Unbelievable?
1,056 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1.9K ratingsUnbelievable? offers a weekly podcast, blog, and video series hosted by Ruth Jackson and a team of thinkers and Christian apologists.
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Episodes
The Reason For God - Tim Keller debates atheist Norman Bacrac
September 19, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 37.1 MBIn this ‘classic replay’ Justin shares the 2009 radio debate in which New York pastor Tim Keller defended his best-selling book ‘The Reason For God’ opposite UK atheist Norman Bacrac. Tim Keller: https://timothykeller.com/ Norman Bacrac: https://conwayhall.org.uk/speaker/norman-bacrac/ USA Listeners check out our new USA website for exclusive resources: www.unbelievable.show Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the free Unbelievable? e-book ‘In Conversation With…’https://www.premier....
Coronavirus conspiracies, politics and rebel churches – Mark Sayers, AJ Roberts, Ruth Jackson and Lucy Brierley
September 11, 2020 15:00 - 1 hour - 39.7 MBSix months on from Justin’s first lockdown show looking at Coronavirus he’s joined again by virologist AJ Roberts from California, Australian church and culture guru Mark Sayers, his wife Rev Lucy Brierley and new Unbelievable? team member Ruth Jackson. They discuss the politics of Coronavirus, conspiracy theories, rebel churches and what the future of the world and the church looks like. For our first show on this topic: https://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable/...
Is free will an illusion? And does it matter? Dan Barker vs Braxton Hunter
September 04, 2020 16:23 - 1 hour - 39.6 MBNotable atheists like Sam Harris and Daniel Dennett claim we live in a deterministic universe and that free will is an illusion. But does losing human free will pose a problem for justice, morality and even the very act of reasoning itself? Dan Barker of the Freedom From Religion Foundation and author of 'Free Will Explained' defends determinism. Christian guest Braxton Hunter defends libertarian free will, which he believes points to God. Dan Barker: https://ffrf.org ...and for the chipm...
The Great Awokening, Cancel Culture and JK Rowling: David French and Jonathan Pearce
August 28, 2020 16:31 - 1 hour - 41 MBIs a quasi-religious left wing ‘cancel culture’ shutting down free speech, or is the right wing just as much to blame? Christian commentator David French of The Dispatch and atheist blogger Jonathan Pearce debate JK Rowling, the Harpers letter and Cancel Culture. For David French: https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/america-is-in-the-grips-of-a-fundamentali For Jonathan Pearce: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/tippling/2020/07/16/cancel-culture-choose-your-narrative/ Subscribe to our new...
Is the UK Church racist? Chine McDonald, Gavin Calver and Joe Aldred
August 21, 2020 12:26 - 1 hour - 41.6 MBIn the second of two shows dealing with racism and the church, Justin Brierley hosts a discussion on the UK Church between Chine McDonald of Christian Aid, Gavin Calver of The Evangelical Alliance and Bishop Dr Joe Aldred of Churches Together in England. For Chine McDonald https://twitter.com/ChineMcDonald For Gavin Calver: https://www.eauk.org/ For Bishop Joe Aldred: https://drjoealdred.info/ Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the free Unbelievable? e-book ‘In Conversation With…...
Racism, white supremacy and Black Lives Matter: George Yancey and Drew Hart
August 14, 2020 09:14 - 1 hour - 40.1 MBIs the approach and ideology of Black Lives Matter and anti-racism advocates such as Robin DiAngelo, a help or a hindrance in combating racism in the USA? Anti-racism theologian Dr Drew Hart and Christian sociologist Dr George Yancey discuss their different perspectives on racism, 'white fragility' and Black Lives Matter in the wake of the George Floyd protests, and what role the church can play in racial reconciliation. For Dr Drew Hart https://drewgihart.com/ For Dr George Yancey: htt...
Are there many paths to God? John Hick vs Chris Sinkinson – Classic Replay
August 07, 2020 10:06 - 1 hour - 39 MBTheologian John Hick (1922-2012) was well known for his defence of pluralism - the view that all religions stem from one ‘Ultimate Reality’. In this replay of his 2011 debate with Chris Sinkinson of Moorlands Theological College, they debate whether all religions lead to God. For John Hick: http://www.johnhick.org.uk/jsite/ For Chris Sinkinson: http://www.moorlands.ac.uk/chris-sinkinson/ Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the free Unbelievable? e-book ‘In Conversation With…’ https...
Nabeel Qureshi and Yahya Seymour - Converting to and from Islam – Classic Replay
July 31, 2020 11:46 - 1 hour - 38.1 MBNabeel Qureshi first appeared on Unbelievable? in 2009 for a dialogue on his conversion from Islam to Christianity with Muslim convert Yahya Seymour. Justin shares this replay of their conversation and reflects on the ministry of Nabeel who died in 2017 from cancer. For Justin’s 2016 interview with Nabeel Qureshi https://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/The-Profile/Episodes/The-Profile-Nabeel-Qureshi-s-conversion-from-Islam-to-Christianity Subscribe to our newsletter and rece...
A Skeptic in Narnia – Laura Miller and Michael Ward – Classic Replay
July 24, 2020 15:37 - 1 hour - 38.2 MBLaura Miller loved the Narnia stories as a child, but felt she had been hoodwinked when she discovered their Christian symbolism as an adult skeptic. She engages in a discussion on the enduring appeal of Narnia with leading CS Lewis scholar Michael Ward in this replay of their 2009 dialogue. For Michael Ward http://www.planetnarnia.com/ For Laura Miller https://lauramiller.typepad.com Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the free Unbelievable? e-book ‘In Conversation With…’ https:...
John Lennox answers you questions on AI, science, faith and atheism
July 17, 2020 10:23 - 1 hour - 40.3 MBProf John Lennox answers viewer questions in a livestream Q&A hosted by Justin and Lucy Brierley. He talks about his new book ‘2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity’ and addresses issues around science, technology, faith, atheism and the Bible. For ‘2084’ https://2084book.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the free Unbelievable? e-book ‘In Conversation With…’ https://resources.premier.org.uk/supportunbelievable/ For more faith debates and extra resources v...
Francis Spufford and Philip Pullman on why Christianity makes surprising emotional sense – Classic Replay
July 10, 2020 10:51 - 1 hour - 38.9 MBPrize-winning author Francis Spufford discusses his book ‘Unapologetic: Why despite everything Christianity can still make surprising emotional sense’ with famed atheist writer Philip Pullman in this replay of their 2012 conversation. For Francis Spufford https://www.premier.org.uk/Unbelievablenewsletter Support the show and receive all the videos sessions from Unbelievable? USA 2019 https://resources.premier.org.uk/supportunbelievable/ For more faith debates and extra resources visit...
The Jesus of Islam and Christianity: Can we reconcile the two? Mustafa Akyol and Richard Shumack
July 03, 2020 13:56 - 1 hour - 39 MBDoes Islam or Christianity go back to the true person of Jesus? Richard Shumack, author of 'Jesus through Muslim Eyes' and Mustafa Akyol, author of 'The Islamic Jesus', debate the issues. For Richard Shumack https://www.premier.org.uk/Unbelievablenewsletter Support the show and receive all the videos sessions from Unbelievable? USA 2019 https://resources.premier.org.uk/supportunbelievable/ For more faith debates and extra resources visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Satu...
Rob Bell and Adrian Warnock debate heaven, hell and Love Wins - Classic Replay
June 26, 2020 12:33 - 1 hour - 42.5 MBJustin introduces a classic debate from the Unbelievable? archive in which megachurch pastor Rob Bell defended his controversial 2011 book 'Love Wins’ opposite Adrian Warnock. For Rob Bell https://www.premier.org.uk/Unbelievablenewsletter Support the show and receive all the videos sessions from Unbelievable? USA 2019 https://resources.premier.org.uk/supportunbelievable/ For more faith debates and extra resources visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable ...
Another Christian worship leader loses his faith? Jon Steingard and Sean McDowell
June 19, 2020 14:17 - 1 hour - 44 MBJon Steingard of the band Hawk Nelson is the latest in a number of Christian personalities who say they've renounced their faith. Jon joins Justin along with Christian thinker Sean McDowell who has written a response blog to Jon’s Instagram announcement. Jon Steingard https://www.instagram.com/jonsteingard Sean McDowell https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/christian-rockstar-loses-his-faith-3-big-lessons-for-the-church Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the free Unbelievable? e-book ‘In ...
