In a candid interview, Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia and a lifelong skeptic, revealed his transformative journey from atheism to Christianity—a shift rooted in intellectual rigor, personal relationships, and a deep dive into scripture. Sanger, who holds a PhD in philosophy, spent 35 years questioning faith before embracing Christianity in his 50s. His story challenges stereotypes about belief and skepticism, highlighting the interplay of reason and revelation.
Early Skepticism and Loss of Faith
Sanger’s childhood in a Lutheran household left him with unanswered questions. By his teens, he drifted from faith, influenced by a philosophy class that prioritized empirical evidence. A dismissive encounter with a pastor solidified his skepticism. “I asked legitimate questions but got no substantive answers,” Sanger recalled. For decades, he identified as agnostic, critiquing arguments for God’s existence as philosophically “lightweight” during his academic career.
The Turn Toward Faith
Three key factors reignited Sanger’s curiosity:
- Disillusionment with New Atheism: He found prominent atheists like Richard Dawkins “obnoxious and unreasonable,” contrasting them with thoughtful Christians who combined faith with intellectual rigor.
- Personal Relationships: Admiring the moral integrity of Christian peers softened his skepticism. “Their example mattered,” he said.
- Bible Study: In 2019, Sanger began studying scripture obsessively, using resources like GotQuestions.org. He wrote a 500-page commentary on Genesis, tackling questions head-on. “The Bible withstands scrutiny—it invites scrutiny,” he emphasized.
Philosophy Meets Theology
Sanger’s philosophical training reshaped his view of classical arguments for God. While earlier dismissing the cosmological argument as incomplete, his Bible study reframed it. For instance, Exodus 3:14 (“I AM WHO I AM”) deepened his understanding of God as a necessary, self-existent being—a concept that bolstered his acceptance of a “cumulative case” for Christianity.
A Conversion of Mind and Heart
Sanger’s conversion wasn’t sudden but a gradual “kicking and screaming” process. Marriage and parenthood challenged his ethical egoism, while encounters with occult symbolism led him to trace its roots to the Bible. “I realized evil borrows from truth,” he said. Prayer and imagined dialogues with God, rooted in scripture, further solidified his faith.
Legacy and Ongoing Work
Now working on God Exists: A Philosophical Case for the Christian God, Sanger aims to bridge philosophy and theology. He encourages skeptics to ask hard questions: “Faith isn’t about blind belief but seeking answers—and Christianity has them.”
Sanger’s story underscores that faith and reason need not conflict. As he puts it, “Belief isn’t a straight path—it’s a dance of mind, heart, and community.” For skeptics and believers alike, his journey offers a compelling case for curiosity-driven faith.Bookmark messageCopy message
Read Sanger’s conversion announcement, listen to his conversation with Sean McDowell, and check out these ministries.
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