eX-skeptic

After transitioning from cultural Christianity to agnosticism, author Rod Dreher experienced profound encounters with the divine that reshaped his spiritual journey. In this episode, Rod shares pivotal moments that reignited his sense of wonder and enchantment, despite facing disillusionment and crises within the church. His quest for spiritual depth led him down unexpected paths, ultimately deepening his awe and connection with God.

Guest Bio:

Rod Dreher is an American author, journalist, and commentator known for his insights into culture, religion, and politics. He has written extensively for top publications like The American Conservative and National Review and is the author of several influential books, including Crunchy Cons, The Benedict Option, and Live Not by Lies. Beyond his books, Dreher has maintained a strong presence as a columnist and blogger, engaging in public discourse on a range of issues from religious freedom to cultural identity. His work continues to influence readers and thinkers interested in the intersection of faith and modern culture.

Resources Mentioned:

“The Benedict Option” by Rod Dreher

“Live Not By Lies” by Rod Dreher

“Living in Wonder” by Rod Dreher

Soren Kierkegaard Philosopher and Theologian

Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roddreher/?hl=en  

Twitter: https://x.com/roddreher  

Website: https://roddreher.substack.com

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Raised in a politically charged, largely non-religious household in Kentucky, Bill found himself embracing atheism through his teenage years, driven by hedonistic pursuits and a disdain for religious beliefs. His life appeared to follow a promising path in political activism until it spiraled into drug addiction and legal troubles, culminating in a transformative 17-day stint in jail.

Guest Bio:

Bill Scott serves with dedication at Ratio Christi, based at Houston Christian University. In his capacity as the Assistant Director of Ratio Christi International, Bill leverages his expertise to engage with diverse global communities. His role encompasses initiating and supporting ministry projects worldwide, fostering a robust dialogue around apologetics across different cultures. Bill’s international outreach and commitment to promoting apologetics underscore his professional mission, making his work both impactful and fulfilling.

Resources Mentioned:

“The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins

“The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel

“Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus” by Nabeel Qureshi

Bart Ehrman New Testament Scholar

Apologists:

JP Moreland

William Lane Craig

Lee Strobel

Nabeel Qureshi

Francis Schaeffer

2 Corinthians 5:17

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In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia, esteemed philosopher, and passionate advocate for truth-seeking. Raised in a religious environment, Larry’s journey evolved from childhood faith to agnosticism, fueled by his dedication to reason, evidence, and philosophical exploration. 

Through rigorous philosophical study, a deep engagement with the Bible, and profound personal experiences, Larry's skepticism was challenged and reshaped, leading him to a deeper reflection on life's existential questions.

Guest Bio:  

Larry Sanger is an analytical philosopher, internet project developer, and co-founder of Wikipedia. He holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Ohio State University and has been involved in multiple knowledge-based initiatives, including Nupedia, Citizendium, and Everipedia. Sanger has been a strong advocate for internet freedom, online credibility, and decentralized knowledge platforms. His work continues to shape discussions on the role of expertise and trust in digital information.

Resources Mentioned:

Website:  www.larrysanger.org

https://encyclosphere.org

Larry’s Recommended Resources:

The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel

Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis

 www.talkaboutdoubts.com 

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Dr. Bobby Conway shares with us as he talks about his tumultuous path, describing his former lifestyle marked by addiction, self-doubt, and relentless questions about existence and morality. Despite being academically inclined and climbing the ladder of theological education, he faced severe waves of skepticism that brought him to the brink of despair and even suicidal ideation.

Tune in as we hear Dr. Conway’s story from a life steeped in hedonism and skepticism to becoming a deeply committed Christian.

Guest Bio:  

Dr. Bobby Conway is the lead pastor of Image Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the founder of the YouTube ministry "Christianity Still Makes Sense." He holds a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary, and a PhD in Philosophy of Religion from the University of Birmingham in England. Dr. Conway has authored several books, including Does Christianity Still Make Sense? and Doubting Toward Faith. He also co-hosts the nationally syndicated radio show "Pastor’s Perspective," addressing listeners' questions about God and the Bible.

Resources Mentioned:

Radio Show: Pastors Perspective with Brian Broderson

Christianity Still Makes Sense (Podcast and YouTube channel by Dr. Bobby Conway)

Image Church https://www.imagechurch.live/

Books:

"Does Christianity Still Make Sense?" by Dr. Bobby Conway

“Doubting Towards Faith” by Dr. Bobby Conway

“Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis

“Shattered Dreams” by Larry Crabb

“Resurrection Refutations” by Gary Habermas

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Dr. Michael Houts is an esteemed scientist with a rich background in mechanical and nuclear engineering and advanced propulsion systems for space exploration. Dr. Houts shares his journey of growing up outside the church with a strong belief in science, questioning the limitations of naturalistic explanations, and ultimately finding belief in God through a thorough investigation of the Bible.

Guest Bio:

Michael Houts is a dedicated scientist whose journey began with a passion for science and engineering. He earned bachelor’s degrees in mechanical and nuclear engineering from the University of Florida and a PhD in nuclear engineering from MIT. He spent 11 years at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he held key roles including team leader for criticality reactor and radiation physics.