Do faith and politics mix? Tim Farron and Polly Toynbee
June 12, 2020 16:24 - 1 hour - 37.3 MBTim Farron is an MP and former leader of the Liberal Democrats. His Christian faith came under scrutiny during the 2017 UK General Election, leading to his resignation as party leader. His autobiography ‘A Better Ambition: Confessions of a faithful liberal’ (SPCK) tells his story. Polly Toynbee is a well-known journalist, political commentator and vice-president of Humanists UK. Her new book ’The Lost Decade’ analyses the political and social changes of 2010-2020 in the UK. Tim and Polly e...
Francis Collins answers your questions on science and faith
June 05, 2020 16:12 - 1 hour - 38.4 MBDr. Francis Collins is a renowned geneticist who oversaw the Human Genome Project and is currently the director of the National Institutes of Health, USA responding to Covid-19. He founded Biologos, an organisation seeking to show the complementarity of science and faith. His book ’The Language of God’ tells his faith journey. Having been awarded the Templeton Prize 2020, Francis joins Justin to take listener questions about his life, faith and his approach to science and theology. For th...
Christianity, Psychology and Compassion - Paul Gilbert and Roger Bretherton
May 29, 2020 16:10 - 1 hour - 44.7 MBIs Christianity a positive force for compassion in the world? Prof Paul Gilbert and Dr. Roger Bretherton join Justin for a conversation on psychology, the brain, Christianity and what makes us choose compassion over callousness. Prof Paul Gilbert is a clinical psychologist and leading expert in the study and promotion of compassion. Dr Roger Bretherton is an academic psychologist and chair of the British Association of Christians in Psychology. For Prof Paul Gilbert http://www.compassiona...
Remembering Ravi Zacharias – Amy Orr-Ewing, Vince Vitale and Abdu Murray
May 22, 2020 14:14 - 1 hour - 40.1 MBChristian apologist Ravi Zacharias recently passed away, aged 74. In a special tribute edition of the show Justin is joined by Amy Orr-Ewing, Vince Vitale and Abdu Murray from RZIM to share personal memories and reflect on his life and legacy. For RZIM http://www.rzim.org Read Amy’s personal tribute https://www.premierchristianity.com/Blog/Ravi-Zacharias-1946-2020-Evangelist-preacher-friend Register for ‘Apologetics in the era of Covid-19’ webinar on 28 May: https://www.premierdigita...
Christendom’s response to plague and pandemic: Tom Holland, Mike Bird and Rev Marcus Walker
May 15, 2020 16:58 - 1 hour - 38.5 MBHistorian Tom Holland, author of ‘Dominion’ recaps his debate with AC Grayling and talks about his recent article for The Telegraph arguing for the Christian roots of the response we are seeing to the Coronavirus pandemic. Also joining the conversation are New Testament scholar Mike Bird co-author of ‘The New Testament In Its World’, and Rev Marcus Walker, priest as St Bartholomew the Great, London. They discuss the history of how the early church responded to plagues and how the church is ...
Are martyred apostles good evidence for the resurrection? Sean McDowell vs Paulogia
May 08, 2020 13:53 - 1 hour - 43.1 MBWould the followers of Jesus have been willing to suffer and die for something they knew to be false? Can we be historically confident they were martyred at all? Sean McDowell defends his book ‘The Fate of the Apostles’ against atheist YouTuber Paulogia (aka Paul Ens) following a critical video exchange. For Paulogia’s video https://youtu.be/Hb4w4xoei2o For Sean McDowell’s response video https://youtu.be/5jqzAjI-5Kc Support Justin’s charity head shave: https://www.justgiving.com/fundra...
Where do atheists get their meaning from? Zach Broom and Michael Brady
May 01, 2020 13:52 - 1 hour - 41.7 MBZach Broom is the author of ‘Without God: Science, belief, morality and the meaning of life’ in which he claims that many of our most basic intuitions don’t make sense in the absence of God. The book is dedicated to his atheist friend Michael Brady, who engages with Zach on the question of whether life can have meaning in the absence of God. For Zach’s book ‘Without God’ zachbroom.com For Michael’s book ‘Still Unbelievable’ https://www.amazon.com/Still-Unbelievable-listening-Christian-ar...
Why doesn’t God end Coronavirus and mend the world? Justin Brierley
April 30, 2020 09:52 - 35 minutes - 16.2 MBIn a bonus mid-week episode Justin shares his own thoughts on why God doesn’t step in to stop ‘natural evils’ like coronavirus, plague and natural disasters. Read Justin’s blog on the subject: https://www.premierchristianity.com/Blog/Why-doesn-t-God-stop-Coronavirus-and-mend-the-world For the book ‘Unbelievable? Why, after ten years of talking with atheists, I’m still a Christian’ https://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable/Unbelievable-the-Book Subscribe to our news...
Is it time to end the war on drugs? Peter Hitchens vs Christina Dent. Plus William Lane Craig and Amy Orr Ewing on God, atheism and Covid 19
April 23, 2020 17:30 - 1 hour - 42.5 MBPeter Hitchens and Christina Dent, two Christians with very different views on drug legalisation, debate whether or not decriminalisation is the way to combat drug abuse. Justin also chats with Christian thinkers William Lane Craig and Amy Orr-Ewing about their response to Coronavirus and atheist critiques of Christianity. For Peter Hitchens’ book ‘The War We Never Fought’ https://www.amazon.com/War-Never-Fought-Establishments-Surrender/dp/1472939387 For Christina Dent www.enditforgood.co...
God vs Stephen Hawking – Dave Hutchings, David Wilkinson and Phil Halper
April 17, 2020 15:42 - 1 hour - 44 MB‘God, Stephen Hawking and the Multiverse’ is the name of a new book by physics teacher David Hutchings and Prof David Wilkinson of Durham University. They discuss Hawking, his science, the big bang and what it means for the God question with atheist Phil Halper, who runs the Sky Dive Phil channel on YouTube. For Dave Hutchings and David Wilkinson https://spckpublishing.co.uk/god-stephen-hawking-and-the-multiverse-pb For Phil Halper https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtOgKmAM4MeFu-jd-HB3_cg ...
Is the resurrection unbelievable? Jonathan McLatchie vs David Johnson
April 10, 2020 16:07 - 1 hour - 39.6 MBChristian apologist Jonathan McLatchie and atheist sceptic David Johnson debate the evidence for the resurrection in an Easter weekend edition of the show. For Jonathan McLatchie http://apologetics-academy.org/ For David Johnson https://skepticsandseekers.wordpress.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the free Unbelievable? e-book ‘In Conversation With…’ https://www.premier.org.uk/Unbelievablenewsletter Support the show and receive all the videos sessions from Unbelievable? USA...
John Lennox: Where is God in a Coronavirus world?
April 08, 2020 10:47 - 33 minutes - 15.2 MBIn a midweek bonus episode Justin talks to Oxford professor and Christian thinker John Lennox about his new book ‘Where is God in a Coronavirus World?’. The normal format of the show resumes this coming weekend with a resurrection debate. For John Lennox’s book ‘Where is God in a Coronavirus World?’ https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/where-is-god-in-a-coronavirus-world Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the free Unbelievable? e-book ‘In Conversation With…’ https://www.premier.org.uk/Unbel...
Lockdown special feat. Nicky Gumbel, Megan Cornwell, Andrew Wilson, Esther O Reilly, Will van der Hart and NT Wright
April 03, 2020 14:55 - 1 hour - 53 MBJustin speaks to Christians leaders, thinkers and theologians from lockdown in the UK and USA with a variety of responses to Coronavirus. Nicky Gumbel of the Alpha Course looks for the good coming ou of the storm, Megan Cornwell relates her Covid-19 experience, Andrew Wilson gives a theological response, Esther O’Reilly talks about economic vs human costs, Will van der Hart shares mental health tips and Tom Wright explains how Christian have historically responded to crisis. For Megan Corn...
An evening with NT Wright live in London
March 27, 2020 19:37 - 1 hour - 39 MBJustin recently hosted An Evening with Tom Wright at Westminster Chapel in London (pre-Coronavirus restrictions!). In this podcast special Tom delivers a talk on ‘Jesus, Paul and the Question of God’ and then sits down with Justin to answer audience questions. To support Premier’s Voice of Hope appeal www.premierchristianradio.com For the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast www.askntwright.com Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the free Unbelievable? e-book ‘In Conversation With…’ https...
Coronavirus: How will it change the church and the world? AJ Roberts, Mark Sayers and mystery guest
March 20, 2020 16:12 - 1 hour - 71 MBIn a special edition of the show, recorded from home, Justin looks at the present Coronavirus crisis, how the pandemic will change global society and how the church can respond. He chats with Reasons To Believe virologist AJ Roberts, church and culture theologian Mark Sayers and introduces a special guest for the first time… his wife Rev Lucy Brierley. Justin also announces the sad but inevitable news that Unbelievable? The Conference 2020 is being postponed due to the Coronavirus. For Ma...
Antinatalism - should we let humans go extinct? David Benatar vs Bruce Blackshaw
March 13, 2020 15:04 - 1 hour - 38.2 MBDavid Benatar is the world’s leading ‘antinatalist’ philosopher. His controversial book ‘Better Never To Have Been’ argues that the suffering of existence always outweighs any potential good and that it is morally wrong to bring new human beings into the world. A small but growing community of Antinatalists believe that we should stop reproducing and allow humanity to go extinct. Benatar engages with Christian philosopher Bruce Blackshaw on the myriad of questions raised by his philosophy a...
The Genealogical Adam and Eve – Joshua Swamidass and Nathan Lents
March 06, 2020 13:58 - 1 hour - 42.4 MBJoshua Swamidass is the author of ‘The Genealogical Adam and Eve: The surprising science of universal ancestry’. He says that the book could end the war between evolution and creation as it reveals the scientific basis for why everybody on earth could be descendants of a single human couple within the last several thousand years. He is joined by atheist biologist Nathan Lents who has given his support to the book, believing that it may help Christians who hold to a traditional understanding...
Origins of Life Debate Round 2 - James Tour vs Lee Cronin
February 28, 2020 17:06 - 1 hour - 49.4 MBProf of Nanotechnology James (Jim) Tour & Glasgow biology Prof Lee Cronin debate contemporary Origins of Life research and whether Lee’s laboratory is on the way to discovering it. You can watch/listen to the first Unbelievable? debate on this subject featuring Lee Cronin here: https://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable/Episodes/Unbelievable-How-on-Earth-did-life-begin-Lee-Cronin-Perry-Marshall-and-Denis-Noble-on-the-origins-of-life Plus Justin speaks to Rev Richard ...
God, Gay Christians and the Church - Brandan Robertson and David Bennett
February 21, 2020 14:35 - 1 hour - 41.3 MBTwo gay Christians on either side of the 'Side A and Side B’ view, join Justin to talk about their stories and why they take different views on sexuality and the gospel. Brandan Roberston is a progressive pastor of an LGBT affirming church who believes there is no barrier to Christians being in loving same-sex relationships. David Bennett was an anti-Christian gay activist who experienced a dramatic conversion and now believes that his commitment to Christ requires a path of celibacy. For...
2 views on the God of Love and the Problem of Evil - Thomas Jay Oord and John C Peckham (+ Greg Koukl)
February 14, 2020 14:04 - 1 hour - 47.2 MBIf God is all-powerful and all-loving, why is there so much evil in the world? Two Christian thinkers with different solutions to this age-old question join Justin. Thomas Jay Oord is a theologian and philosopher who advocates a ‘non-coercive and uncontrolling’ view of God’s love and sovereignty. John C Peckham is a theologian whose latest book ‘Theodicy of Love’ suggests that God’s love is part of a cosmic drama of free spiritual and human agents that make sense of why evil exists. At the...
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: John Mark Comer and Rachel Homes
February 07, 2020 15:08 - 1 hour - 39.5 MBPortland pastor John Mark Comer joins Justin to talk about slowing down our lives in our high-tech, anxiety-prone world. He’s joined by Rachel Holmes, a secular Buddhist and ex-Christian, as they talk about John Mark’s book ‘The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry’ and their different approaches to spirituality and prayer. For John Mark Comer https://johnmarkcomer.com/ For Rachel Holmes (aka ‘Paddy’) on The Atheist Prayer Experiment https://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbeli...
Hinduism, conversion and religious freedom
January 31, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 42.5 MBTensions between Hindus and other religious groups in India have been growing in recent years as the BJP Government and Hindu nationalists have advocated for anti-conversion laws. Dipen Rajyaguru of the Hindu Council UK, and Henry, an advocate for persecution charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide, debate the issues with Justin Brierley. For CSW: https://www.csw.org.uk/ For Hindu Council UK http://www.hinducounciluk.org/ For Unbelievable? the Conference 2020 https://www.unbelievable.liv...
The argument from reason - Cosmic Skeptic and Max Baker-Hytch
January 24, 2020 15:00 - 1 hour - 44.1 MBCan we make sense of our rational capabilities on an atheist naturalist worldview? Alex O’Connor of the Cosmic Skeptic YouTube channel debates Christian philosopher Max Baker-Hytch on the argument for God from reason, which was popularised by CS Lewis in his book Miracles. For Cosmic Skeptic: https://www.youtube.com/user/alexjoconnor For Max Baker-Hytch https://www.wycliffe.ox.ac.uk/people/dr-max-baker-hytch Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the free Unbelievable? e-book ‘In Conv...
Controversies in Jesus studies – John Dickson, Lydia McGrew and Jonathan McLatchie
January 17, 2020 14:19 - 1 hour - 45.6 MBIn the first part of the show Australian Bible scholar John Dickson talks to Justin about his new book ‘Is Jesus History?’ They discuss Jesus mythicism and Bart Ehrman’s views on oral tradition. In the second part of the show Lydia McGrew and Jonathan McLatchie discuss Lydia’s new book ‘The Mirror and the Mask’. It critiques trends among some evangelical scholars that Lydia believes are harming the historical credibility of the Gospels. For John Dickson https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/is-jes...
Glen Scrivener vs Matt Dillahunty - Can atheism deliver a better world?
January 10, 2020 15:00 - 1 hour - 45.6 MBIn the 6th and final episode of The Big Conversation series Season 2, Justin is joined by Matt Dillahunty of The Atheist Experience and Glen Scrivener of Speak Life. They discuss the atheist movement and whether secular humanism can provide a solid grounding for morality. Do studies show that religiosity benefits society? Is there an intrinsic value to humans? What did the Nazis actually do wrong? These questions and more get addressed. Watch the The Big Conversation on video and sign up t...
Douglas Murray and Esther O’Reilly - The Madness of Crowds and Christian atheism
January 03, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 37.7 MBDouglas Murray, author of ‘The Madness Of Crowds: Gender, race and identity’ joins Justin and Christian blogger Esther O’Reilly. They discuss Identity Politics, the search for identity in a post-Christian society, and Murray’s own self-identification as a ‘Christian atheist’ and what it would take to bring him back to faith. For Douglas Murray https://douglasmurray.net For Esther O’Reilly https://www.patheos.com/blogs/youngfogey/ Support the show and receive all the videos sessions fro...
USA Conference 2019: Ruth Jackson, John Lennox, Mary Jo Sharp, AJ Roberts, Brian Brodersen and Bobby Conway
December 27, 2019 00:00 - 1 hour - 40.6 MBIn a holiday special, Justin presents the audience Q&A panel session from Unbelievable? USA at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. He is joined by Ruth Jackson, Mary Jo Sharp, AJ Roberts, Brian Brodersen, John Lennox and Bobby Conway as they take a variety of questions from the audience. In the final segment of the show, Justin sits down with Mary Jo Sharp to talk about her journey from atheism to Christian faith and her new book ‘Why I Still Believe’. Support the show and as a thank you we’ll send...
Christmas Special – Dean Mayes, Jess Lester and Rupert Shortt share their stories
December 21, 2019 00:12 - 1 hour - 45.4 MBIn a special holiday edition of the podcast Justin is joined by three friends of the show to share their stories. He also announces the date of Unbelievable? the Conference 2020 – with NT Wright as keynote speaker. Sat 9 May. Put it in your diary! Australian listener Dean Mayes explains how the show had moved him away from atheism towards opening up the God question. Jess Lester, deputy editor of Premier Youth and Children’s Work magazine, tells her story of working in tabloid journalism an...
Do we have an immaterial soul? Richard Swinburne vs Luke Janssen
December 13, 2019 15:50 - 1 hour - 41.7 MBProf Richard Swinburne is one of the most influential Christian philosophers in the world. In his new book ‘Are we Bodies or Souls?’ he sets out his argument for the existence of the soul. Luke Janssen has a background in science and theology. In his new book ‘Soul-Searching: The Evolution of Judeo-Christian Thinking on the Soul and the Afterlife’ he makes the case that our experience of personal identity can be explained through physical brain processes. However, he does not believe this c...
