A Farewell & A Final Charge
Over two years ago, Rhetoric LLC launched, a business dedicated to Lordship of Jesus Christ over speech and debate, and all of creation. Since that time, we have written four sourcebooks, coached dozens of students, and run camps and classes. We sought to do all of this in a thoroughly Christian way.
If Christ is Lord, that should shape your goals. If Christ is Lord, that should shape your commitments. If Christ is Lord, that should shape how you coach and how you debate.
Some may think it strange to have a sourcebook that includes arguments taken straight out of books of theology and out of the bible itself. Some may think it is strange to hear a successful debater arguing publicly that we ought to use the Word of God in debate, and even doing so when major leaders in the speech and debate world argue contrary to that.
If God is not the God of debate, then an idol is. And the job of a Christian debater is to tear down idols and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ (see 2 Corinthians 10:5).
I have coached a many students over the past few years. With nearly every single student I have worked with, I have pointed out ways in which they can make use of a biblical worldview to sharpen their ideas, whether for speeches or debate. Sadly, with a significant number of them, the idea of basing one’s philosophy for debate on Scripture had simply never occurred to them before.
I hope that some will come after me to continue to argue that we cannot have a separation of God and debate. Isaiah McPeak spent many years before me coaching and advocating for this, and I am sure that there will be many Christians who have their bibles open who will realize that Christ is Lord of all of life, including debate. But the time has come for me to move on from Rhetoric LLC.
Between my studies at Patrick Henry College, many opportunities for ministry there and at my church, jobs, internships, and other projects, I simply lack the time to continue to put the effort into Rhetoric LLC necessary to make it thrive.
If you would like to continue to do private coaching with any of our team members, please do so! You will just need to reach out to them directly. If you would like to get in contact with any of our staff members, or to get my personal email, please send an email to Info@RhetoricLLC.com. I will continue to monitor that email through to the end of the year, and I can get you in touch with the right people.
I know that students are often hungry and excited to learn about how God’s Word applies to speech and debate. Their love for Jesus drives them to serve him in all things, including speech and debate. But there are also many students, parents, and coaches I have interacted with who seem content with business as usual, and are content with confining God and His Word to Apologetics speeches, the intros of Interps, and a few minutes during morning announcements. If that is you, I want to use the end of my final blog post for Rhetoric LLC to urge you to embrace the fullness of Christ as He gives Himself to you, and to live all of life, including every moment relating to speech and debate, to the Lord King Jesus Christ.
And if you do hold to this truth, do so boldly. It will often not be easy, but the King reigns, and He will give you strength for each day.
May the Grace and Peace of Christ be with you.
In Christ,
Josiah Hemp
CEO & Head Coach, Rhetoric LLC
