In this episode, I talk with filmmaker Michael Ray Lewis, director of the apologetics documentary Universe Designed. Michael shares his powerful testimony of coming from atheism to faith in Christ, and how the very evidence that convinced him of God’s existence became the backbone of his film. We also discuss the greatest resistances people often have to Christianity as well as the most compelling arguments that point to God. We dive into the behind-the-scenes process of creating the film, the challenges of theatrical release, and why he believes the Christian film industry often struggles. This conversation is both inspiring and equipping—a must-listen for anyone passionate about apologetics or using media to point people to Christ.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:47 - Testimony - From Atheist to Christian
00:12:57 - Greatest Resistance to Christ
00:30:48 - Most Compelling Argument
00:43:39 - Biggest Resistance to Conversion
00:46:26 - Process of Creating the Film
00:50:02 - Theatrical Release Requirements
00:53:12 - The Problem with Angel Studios
01:02:04 - Current State of the Christian Film Industry
01:09:39 - Does the Film Affirm YEC or OEC?
01:19:27 - Alternatives to a Theatrical Release
01:21:19 - Recommended Books and Resources
01:24:14 - How to Get Better at Sharing your Faith
01:29:11 - Closing
Help fund the production! (https://universedesigned.com/donate/)
Follow the progress and learn more on:
The Website (https://universedesigned.com/?mc_cid=a4529020a4&mc_eid=b7180f11f4)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/universedesigned)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/universedesigned/)
Youtube (https://youtube.com/@universedesigned2741)
FILM DETAILS
Directed by: Michael Ray Lewis
Featuring: Stephen Meyer, Alisa Childers, J. Warner Wallace, Gregory Koukl, Frank Turek, Hugh Ross, Lance Waldie, Mary Jo Sharp, Allen Parr, Michael Licona, Larry Evans, Fazale Rana, Derrick Bledsoe, Jeffrey Zweerink, and Travis Dickinson
Music used in the trailer:
Height of the Mountain by Colossus
Midnight Mystery by DeKibo
RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Norman L. Geisler & Frank Turek (https://a.co/d/5jDeLqv)
Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Gregory Koukl (https://a.co/d/c75cU3g)
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. David Allen to explore the Book of Hebrews. Having written his dissertation defending Luke as the author, Dr. Allen brings unique insight into this profound New Testament letter. We tackle key questions such as, How can we be confident Hebrews belongs in the canon? Who was the original audience? What interpretive approach best unlocks the book’s meaning? We also wrestle with the difficult apostasy passages—especially Hebrews 6—often cited in Arminian theology. Additionally you’ll hear Dr. Allen’s unfiltered take on how some Old Earth Creationists use Hebrews to argue that God is still in His seventh-day rest. This conversation is rich, thought-provoking, and a must-listen for anyone serious about understanding Hebrews.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:04:37 - Who Wrote Hebrews?
00:42:28 - Who was the Original Audience?
00:46:23 - How Do We Know It’s Canon?
00:51:46 - More Evidence for Authorship & Audience
00:55:12 - Interpretive Method
01:59:58 - Hebrews 6
01:20:55 - Are OEC Arguments from Hebrews Valid?
01:30:04 - Books Recommendations & Closing
Follow Dr. Allen on X (https://x.com/drdavidlallen?s=21)
Dr. Allen’s Website: (https://www.drdavidallen.org)
Preaching Coach with Dr. David Allen (https://www.preachingcoach.com)
Hebrews: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (Volume 35) (The New American Commentary) by David L. Allen (https://a.co/d/6tGUO4U)
Lukan Authorship of Hebrews (New American Commentary Studies in Bible and Theology) by David L. Allen (https://a.co/d/b3Dndsw)
Liberating Romans from Reformed Captivity by David L. Allen (https://a.co/d/6VdZeHp)
Calvinism: A Biblical and Theological Critique by David L. Allen (https://a.co/d/aJ2aYuT)
Preaching Tools by David L. Allen (https://a.co/d/5MS1NrE)
In this episode, we talk with Andy Koons, a former militant atheist who never expected his life to be changed by a conversation with artificial intelligence. Andy shares how interactions with ChatGPT challenged his assumptions, confronted his doubts, and introduced him to the overwhelming evidence for Christianity. As he walks us through his journey from disbelief to faith, Andy opens up about the questions that challenged him most and the moment he realized the gospel was true. His story is a powerful testimony of how God can work through even the most unexpected tools to draw people to Himself.
Read Andy’s Conversation with Chat GPT Here (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-M9tLKmX3EBpjeI5gpdhhPblWzur5I33EWPb6eLoHKs/edit?usp=drivesdk)
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:21 - Backstory
00:37:59 - From Pastor’s Kid to Atheist
00:52:25 - Talking to Chat GPT
01:05:35 - Dangers & Biases of LLMs
01:19:19 - Evidence for Christianity
01:41:40 - The Conversion Experience
02:03:09 - Advice to Other Atheists
02:08:09 - Closing Remarks
Follow Andy Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@andykoons?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc)
Andy’s Podcast: “We Love the State” (https://youtube.com/@welovethestate4729?si=DtEVFKUrY9C6sXbk)
MATERIALS REFRENCED:
Alex O’Connor & Chat GPT Video (https://youtu.be/wS7IPxLZrR4?si=Nbc6tQ7djjrEVCWV )
“God’s Crime Scene” by J. Warner Wallace. (https://a.co/d/hIEC6VW)
Expedition Bible (https://youtube.com/@expeditionbible?si=9mbz2v52zTiw7Q8t)
In this episode, we dive into the Protestant Reformation and explore how it sparked the formation of major Christian denominations still shaping faith today. We trace the origins and growth of Evangelicalism, Liberalism, and Fundamentalism, unpacking the key ideas that define each movement. Along the way, we introduce the concept of theological triage—a way to prioritize which doctrines are essential and which differences we can navigate with grace. Tune in to discover why understanding this history isn’t just about the past, but crucial for how we live and relate to others in faith today.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:04:17 - Theological Triage
00:19:25 - Does Tradition Possess Authority?
00:29:39 - What was the Reformation?
00:48:23 - Navigating the Downfalls of the Reformers
01:07:01 - What Does it Mean to be Protestant?
01:17:07 - What Denominations Came Out of the Reformation?
01:22:52 - What is Evangelicalism?
01:37:27 - What is Fundamentalism?
02:15:14 - Should We Identify with These Labels?
02:24:25 - Recommended Books
02:27:27 - Closing
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
On Church History:
Great first read:
Jones, Timothy Paul, and Rose Publishing. Christian History Made Easy. (https://a.co/d/cZZ0Tq1)
Good next step:
Mark A. Noll, David Komline, and Han-luen Kantzer Komline, Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity, Fourth Edition. (https://a.co/d/dNoMatB)
Good further step:
Justo L. González, The Story of Christianity, Vol. 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation, 2nd edition; Justo L. González, The Story of Christianity, Vol. 2: The Reformation to the Present Day, 2nd edition (https://a.co/d/9tkSb4j) On Creeds: Carl R. Trueman, Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity. (https://www.logos.com/product/251511/crisis-of-confidence-reclaiming-the-historic-faith-in-a-culture-consumed-with-individualism-and-identity?ff_showPdpAddSubx=true)
Dixhoorn, Chad Van, ed. Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms. (https://a.co/d/4RQGdP0)
On the Reformation:
Collinson, Patrick. The Reformation: A History. Modern Library Chronicles 19. New York: Modern Library, 2004. Any edition is acceptable. (https://a.co/d/gLY6MVR)
Marshall, Peter. The Reformation: A Very Short Introduction. Very Short Introductions (VSI). (https://a.co/d/acOUFPh)
Roland H. Bainton. The Travail of Religious Liberty: Nine Biographical Studies - Primary Source Edition. (https://a.co/d/bddSbRj)
Martin Brecht. Martin Luther: A Biography (3 Vols.). (https://www.logos.com/product/120290/martin-brechts-martin-luther-a-biography)
Andrew T. Walker. Liberty for All: Defending Everyone's Religious Freedom in a Pluralistic Age. Brazos Press, 2021. (https://a.co/d/aRVST23)
