Undeceptions with John Dickson
184 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 253 ratingsEvery week on Undeceptions we’ll explore some aspect of life, faith, history, culture, or ethics that is either much misunderstood or mostly forgotten. With the help of people who know what they’re talking about, we’ll be trying to ‘undeceive ourselves’ and let the truth ‘out’.
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Episodes
Post Christian
May 10, 2020 14:00 - 53 minutes - 123 MBGreg Sheridan cut his teeth at the legendary news magazine, The Bulletin, before moving on to the national daily newspaper, The Australian, where he’s been the foreign editor since 1982. John catches up to talk to him about Christianity's struggles in Australia and why, of all times, he would choose to out himself as a believer. However, Greg is not so glum on the future and underlines that because the faith is beholden to no particular political party it has the ability to reinve...
Miraculous Physics
May 03, 2020 14:00 - 53 minutes - 123 MBIan Hutchinson is Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Plasma Science and Fusion Center. Among many, many other things he wrote the standard monograph on measuring plasmas, Principles of Plasma Diagnostics. That's right, he literally wrote the book on plasmas. He’s also a fellow of the American Physical Society, a fellow of the Institute of Physics, and of the American Scientific Affiliation. And… he believes in miracles - heali...
Scientific Theology
April 26, 2020 14:00 - 47 minutes - 109 MBIt’s a popular misconception. If science is your guiding light, you’re going to see the world a particular way. And if you hold to religion well, you’re going to imagine the world a particular way. At least that’s how it seems. But Alister McGrath is the Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University, and he makes a pretty convincing case that, while science and religion are fundamentally different, they remain complementary. So what does Alister do with the all the objec...
Confronting Christianity
April 19, 2020 14:00 - 51 minutes - 119 MBDr. Rebecca McLaughlin is a learned, feisty academic who's not afraid to confront the challenge that this two thousand year old faith has run its course. Claims of institutionalised homophobia, that religion is bad for us, and scare tactics surrounding the teaching of Hell - they all surface in this episode. Faced with the most challenging questions of the day, Dr. McLaughlin offers a spirited defence of Christianity that John Dickson thinks amounts to the best answer to troubling...
Hindu Priest
April 12, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 146 MBWhat do you do if you devote your entire life to one religion, then slowly realise you belong somewhere else? This episode isn’t an exploration of a forgotten piece of history, a tricky topic, or an ethical dilemma, but a story, plain and simple about a search for personal peace, which is just what our anxious world needs right now. Rahil Patel was one of the Hindu world's leading evangelists, who spent decades establishing temples all over Europe and Russia, until one day he woke...
Easter Myths
April 05, 2020 14:00 - 46 minutes - 106 MBIt’s Easter, and billions of people pause to contemplate the death and resurrection of Jesus. Alongside them are plenty of folks who look at Christ quite differently. Studies continue to show that most people have a fairly positive view of the founder of Christianity. But that’s a long way from accepting that there’s any history - let alone relevance - in the alleged events of Easter. We had a lot of fun looking at the Christmas Story through the lens of history. We thought it wou...
Pandemic Exposure Single
April 01, 2020 13:00 - 9 minutes - 13.1 MBIn ancient Carthage, those who faced the Cyprian Plague discovered that there were two sets of symptoms to contend with: those that afflicted the outer body, and those that afflicted the inner person. COVID-19 is having a similar effect. It is turning out to be not just a physical trial but a moral test. The pandemic is revealing the best and the worst of our characters. The former we can celebrate together. Our faults, though, are also worth our contemplation.
She Persuades
March 29, 2020 13:00 - 43 minutes - 98.6 MBIf you’re preparing yourself for an assault on conservative Christian doctrine regarding women in church leadership, or different approaches to women teaching … you’re going to be disappointed. This is an episode about a more fundamental ‘deception’ the western world seems to hold: that Christianity places no value on the contribution of women, or offers them any pride of place. However, Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing is the Joint Director of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and the...
Pandemic Equality Single
March 26, 2020 01:00 - 9 minutes - 12.9 MBChurch leaders and impassioned Christians want to suggest that the Bible promises a special deliverance from COVID-19 for those who put their faith in the Son of God. However John Dickson resurrects the wisdom of an ancient bishop who also faced a massive plague to give us a different perspective.
Six Days
March 22, 2020 13:00 - 51 minutes - 118 MBLast season we brought you John Lennox, talking about the compatibility of faith and a scientific mind, and Ard Louis discussing the evidence for a rational universe … but we sidestepped one obvious debate. Creation versus evolution - 6 days versus 13.8 billion years - young earthers vs. ancient universe-ers. It’s a pretty hot argument in the minds of some believers and non-believers alike. Sometimes both sides think there’s only one way to take Genesis, and that’s at face value....
Pandemic Love Single
March 18, 2020 13:00 - 9 minutes - 12.4 MBSimply taking care of yourself and those closest to you might seem enough - even the most important thing - at this time of international concern. But John Dickson picks out the story of a wealthy, ancient woman to suggest another way. Rome's Fabiola powerfully demonstrated the level of sympathy that hearts changed by Christ can hope to rise to.
It's Cancer
March 15, 2020 13:00 - 41 minutes - 96.1 MBIn this episode we’re delving into that frightening world. According to the World Health Organization, cancer is the second leading cause of death internationally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million fatalities in 2018 - that’s 1 in 6 deaths. Cancer is an undiscriminating disease. It can appear in almost any part of the body, and any age group. Each year, 300,000 cases of cancer are diagnosed in children alone. And the costs for those who can pay for treatments and preventativ...
It's almost here!
March 10, 2020 13:00 - 45 seconds - 758 KBThe return of Undeceptions for 2020, kicking off with God and cancer, a better way of reading Genesis, woman leading the charge in explaining Christianity, Easter myths exploded and proof the faith you grow up with isn't the final word on what you believe. Plus much, much more! Let the Undeceptions begin... Monday, March 16.
First Church Service
February 02, 2020 13:00 - 14 minutes - 20.6 MBIt's February 4, and the anniversary of Australia's first church service. But this wasn't a morality lesson from the chaplain to the prison colony. The Rev. Richard Johnson had something much more significant on his mind.
First Church Service Single
February 02, 2020 13:00 - 16 minutes - 22.8 MBIt's February 4, and the anniversary of Australia's first church service. But this wasn't a morality lesson from the chaplain to the prison colony. The Rev. Richard Johnson had something much more significant on his mind.
Australia Day Single
January 25, 2020 13:00 - 8 minutes - 12.3 MBOn the day we commemorate the history and character of our nation, it may be worth considering how we build healthy, respectful lamenting into our national celebrations.
Christmas Single
December 23, 2019 04:00 - 9 minutes - 13.3 MBThis Christmas, as you rightly enjoy the good things God's given you and share them with your nearest and dearest, spare a moment to consider how your generosity might spread further afield. Links that might prove helpful: World Vision International Justice Mission Anglican Aid Open Doors Australia Tear Australia Save The Children
BONUS Undeceptions Theme
December 03, 2019 07:10 - 4 minutes - 3.67 MBThanks for being great supporters of the first season of Undeceptions! We hope you enjoy this little gift from us, and have a happy Christmas with your loved ones and the God who made this all possible. Yours in all truth, John, Kaley, Bella and Mark
First Noel
December 02, 2019 03:00 - 50 minutes - 116 MBJesus was born in a manger, right? But what does that mean exactly? And how about that inn? Or the star hovering over the stable? How does history address our most cherished images of the birth of the King of Kings? And what did The Life Of Brian get right? Join John as he undeceives us about everything that can and can't be said about the birth of Jesus. Thanks to our season sponsor – Selah – for all your travel needs, whether you’re a doubter or a believer. Find out more at myse...
Ask Anything
November 25, 2019 03:00 - 55 minutes - 128 MBEach week of our first season of Undeceptions, we've asked you to tell us some of the things you'd like to be 'undeceived' about. This episode John Dickson tackles the top questions sent in, covering everything from questions raised by our various guests to crackers you've come up with on your own. Press play to hear more about whether Islam actually invented science, why historians still reject the idea of a resurrection, and what the difference is between New Testament and Old Te...
Questions Answers
November 25, 2019 03:00 - 52 minutes - 59.8 MBWe've collected all of your toughest chestnuts over the past season. Now John Dickson gives them a crack!
Historical Jesus
November 18, 2019 03:00 - 37 minutes - 86.4 MBThis episode, we've put John Dickson in the hot seat to talk about his new book: Is Jesus History. Anita Savage is our guest host, and she grills John on one of the greatest questions out there: did Jesus really exist? Thanks to our season sponsor - Selah - for all your travel needs, whether you're a doubter or a believer. Find out more at myselah.com.au. Links related to this episode: Get John Dickson's latest book Is Jesus History? Read more about the supposed 'lost tomb of J...
Dominus illuminatio
November 11, 2019 04:00 - 43 minutes - 99.5 MBWhen Sarah first arrived at Cambridge on a scholarship, and then later took a job at Oxford, she thought Christians were anti-intellectual. And perhaps that’s what we’ve come to expect. Smart people have no time - no headspace - for God. They know too much. They think too deeply for the ‘shallows’ of theology. This episode, we’re talking with people who’ve witnessed the opposite. Universities like Oxford and Cambridge are melting pots, where people can find their beliefs - or unbe...
