Draft:Joseph Boot

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Reverend Doctor
Joseph John Boot
Dr Boot in 2025
Born (1974-03-09) March 9, 1974 (age 51)
Bexley, Kent
NationalityBritish
Alma materBirmingham Christian College | University of Manchester | Whitefield Theological Seminary
Occupations
  • Theologian
  • Pastor
  • Author
Notable work
https://ezrapress.ca/products/mission-of-god-10th-anniversary-edition-ebook
Spousemarried to Jennifer (Jenny) Frances (née Nunn) Boot with three adult children
OrdinationBaptist Fellowship of Ontario and Quebec
Theological work
Tradition or movementCalvinism, Reformed Theology, Reformational Philosophy
Main interests
  • Covenant theology, Christian culture, Theonomy, Christian world and life view, Reformational philosophy, cultural reformation, sphere sovereignty, Classical Christian education, presuppositional apologetics, Herman Dooyeweerd, Cornelius van Til, Evan Runner, R. J. Rushdoony, Blaise Pascal, Søren Kirkegaard, the Puritans, postmillennial eschatology, arguments against Two Kingdoms Theory
Websitehttps://www.ezrainstitute.com/

Joseph John Boot (born March 9, 1974) is an English Christian thinker, apologist and cultural philosopher. Boot is known for his writing and speaking on Christian worldview and apologetics, Christian philosophy of culture, Reformational theology and philosophy, Classical Christian education and his commentary on current affairs. He has written several books on the Christian faith, biblical worldview and the intellectual, cultural and political implications of the claims of Christ (such as Think Christianly, The Mission of God[1][2] and Ruler of Kings[3][4]). He has participated in notable public debates with atheists including Christopher DiCarlo and Dan Barker.[citation needed] He is a proponent of presuppositional apologetics,[5] reformational philosophy,[6] theonomy,[7] biblical law[8] and Kuyperian sphere sovereignty.[9]

He is Founder and President of the Ezra Institute for Contemporary Christianity with offices in Canada, the USA, and United Kingdom (where it is called The Ezra Centre for Christian Thought).[citation needed] In the US, he is adjunct instructor for culture and apologetics at Bryan College, Tennessee, Senior Fellow of the think-tank truthXchange and Senior Fellow of the Centre for Cultural Leadership.[10] In the UK, he is senior lecturer at the Wilberforce Academy[11] and adviser on Public Theology for Christian Concern.[12] He also served as founding pastor of Westminster Chapel, Toronto for fourteen years[13] and the founding chancellor of Westminster Classical Christian Academy,[14] Toronto.

Early life and education

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Joseph Boot was born on 9 March, 1974 in Bexley, Kent, England and was brought up in Wiltshire where his father, Michael Boot, was a church-planter and pastor before going to Pakistan as a missionary.[15] Boot attended Devizes School where he founded a student Christian Union and developed an interest in philosophy and apologetics whilst doing an A-Level in religious studies.[citation needed] He went on to study Theology at Birmingham Christian College (then Birmingham Bible Institute); he graduated in theology in 1994.[citation needed]

Boot went on to obtain a Master of Arts degree in Mission Theology (in 2010) with a dissertation on Christian cultural theology exploring the thought of American-Armenian scholar, R. J. Rushdoony from the University of Manchester.[citation needed] In 2014 he earned a Doctor of Philosophy from Whitefield Theological Seminary, Florida with a dissertation on Christian Intellectual Thought and the Missio Dei.[citation needed]