Tom Holland vs AC Grayling - Did Christianity give us our human values?
December 06, 2019 17:09 - 1 hour - 46.6 MBHistorian Tom Holland debates atheist philosopher AC Grayling in a lively edition of The Big Conversation. They discuss whether Christians preserved or destroyed classical thought and whether the West owes its values of human dignity and equality to Greek and Enlightenment thinkers or to the Christian revolution. For AC Grayling’s ‘The History of Philosophy’ https://www.amazon.co.uk/History-Philosophy-C-Grayling/dp/0241304539 For Tom Holland’s ‘Dominion’ https://www.amazon.com/Dominion...
Peter Hitchens vs Adam Rutherford: The Rage Against God (Classic Playback)
November 29, 2019 17:07 - 1 hour - 36.6 MBJustin re-airs a classic show from 2010 in which Peter Hitchens debates with atheist scientist Adam Rutherford about his book The Rage Against God. Peter shares why his journey from atheism back to Christianity was so different to his famous anti-theist brother Christopher, and debates morality, abortion and more with Rutherford. To support Unbelievable? and receive our USA conference on video: https://resources.premier.org.uk/supportunbelievable/ To subscribe for the advance video of T...
How on Earth did life begin? Lee Cronin, Perry Marshall and Denis Noble on the origins of life
November 22, 2019 14:58 - 1 hour - 44.9 MBCan chemistry crack the mystery of the origin of life? Or does the information required for Life to begin point beyond naturalistic explanations? Justin is joined by Perry Marshall who has established the $10m Evolution 2.0 Prize for anyone who can show a natural explanation for life. Lee Cronin of Glasgow University is confident that his experimental research could win it. Denis Noble also joins the conversation as they discuss the nature of life and whether current evolutionary theory can...
Dave Rubin and John Lennox - A conversation on God, atheism and modern culture
November 15, 2019 22:15 - 1 hour - 53.3 MBRecorded in front of a live audience in California, Justin hosts a discussion between Christian thinker Prof John Lennox and YouTube personality Dave Rubin in the 4th episode of The Big Conversation Season 2. They discuss the meaning crisis in culture, Jordan Peterson, the search for God, and why Dave Rubin says he no longer considers himself an atheist. The audience follow up with questions on Jesus, evidence, suicide and abortion. For The Big Conversation Season 2: www.thebigconversation...
Is it rational to be a Christian? Justin Brierley debates Rationality Rules at Oxford University
November 08, 2019 15:39 - 1 hour - 45.8 MBJust swaps his moderator’s chair for being a debater in this week’s live show recorded in front of a student audience at Oxford University. He engages atheist Stephen Woodford who runs the YouTube channel Rationality Rules on the question ‘Is it rational to be a Christian?’ For Stephen Woodford: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqZMgLgGlYAWvSU8lZ9xiVg To subscribe for the advance video of Rubin & Lennox: https://www.premier.org.uk/Unbelievable-Newsletter For The Big Conversation Season...
Does consciousness point to God? Sharon Dirckx and Philip Goff
November 01, 2019 16:53 - 1 hour - 39.7 MBThe mystery of mind and consciousness are causing some philosophers to move away from physicalist explanations to theories such as ‘panpsychism’. Philip Goff is a consciousness researcher whose new book ‘Galileo’s Error: Foundations for a new science of consciousness’ defends panpsychism. He engages with Christian thinker Sharon Dirckx who has a background in neuroscience. Her new book ‘Am I Just My Brain?’ aims to show why consciousness points towards God. For ‘Am I Just My Brain?’: https:...
Peter J Williams and Bart Ehrman – Are the Gospels historically reliable?
October 25, 2019 13:10 - 1 hour - 45.5 MBArguably, no individual has influenced the course of history more than Jesus of Nazareth. But, can we trust the accounts of his life, death and resurrection? In this latest episode of The Big Conversation from Unbelievable? leading sceptical New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman engages with noted Cambridge University Bible scholar Peter J Williams who defends the reliability of the accounts. For Peter J Williams ‘Can We Trust the Gospels?’: https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/can-we-trust-the-gospe...