Keeping God at a Distance – Daniel Ray’s Story

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 Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected]

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 Noller 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 Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected]

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.  Connect with eX-skeptic: Books Mentioned: The Road by Cormac McCarthy  The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

During childhood, David Westerhoff’s faith never really extended outside of the church building. The tradition and practice of Christianity just didn’t make sense to David, and he began naturally moving with culture’s secular flow, becoming the ruler of his own life. On the surface, David’s life was unfolding perfectly; he had a loving wife, a growing family, and a steady career, but he still wasn’t content. His own internal battles and addictions threatened David’s marriage, and he began to feel a loss of control for the first time. On a night that seemed at first like any other, David felt the sudden presence of the Spirit of God, revealing the weight and gravity of his sins.  Guest Bio: David Westerhoff is a software engineer, a husband, and a father of two. David grew up in the secularized culture of northern California but moved to Georgia after marrying his wife, Megan. He spent fifteen years of his career in tech and software, but after encountering Jesus and feeling powerfully convicted in August of 2022, David immediately realized he needed to switch gears and pursue God wholeheartedly. He is now a seminary student at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, studying to obtain a Master’s in Divinity. Connect with Ex-Skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: ​​https://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic

Former atheist and Swedish physicist Krister Renard dismissed God at a young age, believing science was the key to understanding reality.  In his pursuit of knowledge, he came to see that the universe demanded a greater explanation, eventually believing in God.   Krister's Website: www.gluefox.com Resources Mentioned by Krister: C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Former atheist Dr. John Studebaker viewed religion as boring and inconsequential until he encountered surprising evidence about God and meaningful experiences with Christians.  Over time, his quest for truth led him to a profound personal relationship with Jesus. John's Resources:  Book, John Studebaker, editor (2023):  The Quest of World Religions, An Introduction and Anthology BMI Oasis website: www.bmioasis.com, a service of Bridge Ministries, Inc., which has helped thousands of people find and fulfill their God-given life calling www.lemaseminary.net John's Recommended Resources: Josh McDowell, Evidence that Demands a Verdict C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity Anthony Flew, There is a God

Daniel Ray did not have a religious upbringing, yet he somehow ‘knew’ God was real but  kept him at a distance.  He was living his own way on his own terms, but eventually he was found by God. Daniel's Resources:  Apologetics Ministry, The Watchman Fellowship: https://www.watchman.org/ Daniel's Recommended Resources: Greg Koukl, Tactics, Street Smarts www.exskeptic.org

Cambridge educated Dr. Sharon Dirckx was raised in a secular culture where religion played a minimal role. Intellectual authorities led her to believe that science and belief in God were incompatible until she began investigating the verifiable claims of Christianity. She came to see that a robust, intellectually grounded faith was possible. Sharon's Resources:  Website: www.dirckx.org Books: Broken Planet Am I Just My Brain? Why?  Looking at God, Evil, and Personal Suffering Sharon's Recommended Resources: Sean McDowell, www.seanmcdowell.org Premier Unbelievable, www.premierunbelievable.com OCCA The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, www.theocca.org The C.S. Lewis Institute, www.cslewisinstitute.org The Sanity of Belief, by Simon Edwards Can Science Explain Everything? by John Lennox

Former atheist Daniel’s questions about the world and morality were dismissed by the religious people around him. His skepticism eventually revealed the logical flaws of atheism, leading him from a godless perspective to a robust understanding of the Christian worldview and belief in Jesus Christ.  Daniel's X (Twitter) Profile Resources mentioned by Daniel: Dominion by Tom Holland The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt

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