Career

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Boot began his career in 1996 as an evangelist with Saltmine Trust in Dudley[16] and also worked alongside Anglican evangelist J.John with whom he launched a Christian apologetics video series called With No Apology.[citation needed] In 2001, after three years as Director of Evangelism for Christchurch, Fulham, London, Boot worked for the Christian apologetics organization, Zacharias Trust (RZIM), for several years, initially in Oxford, England and then from 2003-2008 in Toronto, Canada as the executive director and senior apologist.[17] In 2008 he became the founding pastor of Westminster Chapel, Toronto. Here Boot and his wife Jennifer established Westminster Classical Christian Academy (2014) where he served as founding chancellor.[18] In 2009 Boot founded the Ezra Institute for Contemporary Christianity (EICC),[19] a Christian worldview and apologetics think-tank and training organization which has grown to become an international ministry with centres in Canada, the United States and Great Britain.[20][21] At the Ezra Institute, Boot writes and speaks to engage culture, leads worldview and cultural apologetics training programmes and conferences, runs academies for young professionals, and hosts worldview leadership courses for high-school aged students with a focus on the worldview of scripture and cultural reformation.[22]

Boot is the author of several books on theology, culture and apologetics. He is the founder of the journal Jubilee and writes frequently on his blog, Joe Bloggs. He has contributed articles to numerous online and print magazines and journals including The Gospel Coalition, Christian Concern, Compass, The Centre for Cultural Leadership, Christ Over All, Clear Truth Media and the Fight Laugh Feast Network.[23] As well as speaking on his personal weekly podcast, The Podcast for Cultural Reformation, Boot regularly features as a guest speaker at conferences, university events, seminaries, churches and on other podcasts in many different countries. Notably, 2021 he was a guest on the Allie Beth Stuckey podcast addressing the Conversion Therapy Ban in Canada.[citation needed]

In 2011 he was honoured by Toronto’s Centre for Mentorship and Theological Reflection (founded by Dennis Ngien at Tyndale University, Toronto) as Best Preacher-Apologist for his contribution to apologetic and expository preaching.[24]

Controversies

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  • In 2020 Boot hosted a summit on the Niagara peninsula for pastors concerning the freedoms of the church in relation to the state and drafted the controversial Niagara Declaration[25] which received nearly 300 signatures of church leaders and elected officials in Canada.
  • In 2023, CBC news ran a critical front page story and documentary (Front Burner), which identified the Ezra Institute as ‘the think-tank of the Christian Right’[26] in Canada.
  • In 2024, Boot responded to a rising tide of anti-Semitism in Christian Reformed circles as co-author of “The Antioch Declaration”[27] with Douglas Wilson, pastor of Christ Church, Moscow, Idaho.

Debates

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Boot has spoken at many public debates defending the Christian faith and biblical worldview, some of the most notable include:[citation needed]

  • On 22 January 2009, Boot debated Professor Christopher DiCarlo at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology on the topic “Does God Exist?”
  • On 22 September 2009, Boot debated Professor Ronald De Sousa at the University of Ottawa on the question “Does God exist?”
  • On 7 March 2013, Boot debated Dan Barker at the University of Windsor, Ontario, on the topic “Is There Life After Death”?[28]
  • On 7 February 2014, Boot discussed the uniqueness of the Christian faith at The Veritas Forum at the University of Waterloo, Ontario
  • On 28 December 2017, Boot sat on a panel of religious leaders and experts in a live discussion of the decline of Christianity and the church for The Zoomer TV.
  • On 8 April 2020, Boot debated Michael Jones of Inspiring Philosophy at Redeemer University, Ontario, over the question “Is evolution compatible with the Bible?”[29][30]
  • On 5 April 2024, Boot debated Harry Amos in Aylesbury for the Aylesbury Vale Youth for Christ conference. The debate was titled “The Resurrection: Fact or Fiction?”[31]

Personal life

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Personal Life

Joseph Boot married his wife Jennifer Frances Nunn in 1998. She is an actress, director, choreographer and drama teacher (Elmhurst Ballet School, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama) and they have three adult children. Joseph plays the piano and guitar, is a keen sportsman including soccer, tennis and clay pigeon shooting and was lead guitarist in a touring evangelical gospel band with his brothers called The Boot Brothers Band[32] until 1996. Joseph and his wife travel extensively, frequently working together at Ezra’s training programs in North America. In 2022, after nineteen years in Canada, the Boots returned to the UK where they reside in Hertfordshire and from where Joseph leads the international work of Ezra.[citation needed]

