Bigger questions
379 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 months ago -City Bible Forum explores some of life's biggest questions. Perhaps you are considering where God might fit into your life. Our aim is to explore this with you in an open manner that is enjoyable, intellectually credible and which meets the needs of professional life. We love to discuss the relevance of God and the many obstacles to faith people have. We do this in a variety of forums and discussion groups over breakfast, lunch and after work at many different city venues. We are active in every state capital and in Canberra.
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Episodes
Ep 159: Why defend big insurance companies? | George Mallos
April 18, 2020 14:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBA lawyer reflects on his career working for insurance companies
Ep 158: How does the resurrection offer hope in a Coronavirus world? | Steve Brady, Helen Bell & Shane Rogerson
April 11, 2020 14:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBIn the Coronavirus world there is much fear, uncertainty and despair. Yet this weekend is Easter - so what difference does Easter make today? Can it bring hope in this difficult time? We hear four stories of Easter hope amidst suffering, including some really surprising guests.
Ep 157: Can you sing when life is hard? | Ben Pakula
April 04, 2020 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBHow can singing provide solace during suffering? One music lover talks about singing, heavy metal and trusting God.
Is there an end to infectious disease? (with Covid-19 intro) | Justin Denholm
March 28, 2020 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBA timely conversation to mark the three year anniversary of Bigger Questions
Ep 156: Can I get justice? | Jennie Pakula
March 21, 2020 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBThe quest for justice is a common human experience and we can get deeply embittered and frustrated when we don't get it. So how can we find true justice? A conversation confronting life's injustices where we find something bigger.
If God is real, where is He? | David Robertson
March 14, 2020 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBThe search for something bigger amidst pain
Ep 155: If God is real, where is he? | David Robertson
March 14, 2020 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBWondering why there's suffering in the world? Here's a conversation about the search for something bigger amidst pain.
Ep 154: What happens when I die? | Mark Conner
March 07, 2020 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBHow an unexpected death prompted reflection on life's biggest questions
Ep 153: Where can I find joy? | Silvie Paladino
February 29, 2020 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBSomething more than Carols by Candlelight
Ep 152: What is authentic spirituality? | Matthew Jacoby
February 22, 2020 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBSpirituality is popular but what does it mean? How can we connect with something deeper? Explore these questions and more.
Ep 151: Will robots take my job? | David Chan
February 15, 2020 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBAn IT professional weighs in on artificial intelligence
Ep 150: How does the story end? | Greg Clarke
February 08, 2020 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBStories inspire, entertain and stimulate - we all understand ourselves as part of stories. What do stories tell us about some of life's biggest questions? A fascinating conversation as we confront the end of the world and discover our own place in an even bigger story.
Ep 149: Is Australia the ideal home? | Natalie Swann
February 01, 2020 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBMany thousands of people call Australia home each year, but how do they cope with the conflicting feelings of leaving another home. We explore some big questions migrants face coming to Australia and how something bigger helped them in making Australia home.
How much has the Bible shaped Australia? | Meredith Lake
January 25, 2020 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBMeredith gets under the skin of a text that has shaped Australia's cultural history.
How do we cultivate the things that are really important? | Anne Winckel
January 11, 2020 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBWhat is the biggest casualty of your busy life? What does it mean to be time poor?
Is mindfulness the answer to our problems? | Mark Trench
January 04, 2020 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBDo you feel overworked, overwhelmed and overcommitted?
What does Minecraft teach us about God? | James Garth
December 28, 2019 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBIs there a creator? is life fine-tuned? Does prayer work?
Ep 148: How can we have a sustainable Christmas? | Ian Barns
December 14, 2019 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBIs much of our consumption just a poor substitute for what’s missing in our lives?
Ep 147: Does power corrupt? | Jenny George & George Savvides
December 07, 2019 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBIs there any hope for those in leadership?
Ep 147: Does power corrupt? | Dr. Jenny George & George Savvides
December 07, 2019 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBIs there any hope for those in leadership?
Ep 146: Is there power in prayer? | Sameh Maurice
November 30, 2019 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBCritics say it's useless and unnecessary. These stories indicate otherwise.
Ep 145: How do you lead in a polarised world? | John Anderson
November 23, 2019 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBFormer Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson offers some advice on leadership
Ep 144: Hasn't archaeology disproved the Bible? | Gillian Asquith
November 16, 2019 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBLecturer Gillian Asquith unpacks the evidence
Ep 143: Why be generous? | Gary Hoag
November 09, 2019 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBIn a world of many needs, being generous can be hard. Hear from the "generosity monk" who sees the power of generosity and travels the world fostering it. He shares his own powerful story of trusting in something bigger when faced with a huge need after giving everything away. An inspiring conversation.
Is God just a cosmic kill-joy? | Nick Coombs
November 02, 2019 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBAll people seek pleasure and happiness, yet it seems that God opposes it
Do I need God if I have all this stuff? | Luke Nelson
October 26, 2019 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBDiscover something of greater meaning and significance
Ep 142: Is science the answer? | Adam Humphries
October 19, 2019 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBScience is a powerful tool, but is it all we need?
Ep: 141 Why can't I be happy? | Angela Cook
October 12, 2019 13:00 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBIn world that loves being happy - why do I feel depressed?
Ep 140: What's life all about? | David Cook
October 05, 2019 14:00 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBIs life about pleasure, happiness, accumulating things or perhaps something more?
The future: I am going ... where? | David Knox
September 28, 2019 14:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBAs people live longer and with better health, what does the future hold? An insightful conversation exploring retirement, superannuation, and contentment as we peer into the future.
Ep 139: How do I make my mark? | Steve Lawrence
September 21, 2019 14:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBIt's footy finals time so we speak with former Premiership footballer Steve Lawrence about footy, faith and making a difference in life. He shares how something greater helped him make his mark and made an extraordinary leadership decision that impacted many people. An inspiring conversation.
Ep 138: How do I know what's real? | Katherine Canobi
September 14, 2019 14:00 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MBVirtual reality and social media challenge our conceptions of reality. So how do we develop authentic relationships?
Ep 137: Is the Genesis account of creation simply a myth? | Andrew Brown
September 07, 2019 14:00 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MBThe fundamental questions of human origins
Ep 136: How do I handle difficult colleagues? | Andrew Laird & Ben
August 31, 2019 14:00 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MBHow can I handle a workplace bully and offer radical wisdom to respond?
Ep 135: Why give voice to the voiceless? | Esther Bird
August 24, 2019 14:00 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBWhat motivates someone to care?
Ep 134: How can these scientists believe in God? | Michael Smith, Christina Smith, Simon Angus, Jonathan Clarke, Jennifer Wiseman & Luke Barnes
August 17, 2019 14:00 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBRelationship of science to God and what persuaded them to believe in something bigger
Ep 133: When do miracles happen? | Linda Bailey
August 10, 2019 14:00 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBMiracles Day is approaching and we talk with a woman who used to be amazed at the difference this 'miracle' made to people. Yet, Linda's personal journey was a struggle for one particular miracle in her life. However, one day something very surprising happened. A very special conversation with an unexpected twist.
Ep 132: Do we need God in outer space? | Jonathan Clarke
July 27, 2019 14:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBThe necessity of God in an expanding universe
Ep 131: Why do we explore space? | Jonathan Clarke, Dianne McGrath & James Murray
July 20, 2019 14:00 - 29 minutes - 27 MBIt's been 50 years since the moon landing and we reflect on what was achieved in that momentous event.
Is it logical to believe in God? | Greg Restall
July 13, 2019 14:00 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBAtheist Ricky Gervais says that the 'very definition' of God is a logical impossibility in this universe. Is he right?
How does an encounter with Jesus answer life's big questions? | Kate Bracks
July 06, 2019 14:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBwith Masterchef Kate Bracks
Is religion for fools? | Bill Medley
June 29, 2019 14:00 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MBMark Twain allegedly claimed that 'Religion was invented when the first con man met the first fool." Is religion for fools?
Dystopia: what are you afraid of? | Shane Rogerson & Stephanie Gear
June 22, 2019 14:00 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MBChernobyl, Handmaid's Tale, 1984 - there is a resurgence of dystopian fiction in our culture. Why is fear so powerful? We explore and engage the big questions dystopia raises for us.
Ep 130: Is the death of Christianity in Australia a good thing? | Al Stewart
June 15, 2019 14:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBAustralia has a Christian past, yet today 'no religion' is the single largest religious group in our country. Christian influence on our culture is waning. Should this passing be mourned or celebrated? Al's views will surprise you.
Is there hope in the slums of the world? | Diane Judge
June 08, 2019 14:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBDiana Judge was a senior global executive who had a dramatic encounter in India which inspired her to give up her successful career in order to work with the world's poor. Why would she do that? An inspiring conversation.
Ep 129: Can we win the war on waste? | Jonathan Cornford
June 01, 2019 14:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBThe popular ABC documentary War on Waste highlighted big waste challenges in our culture. But why do we even need a war? What is driving our waste problems? With World Environment Day approaching, this is a thoughtful conversation that deals with a load of rubbish.
Ep 128: Would Jesus be a Christian today? | Sam Chan & Julie-anne Laird
May 25, 2019 14:00 - 28 minutes - 26 MBWhy are followers of religions so unlike their founders? Christians today are often perceived as narrow-minded, judgemental, hypocrites, yet Jesus is perceived very differently. Why is this so? Is this what Jesus had in mind when he set up his church? An entertaining conversation exploring why Christians seem so different to Jesus.
Surely a loving God would never allow this much pain? | Dave Miers
May 18, 2019 14:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBThe question of suffering and injustice is one of the biggest people face today. It's difficult to reconcile how a loving God could allow suffering in the world. This conversation confronts with sensitivity the painful and difficult area of suffering and offers surprising hope.
Ep 127: How do you deal with the loss of a child? | Alison Risbridger & John Risbridger
May 11, 2019 14:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBMother's Day is a day where mothers are celebrated and honoured, yet for some it's a day of sadness and grief. In this very moving and raw conversation a couple share the pain of losing a child and its impact on their life and faith.
Ep 126: Should religion have a say on election day? | Helen Bell & Adam Ch'ng
May 04, 2019 14:00 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBShould religion and politics mix?