eX-skeptic

For years, Nate Hanson was deeply committed to Christianity. Influenced by voices like Francis Chan and immersed in ministry, he devoted his life to radical discipleship and church planting. But after years of burnout, disappointment, and difficult questions, cracks began to appear in the faith he had always known. What followed was nearly a decade of public deconstruction through his podcast Almost Heretical, where he wrestled honestly with doubt, theology, and whether Christianity could withstand serious scrutiny.

Yet what Nate expected to be the end of faith became the beginning of a new search for truth.

In this episode, Nate shares how engaging skeptical arguments, historical scholarship, and the evidence surrounding Jesus led him to reconsider the very faith he thought he had left behind.

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Guest Bio:

Nate Hanson is the co-host of Faith Lab, a podcast dedicated to exploring thoughtful Christianity and helping people wrestle honestly with questions of faith. For nearly a decade, he hosted the popular podcast Almost Heretical, where he openly chronicled his own journey through deconstruction and engaged in conversations surrounding doubt, theology, and spirituality.

Today, Nate seeks to create space for gracious conversations and to help skeptics, doubters, and seekers thoughtfully engage the truth claims of Christianity.

Nate is also a tech professional, specializing in AI and coding. He lives in Oregon with his wife and children.

Resources Mentioned:

eX-skeptic Guides: https://exskeptic.org/bookstore/

Nate’s Resources:

Podcast Website: Faith Lab Show www.faithlabshow.com; He recently shared his personal journey back to Christianity in the episode Deconstruction Led Me Back to Christianity.

Nate’s Recommended Resources:

Tim Mackie, The Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com

Tim Keller, Questioning Christianity video series: https://qcpodcast.gospelinlife.com

Tim Keller, Reasons for God

Richard Bauckham, Jesus and the Eye Witnesses

Lydia McGrew, https://lydiamcgrew.com

Peter J. Williams, https://www.divinity.cam.ac.uk/directory/peter-williams

Shane Rosenthal, The Humble Skeptic podcast

NT Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God

James D. G. Dunn, New Testament Scholar

John Lennox, https://johnlennox.org

Stephen C. Meyer, The God Hypothesis, https://www.discovery.org/p/meyer/

Justin Brierley, Uncommon Ground, https://justinbrierley.com

John Dickson, Undeceptions Podcast, https://undeceptions.com/podcast/

Chapters 

00:00 Why Nate Returned to Christianity
00:26 Introduction to Nate Hanson's Story
02:54 What Is Christian Deconstruction?
06:25 Growing Up in a Christian Family
09:13 Church was Life
12:09 Francis Chan and Radical Faith
17:10 Pursuing Full-Time Christian Ministry
21:49 Ministry in San Francisco's Toughest Neighborhoods
28:07 Gunfire and a Crisis of Faith
31:44 When Blind Faith Began to Unravel
33:14 Exploring Different Christian Traditions
36:30 The Almost Heretical Podcast and Deconstruction
41:32 The Dominoes Falling
42:40 Giving Christianity One Last Chance
45:20 Investigating the Historical Evidence for Jesus
49:48 Can Christianity Stand Up to Skepticism?
52:43 The Resurrection and 1 Corinthians 15
55:32 Questioning God, Science, and Alternative Worldviews
58:00 Why Nate Became a Christian Again
01:01:55 Rebuilding Faith After Deconstruction
01:06:02 Advice for Parents of Children Who Leave Christianity
01:11:49 Advice for Anyone Questioning Their Faith
01:18:31 Closing

Connect with eX-skeptic:

Website: https://exskeptic.org/

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Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic

Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic

Email info: info@exskeptic.org

eX-skeptic Transcript

What happens when the scientific story you're given seems to leave no room for God?

Dr. Brian Miller grew up with a belief in God, but everything changed when he entered MIT and later pursued a PhD in physics at Duke University. Surrounded by a scientific culture that viewed God as unnecessary and influenced by thinkers like Richard Dawkins, Brian gradually embraced a materialistic view of reality.

