A viral YouTube video, Satan’s Guide to the Bible, is generating significant buzz and raising important questions for Christians. While released close to April Fool’s Day, the documentary’s message is far from a joke. It underscores a critical need within churches today: robust Christian apologetics.
Satan’s Guide to the Bible is the creation of independent filmmaker Zeke Piestrup. The film employs a clever premise, depicting a Sunday school class where Satan himself steps in as a substitute teacher. He promises to reveal “Bible secrets” that pastors supposedly conceal from their congregations, learned in seminary but kept hidden for fear of job loss. For over an hour, Satan proceeds to unveil these “secrets,” challenging foundational Christian beliefs, from the historicity of the Exodus and the Red Sea parting to the authenticity of New Testament documents, suggesting many are forgeries.
The documentary uses humor to maintain viewer engagement, exemplified by a memorable moment when a skeptical student, Jen, exclaims, “I rebuke you Satan!” Satan’s dry response, “Thanks, Jen. Noted,” highlights the film’s satirical approach. However, behind the satire lies a serious challenge to Christian faith. The film features interviews with prominent critical Bible scholars, including atheists like Bart Ehrman and progressive Christians like Dale Allison, who read from their published works, lending scholarly weight to the presented criticisms. Satan’s Guide to the Bible tackles a wide array of controversial topics concerning the Bible’s integrity and core Christian claims.
While many Christians may find the film unsettling, it prompts a crucial question: What does Satan’s Guide to the Bible get right? The documentary effectively points to a deficiency in many churches. While some churches offer education in Christian apologetics—the reasoned defense of the Christian faith—many do not. Consequently, many Christians are ill-equipped to address the very criticisms raised in the film, which it labels as “standard stuff.” As churches increasingly prioritize small groups over structured Christian education, opportunities to engage with these “standard stuff” challenges are diminishing in numerous evangelical settings.
It’s undeniable that much of what the documentary presents is indeed “standard stuff” discussed in mainline seminaries and increasingly in conservative evangelical seminaries as well. Furthermore, this information isn’t confined to academic institutions. University religion departments routinely expose undergraduate students to these critical perspectives. Moreover, social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube have democratized access to this “standard stuff,” making it readily available to anyone with a smartphone.
The Veracity blog, like other online resources, aims to bridge this gap often left by churches, offering resources to address the criticisms highlighted in Satan’s Guide to the Bible. The YouTube apologetics community has responded to Satan’s Guide to the Bible with various counter-arguments. Mike Winger was among the first, though some critics found his “propaganda” rhetoric excessive. Nevertheless, his response offers valuable insights.
For a more in-depth critique, Michael Jones of Inspiring Philosophy provides a comprehensive, three-hour response (linked to a segment on New Testament forgeries). Roman Catholic apologist Trent Horn offers a shorter YouTube review. Ratio Christi, a Christian apologetics ministry on college campuses, has compiled a YouTube playlist delving even deeper into these issues.
Satan’s Guide to the Bible playfully jabs at evangelical Christians, scholars, and apologists. However, engaging with responses like those from Inspiring Philosophy, Mike Winger, or resources like Veracity can equip Christians to thoughtfully respond to common biblical criticisms presented by skeptics like Zeke Piestrup. As satire, the film effectively raises provocative points, often presenting information in a one-sided manner and sometimes quoting Christian scholars out of context.
Whether Satan’s Guide to the Bible is purely propaganda is a matter for individual discernment. However, its viral success highlights a pressing need for churches to prioritize and strengthen Christian apologetics, equipping believers to engage confidently and intelligently with challenges to their faith in an increasingly skeptical world.
