Mike Austin

I don't remember a time in my life where I didn't believe that there was a God, though there are times when I've struggled with doubt. However, I've learned that one of the ways to deal with doubt is to spend time looking into what Christians past and present have had to say about the issue at hand. I've wondered about the problem of evil, the reliability of the Scriptures, the historicity of the resurrection of Christ, and other things as well. I've found good arguments and evidence to deal with the doubts I've had surrounding these issues. Doubt can deepen our faith, if we allow it to motivate us to pursue the truth. At this point in life, I am confident that Christianity is true, and when doubts come I either seek the answer or rest in the character of God and the fact that in the past I've been able to reconcile my doubts and continue in the faith. More personally, once I really grasped the essence of the gospel, which includes God's gracious forgiveness but also His redemptive kingdom aimed at the good of people, societies, and institutions, I could not imagine a greater cause to live for each day. Finally, the more I understand how Jesus lived his life and how the Old and New Testament explain human nature and human flourishing, I am struck by the profound truth, beauty, and goodness that a life following Christ can have.

My Life

Favorite Quote

Every age has its massive moral blind spots. We might not see them, but our children will. -Bono

My hobbies

Time with Family, Cycling, Soccer, Running, Reading, Listening to U2, Northridge Church

Fantasy dinner guests

Bono, Arsene Wenger, Desmond Tutu, Eddie Merckx

My undergrad alma mater

Kansas State University

My worst subject in school

Math

In college I drove

Jeep

If I weren't a professor, I would

not enjoy my job nearly as much and wish I were a professor.

Favorite movies

Tombstone

Favorite city

Kansas City (my hometown)

Favorite coffee

Sumatra

Nobody knows I

Once planned on running an ultramarathon