But the deeper he explored science, the more questions emerged.

Could naturalism explain meaning, consciousness, or the origin of life? Why did the universe appear so finely tuned? And what if the story he had accepted about science and faith was itself incomplete?

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Guest Bio:

Dr. Brian Miller is a physicist who studied physics and engineering at MIT and earned his PhD in complex systems physics from Duke University. He serves as a researcher with the Discovery Institute, where his work focuses on intelligent design, the origin of life, and the evidence for purpose and engineering in biology.

Dr. Miller was also a lead technical consultant for Stephen Meyer’s bestselling book The Return of the God Hypothesis. Passionate about helping people think deeply about faith and science, he speaks and writes on topics including cosmology, biology, philosophy, and the historical reliability of Christianity.

Resources Mentioned:

eX-skeptic Guides: https://exskeptic.org/bookstore/

Brian’s Resources:

• Book: The God Hypothesis, Stephen Meyer (Brian Miller, lead technical consultant)

• Book: God’s Not Dead, Rice Broocks (Brian Miller, technical consultant)

Brian’s Recommended Resources:

• Website: https://intelligentdesign.org/

• Website: Discovery Institute: www.discovery.org

• Website: Reasons to Believe, Hugh Ross: www.reasons.org

• David Snoke: www.christianscientific.org

• Craig Blomberg: https://theopedia.com/craig-blomberg

• Jonathan McLatchie: www.jonathanmclatchie.com

• Talk about Doubts: www.talkaboutdoubts.com

• Lydia McGrew: www.lydiamcgrew.com

• William Lane Craig: www.reasonablefaith.org

• Rice Broocks, SALT training: https://www.thegodtest.org

Chapters

0:00 – Can Science Lead You to God?
02:19 – Brian Miller’s Journey Through MIT and Duke
03:24 – Growing Up Christian and Beginning to Doubt
06:15 – Questioning Christianity at MIT
10:34 – Evidence That Challenged His Skepticism
14:06 – Challenging Materialism and the Assumptions Behind Science
19:09 – Is There Evidence of Design in Nature?
23:12 – How Our Environment Shapes What We Believe
30:47 – Where Naturalism Struggles to Explain Reality
36:24 – Why Changing Your Worldview Takes Time
40:51 – Can Life Have Meaning Without God?
45:58 – How Christianity Changed Brian’s View of Life
51:25 – Next Steps to Belief in God
56:15 – How Christians Can Talk with Skeptics
59:14 – Keep Exploring

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

What happens when suffering shapes your picture of God?

For Paul Snyder, the God he rejected as a young boy seemed harsh, distant, and impossible to please. Growing up amid fear, family brokenness, rejection, and disappointment, he concluded that if God existed at all, He certainly wasn't good.

By the age of twelve, Paul had reached a point of despair. Filled with anger and skepticism, he did something many people secretly feel but rarely admit. He challenged God directly.What happened next changed everything.

Paul shares how an unexpected encounter with the love of Christ transformed his understanding of God and set him on a lifelong journey of faith and service.

🎙️ Love the show? Support the mission and explore eX-skeptic merch here: https://ex-skeptic-shop.fourthwall.com/

Guest Bio:

Paul Snyder is the president of Global Bridges, an international ministry serving persecuted believers, vulnerable children, and marginalized communities in some of the world's most restricted nations. Continuing a legacy of gospel ministry that spans generations, Paul is passionate about demonstrating the love of Christ through practical compassion and humanitarian aid. He is also the co-author of Love Shines, a book highlighting the importance of Scripture and the extraordinary story behind the ministry's work among persecuted Christians around the world. Once an atheist shaped by suffering and disappointment, Paul now dedicates his life to helping others encounter the hope and love he found in Jesus.

