“All Out War on Christ” - Cliffe Knechtle on America’s Problem With Christianity & God
Added: Jul 25, 2024
Cliffe Knechtle is a Christian pastor and apologist who has been speaking on college campuses for over 40 years. His father, Emilio, was a pastor who spoke five languages and was married to Cliffe's mother for 56 years, raising six children. Cliffe grew up in a basic Bible-teaching church, but his father later became a Seventh-day Adventist. Cliffe, however, chose to stick with non-denominational Orthodox Christianity. He has three sons, two of whom work with him in ministry, while the third is in financial services.
Views on Faith in America
Knechtle believes that the ultimate solution to America's problems is not found in political parties, but in the kingdom of God. He argues that America is great when it follows Jesus Christ and turns ugly when it departs from Him. Knechtle attributes the decline of faith in America to several factors, including materialism, moral relativism, and a misunderstanding of freedom. He notes that after speaking on campuses for 42 years, he has observed a growth in moral relativism, where choice is often treated as god and freedom is misdefined as doing whatever one wants without consequences.
Christianity vs Other Religions
When discussing the differences between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, Knechtle emphasizes that the core issue is the identity of Jesus. He explains that Jews believe Jesus was not the Messiah, while Muslims believe He was a good prophet but not God. Christians, on the other hand, believe Jesus claimed to be God through both His words and actions. Knechtle argues that the miracle of Islam is a book (the Quran), while the miracle of Christianity is a person (Jesus Christ). He also points out that Muhammad came with a sword, while Jesus came with a towel to serve people.
Challenges to Faith
Knechtle addresses various challenges to faith, including the problem of evil, the perceived conflict between science and religion, and the influence of secular thought in academia. He argues that science and faith don't contradict each other, with faith answering the question of who created and science answering questions about the processes in nature. He also discusses the growth of Christianity worldwide, noting that while it may not be booming in the West, it is growing rapidly in Asia, Africa, and South America.
Social Issues and Christianity
On the topic of abortion, Knechtle supports the use of birth control pills that prevent fertilization but not those that terminate a fertilized egg. He sees birth control as a way of bringing order to nature, similar to how medical procedures like organ transplants use human intelligence to address destructiveness and death. Regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, he emphasizes that "a thug is a thug" regardless of their background, and that Jesus calls Christians to be peacemakers. He supports the use of force to protect innocent people from being slaughtered but cautions against using God to justify particular causes.
Communication and Leadership
Knechtle admires Jesus' communication style, noting that He asked over 290 questions in the Gospels. He highlights Jesus' authenticity, His ability to speak to the heart, His use of clear language and analogies from everyday life, and His practice of asking "What do you think?" Knechtle sees these as valuable lessons for effective communication and leadership.
AI and Technology
When asked about artificial intelligence (AI), Knechtle expresses some concern but doesn't see it as a major threat to faith. He compares it to other technological advancements like the atomic bomb, which can be used for good or evil depending on how humans choose to apply it. He is open to the possibility of extraterrestrial life but doesn't see enough evidence to believe in aliens at this point.
Challenges in Ministry
Knechtle acknowledges that there are many stereotypes and negative perceptions of Christianity due to historical events like the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the Salem witch trials, as well as the actions of hypocritical televangelists and sexually immoral priests or ministers. He sees it as part of his job to address and overcome these stereotypes when speaking on college campuses. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the true character of Jesus rather than allowing the actions of hypocritical Christians to turn people away from faith.
Personal Faith Journey
Knechtle shares some of his most significant spiritual experiences, including his first encounter with God's presence at age 9, his marriage, and the birth of his three sons. He emphasizes the importance of commitment in relationships, both with God and with others, and argues that while making commitments can be scary, it leads to deeper, more meaningful relationships and a fuller life.
Advice for Young People
When addressing young people who may be hesitant about marriage or having children due to past hurts or fears, Knechtle acknowledges the pain many have experienced but encourages them not to let that pain dictate their future. He argues that wrapping oneself in a cocoon of protection often leads to bitterness, cynicism, and loneliness. Instead, he encourages people to experience God's love and healing, and then use that as a foundation to reach out and make commitments to others.
The Role of Faith in Public Life
Knechtle expresses openness to the idea of pastors running for political office, seeing it as a potential way to bring faith-based values and principles into the public sphere. He imagines a scenario where a president might lead the nation in prayer during challenging times, emphasizing the role that faith can play in providing comfort and guidance. However, he also stresses the importance of maintaining separation of church and state and respecting diverse beliefs.
Criticisms of Modern Christianity
The podcast touches on criticisms of some modern Christian leaders, particularly those who seem to prioritize wealth and luxury over service and humility. Knechtle distances himself from such practices, emphasizing instead the importance of integrity, authenticity, and staying focused on Christ rather than getting caught up in materialism or distractions.
The Future of Christianity
When asked about who might be the modern-day equivalent of influential evangelist Billy Graham, Knechtle suggests that there isn't a single figure who fills that role today. Instead, he sees many people trying to extend Graham's legacy in their own ways. He remains optimistic about the future of Christianity, despite challenges, and continues to focus on sharing the message of God's love and the person of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
Throughout the podcast, Knechtle emphasizes the centrality of Jesus Christ in his faith and ministry. He argues for the historical reliability of the New Testament gospels and the importance of basing one's understanding of Jesus on these primary sources rather than later apocryphal or gnostic texts. He encourages listeners to consider the evidence for God's existence and the resurrection of Jesus, and to not let the failings of imperfect Christians deter them from exploring the claims of Christ for themselves.
Knechtle's approach to apologetics and evangelism is characterized by a combination of intellectual engagement and personal testimony. He emphasizes the importance of asking questions and encouraging critical thinking, while also sharing his own experiences of God's love and presence in his life. His message to the audience is summed up in the famous verse John 3:16, which he sees as encapsulating the core of the Christian gospel: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
The podcast concludes with information about where listeners can find more of Knechtle's work, including his YouTube channel "Give Me An Answer" and his presence on various social media platforms.
