality.Internal Critique of Christianity
Next, I invite the skeptic to assume my worldview for the sake of argument. Can the Christian worldview hold together? Yes—and it does so beautifully. Unlike the alternatives, it’s internally consistent and externally verifiable.Evangelistic Appeal
Finally, I call them to repent and believe in Jesus Christ. Because that’s the point. Not to score points. Not to go viral. But to see God glorified and sinners saved.
So when I debate, I’m not playing a game. I’m preaching. I’m pleading. I’m exposing the folly of unbelief so that the clarity of the Gospel can shine through.
But Did Jesus Debate?
Yes. Over and over again.
No, He didn’t square off at Oxford or stand behind a podium in a livestreamed event. But when you look at the Gospels, what do you see? Jesus constantly engaging in public disputes with His opponents. And He didn’t shy away from confrontation. He walked right into it—with truth, grace, and fearless logic.
Let me give you a few examples.
1. The Heels and the Healing
📖 Matthew 12:1–14
The Pharisees see Jesus’ disciples plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath and pounce: “That’s not lawful!” Jesus could’ve sidestepped the challenge. Instead, He engages directly. He appeals to Scripture. He shows them their misunderstanding. He doesn’t just beat them at their own game—He exposes their hearts. They didn’t understand mercy.
2. BEElZEBUL’s Tool?
📖 Matthew 12:22–30
The Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Satan. Jesus responds with devastating logic: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” If Satan is casting out Satan, his kingdom is done. Jesus judo-flips their accusation and crushes their argument.
3. The Tradition Transgression
📖 Mark 7:1–23
Once again, the Pharisees come at Jesus, this time accusing Him and His disciples of eating with unwashed hands. Jesus doesn’t back down. He quotes Isaiah to show that they honor God with their lips but their hearts are far from Him. Then He points out how their human traditions actually violate the commands of God.
4. The Afterlife Wife
📖 Matthew 22:23–33
Now it’s the Sadducees' turn. They deny the resurrection and try to trap Jesus with a gotcha question about a woman who had seven husbands. Who will she be married to in the resurrection?
Jesus obliterates their assumptions and appeals to the very Scriptures they claim to follow. “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” Game over.
5. Paul on Mars Hill
📖 Acts 17:16–34
This one’s my favorite. Paul is brought before the Areopagus in Athens—basically the Greek version of the Sanhedrin—and challenged to explain these “strange ideas” he’s preaching. His response? Full-throttle presuppositional apologetics.
He starts with general revelation. He affirms their religious impulse, but shows them the futility of their idolatry. He presents the God who made the world, who needs nothing, and who commands all men everywhere to repent.
And then he lands the plane: Jesus rose from the dead, and God has appointed Him as Judge.
That’s not just debate. That’s declaration.
Shut Their Mouths?
You might be thinking, “Hold on, this sounds harsh.” Shutting mouths? Destroying arguments? Isn’t that unloving?
Not at all. In fact, it’s one of the most loving things we can do.
When the Apostle Paul says the Lord’s servant must be kind, not quarrelsome, he doesn’t mean we shouldn’t correct falsehood. He means we must do it gently. And the goal isn’t embarrassment—it’s repentance.
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.”
—2 Timothy 2:24–25
The point isn’t to win a battle. It’s to win a brother.
1 Peter 3:15 and the Heart of Apologetics
You’ve probably heard this verse before, but read it again slowly:
“...but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
—1 Peter 3:15
Peter doesn’t say “be ready to win arguments.” He says “be ready to give a reason.” That’s apologia. That’s defense. That’s debate—done the right way.
The key? Honor Christ as holy. That’s the posture of the apologist. We don’t argue because we love the sound of our own voice. We argue because Jesus is Lord and the world is in rebellion—and the Gospel is the only hope.
So, Should Christians Debate?
Yes. Absolutely.
Not out of pride. Not out of ego. Not out of the desire to conquer.
But because truth matters. Souls matter. And Jesus is worthy of being defended.
We debate to proclaim the Gospel. To confront lies. To tear down strongholds. And to see God grant repentance.
In a world drowning in misinformation, relativism, and godless ideology, Christians need to speak clearly, courageously, and lovingly. If we don’t, who will?
📺 Watch the full Q&A here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zgilPqZ6Zs
📢 Want your church equipped? Book a Defend Your Faith Weekend: https://thethink.institute/forchurches
*This article was generated by ChatGPT based on Joel Settecase’s live presentation in the video linked above. It faithfully summarizes and organizes his original arguments, tone, and rhetorical style for The Think Institute blog.