Interviewing Cliffe & Stuart Knechtle

SUMMARY

Bryce Crawford interviews pastors Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle at Grace Community Church in Connecticut, discussing intellectual and experiential reasons for Christianity, gospel reliability, denominations, prophecy, end times, lust, Holy Spirit, and personal faith struggles.

STATEMENTS

All scholars agree Jesus was a historical figure who claimed to be God, challenging the idea of him being schizophrenic given Christianity's global impact.
The Sermon on the Mount contains wisdom sayings so profound that Harvard's Robert Coles called other ethical teachings mere footnotes to it.
The Gospels have more manuscript evidence closer to the events than works by Herodotus, Alexander the Great, the Quran, or Buddhist texts.
The creed in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 dates back to within years of Jesus' life, affirming his death, burial, resurrection, and appearances.
Gospels were written within the lifetime of eyewitnesses, in an oral culture where literacy was low, explaining the timing of Jesus' arrival amid rising literacy and trade routes.
Evidence for Jesus' resurrection is growing, with scholars like Gary Habermas, William Lane Craig, and Peter J. Williams uncovering new details.
Including women as first witnesses to the empty tomb is an embarrassing detail, supporting Gospel reliability since women's testimony held little legal weight.
Multiple independent eyewitness accounts of the resurrection exist, dismissed by some due to hyperskepticism of the supernatural influenced by David Hume.
Experiential evidence for Christianity includes changed lives through prayer, counseling, and Holy Spirit encounters beyond mere self-help.
One doesn't need exhaustive evidence to be a Christian; raising in a Christian home and accepting it suffices, though examining evidence is encouraged.
Love as a free choice for another's well-being proves God's existence, transcending material explanations like chemical reactions or genetic drives.
Jesus reveals God as love, communicating that God so loved the world He gave His only Son for eternal life to believers.
The four Gospels provide diverse perspectives like multiple friends describing one person, enhancing understanding without collusion.
Similarities in Matthew, Mark, and Luke (synoptics) suggest shared notes, but unique details show honest, perspective-driven reporting.
Embarrassing details like Peter's denial remain in Gospels, indicating no fabrication to idealize figures.
Denominations divide when core doctrines like Jesus' divinity, sinless life, crucifixion, and physical resurrection are denied.
Orthodox faith centers on a biblical Jesus; genuine believers exist across denominations, while hypocrites do too.
Healthy denominations fit cultures, like charismatic expressions in Latin America versus intellectual Presbyterianism.
Prophecy involves foretelling future and forthtelling God's truth to convict and lead to repentance.
False Old Testament prophets faced stoning; today, date-setting for Christ's return embarrasses faith, as Jesus warned no one knows the day or hour.
Early Christians lived expectantly as if Christ could return anytime, without presuming a specific timeline.
Revelation's apocalyptic metaphors offer hope to persecuted Christians, not just end-times fear or literal predictions.
History ends with Jesus' return in glory, followed by judgment, resurrection, heaven as eternal relational joy without suffering, and hell as separation from God's gifts.
Heaven involves new resurrection bodies, purposeful work, and recognition of others in God's presence, far from boredom.
Hell means separation from God, the source of all joy, making enjoyment impossible.
Matthew 7:21-23 shows insincere faith in works without relationship; true faith produces fruit like love and obedience.
Works prove genuine faith, not earn salvation; James emphasizes sincere faith shown in lifestyle, contrasting demons' mere belief.
Frustration stems from uncared-for souls; remedies include rest, exercise, prayer, community, and praising God like David in Psalms.
Lust twists God's gift of sex; combat by worship, resting in Christ's love, realism about sin, exercise, self-knowledge, and scripture memorization.
Memorizing scripture aids brain health, combats dementia, connects to Holy Spirit, and sustained figures like Nietzsche and believers in crisis.
Out of the heart's abundance comes speech and action; slips reveal sinful nature needing grace, not final judgment.
Salvation rests on Christ's cross, not last actions; patterns of life show Spirit-led growth in fruits like patience.
Blasphemy against Holy Spirit is persistent hypocrisy, living in flesh while claiming Spirit, not isolated curses.
Holy Spirit baptizes at faith conversion, sealing and helping uniquely; no uniform dramatic experience required.
Dreams may convey God in cultures like Muslim contexts, but verify through scripture, prayer, community, not solo interpretation.
Evangelism requires listening, applying gospel personally, studying worldviews, boldness balanced with gentleness, reading the person.

IDEAS

Schizophrenia claim undermines Jesus' divinity, yet his influence converted 35% of the world, suggesting profound truth.
Bono popularized questioning if Jesus was liar, lunatic, or Lord, highlighting historical claims' improbability without basis.
Oral culture's literacy rise and trade routes timed Jesus' life perfectly for message spread.
Women's tomb testimony inclusion defies cultural dismissal, proving authentic history over invention.
David Hume's philosophy birthed supernatural skepticism, biasing modern historiography against miracles.
Changed lives via Holy Spirit exceed Tony Robbins-style motivation, evidencing divine intervention.
Love's reality implies a personal God enabling free will, beyond evolutionary reductions.
Four Gospels' diversity mirrors multifaceted views of a person, enriching rather than contradicting Jesus' portrait.
Peter's unflattering denial preserved shows Gospel writers prioritized truth over image control.
Denominational splits necessary only over core Christology, not preferences.
Orthodox believers span denominations; focus on Christ-following churches, not labels.
Charismatic gifts like tongues fit expressive cultures, while doctrinal depth suits analytical ones.
Prophecy's dual role—foretelling and forthtelling—adapts timeless truth culturally.
Date-setting Christ's return mocks faith, as post-failed predictions fuel skeptics' laughter.
Expectant living like first-century Christians fosters urgency without timelines.
Revelation comforts suffering more than predicts apocalypse, using metaphor for hope.
Heaven's work and relationships promise dynamic eternity, not harp-strumming idleness.
Hell's torment is existential separation from joy's source, not just flames.
Phariseeism's external perfection masks internal hypocrisy, dooming without relationship.
Luther's Romans insight shifted salvation from works to grace, birthing Protestantism.
Islamic uncertainty versus Christian security highlights grace-faith divide.
Obedience flows naturally from love, like honoring parents, proving faith's genuineness.
Soul care via naps or exercise rivals spiritual disciplines for emotional health.
David's psalms model self-talk in turmoil, channeling anger to praise.
Sex as commodified quality-price ignores commitment's depth.
Worship shifts self-focus to God's majesty, combating lust's absorption.
Memorized scripture repels temptation and aids neurological resilience.
Nietzsche's final scriptural words reveal Bible's enduring power over atheism.
Heart's abundance dictates actions; regrets highlight grace-dependence.
Hypocritical Spirit-claiming while flesh-living grieves God deeply.
Waffle House surrender shows God's unique, non-formulaic encounters.
Dreams convert in dream-valuing cultures, like Muslims meeting Christ.
Ivy League founders' biblical mottos beg rediscovery for mental health voids.

