Debate Teacher Reacts: Epic Debate Over God's Existence

On this episode of Debate Teacher Reacts, we're looking at one of the most viewed apologetics debates of all time on YouTube! This is the Epic Debate Over God's Existence. Who did a better job? The Christians or the Atheists? Find out in this video!

[PastorKThroop]

That “debate” was a train wreck for the Christians involved. Your assessment was spot on from where I'm sitting.

[michaelmannucci]

I think what you missed is Durbin did not bring up eating babies out of nowhere. In the atheist's opening statement he said "atheists don't eat babies".

[irdcity]

I greatly appreciate your honesty and transparency in your videos. I feel a kinship with you because you're "real" and don't fall back on platitudes, double standards, or religious rhetoric.

I think we can see your real personality and character through your videos, and it's refreshing that you're never a flat caricature of Christianity

[noobitronius]

Great video, brother. I am a reformed believer, am becoming more presuppositional, and general fan of Apologia and much of their work. However, my mouth dropped with yours when Sye, a professing Christian, said "don't know, don't care" about a tragic event in the atheist's life. Completely unacceptable. Christ was not in that statement. If engaging in debate tempts you to interact with people in that way, you need to stay away from debate and repent.

And in general, presuppositional apologetics can be effective in some cases, but those who use this method need to be extremely careful and wise about how they present themselves. I don't think that was done here, unfortunately.

Love the content, keep up the great work. I seriously enjoy your commentary and insights. God bless.

[matthewjlollz]

Here is a good case for why presuppositional arguments cannot be the ONLY tools at the apologists disposal... Poor approach by sye especially, I agree this should have been a 1 v 1

[introvertedchristian]

I think one of Durbin's major mistakes is that a lot of his questions commit the fallacy of the complex question (or what lawyers call "assuming facts not in evidence"). He also uses loaded language. If I were an atheist, I would probably find him manipulative and dismiss his arguments as sophistry. He is a smart guy, though. I've watched his YouTube channel lots of times.

[nrg]

Great review I really enjoyed that. Even though you more or less scolded it, this is what Christian debates need, a solid dose of iron sharpening iron! I hope in the future you have some of these speakers on for a discussion. This debate really springboarded my interest in a lot of Christian content on YouTube back in the day.

[louiseteaches]

I only recently discovered your channel, and I am hooked! Thank you so much for your interesting, intelligent and thought-provoking comments about these debates. Very much appreciated!

[Ingabobjoe]

I can’t speak clearly to Sye’s heart in that moment, but I know I’ve gone into flesh-mode before when conversing with unbelieving friends and making comments I really regret (I remember spitefully telling a close atheist friend in high school that I felt sorry for him one time, yikes). What tends to happen is I hit a point when I’m struggling to answer a difficult question, and because I’m afraid of looking silly or I’m a bit unprepared for the question or just frustrated that my conversation partner can’t see my position the way I would present it if I could, I resort to trying to prove my intellectual superiority in a way that ends up just demonstrating my pride, rather than leaning on the Spirit for my assurance and demonstrating some humility. I hope that Sye sought forgiveness and repented after this, but it definitely reminds me that we all, Christian and non-Christian, need the grace of God.

Thanks for this video, it was thought-provoking and helpful. I agree, I really like watching Jeff debate but I kind of wonder if the awkward tension coming from his right threw him off his game. At least Sye didn’t demand the atheists drink antifreeze though :)

[sharplikecheddar]

Sye is the Arron Ra/ Lawrence Krause of Christian Apologetics. No business engaging in debates. I’m sure he’s a great man but this doesn’t seem like a space where he’s best suited to share the gospel. He’s far too emotional and pompous while neglecting sound structure.

[joshuacole]

Not that I could add anything to the great perspective WD always brings to these debates, but I think having a precise, well defined debate topic that all interlocutors agree on would help mitigate some of the pointless dialogue.

[MrSpleenface]

Sye: “This might be helpful to you”
Narrator: “It was not”

[michaelmulvaney]

One of the more important things I've learned in apologetics - and even your debate reviews- is knowing how to communicate effectively. Its very easy to speak Christian jargon. Ot takes more effort to communicate the same ideas of our jargon un such a way the non-Christians can mutually understand.

[svetusya]

What a disappointment. Christians did such a poor job defending their points and being so disrespectful. Thank you for reviewing debates. It’s so educational and entertaining.

[UNKLEnic]

Nate you are my new favorite apologist. I'm stuck on your channel. Your reaction to the 'dont know don't care' and the look on your face was such a righteous anger, it made me admit that I completely missed this the first time I watched this debate way back when. As Christians, we need to approach non-believers with compassion and humility and sometimes I forget this. God bless and God speed.

[zaxbitterzen]

The moment he said "dont know dont care" the others immediately knew they lost because of him.

[gideonwiley]

Unsurprisingly, it was Sye who at one time convinced me that Matt Dilahunty was a proficient debater through his performance. He is possibly the worst Christian apologist I’ve heard.

[JH-driw]

Would love to see James White Vs. Bill Shishko partially because it is an internal debate on baptism and would be a little different flavor than Christians vs. non-christians

[bree-z]

Been binge watching your videos since I found you several days ago. Love all of your work!

[RBoas]

To be an effective interlocutor it takes so much practice. This was just practice round that got published by mistake. 😉