Summary: I have been a fan of Cliffe Knechtle for many years, but I have noticed inconsistencies with his answers on the subject of assurance of salvation. I asked him if I could know for sure he's saved. Cliffe's answers seem to contradict. I used the Socratic method to see if he can identify the issue with what he commonly says about faith and works. In this post, I will tell the story of my trip. To see the recording of this interaction and a comprehensive conversation with students that attended, which was the best part, watch the videos at the end of the post.
In February of 2025, I went to College Station, Texas to see Cliffe Knechtle from the ministry Give Me An Answer. For several decades Cliffe has visited college campuses to have conversations with students about Jesus, the existence of God and the Bible. In the last few years Cliffe and his son Stuart have become much more viral on social media, drawing larger crowds and appearing on podcasts and guest speaking at churches and ministries.
I and many of my personal friends and colleagues have great respect for Cliffe and his ministry, and have been fans for many years. His content engaging with skeptical students has been very valuable, and we continue to appreciate his work.
In many interactions with students' questions, from both believers and unbelievers, I noticed Cliffe would always approach the topic of faith and works in a specific way. He gives a common answer, which I always find confusing.
When the next opportunity presented itself, some friends and I went to Texas A&M University to engage with Cliffe and students. I wanted to see how Cliffe would respond to my style of Socratic questioning on the subject that I often use on street preachers.
We stopped for a quick brunch before heading to the campus. Texas A&M is one of the largest in the country by enrolled students (possibly the largest at the time). Walking through the campus to find the spot of the event took some time. However, we noticed a large crowd of students forming.
The crowd was so large, it was difficult to get close enough to see or hear Cliffe speak. His speaker and microphone helped, but students were still standing on the fountain edge and climbing trees just to see him.
It eventually started raining, which was a potential issue we and the event hosts were aware of. When it got bad enough, they relocated to a backup spot under a pavilion.
The crowd size went down, which created a better opportunity for me to get selected to ask my questions. While relocating to the new spot, I approached Cliffe's son Stuart to let him know I'd be attempting to ask questions and to make sure Cliffe picks me out of the crowd.
Cliffe always brings his own camera crew to record the questions and debates with students. While I was expecting to be on Cliffe's recording, I brought my own camera setup in the event that he didn't publish our exchange.
In addition to bringing camera equipment, I also brought a sign to stand out from the crowd in case too many people were trying to get selected to question or debate with Cliffe. Even after confirming with Stuart that I would be selected, I kept being passed over with the large volume of students raising their hands. The sign turned out to be necessary and successful.
Camera in place, I get selected and began the Socratic method with Cliffe. We talked for several minutes, and the crowd had mixed reactions.
Immediately after my interaction with Cliffe, several students approached my friends and I to ask about the subject I raised.
We were prepared to have interactions with unbelieving students. However, the vast majority of them were believers (if not all of them).
Below are the recordings of my interaction with Cliffe, then part 1 and 2 of follow up discussions with students. The conversation with the students about the Gospel was by far the most fruitful part of the trip.