Podcast Summary

Podcast: I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST
Episode: From Militant Atheist to Christian Filmmaker with Michael Ray Lewis PLUS Conspiracy Theory Updates
Air Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Dr. Frank Turek
Guest: Michael Ray Lewis

Overview

This episode opens with Dr. Frank Turek addressing ongoing conspiracy theories surrounding the murder of Charlie Kirk, emphasizing the importance of evidence over speculation. The main focus then shifts to an in-depth interview with filmmaker Michael Ray Lewis, who shares his journey from militant atheism to Christian faith, culminating in the creation of his new apologetics documentary, Universe Designed. The conversation explores Lewis’s personal transformation, the role of apologetics in Christianity, and the making and purpose of the film.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Conspiracy Theory Updates

Timestamps: 00:03–09:32

• Clarifying Facts vs. Lies:
  Dr. Turek begins by dispelling misunderstandings regarding his own statements and those of others involved in Charlie Kirk's murder case, pointing out that "not every false statement is a lie" (Frank Turek, 01:10).

  • Example: Footage thought to be from a drone may have actually been from a phone held from above, emphasizing innocent misunderstandings rather than intentional deception.

• On Reckless Speculation:

  • The spread of unfounded accusations is critiqued, especially listing unlikely culprits for the murder and noting that possibilities are not evidence.

  "It's fine to ask questions. It's not fine to insinuate people are guilty when you don't have evidence they are."
  (Frank Turek, 06:49)

• Evidence-Based Belief:
  Turek ties these lessons back to how evidence is crucial for any claim, not just conspiracy theories but also Christianity itself.

  "We need evidence if we're going to be secure in what we believe."
  (Frank Turek, 09:33)

2. Michael Ray Lewis: Journey From Atheism to Christianity

Timestamps: 10:22–18:38

• Background and Motivations:

  • Raised in a non-religious home ("believed in God, but never talked about God"), Lewis embraced militant atheism, particularly due to negative impressions of street-corner evangelists and perceived lack of evidence.
  • His wife's rediscovery of faith prompted him to attend church, initially with the goal of disproving Christianity to her.

    "I figured if I show her all this, I could persuade her that it was all nonsense."
    (Michael Ray Lewis, 12:29)

• Catalyst for Change:

  • Encountered apologetics accidentally through a Hugh Ross video, sparking a three-year period of intense personal research, reading works by Hugh Ross, William Lane Craig, Timothy Keller, and Frank Turek himself.

• Conversion Realization:

  • After confronting a trusted theologian with five pages of tough questions (all answered using scripture), Lewis realized intellectual objections were removed, but emotional reluctance remained.

    "I actually think this is true. And then I realized...it wasn't the evidence that was holding me back, but it was the fact that I didn't want it to be true."
    (Michael Ray Lewis, 14:15)

• The Deeper Reason for Atheism:

  • At first, he claimed it was about not accepting a God who would send him to hell, but later recognized it was his unwillingness to lose perceived control over his life.

    "If I admitted this was true, that meant I had no control of my life."
    (Michael Ray Lewis, 15:38)

• Misconceptions about Salvation:

  • Turek and Lewis discuss the misconception that belief alone sends people to hell, correcting that sin is the cause; Jesus is the cure.

  "It's kind of a false belief that people have...No, they go to hell because they've sinned, not because they don't believe in Jesus."
  (Frank Turek, 16:32)

3. The Evidence That Changed a Militant Atheist

Timestamps: 18:38–20:50

• Cumulative Case Approach:

  • Fine-tuning of the universe was pivotal, particularly through "Why the Universe Is the Way It Is" by Hugh Ross.
  • The cumulative historical, philosophical, and scientific case for Christianity impressed Lewis:

    "No matter what form of evidence I'm looking at, it's all pointing in one direction as Christianity being the best explanation."
    (Michael Ray Lewis, 19:03)

• Timeline:

  • His journey began in 2013 and ended with conversion in 2016.

4. The Making of ‘Universe Designed’

Timestamps: 20:20–33:21

• From Horror Films to Apologetics:

  • Having worked in film as a DP and editor, Lewis planned to direct horror films, but post-conversion decided to use film for apologetics ("How do you make a Christian horror film?").
  • Inspired by his wife to create a documentary about the evidence for Christianity that convinced him.

• Gathering Experts and Content:

  • Secured interviews with leading apologists, including Frank Turek, J. Warner Wallace, Hugh Ross, William Lane Craig, Lisa Childers, and more.

• Production Challenges:

  • Culled 36 hours of footage into an 80-minute film, ensuring it remained concise, compelling, and not overwhelming.

• Financial Commitment:

  • Raised $120,000 in donations, contributed $30,000 of his own, and handled most filming and editing himself.

5. Content & Structure of the Film

Timestamps: 27:40–33:21

• Documentary Structure:

  • The film is intentionally non-preachy, presenting information in a logical order:
    • Does truth exist?
    • Big questions about the universe
    • Cosmological argument/origins
    • Fine-tuning
    • Issues with evolution
    • Evidence for Christianity
    • Reliability of Scripture
    • Resurrection
    • Problem of evil
    • The Gospel message

• Style Approach:

  "If you start saying the 'repent and believe' language right off the bat, to me you're no better than the people in the street corners."
  (Michael Ray Lewis, 27:53)

• Trailer Quotes:
  (1) "Any person who is truly a thinking person needs to ask themselves the question, why is there something rather than nothing?" – Stephen Meyer (24:17)
  (2) "Scientists believe there's an intelligible answer to that...what's the reason?" – J. Warner Wallace (24:27)
  (3) “If you were to change any one of [the constants], there would either be no universe or no universe that could support our galaxy, our star, our planetary system.” – Stephen Meyer & Frank Turek (25:00–25:05)
  (4) "The living cell is chock full of miniature machines that doesn't just rival but it vastly exceeds our own high tech digital technology." – Stephen Meyer (25:37)

6. Purpose, Audience, and Evangelistic Strategy

Timestamps: 36:26–38:45

• Intended Audience:

  • Originally targeted at seekers open to evidence; increasingly sees it as vital for Christians unaware of apologetics, to inspire and equip them.

  "So many Christians don't even know about apologetics...there are good reasons for what we believe and you need to be out there sharing it."
  (Michael Ray Lewis, 36:38)

• A Tool For Everyone:

  • Useful for introducing apologetics to believers, for those doubting faith, and as an evangelistic resource for conversations with non-believers.

• Encouragement for Deeper Study:

  • Directs viewers to universedesign.com for resources connected to each apologist in the film.

7. Closing Reflections and Future Plans

Timestamps: 41:03–42:21

• Support and Next Steps:
  • Donations are welcome to recover personal investment and fund future apologetics films.
  • Lewis hopes to eventually do a higher budget narrative or further apologetic documentaries.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Conspiracy Speculation:

  "It's reckless, ladies and gentlemen...It's fine to ask questions. It's not fine to insinuate people are guilty when you don't have evidence that they are."
  (Frank Turek, 06:49)

• Turning Point in Faith:

  "It wasn't the evidence that was holding me back, but it was the fact that I didn't want it to be true."
  (Michael Ray Lewis, 14:15)

• Defining Apologetics Film:

  "I've seen so many Christian films out there that are just not explicit...I wanted to make sure that I provided a film that does take you all the way."
  (Michael Ray Lewis, 27:40–28:45)

• On the Cumulative Case:

  "Everywhere I went, it was all pointing one direction...a cumulative case. That's also why it took me three years."
  (Michael Ray Lewis, 19:03)

• Why Use Evidence:

  "The very thing that we have that nobody else has is the evidence that shows that Christianity is indeed true."
  (Frank Turek, 39:51)

Significant Timestamps

• 00:03: Start of conspiracy theory clarifications
• 09:32: Transition to Christianity vs. atheism discussion
• 11:16–18:38: Michael Ray Lewis’s deconversion and journey to faith
• 20:50–27:40: Film inspiration, process, and guest list
• 24:12: Film trailer excerpt (apologist soundbites)
• 27:53–30:04: Film structure and approach
• 30:36: Where to watch Universe Designed (Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango/Vudu, Google TV; release December 13)
• 41:03: Future projects and donation info

Resources & Links

• Movie Website: universedesign.com
• Streaming Platforms: Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango, Google TV (available from December 13)
• Apologetics Resources: See 'Resources' tab at universedesign.com for scholars featured in the film

Closing Thoughts

Universe Designed emerges as both an inspiring personal story of transformation and a rigorously constructed introduction to the rational case for Christianity. Michael Ray Lewis’s own journey from skepticism, through honest questioning and eventual surrender, mirrors the pathway the film seeks to guide its viewers along. The episode not only advertises an apologetics resource but echoes the importance of asking tough questions, pursuing evidence, and practicing humility—whether in matters of faith or current events.

For further information:

• Universe Designed film: universedesign.com
• Donations and ministry support: crossexamined.org