Published work

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Boot has authored and contributed to multiple books since 2002. Select publications include:

Author

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  • Boot, Joseph (2002). A Time to Search. Brighton: Kingsway. ISBN 978-1842910160
  • Boot, Joseph; John, J. (2003). Searching for Truth: Discovering the Meaning and Purpose of Life. Wheaton: Crossway. ISBN 978-1581345117
  • ——— (2005). Why I Still Believe. Warrington: Sovereign World. ISBN 978-1852404130
  • ——— (2006). Why I Still Believe (Hint: It's the Only Way the World Makes Sense). Ada: Baker Books. ISBN 978-0801066054
  • ——— (2007). How Then Shall We Answer? Reflections on the Art of Christian Persuasion. Chichester: New Wine Press. ISBN 978-1903725818
  • ——— (2016). The Mission of God. London: Wilberforce. ISBN 978-0957572560
  • ——— (2016). Gospel Culture: Living in God's Kingdom. Toronto: Ezra Press. ISBN 978-0994727916
  • ——— (2018). Gospel Witness: Defending and Extending the Kingdom of God. London: Wilberforce. ISBN 978-0995683266
  • ——— (2018). For Life: Defending the Unborn. Grimsby: EICC Publications. ISBN 978-0994727985
  • ——— (2018). For Mission: The Need for Scriptural Cultural Theology. Grimsby: EICC Publications. ISBN 978-1989169025
  • ——— (2020). For Government: Toward A Christian View of Authority. Toronto: Ezra Press. ISBN 978-1989169124
  • ——— (2021). For Politics: The Christian, the Church and the State. Grimsby: EICC Publications. ISBN 978-1989169155
  • ——— (2021). For the Kingdom of God. Grimsby: EICC Publications. ISBN 978-1989169148
  • ——— (2021). Why I Still Believe: A Journey into Christian Apologetics. Toronto: Ezra Press. ISBN 978-1989169094
  • ——— (2022). Ruler of Kings. London: Wilberforce. ISBN 978-1916121133
  • ——— (2022). A Time to Search. Toronto: Ezra Press. ISBN 978-9781989162
  • ——— (2023). For Reformational Thinking: Developing an Undivided Heart. Toronto: Ezra Press. ISBN 978-1989169223
  • ——— (2025). Think Christianly: Developing an Undivided Mind. London: Wilberforce. ISBN 979-8-9916932-3-3

Contributor

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  • Zacharias, Ravi, ed. (2012). Beyond Opinion: Living the Faith we Defend. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. ISBN 978-0849946530
  • Jones, Peter, ed. (2014). The Coming Pagan Utopia: Christian Witness in Tough Times. Escondido : Main Entry Editions. ISBN 978-0985295035
  • Herbert, David, (2014). Becoming God: Transhumanism and the Quest for Cybernetic Immortality. Joshua Press. ISBN 978-1894400596
  • Sandlin, Andrew P., ed. (2023). Failed Church: Restoring A Vision of Ecclesial Victory. Independently Published. ISBN 979-8830168755
  • ——— (2023). Virtuous Liberty: A Christian Defense of Classical Liberalism and the Free Society Against Cultural Leftism and the New Right. Independently Published. ISBN 979-8867081775
  • Strauss, D. F. M., ed. (2023). Discovering Dooyeweerd. Toronto: Paideia Press. ISBN 978-0888153227
  • Sandlin, Andrew P., ed. (2024). The Sanctified State: Politics in the Christian Worldview. Independently Published. ISBN 979-8345978436
  • Boot, Joseph; Fenske, Theodore; Wright, Nate (2024). Covenant Sexuality: Essays on Religion, Sexuality and Identity. Toronto: Ezra Press. ISBN 978-1989169315