Resources Mentioned:

eX-skeptic Guides: https://exskeptic.org/bookstore/

Book: Love Shines: From Smuggling Bibles to Training a Million Disciples; https://globalbridgesrelief.org/loveshines/

Global Bridges – International ministry serving persecuted believers and vulnerable communities: https://globalbridgesrelief.org/

Open Doors (founded by Brother Andrew)

Ethnos360 (formerly New Tribes Mission)

YWAM (Youth With A Mission)

Chapters

00:00 Paul’s “Liquid Love” Encounter
00:54 If God Is Good, Why Do We Suffer?
02:00 Serving the Persecuted with Global Bridges
04:48 A Family Legacy of Faith
09:25 From Smuggling Bibles to Smuggling Drugs
11:41 How His Father Shaped His View of God
15:33 “God Was Like Santa Claus”
16:49 Paul Reaches a Point of Despair
19:21 He Challenges God to Prove He’s Real
19:47 “Liquid Love” Poured Over Him
20:23 God Says, “I Love You”
21:36 Jesus Is More Than a Philosophy
23:01 Discovering God Through the Bible
26:05 Why Scripture Matters
27:18 If God Is Good, Why Is There Suffering?
30:18 Escaping Performance-Based Christianity
34:44 Is God Supposed to Stop All Suffering?
36:02 Do You Need a Dramatic Encounter with God?
39:01 Where Should a Skeptic Start?
41:00 How Christians Should Engage with Skeptics

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

🎙️ Love the show? Support the mission and explore eX-skeptic merch here: https://ex-skeptic-shop.fourthwall.com/

Growing up in a deeply Christian home, Shayla Perez assumed that faith was simply part of her family tradition. But as she entered her teenage years, skepticism began to grow. Questions about suffering and whether Christianity was actually true led her into online atheist communities and eventually to reject the faith she grew up around.

What began as rebellion soon became a sincere search for truth. As Shayla wrestled with the claims of atheism and the intellectual foundations of Christianity, she discovered something she had never expected.

Want to support this channel? Tax-deductible donations available here: https://givebutter.com/CB6WoH

Guest Bio:

Shayla Perez is a Christian speaker and content creator passionate about helping the next generation discover the truth of Christianity. After a season of skepticism and involvement in online atheist communities as a teenager, she returned to faith through apologetics, philosophy, and a personal encounter with Christ. Today, she reaches Gen Z and Gen Alpha through social media, youth events, and churches, engaging honest questions about faith and culture.

Resources Mentioned:

eX-skeptic Guides: https://exskeptic.org/bookstore/

Shayla’s Recommended Resources:

William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith https://www.reasonablefaith.org

Frank Turek, Cross-Examined, https://crossexamined.org

Cliff Knechtle, Give me an Answer: https://www.youtube.com/@givemeananswer

Got Questions: https://www.gotquestions.org

Total Truth and Finding Truth, Nancy Pearcey:https://a.co/d/066TnGwI

Shayla’s Social Resources:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shayla_j_perez/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Shayla_Perez

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shayla_j_perez

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

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: "God, If You're Real..."
00:34 Welcome & Introducing Shayla Perez
02:00 Shayla's Ministry & The Digital Mission Field
03:54 Growing Up a Pastor's Kid
06:08 When Skepticism Began
08:00 The Internet & Online Atheist Communities
11:12 Reading The Case for Christ (But Not Believing It)
13:24 What Atheism Couldn't Explain
14:57 Richard Dawkins, Morality & The First Doubts
17:48 Wrestling with the Problem of Evil
20:41 Christian Apologists Changed Everything
23:17 Giving God One Honest Chance
26:21 When Prayer Became Real
27:00 The Moment Shayla Came to Faith
29:52 Faith Isn't Blind
32:35 Can Logic Strengthen Faith?
34:02 How Do You Know Christianity Is True?
36:08 Advice for Parents of Skeptical Teens
42:46 Resources for Those Wrestling with Doubt
46:13 What Christianity Offers Gen Z
49:38 The Power of Personal Testimony
52:40 Why the Internet Is Today's Mission Field
55:50 Final Reflections & Takeaways

eX-skeptic transcript

Welcome & Introducing Shayla Perez