Cedarville Magazine Fall 2016

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DeWitt Leads Center for Biblical Apologetics and Public Christianity
Dan DeWitt joined the
Cedar ville faculty this
summer as the inaugural
Director of the Center
for Biblical Apologetics
and Public Christianity.
Cedarville Magazine visited
with DeWitt to learn more
about him, his passion for
apologetics, and his hopes
for the new Center for
Biblical Apologetics and
Public Christianity.
What’s something readers should know about you?
A: My wife, April, and I have four children: Isaiah, Micah, Josiah,
and Addilynn Joy. Our kids have grown up in an academic setting,
so they think it’s very normal to spend most of their time with
18–22-year-olds. I want people to get to know my family, and we
look forward to serving here in the community.
Tell us a little about your background.
A: I grew up in a conservative Baptist church, but rebelled from
the Lord through middle school. My parents put me in a Christian
high school, but that didn’t go very well. Then I attended a LIFT
youth camp in Miamisburg, Ohio, and I heard the Gospel in a very
powerful way. The Lord opened my eyes to my need for Christ, and
I was converted at age 15.
My dad moved out the day after I graduated high school, so that
really affected my first year of college. I experienced a lot of doubts
about my faith, and apologetics became a great tool for discipleship
inmy life. Now I love apologetics, not just because it’s a cool thing in
Christian subculture, but because it has helpedme grow inmy faith.
Why are you so interested in worldview and culture?
A: I took an apologetics coursemy junior year of college and realized
the Gospel is something to take into the broader community. It’s not
just about sharing with non-Christians for their conversion, but the
Gospel sheds light on everything around us.
What are your hopes for the Center for Biblical Apologetics and
Public Christianity?
A: To be a resource for students struggling to respond to skeptic
friends, family members, and co-workers. Beyond that, I hope
the Center is a place they can come for resources when they’re
struggling with their own questions.
What are your hopes for Cedarville and your role here?
A: That the Center will be a resource for the Cedarville community,
and for churches around the state and around the nation. I would
also love to see our influence go beyond Cedarville to surrounding
universities in central Ohio. But the Lord will have to open those
doors.
Any parting thoughts?
A: What attracted us here was Dr. White’s leadership at the
University and Dr. Jason Lee’s vision for the School of Biblical and
Theological Studies. While serving in a Bible college context for
several years, we sensed a desire to serve in a liberal arts university
that is totally committed to the Bible. We began praying that the
Lord would open a door of ministry for us, and we are thrilled to
be here.
Campus News