The full Teresa Morgan interview
November 04, 2019 03:15 - 30 minutes - 14 MBIn episode 4 of Season 1 of Undeceptions, John spoke with Professor Teresa Morgan about the ethic of love at the heart of the New Testament. It sounds like ‘common sense’ to many today – it’s what any rational person would think about the good life. But it certainly wasn’t ‘rational’ in the Roman world, and it hasn’t been for most of world history. Listen to the full interview with Professor Morgan, a Fellow and tutor at Oriel College in Oxford University in this special bonus episo...
The full John Lennox interview
October 28, 2019 04:00 - 43 minutes - 19.9 MBHead to undeceptions.com to listen to Episode 3, 'God Science' with John Lennox.
Cybersex trafficking
October 21, 2019 03:00 - 42 minutes - 98.4 MBCONTENT WARNING: This episode contains content that may be distressing for some listeners. The episode deals with the online sexual exploitation of children and is confronting and often disturbing. If you need to talk to someone, support is available: 1800RESPECT: In Australia, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800 737 732. Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 anytime for confidential telephone crisis support. This episode of Undecep...
Gospel truth
October 14, 2019 03:00 - 45 minutes - 105 MBIn episode 7 we ask: can we really trust the Gospels in the Bible? And how do the gospels - considered our best evidence for the existence of Jesus - stack up against the evidence for other historical figures of the day? John Dickson chats with Dr Peter Williams, the author of Can We Trust the Gospels? about how solid our sources for Jesus really are. Many would say they're not as solid as, say, sources for the Emperor Tiberius, the second Roman emperor who reigned from 14 AD to 37...
Rational universe
October 07, 2019 03:00 - 44 minutes - 103 MBProfessor Ard Louis is one of the world's leading theoretical physicists. He sat down with John Dickson to talk about why he fervently believes that we don't need to prove God exists. Ard is serious in his quest to have a coherent system that makes some sense of the world. It’s what he gets out of bed to discover every day. And he's not afraid that the more he discovers, the less he'll need God. Quite the opposite: "Science is one of the parts of the world that actually increases ...
Social capital
September 30, 2019 04:15 - 42 minutes - 96.6 MBAndrew Leigh thinks Australia is disconnected, and he’s written a book about it. In Disconnected, Andrew spends a whole chapter outlining why the decline of religion is making social cohesion worse, and the benefits to society of having more religious believers. "I just had a cracking conversation with Australia’s ‘social capital’ expert Dr Andrew Leigh, the Member for Fenner and Shadow Assistant Minister for Charities. We explored the sad decline of community connectedness in Aus...
Moral classics
September 23, 2019 04:05 - 37 minutes - 84.8 MBThe ethic of love at the heart of the New Testament sounds like ‘common sense’ to many today - it’s what any rational person would think about the good life. But it certainly wasn’t ‘rational’ in the Roman world, and it hasn’t been for most of world history. In episode four of Undeceptions, John Dickson speaks with Teresa Morgan, a professor of Graeco-Roman History at Oriel College, Oxford University about what life was like for the average person living on the outskirts of Rome a...
God science
September 16, 2019 05:00 - 45 minutes - 104 MBWe're talking to John Dickson's "favourite Northern Irishman", and one of Christianity's greatest "undeceivers". That's right, it's John Lennox. John Dickson sits down for tea in the gardens of Green Templeton College with renowned 'undeceiver' John Lennox. In his new book, 'Can science explain everything', Lennox addresses one of the greatest deceptions of our age: Science explains everything, so there's no need for religion. We sit down in the gardens of Green Templeton Colle...
Old papers
September 09, 2019 05:30 - 43 minutes - 99.9 MBThousands of scraps of paper that have been buried in the sands of Egypt for over two millennia are now stored in museums and universities all around the world. These little scraps - often no bigger than your mobile phone - provide a powerful window into ancient life - its troubles, its personalities and its ethics. One of the most important of these pieces of paper - or papyrus - is 86 pages of the letters of the Apostle Paul, the author of much of the New Testament of the Christ...
Football free
September 09, 2019 05:30 - 35 minutes - 81.6 MBUs Aussies tend to mock players who thank the Almighty for their victories on the field. But when John Dickson was invited to speak to the Green Bay Packers - a professional American football team in the NFL - on humility, he was suddenly thrust into an alternate reality. Religion was everywhere in the NFL. Chapel services, team chaplains, prayers before the games, prayers after the games. What's that all about? Are we right to be cynical about the displays of faith we see in our ...
Introducing Undeceptions
August 29, 2019 06:00 - 2 minutes - 1.18 MBComing soon, a new podcast series from author and historian John Dickson. Prepare to be undeceived.