John Leonetti, founder of Mars Hill Apologetics

About the Founder

A lifetime of contending for the faith.

John Leonetti has walked with Christ since 1985. For nearly four decades he has devoted himself to the rigorous, reverent defense of the historic Christian faith.

The Story

From the doorbell to the academy.

John Leonetti came to faith in 1985 and almost immediately felt the pull of apologetics — the ancient calling to give a reason for the hope within. Long before he had a degree, he was answering doorbells, engaging Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons on the front porch, and teaching Sunday school with whatever tools he could find.

In October 2017 he founded Theology on Tap, a monthly gathering of men in Connecticut devoted to the rigorous, fraternal pursuit of Biblical theology. What began as a small group around a table has grown into a community of men who take the Word seriously and one another seriously.

In 2023 he completed his Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics at Biola University — one of the premier apologetics programs in the world. His graduate work engaged the great questions of the faith: the existence of God, the reliability of Scripture, the problem of evil, the resurrection of Christ, and the comparative claims of world religions.

Mars Hill Apologetics exists because John believes the church needs men and women who can think — who can hold the line in the public square, answer the hard questions at the dinner table, and worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. The purpose of theology is doxology.

"The purpose of theology is doxology."

— John Leonetti
Credentials

Formation & training.

2023

M.A. Christian Apologetics

Biola University

Talbot School of Theology · La Mirada, CA

2017

Founder, Theology on Tap

Mars Hill Apologetics

Monthly men's theology gathering · Connecticut

1987

Began Apologetics Ministry

Independent

Door-to-door engagement, Sunday school teaching

1985

Came to Faith in Christ

Reformed · Confessional · Five Solas

Convictions

What we believe.

Scripture Alone

The sixty-six books of the Bible are the inspired, inerrant, and sufficient Word of God — the ultimate authority for faith and practice.

Christ Alone

Salvation is found in no one else. The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and the ground of our hope.

Grace Alone

We are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, on account of Christ alone — not by works, merit, or religious performance.

Reason in Service of Faith

The mind is a gift from God. Apologetics is not a substitute for the Spirit's work — it is one of the instruments through which He works.

Want to connect?

John welcomes correspondence from students, pastors, skeptics, and anyone wrestling seriously with the great questions of the faith.

Get in touch →