Beyond the lecture hall and the pulpit, John has perhaps been best known for his high-stakes engagements in the public square, where he has faced off against some of the most prominent and influential skeptics and atheists in debate of the most important questions about God, meaning and topics like suffering.

Far from being mere academic exercises, these debates—with figures such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Peter Singer—represent defenses of the Christian faith in the face of modern secularism.

John’s approach has been said to be through a “steel-man” methodology, meeting his opponents at the peak of their arguments and taking objections seriously and with heart. John often counters with a blend of scientific data, historical evidence, and philosophical rigour. Known for his remarkable “cool under fire,” he manages to challenge the core tenets of the “New Atheism” while maintaining a spirit of genuine grace and intellectual respect. 

Many recent comments on debates, even from years ago, highlight how we seem to have lost the ability to have powerful, but kind and respectful public discourse and that John’s approach is particularly refreshing reminder of the power and grace of the Gospel. It helps to explain why the debates continue to speak to many, with millions of views and counting.