INSIGHTS

Historical evidence for Jesus' claims and resurrection dismantles naturalistic dismissals, affirming Christianity's intellectual robustness.
Diverse Gospel authorship enhances credibility, providing cultural bridges without collusion, unlike uniform fabrication.
Denominations thrive when Christ-centered, adapting to cultures while guarding orthodoxy against dilution.
Prophecy convicts through truth-application, not spectacle; modern excesses like date-setting erode trust.
End-times focus shifts from fear to hopeful expectancy, mirroring persecuted origins over speculative schemes.
Heaven embodies relational fulfillment and purpose, inverting hell's isolating deprivation from divine source.
Genuine faith manifests in transformative fruit, distinguishing sincere commitment from performative religion.
Grace secures salvation amid human frailty, emphasizing cross-work over final moments or works-piling.
Soul maintenance through varied practices tames emotions, integrating body and spirit for Christlikeness.
Lust's defeat lies in redirecting worship and self-awareness, reclaiming sex as covenantal gift.
Scripture memorization forges Holy Spirit connection, offering crisis anchor and cognitive shield.
Blasphemy as hypocrisy reveals flesh-Spirit tension, urging authentic living over cheap grace.
Evangelism balances boldness with relational reading, motivated by love's eternal stakes.
Dreams and experiences vary culturally, verified communally against scripture for discernment.
University founders' theistic vision contrasts modern nihilism, pointing to God-shaped emptiness.

QUOTES

"Do you truly believe that a schizophrenic converted 35% of the world that he was truly God that's a hard time."
"All other ethical teachings are simply footnotes to The Sermon on the Mount."
"We have more manuscript evidence that's closest to the time of when it actually happened than any other others are not even close."
"Why in the world were the women the first ones to the Tom why would they include that if women's testimony couldn't stand up in court."
"You can't just explain it as oh yeah this is some great Tony Robbins you know self-help stuff."
"If there is no God you're limiting reality to matter energy which means what you and I call love is not a value."
"Jesus communicates God is love Jesus communicates for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son."
"I'm very grateful that we don't have one gospel we've got four different gospels Matthew Mark Luke and John four unique perspectives on Jesus."
"Father I pray that Believers would be one so that the world might know that you'd sent me."
"As long as the denomination like my dad just said is tied to the central understanding of who Christ is what he claimed and how he's offering a relationship ship with you if it's tied to that as the central tenant then it's good."
"No one knows the day or hour of my return not the angel in Heaven nor the son but only the father."
"History is going to return When Jesus Christ returns in power and great Glory."
"In heaven there's going to be no more mourning or crying or evil or suffering or death but eternal life."
"Not everyone who says to me Lord Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven but he who does the will of my father who's in heaven."
"Faith without works is dead what does that mean it means there's such a thing as sincere Faith versus insincere faith."
"Sometimes the best thing for your soul is to take a nap."
"Sex is a beautiful gift God thought of sex not some Playboy or play girl not some hedonist."
"Worship is a struggle as I move out of self-absorption into being caught up with God's Wonder majesty and greatness."
"Those who've memorized scripture have actually been able to deal with dementia and Alzheimer's and avoid it way better than those who haven't."
"We're saved by grace through faith but that Grace is shown in the fruit of the spirit love joy peace patience kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness and self-control."

HABITS

Accessing Logos Bible software on phone or laptop for daily Bible study and evangelism preparation.
Turning to trusted biblical resources instead of Google for passage interpretations.
Studying in backyard hammock with friends for relaxed, communal learning.
Reading Gospels like John for emphasis on Jesus' incarnation and encouragement to new believers.
Examining historical evidence for Christianity intellectually before experiential validation.
Engaging in counseling and campus conversations to witness life changes via Holy Spirit.
Observing love in relationships to affirm God's existence and personal nature.
Memorizing scripture passages to combat temptation, frustration, and health crises.
Practicing soul care through naps, exercise, prayer, and community to manage emotions.
Reciting scripture during lustful thoughts to redirect mind and expel them.
Talking to one's soul like David in Psalms, channeling anger to praise.
Worshiping by shifting focus from self to God's majesty for emotional stability.
Verifying dreams or prophecies through prayer, scripture, and counsel from believing friends.
Listening actively in evangelism to apply gospel to individual's worldview.
Asking forgiveness immediately after losing temper in discussions.
Living expectantly as if Christ returns tonight, ordering life accordingly.
Building relationships to understand others' perspectives before sharing faith.
Balancing boldness with gentleness in defending hope, reading the person's context.