On Evangelicalism and Fundamentalism:
Bebbington, David W. Evangelicalism in Modern Britain: A History from the 1730s to the 1980s. (https://a.co/d/bvGf2gA)
Noll, Mark A., David W. Bebbington, and George M. Marsden, eds. Evangelicals: Who They Have Been, Are Now, and Could Be. (https://a.co/d/ibfYSTo)
Marsden, George M. Fundamentalism and American Culture. Third Edition. (https://a.co/d/37d84st)
Marsden, George. Understanding Fundamentalism and Evangelicalism. (https://a.co/d/4ljpjOm)
Packer, J. I. “Fundamentalism” and the Word of God. (https://a.co/d/7ras6BA)
Torrey, R. A., and A. C. Dixon, eds. The Fundamentals: A Testimony to the Truth. 4 vols. (https://a.co/d/fm4u9Q4)
Torrey, R. A., and Charles L. Feinberg, eds. The Fundamentals: The Classic Sourcebook of Foundational Biblical Truths. 1 vol. (https://a.co/d/50q5Tct)
Henry, Carl F. H., and Russell Moore. The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism. (https://a.co/d/8EfnKp1)
In this episode, we challenge one of the foundational assumptions of New Testament scholarship: Which Gospel was truly written first? While mainstream academics often point to Mark, our guest makes a compelling, evidence-based case for Matthew as the original Gospel. We Dive into the complexities of the Synoptic problem and discover why the sequence of the Gospels holds real significance—even for those who believe in divine inspiration. We navigate the landscape of competing Synoptic theories, dissect the arguments for Markan priority, and bring to light both external and internal evidence supporting Matthean priority.
David Pallmann’s Channel: https://youtube.com/@faithbecauseofreason8381?si=9QDerFeB5dF6Qklt
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:08 - Greetings
00:06:42 - Introduction
00:09:08 - What is the Synoptic Problem?
00:12:11 - Why Does the Gospel Order Matter?
00:13:26 - Early Church Father Quotations
00:22:17 - Overview of the Major Synoptic Theories
00:32:37 - The case for Markan priority
01:12:46 - The Case for Matthean Priority
02:05:24 - Summary
02:10:30 - Book Recommendations
02:12:54 - The Tide of Biblical Studies
RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
Why Four Gospels? - David Allen Black
https://www.amazon.com/Four-Gospels-David-Alan-Black/dp/1893729877
The Synoptic Problem: Four Views - Stanley Porter and Bryan Dyer (editors)
https://www.amazon.com/Synoptic-Problem-Four-Views-ebook/dp/B01HC1251Q
The Progressive Publication of Matthew - B. Ward Powers
https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Publication-Matthew-Ward-Powers/dp/0805448489
The Synoptic Problem: A Critical Analysis - William Farmer
https://www.amazon.com/Synoptic-Problem-Critical-Analysis/dp/B0000CMLX3
One Gospel From Two: Mark's Use of Matthew and Luke - David Peabody et al
https://www.amazon.com/One-Gospel-Two-Marks-Matthew/dp/1563383527
The Originality of St. Matthew - B. C. Butler
https://www.amazon.com/Originality-St-Matthew-Two-Document-Hypothesis/dp/0521233038
Matthew, Luke, Mark - Bernard Orchard
https://www.amazon.com/Matthew-Luke-Mark-Griesbach-Solution/dp/0860880095
History and Criticism of the Marcan Hypothesis - Hans Herbert Stoldt
https://www.amazon.com/History-Criticism-Marcan-Hypothesis-Hans-Herbert/dp/0865540020
The Order of the Synoptics: Why Three Synoptic Gospels? - Bernard Orchard and Harold Riley
https://www.amazon.com/Order-Synoptics-Bernard-Orchard/dp/0865542228
Evidence of Conflation in Mark: A Study in the Synoptic Problem - Thomas R. W. Longstaff
https://www.amazon.com/Evidence-Conflation-Synoptic-Problem-Dissertation/dp/0891300864