Footnotes

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  1. ^ Boot, Joseph (13 November 2024). The Mission of God: A Manifesto of Hope for Society (10th ed.). Ezra Press. ISBN 979-8991693202.
  2. ^ Edwards, Aaron (20 September 2024). "The Tale of a Book, the Decline of the West, and the Return of the Puritans". Clear Truth Media. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  3. ^ Boot, Joseph (2022). Ruler of Kings: Toward a Christian Vision of Government. Wilberforce Publications. ISBN 9781916121133.
  4. ^ Valler, Paul (30 August 2022). "Ruler of Kings: A Full-Frontal Attack on Secularism". Premier Christianity. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  5. ^ Webbon, Joel (16 April 2024). "Presuppositional Apologetics". Right Response Ministries. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  6. ^ Boot, Joe (24 August 2021). "What did the Reformation do for philosophy?". The Ezra Institute. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  7. ^ Webbon, Joel (5 May 2023). "Defining Theonomy and Why Christians Oppose It". Right Response Ministries. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  8. ^ Boot, Joseph (21 October 2024). "Biblical, Creational Law". Ezra Institute. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  9. ^ Boot, Joseph (15 February 2018). "Sphere Sovereignty". Ezra Institute. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  10. ^ "Centre for Cultural Leadership Fellows". Centre for Cultural Leadership. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  11. ^ "Dr Joe Boot discusses his vision for the Wilberforce Academy". Christian Concern. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Christian Concern Ruler of Kings Launch". Christian Concern. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  13. ^ "Authors, Joe Boot Biography". Founders Ministries. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  14. ^ "Conference Speaker". The Connexion. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  15. ^ Calib, Gloria (November 2016). "An evaluation of the engagement of Pakistani churches in mission" (PDF). Gloria Calib's Thesis. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Tyndale Chapel Podcast". Tyndale Chapel Podcast. 22 March 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  17. ^ Smith, Calvin (17 December 2008). "With no apology! An interview with Christian apologist, Pastor Joe Boot". Creation Ministries International. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  18. ^ Huxley, Paul (16 May 2018). "An Interview with Dr Joe Boot: what makes a Christian education Christian?". Christian Concern Archive. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  19. ^ "C. S. Lewis Institute". C. S. Lewis Institute. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  20. ^ John, J. (8 March 2023). "Facing the Canon: Joe Boot Part One". Premier Plus. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  21. ^ John, J. (15 March 2023). "Facing the Canon: Joe Boot Part Two". Premier Plus. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  22. ^ Boot, Joseph (2025). "Our Story". Ezra Institute. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  23. ^ Tech Support, Julio (5 June 2021). "Conference 2021: Jesus is the King of Tyrants, Dr Joe Boot". Fight Laugh Feast Network. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  24. ^ Bell, Matt and Heather (19 January 2025). "Christ is King World Missions Conference". Christ is King Church. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  25. ^ Boot I, Rock II, Thiessen III, Joseph I, Aaron II, Michael III (30 September 2020). "The Niagara 2020 Declaration". Niagara Declaration. Retrieved 26 May 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  26. ^ Montpetit, Jonathan (5 June 2023). ""Inside the fundamentalist Christian movement that wants to remake Canadian politics"". CBC News. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  27. ^ Boot, Joseph (2024). "A Statement on Racial Ideologies Threatening the Church". The Antioch Declaration. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  28. ^ "Daily News: Debate to present two sides of immortality question". University of Windsor. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  29. ^ "Debate: Is Evolution Compatible with the Bible? (Jones Vs. Boot)". Apologetics 315. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  30. ^ Boot, Joe (27 April 2020). "Reflecting on the Evolution Debate". Ezra Institute. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  31. ^ "Unbelievable? The resurrection: Fact or fiction? Harry Amos vs Joe Boot, hosted by Ruth Jackson". Premier Unbelievable Faith Explored. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  32. ^ Bate, Peter (1 April 1995). "The Boot Brothers - Crystal Tears". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
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