FACTS

Jesus claimed divinity, a assertion most scholars affirm as historical.
Christianity influences 35% of the global population.
Sermon on the Mount's ethical depth outshines other teachings per Harvard scholar Robert Coles.
Gospels' manuscripts predate events by less time than Herodotus' works by centuries.
1 Corinthians 15 creed originates within 2-5 years of crucifixion.
Literacy rose and trade routes expanded in first-century Roman Empire.
Women's testimony held no court value in ancient Jewish culture.
David Hume's 18th-century ideas fostered modern supernatural skepticism.
2,000 years of overly enthusiastic end-times predictions embarrassed Christianity.
First-century Christians lived without presuming imminent return but with urgency.
Revelation written to encourage persecuted believers under Nero.
Harvard's 2006 Crimson reported 80% of students faced serious depression that year.
Medieval societies rarely discussed depression due to theistic worldview.
Post-WWI Czechoslovakian president correlated godless nations with higher suicide rates.
Nietzsche, a famed atheist, uttered scripture on deathbed despite hatred.
Memorizing scripture linked to better dementia/Alzheimer's resistance in studies.
Ivy League universities founded with biblical mottos for God's glory.
Muslims in Gaza and Africa convert via dreams of Christ.
Peter denied Christ three times before crucifixion.
Noah got drunk post-flood; Abraham lied about Sarah; David committed adultery and murder.

REFERENCES

Logos Bible Software (digital library for Bible study).
Sermon on the Mount (Jesus' teachings).
1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (early creed on resurrection).
Gospel of John (emphasizes Word became flesh).
Gospel of Luke (orderly account by physician).
Gospel of Matthew (Jewish audience focus).
Herodotus (historical texts for manuscript comparison).
Alexander the Great (biographies for comparison).
Quran (texts for timing comparison).
Buddhist teachings (Buddhas life to pads gap of 300 years).
Give Me An Answer (Cliffe and Stuart's YouTube channel).
Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem (on Trinity and unforgivable sin).
95 Theses by Martin Luther (sparked Protestant Reformation).
Romans 1 (Luther's grace insight).
Psalms (David's emotional self-talk, e.g., Psalm 103:1, Psalm 42).
John 14 (Holy Spirit as helper).
Matthew 24 (no one knows day or hour).
Revelation (apocalyptic hope for persecuted).
Hebrews 9:27 (judgment after death).
1 Corinthians 15 (resurrection bodies).
Matthew 7:21-23 (I never knew you).
Matthew 25 (sheep and goats judgment).
James (faith without works is dead).
Galatians 5:22 (fruit of the Spirit).
Philippians 4 (do not be anxious).
Psalm 46:10 (be still and know God).
John 4 (woman at the well).
1 Peter 3 (defense with gentleness).
Philippians 1:23 (to depart is better).
John chapter 16 (prayer for unity).

HOW TO APPLY

Examine historical evidence for Jesus' existence and claims starting with scholarly consensus on his divinity assertion.
Study Sermon on the Mount to grasp ethical wisdom's superiority over other philosophies.
Compare Gospel manuscripts to ancient texts like Herodotus to appreciate evidential proximity.
Recite 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 creed to internalize resurrection core.
Consider first-century literacy and trade timing to understand Jesus' strategic arrival.
Note embarrassing details like women's testimony to verify Gospel authenticity.
Read works by Habermas, Craig, Williams on resurrection for ongoing evidence.
Counter Humean skepticism by distinguishing history from supernatural bias.
Share experiential stories of prayer and changed lives to illustrate Holy Spirit's work.
Observe love's free choices in relationships to infer personal God's reality.
Read four Gospels diversely, like multiple biographies, for comprehensive Jesus view.
Preserve unflattering personal stories in testimonies to build credibility.
Test denominations against creeds like 1 Corinthians 15 for orthodoxy.
Seek Christ-centered churches emphasizing practical following over tradition.
Adapt worship styles culturally, like charismatics in Latin America.
Define prophecy as forthtelling truth to cultures, avoiding foretelling excesses.
Avoid date-setting returns, living expectantly per Matthew 24.
Interpret Revelation metaphorically for persecuted hope, not literal timelines.
Anticipate judgment via faith in Christ's cross for eternal life.
Envision heaven's relational work without suffering, contrasting hell's separation.
Cultivate works as faith's fruit, per James, not salvation's cause.
Balance grace with obedience, responding to Christ's love naturally.
Practice soul care: nap, exercise, pray, fellowship to tame frustration.
Combat lust via worship shift, realism, exercise, self-knowledge.
Memorize scripture for temptation repulsion and brain health benefits.
Confess heart-driven slips to God, relying on grace patterns.
Avoid hypocrisy by aligning claimed Spirit-life with actions.
Recognize Holy Spirit's unique sealing at faith, not dramatic uniform entry.
Verify dreams through scripture, prayer, community counsel.
Evangelize by listening, studying worldviews, balancing boldness and gentleness.
Read university biblical mottos to probe founders' theistic vision.

