Who am I?
Hi, my name is Dustin DeVito. I am a 23-year-old corporate researcher living in Gainesville, Florida. I was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida, and spent nine years working for my family’s business, Tropical Shores Gourmet Popcorn. I graduated from the University of Florida in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and from the Bible Institute of Los Angeles in 2023 with a Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics.
Beyond the professional sphere, I am a part-time volunteer for a church in Gainesville, Florida, and an intern for the University of Florida Baptist Collegiate Ministries. As my time in school has come to a close, I am eager to work on bridging the gaps between the worlds of philosophy, politics, and ministry.
Why am I starting a Substack?
I am convinced the fulfillment and hope the world is looking for is found only in Jesus Christ.
Philosophically, theism is a properly basic belief system, able to affirm the assumptions we make about the world (the world is governed according to fixed laws, our minds are reliable, etc.) and the basic experiences of human life (free will, morality, reason, beauty, enduring personhood, etc.).
Intellectually, there are cogent arguments for God’s existence and His exclusive self-revelation through Jesus Christ via the evidence of His Resurrection.
Historically, the Bible and the Church have been pivotal forces in transforming the world, shaping human rights, politics, literacy, academia, music, art, and more.
Personally, the teachings and love of Jesus Christ have transformed billions of lives, including my own.
Anyone who has encountered something divine or transformative naturally bears witness to it, and everyone will witness in a particular way. Based on my personality, passions, and life experiences, I believe I am called to be an uncompromising, gracious, and articulate voice for the Christian worldview in the public square.
Specifically, I want to contribute toward work in:
Recovering the proper Biblical paradigm in the Protestant church
Reforming the Southern Baptist Convention
Integrating spiritual formation with other areas of knowledge
Shining a light on malpractice in corporate governance
Engaging spiritual seekers and skeptics
How will I accomplish this?
Macro-level initiatives take years to develop and execute. However, as I continue to learn about philosophy, politics, and ministry, this will be a place to archive my thoughts and offer them to anybody interested in these areas. If you follow my page you can expect to see periodic newsletters on any of these subjects.
My approach to Substack and my opinions are likely to change over the years, but here are some ground rules for myself:
1) Be personally invested in what I am writing about (skin in the game)
2) Balance criticism with optimism by suggesting solutions to the problems I critique and offering a compelling, positive vision
3) Avoid the harboring or expression of contempt for anyone
4) Make content as accessible as possible by avoiding or explaining overly academic/religious language
If this interests you, subscribe to my Substack and share this post with your friends who would be interested!
I would appreciate your prayers on this journey, and to my friends, I would appreciate your encouragement and counsel.