Michael Ray Lewis DeBunked Files Interview Discusses Universe Designed
Michael Ray Lewis recently joined The DeBunked Files to talk about his journey from atheism to Christianity, the making of Universe Designed, and why apologetics can help people ask deeper questions about God, science, evidence, and the gospel.
In the interview, Michael shares the story behind the film and explains how his own search for truth eventually led him to Jesus. For viewers who are skeptical, curious, or simply interested in the relationship between faith and science, the conversation offers a personal look at why Universe Designed was created.
From Atheism to Faith
Michael explains that he did not grow up in church. Although his family may have believed in God in a general sense, faith was not something they talked about often. As he got older, he began to adopt atheism, influenced by documentaries and arguments that made Christianity seem unreasonable.
That started to change after his wife told him she felt Jesus calling her back. Michael was not excited about the idea at first. He had serious objections to Christianity and expected those objections to show that the faith was not true.
Instead, his questions led him into a deeper investigation.
A video from astrophysicist Dr. Hugh Ross on Genesis and creation caught his attention. From there, Michael began reading apologetics books, including The Reason for God by Timothy Keller. As he continued studying, he discovered that many of the arguments he had against Christianity had thoughtful answers.
After years of asking questions and working through objections, Michael reached a turning point. He realized the issue was no longer that Christianity lacked evidence. The deeper issue was that he did not want it to be true.
That realization eventually led him to surrender his life to Jesus.
Why Michael Made Universe Designed
During the interview, Michael also talks about how Universe Designed came to life. As a filmmaker, he had spent years working in video production. After becoming a Christian, he began asking how he could use his skills in a new way.
The idea for the documentary came from his wife, who suggested that he make a film about the evidence that helped convince him Christianity was true.
Michael began reaching out to authors, apologists, scientists, and Christian thinkers whose work had shaped his own journey. Many agreed to participate. The finished film includes voices such as Dr. Hugh Ross, Dr. Frank Turek, Alisa Childers, Stephen Meyer, Fuz Rana, Sean McDowell, Greg Koukl, and others.
The project eventually produced more than 36 hours of interview footage, which Michael condensed into a feature-length documentary.
A Documentary That Goes Beyond Design
One of the strongest parts of the conversation is Michael’s explanation of why Universe Designed does not stop at a general argument for God.
The film explores questions about the origin of the universe, fine-tuning, design, life, consciousness, and meaning. Michael says the design of the universe was especially persuasive to him because of how many conditions must be in place for life to exist.
However, his goal was not simply to argue that some kind of mind exists behind the universe. He wanted the film to move all the way to Jesus.
In the interview, Michael explains that Christianity uniquely explains reality. He also says he wanted Universe Designed to be clear about who Jesus is, what He claimed, and why the gospel matters.
Why Apologetics Matters
Michael also shares why apologetics became so important to him. When he first began asking hard questions, many believers around him did not know how to answer them. Over time, he discovered that there were strong Christian resources available, but many people in the church did not know they existed.
That realization shaped his mission.
For Michael, apologetics is not about winning arguments. It is about helping people take truth seriously. It is also about equipping Christians to have honest conversations with skeptics, friends, family members, and anyone asking life’s biggest questions.
In the interview, he describes a simple way he begins conversations: he asks people if they believe in God, and then he asks why. That approach opens the door for deeper discussion without forcing the conversation too quickly.
Watch the Full Interview
The Michael Ray Lewis DeBunked Files interview is a great introduction to the story behind Universe Designed. It gives viewers a closer look at Michael’s journey, the role apologetics played in his conversion, and why he created a film that points from evidence for design to the truth of Christianity.
Watch the full interview on The DeBunked Files to hear Michael’s story in his own words.
Watch the full interview on YouTube
Then watch Universe Designed to explore the evidence for God, the design of the universe, and the truth of the gospel.