ONE-SENTENCE TAKEAWAY

Embrace Christianity through intellectual evidence, experiential encounters, and grace-centered living for eternal relational joy.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Pursue intellectual grounding in Jesus' historicity and resurrection before experiential faith.
Read Sermon on the Mount to internalize transformative ethical wisdom.
Compare Gospel manuscripts to affirm reliability over ancient alternatives.
Recite 1 Corinthians 15 creed daily for resurrection centrality.
Study first-century context to appreciate message spread's timing.
Highlight embarrassing details in defenses to prove authenticity.
Follow scholars like Habermas for fresh resurrection insights.
Challenge supernatural skepticism with historical openness.
Share personal Holy Spirit stories to inspire others.
Reflect on love's depth to evidence personal God.
Approach Gospels as complementary perspectives for full portrait.
Include personal failings in testimonies for honesty.
Vet denominations by core Christology creeds.
Join churches focused on practical Christ-following.
Embrace cultural worship adaptations without compromise.
Practice forthtelling prophecy to convict through truth.
Live with return expectancy, avoiding date predictions.
View Revelation as hope for suffering, not fear blueprint.
Anchor salvation in cross-faith for judgment confidence.
Anticipate heaven's purposeful eternity over hell's void.
Let works flow from sincere faith's fruit.
Obey commands as love's natural response.
Integrate soul care routines for emotional resilience.
Redirect lust through worship and self-awareness.
Memorize scripture for spiritual and cognitive strength.
Examine life patterns for Spirit-growth evidence.
Shun hypocritical flesh-claims grieving Spirit.
Seek unique Holy Spirit encounters at conversion.
Discern dreams via communal scriptural vetting.
Evangelize relationally, boldly yet gently.
Rediscover university theistic roots for wholeness.

MEMO

In the welcoming environs of Grace Community Church in Connecticut, podcaster and evangelist Bryce Crawford sits down with veteran pastors Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle for a candid exploration of Christianity's appeals. Over Crumbl cookies and milk—rated a unanimous 10—the conversation begins with why choose Christianity. Cliffe emphasizes intellectual foundations: Jesus' undisputed historicity, his bold divinity claim that propelled a faith converting a third of humanity, and the Sermon on the Mount's unmatched ethical depth, which Harvard scholar Robert Coles deemed superior to all others. Stuart adds experiential layers, from prayer-transformed lives to Holy Spirit encounters that transcend self-help. Yet both stress that faith doesn't demand exhaustive proof; a childhood acceptance suffices, though evidence enriches it.

Delving into the Gospels' reliability, the Knechtles highlight manuscript abundance closer to events than ancient rivals like Herodotus or the Quran. Written amid rising literacy and trade routes, these texts—penned by diverse authors from tax collector Matthew to physician Luke—offer eyewitness proximity without collusion. Embarrassing inclusions, like women as first resurrection witnesses (in a culture discounting their testimony) or Peter's denial, underscore authenticity. Bryce probes perceived contradictions; Cliffe likens the four accounts to friends describing one person, their unique lenses filling a fuller portrait. Synoptic similarities suggest shared sources, but omissions and emphases reveal honest, culture-tailored reporting—no sanitized fabrication.

Denominational divides trouble Bryce, raised non-denominational amid Baptists and Methodists. Cliffe invokes Jesus' prayer for unity in John 16, decrying pathetic splits like the castaway's multiple huts. Divisions prove vital only against heresies denying Jesus' divinity, sinless life, atonement, or bodily resurrection—core orthodoxy per 1 Corinthians 15. Stuart warns against liberal dilutions blending Buddha with Christ, urging focus on creeds over labels. Healthy denominations adapt: charismatic tongues suit Latin exuberance, Presbyterian doctrine analytical minds. Both affirm genuine believers across traditions, prioritizing Christ-centered churches fostering practical discipleship over cultural Christianity.

Prophecy and end times spark confusion for Bryce, citing Old Testament stonings for errors versus modern date-setters. Stuart defines prophecy dually: foretelling futures and forthtelling convicting truth. Jesus' Matthew 24 warning—no one knows the hour—counsels against specifics, as failed predictions mock faith. First-century believers lived urgently, not presumptively. Revelation's metaphors, penned for Nero's persecuted, infuse hope amid apocalypse, not literal checklists. Cliffe outlines consummation: Jesus' glorious return, universal visibility, judgment per faith in his cross, resurrection bodies, heaven's tearless relational work versus hell's joyless separation from God's gifts. No flames specified, but eternal isolation from the Giver of good.

Faith-works tension arises in Matthew 7's "I never knew you," despite prophesying in Jesus' name. Cliffe ties it to Phariseeism: external shine masking relational void. James clarifies faith without works is dead—insincere belief like demons' shudder. Salvation by grace yields Spirit-fruit: love, patience. Luther's Romans pivot from works-salvation to responsive obedience marks Protestantism's gift. Contrasting Islam's uncertain pillar-piling, Christians rest secure in grace. Bryce's frustration admissions prompt soul-care: David's psalms model praising amid anger; naps, exercise, community tame unruly emotions. Lust, God's beautiful gift twisted culturally into commodified transactions, demands worship-shift, realism, and scripture recitation for victory.

Memorizing Bible verses emerges as potent: repelling temptations, guarding against dementia per studies, and anchoring crises, as Stuart's migraine or Nietzsche's deathbed recall attest. Heart's abundance shapes words and deeds; slips reveal sinful nature needing grace, not last-breath tallies. Cliffe assures: heaven hinges on Christ's cross, not final rages—patterns of Spirit-growth matter. Blasphemy against Holy Spirit? Persistent hypocrisy, flesh-living while claiming fruit. Bryce's Waffle House surrender seals his Spirit-baptism uniquely; no formulaic drama required. Dreams convert Muslims in dream-centric cultures, but verify via scripture, prayer, friends—not solo.

Evangelism's gentleness-respect (1 Peter 3) balances heaven-hell realities. Motivated by love—"How much must I hate you to not share?"—listen, study worldviews, read persons: bold with prophets of Baal, kind to the well-woman. Bryce's anxiety yields to flying dreams; the Knechtles favor it as superpower. Closing, Cliffe desires Paul's "better by far" departure; Stuart urges probing Ivy mottos amid 80% Harvard depression, filling God-voids. Their "Give Me An Answer" channel blessed Bryce's early faith—reciprocal encouragement flows as they affirm his street ministry.

Thanks exchanged, the interview ends on crusade zeal, underscoring obedience amid tough questions. Christianity, they concur, offers intellectual solidity, experiential vitality, and grace-fueled transformation—inviting all to Christ's relational core over denominational fringes or skeptical voids.