Mark as Composer - David B. Peabody
https://www.amazon.com/MARK-COMPOSER-New-Gospel-Studies/dp/0865541973
A History of the Synoptic Problem - David Laird Dungan
https://www.amazon.com/History-Synoptic-Problem-Composition-Interpretation/dp/0300140584
New Synoptic Studies - William Farmer (editor)
https://www.amazon.com/New-Synoptic-Studies-Cambridge-Conference/dp/086554087X
The Two-Source Hypothesis: A Critical Appraisal - Arthur Bellinzoni (editor)
https://www.amazon.com/Two-Source-Hypothesis-Critical-Appraisal/dp/0865540969#:~:text=Professor%20Arthur%20Bellinzoni%20has%20collected,literature%20on%20every%20side%20of
A History and Critique of the Origin of the Marcan Hypothesis - Hajo Uden Meijboom
https://www.amazon.com/History-Criticism-Hypothesis-Studies-Testament/dp/0567093107
The Making of Mark - Harold Riley
https://www.amazon.com/MAKING-MARK-Harold-RILEY/dp/0865543593The First Gospel - Harold Riley https://www.amazon.com/FIRST-GOSPEL-Harold-RILEY/dp/0865544093
The Interrelations of the Gospels - David Laird Dungan (editor)
https://www.amazon.com/Interrelations-Gospels-Symposium-Boismard-Theologicarum/dp/9068312618
In this episode, we explore why church history is vital for Christians today and how understanding our past strengthens our faith. We unpack the original meaning of the term “catholic,” discuss the value of reading the early church fathers, and examine the significance of the early councils and creeds. We also trace the historical development of Roman Catholicism and consider the various ways church history is interpreted today. Whether you’re new to church history or deep into theological studies, this conversation will help you see the past with clarity and conviction.00:00:00 - Introduction00:05:36 - Why Church History Matters for Christians Today00:27:33 - Meaning of the Word “Catholic” 1:10:12 - The Original use of the Word "Catholic" 1:19:06 - The Development of Roman Catholicism Over Time01:43:30 - The Role and Importance of the Early Church Councils and Creeds01:53:51 - Navigating Historical Bias in Study01:57:48 - Reasons for the Increasing Exodus from Protestantism 02:02:29 - Closing RemarksTimothy Berg's Website: https://kjbhistory.com/(01:51:57 01:55:17 01:56:29) RECOMMENDED BOOKS: The Church: The Gospel Made Visible by Mark Dever: https://a.co/d/h9rwqw5The Reformation as Renewal by Matthew Barrett: https://a.co/d/0OCm4zNThe Story of Christianity By Justo L. Gonzalez: (Vol. 1): https://a.co/d/6qLSPzM (Vol. 2): https://a.co/d/4FxYDwwChristian History Made Easy by Timothy Paul Jones: https://a.co/d/8pT2z22The Credal Imperative by Carl Truman: https://a.co/d/21xZacnCreeds, Confessions, and Catechisms by Crossway: https://a.co/d/7lU5DJr2,000 Years of Christ's Power (Vol. 1-5) by Nick Needham: https://heritagebooks.org/products/2000-years-of-christs-power-5-vols-needham.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo1277wEY8ZdkJlltQqGeuIrVK16Jq2AXQWuS9oKtostosIRY2X
In this thought-provoking episode, I sit down with David Pallmann to tackle the big questions of epistemology—the study of knowledge. We explore what it means to hold a justified true belief, why definitions matter in theological and philosophical debates, and how to think critically in a world overflowing with information and conspiracy theories.Whether you're navigating social media claims, questioning your beliefs, or just curious about how people come to know truth, this episode will stretch your thinking and deepen your understanding. Get ready to dive into everything from the Gettier problem to Occam’s Razor, all while keeping the conversation accessible and practical for everyday Christians.