Filmmaker Who Became a Christian Presents Arguments for God in New Documentary

Michael Ray Lewis: A Journey from Atheism to Faith

Film director Michael Ray Lewis, once a staunch atheist, viewed Christianity as a belief system for those who turned away from reality and science. However, his perspective shifted dramatically as he began investigating the evidence surrounding faith.

Lewis is behind the upcoming documentary space design, set for release on home video on December 13th. The film delves into the evidence supporting the existence of God and features insights from leading apologetics and theologians such as Frank Turek, Hugh Ross, J. Warner Wallace, Alisa Childers, and Sean McDowell.

The documentary tackles profound questions like the origin of the universe and explores the truth surrounding Jesus, making it relevant for both skeptics and devout Christians aiming to strengthen their understanding and defense of their beliefs.

Reflecting on his upbringing, Lewis mentioned, “I grew up in a household where most were quick to say they believed in God, but we never really discussed Him.” As he matured, he turned away from Christianity and embraced atheism, even consuming content that ridiculed believers. However, a change began when his wife rediscovered church, followed by Lewis coming across engaging YouTube content from Hugh Ross, an astrophysicist who founded the Christian mission, Reasons to Believe.

For Lewis, transitioning from atheism to Christianity took about three years, culminating in a profound discussion with a theologian who addressed all his doubts. He recalled an epiphany on his way home: “This is true. I realized my hesitation wasn’t due to the evidence—it was more about the idea of it being true.” He committed himself to faith with a heartfelt plea: “Okay, Jesus, what do you want me to do next?”

Even as a new Christian, Lewis felt that many in the faith struggled to articulate their beliefs or defend them effectively. space design aims to provide thoughtful, evidence-based responses for believers.

This 90-minute documentary is crafted from over 36 hours of footage, intertwining the themes of an unknown designer’s evidence and the historicity of Christianity. Lewis said, “We often overlook big questions due to life’s distractions, and it’s time we revisit them.”

He intentionally allows about 20 minutes to elapse before viewers recognize they’re watching a Christian film. This choice aims to avoid prematurely alienating non-believing audiences, who might be more open to reconsidering their views when presented thoughtfully.

At the same time, he emphasized the film’s relevance for churchgoers. “This is for those who have grown up in the church, who might have assumed it’s all true without questioning it.” He encourages viewers to explore the foundations of their beliefs, asserting, “There are substantial reasons behind the claims about Jesus.”