Now, Michael is a nuclear research manager at the Marshall Space Flight Center, working on advanced propulsion systems to boost space exploration.

Resources Mentioned:

Apologetics Press: https://apologeticspress.org/

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Brian grew up in a small Georgia town where religion wasn’t part of his upbringing, though he was surrounded by churches. Angry at the concept of God, he viewed religious beliefs as a way to escape the fear of death. In high school, he became an atheist but befriended a popular group of Christians. Although he criticized their beliefs to fit in and feel superior, he couldn’t shake the sense that their faith had something genuine and authentic.

Guest Bio:

Brian Smith is a Student Pastor at Dunwoody Baptist Church in the Metro of Atlanta. He has been in student ministry for 16 years, and is a loving husband and father of four.

Resources Mentioned:

I Never Thought of It That Way by Mónica Guzmán

Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Podcast: Within Reason Alex J O’Conner

God in the Dock by C.S. Lewis

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

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Former skeptic Henare Whaanga grew up with an ex-gang member father and a mother who was an ex-Jehovah's Witness. His father supernaturally encountered God in prison, and he took Henare with him to preach the Gospel. However, Henare became frustrated with the evangelical church's emphasis on blind faith. His questions were met with shallow responses from the church, and his belief started to crumble. Unable to find any substance in Christianity, Henare left the church, but then he stumbled upon apologetics, leading him to a deeper exploration of key questions: Did Jesus really die and rise again? Is the Bible trustworthy?

Guest bio:

Henare Whaanga is the Regional Director at Thinking Matters, New Zealand’s leading apologetics organization, where he works to strengthen the understanding and defense of the Christian faith. He is a devoted husband, father, lay pastor and Bible teacher.

 Resources Mentioned:

Frank Turek - I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist

Works of Lee Strobel

Works of J. Warner Wallace

Eli Ayala - Revealed Apologetics

Nate Sala YouTube - Wise Disciple YouTube Channel

Thinking Matters: https://www.thinkingmatters.org.nz/

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Former atheist Spencer grew up in an abusive home, and while his mother took him to church, it felt more like a manipulative act than genuine faith. Witnessing the hypocrisy of the self-proclaimed Christians around him, Spencer began reading philosophical books. He determined that Christianity, like other religions, was irrational and needed to be challenged.

He often engaged in debates with Christians, attempting to liberate them by dismantling their beliefs. He eventually found Christians that not only listened to his criticisms, but helped him look for real answers to his questions. After much study, Spencer began to see Christianity and the God of the Bible in a whole new light.

Guest bio:

Spencer Durrenberger is a chemist in Texas, with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Physics from the University of Texas at Arlington. He currently works in the medical field, specializing in oncology with Humana Pathology, where he contributes to groundbreaking medical research focused on cancer.

Resources Mentioned: The Gospels

For History, read Luke

For History from the perspective of the Law, read Matthew

For Why God became Man, read Mark

For The Divinity of Christ and Beauty, read John

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Kathleen grew up in a loving, immigrant household where religion wasn't a central part of her upbringing but was raised with a strong emphasis on good morals and values. In her mid-teens, Kathleen became an atheist, embracing nihilism and developing an animosity toward Christianity. Despite her elite education and achievements, she was not taught to ask deeper questions about purpose and meaning. This changed when a friend gave her a book that opened her eyes to new insights, including the concept of God as both a cosmic lawmaker and a personal deity, and her journey to Christ and understanding Christianity began.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Kathleen Milani is a leading Computational Biologist and specializes in cancer research. Kathleen completed her undergraduate studies in Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University, where her academic journey laid the foundation for her career as a scientist. She holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins University and is passionate about medical research. Kathleen is also a dedicated wife and mother to a one-year-old, balancing her professional achievements with the joys of family life.

You can find her blog on Substack at The Reformed Gadfly

Resources mentioned:

John Lennox

The Reasons for God Timothy Keller

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

William Lane Craig

 C.S. Lewis Institute resources

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Growing up in a small town, religion was a constant yet subtle presence in Trevor Lancon’s community. Deeply involved in his church’s youth group, Trevor longed to grow closer to God, but he began questioning whether his experiences were authentic or merely emotional manipulation. Drawn to the freedom of a secular lifestyle, he eventually distanced himself from the church, and he embraced scientism, seeking tangible evidence of reality. He rejected Christianity and identified as an atheist, diving into a worldview centered on materialism and skepticism. From the outside, Trevor seemed to have it all—a home, a loving wife, two beautiful children, and a stable career. Yet, inwardly, he was burdened by feelings of dread and brokenness.  

His journey back to faith wasn’t marked by a single dramatic moment but rather by countless small, profound experiences.

Guest Bio:

Trevor Lancon is a devoted father and husband and works as an engineer at a leading tech company on the outskirts of Houston, Texas. With a deep passion for STEM, Trevor holds a Master's degree in Health Physics and has a background in nuclear engineering. 

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Books Mentioned:

The Road by Cormac McCarthy 

The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel