Apologetics, Christian YouTube, Academia, Agnosticism

In a recent video on the Philosophy for All channel, I had the privilege to interview Joe Schmid, a PhD Philosophy student at Princeton University on his journey in philosophy as well as his thoughts on the direction of Christian YouTube. Here is a briefly summarised, and I note very briefly, transcript of our one hour long interview which you can find in full length on the YouTube channel.

Interview with Joe Schmid on Christian YouTube, Agnosticism, and Academia

Joshua Yen: Hello and welcome to this episode of Philosophy for All. I’m your host, Joshua Yen, and today we’re joined by a special guest, Joe Schmid, a PhD student in philosophy at Princeton University. We’ll discuss the state of Christian YouTube, its impact on the philosophy of religion, and Joe’s academic journey. Joe, how are you?

Joe Schmid: I’m doing well, Joshua. Thanks for inviting me. I’m excited for this discussion.

Joshua Yen: I’ve followed your channel, Majesty of Reason, and it’s been fascinating to see your interviews with leading scholars and your recent responses to videos on atheism and Christianity. To begin, where do you think Christian YouTube is heading?

Joe Schmid: Christian YouTube is a vast and diverse space. There are subgenres, like Protestant vs. Catholic debates, apologetics aiming to argue for Christianity or God’s existence, and channels diving into academic-level philosophy. Some focus on cultural commentary or spirituality. Within the apologetics sphere—which I engage with more—there’s a mix of rigorous philosophical content and culture-war commentary. Channels like The Analytic Christian stand out for their academic rigor, while others mix scholarly discussion with more click-driven topics. My concern is that the pressure for views may push more creators toward culture-war topics, as those tend to attract more engagement.

Joshua Yen: That’s insightful. How does your channel fit into this ecosystem?

Joe Schmid: Majesty of Reason focuses on high-quality, academic-level philosophy of religion and critical thinking. While I’ve started optimizing thumbnails and titles to attract a broader audience, the content remains rigorous and scholarly. I’m passionate about serving a niche audience interested in these topics, even if it’s not the most popular direction. My goal is to make academic philosophy accessible to an informed, curious audience.

Joshua Yen: What motivated you to start the channel?

Joe Schmid: A mix of reasons. Most notably, philosophy and Christian YouTube has really influenced me into reading more about the topic and has guided me along the path of philosophy. The goal of the channel is not only to provide academic content, but to promote good critical thinking and to give back to the community.

Joshua Yen: Can you talk about your background in philosophy and religion? How did your agnosticism develop?

Joe Schmid: I grew up in a devout Catholic household and attended Catholic school, where I was exposed to mainstream science, including evolution. Learning about evolution in seventh grade sparked questions about how it fit with my faith. By high school, I was exploring forums and reading thinkers like Francis Collins and Richard Dawkins. This led me to philosophical debates on God’s existence, particularly Paul Draper’s work. Over time, I transitioned from Christianity to metaphysical naturalism and, eventually, to agnosticism, largely due to engaging with new arguments and ideas.

Joshua Yen: You mentioned agnosticism. What are the arguments that most influence your stance?

Joe Schmid: On the atheistic side, the problem of evolutionary suffering is compelling. Hundreds of millions of years of predation, parasitism, and natural disasters seem incompatible with a perfectly loving, omnipotent God.

For theism, I think contingency style arguments highlight the need for a necessary foundation for contingent reality are the most likely to succeed alongside fine-tuning arguments which focus on the improbable precision of the universe’s constants. 

Joshua Yen: That cumulative approach does sound compelling. How do you think philosophy interacts with faith? Can philosophy support or challenge religious belief?

Joe Schmid: Philosophy profoundly impacts faith. It can offer arguments for and against God’s existence, shaping one’s cognitive stance. It also explores the desirability of God’s existence, as seen in the pro-theism versus anti-theism debate. While philosophy can provide tools for critical thinking and reasoning, faith often has practical and emotional dimensions that philosophy alone may not address. For instance, even as an agnostic, I find conditional prayer—like asking for guidance if God exists—a rational practice.

Joshua Yen: Turning to academia, how is philosophy of religion perceived? And where do you see it heading?

Joe Schmid: Perceptions vary. Some secular institutions dismiss philosophy of religion as akin to apologetics or outdated metaphysics. However, many programs, like Princeton’s Project for Philosophy of Religion, take it seriously. The field is also becoming more global, exploring non-Western traditions, pantheism, and indigenous philosophies. This shift, influenced by scholars like Yujin Nagasawa, is expanding the scope and relevance of philosophy of religion.

Joshua Yen: As we wrap up, where can people find your work?

Joe Schmid: My YouTube channel, Majesty of Reason, is the best place. I also have a website, josephschmidt.com, where I share my papers and blog posts. I hope people find the content both informative and engaging.

Joshua Yen: Thank you, Joe, for an inspiring discussion. To our listeners, let us know your thoughts in the comments and suggest future guests. Stay safe, and we’ll see you in the next video.

For the full interview: