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/

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: info@exskeptic.org

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

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: info@exskeptic.org

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/

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: info@exskeptic.org