‘m 13, I’m a Christian, and I go to a public charter school surrounded by people with different faiths, beliefs and backgrounds. I love that about my school. But it also means there are a lot of voices telling teenagers what to believe.
One of the biggest questions for me comes up in science. I’m taught evolution as the scientific explanation for the diversity of life. Then I open my Bible and read: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1, NKJV).
So what do I do when something I’m taught seems to conflict with something I believe? I ask questions. Science helps me understand how our world works. God tells me why it’s here.
Last year, I disagreed with my science teacher during a lesson on tectonic plates. I told her I was going to prove her wrong. I wouldn’t say that today. The disagreement made me start researching.
My mom introduced me to apologetics, which is learning how to give reasons for what you believe. Suddenly, saying “That’s not what I believe” wasn’t enough. I needed to ask: What’s the evidence? Why does the other person believe that? And why do I believe what I believe?
What Does Apologetics Actually Look Like?
Have five minutes?
Watch this powerful clip from Major Coleman’s interview with Anil Kanda:
Have 15 minutes?
Watch the full interview.
Have 45 minutes?
Watch Charlie Kirk and Cliffe Knechtle put faith, evidence and hard questions to the test:
Watching people defend their beliefs doesn’t mean I have to agree with every answer they give. It shows me something more important: faith can and should be questioned, examined and discussed. That’s what I want to learn how to do.
My teacher didn’t weaken my faith. She made me investigate it. I can learn what my teachers teach and respect people who disagree with me without giving up what I believe.
My parents introduced me to faith; now I want to know for myself why I believe. I don’t want to believe in God just because my parents do, or because faith makes me feel good. I want to know what I believe, why I believe it and how to respond when someone challenges it.
Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice” (John 10:27, NKJV).
Teenagers have more voices competing for our attention than ever: friends, teachers, TikTok, YouTube, influencers, algorithms and AI. Everybody has an answer. I’m only 13. I don’t have all of them. But I’m learning not to be afraid of the questions. I’m passionate about teenagers having simple answers to big questions.
I believe God is the Creator and has left His fingerprints everywhere. Science helps me study the fingerprints. God tells me Who the Author is.
If you want to submit an article to this column, please follow the attached document.
Email [email protected] with any questions.
Future_Voices_Contributor_Guide_2025.
About Future Voices
Future Voices is a Sunday-morning column in The Dallas Express in which young Texans share how faith and perseverance shape their lives. These stories remind readers that God often speaks through the honesty and courage of the next generation.
