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Finding God through science – an atheist discovers chemical evolution can’t adequately explain the origin of life- Death has lost its sting – how becoming a Christian eradicated a humanist’s overwhelming fear of dying
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- Running from God – a Jehovah’s Witness’ journey away from and back towards God
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Bible: New Testament
Can the Gospels be trusted? The presence of casual coincidence
Gospel, Bible, reliability, manuscript, eye witness, testimony, coincidences, story, made up,Philosopher and author of Testimonies to the Truth: Why You Can Trust the Gospels, Lydia McGrew, looks at some key elements that point to the genuineness of eye witness testimony within the Gospel narratives
What does God have to do with teaching French?
Author Mark Roques challenges the assumption that some things are in the ‘secular box’, while others are in the ‘religious box’
Does place matter? Lessons from Covid-19
Tim James explores how the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to our understanding of the divine importance of physical place in our modern world
Ask NT Wright Anything #161 Housebound prayers, computer programming, art and music - what counts as kingdom work?
Tom answers practical questions about the role of those unable to be physically active - does their prayer and meditation make a difference in the Kingdom? A computer programmer questions whether his work is a worthwhile activity in Kingdom terms? Are there any forms of art that go against our image-bearing creativity?
Finding God through science – an atheist discovers chemical evolution can’t adequately explain the origin of life
Jana Harmon shares the story of Dr Fazale Rana who discovered God through his pursuit of science. His paradigm shift began when he began to find scientific explanations for the origin of life inadequate and started to look elsewhere
Unapologetic #44 Bruce Miller: Is the Bible reliable?
In this final episode, Bruce Miller, author of The 7 Big Questions: Searching for God, Truth, and Purpose, explores objections towards the Bible, including whether it is sexist, racist and out of date. Bruce also asks whether we can know and experience God personally, looking at why he doesn’t make himself more obvious.
Why I’m not shy about the gospel
Theologian Dr Andrew Ollerton explores what the gospel is and why he believes it needs to be shared
Are we all priests?
Erik Strandness explores what a priesthood of all believers means and what that looks like in practice.
Ask NT Wright Anything #160 Why bother improving the world? Can Christians attain perfection?
Why bother with earth and not just create heaven? Why try to make the world a better place if God is going to fix it? Is the world getting better or worse because of Christianity? Can Christians achieve perfection in this life, as Wesley claimed? Tom Wright answers listeners questions on the ‘now-and-not-yet’ of new creation.
Unapologetic #43 Bruce Miller: Is Christianity true?
Bruce Miller, author of The 7 Big Questions: Searching for God, Truth, and Purpose, tackles two huge questions: is Christianity too narrow and is Jesus really God? He also explores whether Jesus really rose from the dead.
Unbelievable? Does God speak today through dreams, visions & prophecy? Tania Harris & Jim Osman
Tania Harris, founding director of God Conversations and author of ‘The Church who hears God’s Voice’ makes a biblical and experiential case for the ongoing activity of the Spirit communicating through dreams, visions and prophecy. She engages with cessationist pastor Jim Osman. author of ‘God Doesn’t Whisper’, who argues that people who claim to hear God’s voice are misled and that the Bible is the only way in which Gods revelation comes to us today.
Should we trust our brain or our emotions?
Erik Strandness explores how we can reconcile reason with joyfully dancing in our underwear
Ask NT Wright Anything #159 What difference does prayer make? Tom shares his prayer habits
Tom answers listener questions on prayer including: ‘Is prayer just telling God what to do?’ and ‘What difference does prayer make if God has already decided what to do?’. Kelly is nervous about praying out loud before a meal in public, and Jennifer is questioning the legitimacy of public displays of prayer in the USA. Tom responds to these questions and shares his own habits of prayer, including keeping a prayer diary.
Remembering theoretical physicist Professor Thomas McLeish (1962-2023)
Evangelist Greg Downes shares his personal reflections on his friend, the scientist and apologist Professor Thomas Charles Buckland McLeish, who died on 27th February
PREVIEW: The Big Conversation Season 5!
Subscribe for early access to this episode at thebigconversation.show
Is Asbury Theological Seminary really experiencing revival? President Timothy Tennent shares his thoughts
The leader of Asbury Theological Seminary reflects on what is happening at their campus in Kentucky
Ask NT Wright Anything #158 Why don’t I hear from God any more?
Tom and Justin are back with a fresh batch of questions from listeners who are having trouble hearing from God. Nicole asks why ‘Ask and you shall receive’ doesn’t seem to work in practise? Shelagh says she doesn’t hear from God the way she used to - is it because of disobedience? Robert asks how you can tell if you have misheard from God? Tom also gives an update on his health and work and reflects on how he hears from God.
Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox: What’s the difference and does it matter?
Protestant Christian and apologist Nick Peters explores some key distinctions within different branches of Christianity
Unapologetic #41 Bruce Miller: Does life have a purpose?
In the first of four episodes on how to approach some of life’s most difficult questions, Ruth Jackson speaks to Bruce Miller, author of The 7 Big Questions: Searching for God, Truth, and Purpose, about belief, doubt and purpose.
Why would God allow the Turkey-Syria earthquake?
In light of the tragic Kahramanmaras earthquake, apologist Dr Sharon Dirckx shares her thoughts on how we reconcile the idea of a good and powerful God with the presence of natural disasters
The CS Lewis Podcast #93 Alister McGrath: CS Lewis’ literary scholarship
In the seventh episode of our series focussing on McGrath’s book CS Lewis: A Life, we explore why Lewis never used a typewriter, who the Inklings were and how they impacted his work, and what role women, such as Dorothy L Sayers, played in Lewis’ life. Plus, don’t forget to register to win a copy of McGrath’s seminal biography of Lewis.
Unbelievable? Sexuality, Gender & Identity: 2 views on LGBT and the church - Andrew Bunt & Charlie Bell
Andrew Bunt, Emerging Generations director at Living Out and author of ‘Finding Your Best Identity’, is a same-sex attracted Christian who has chosen celibacy and believes marriage is male-female. Charlie Bell, a gay Anglican vicar who also works as a psychiatrist, is the author of ‘Queer Holiness’ and wants to see gay marriage accepted in the church.
Can the Gospels be trusted? The texture of testimony
Philosopher and author of Testimonies to the Truth: Why You Can Trust the Gospels, Lydia McGrew, explores some of the characteristics of testimony within the Gospel narratives
Death has lost its sting – how becoming a Christian eradicated a humanist’s overwhelming fear of dying
As an ardent atheist, Kim Endraske disliked Christians, but wrestled daily with existential dread. Jana Harmon shares Kim’s story of discovering the God who dramatically changed her life
How do you mend a broken heart? The cure we all need this Valentine’s Day
As we head into a day devoted to celebrating relationships, Erik Strandness looks at how God restores the relationships damaged through our infidelity
The CS Lewis Podcast #92 Alister McGrath: The making of a Mere Christian
In the sixth episode of our series focussing on McGrath’s book CS Lewis: A Life, we explore Lewis’ faith journey, looking at how and why he became a Christian. We also hear about the significant impact of JRR Tolkien. Plus, don’t forget to register to win a copy of McGrath’s seminal biography of Lewis.
Racial justice: Why and how should we fight for it?
As we approach Racial Justice Sunday, apologist Adam Coleman of Tru-ID looks at why all humans have intrinsic worth. He shares examples of abolitionists who took matters of justice into their own hands as well as those who opted for non-violence, trusting God to act on their behalf
Ask NT Wright Anything #156 Have you ever struggled with your own faith Tom?
Listeners want to know about Tom - Who are his favourite authors? If he could have dinner with anyone from the 20th Century who would it be? Why is he an Anglican? Has he ever struggled with his own faith? First broadcast in 2019.
Matters Of Life & Death: Cryptocurrency 2: Technicism, the Parable of the Talents, get-rich-quick schemes, and the wheat and the weeds
In the second part of our discussion with Chris Goswami, we dive into some of the ethical arguments for and against cryptocurrencies.
Unbelievable? Death to Deconstruction: Josh Porter & Jon Steingard on whether exvangelicals can reconstruct their faith
Punk singer-turned-pastor Josh Porter charts his own journey of reconstructing his Christian faith in the book ‘Death to Deconstruction: Reclaiming faithfulness as an act of rebellion’. He discusses deconstruction, the Bible, the problem of evil and more with Jon Steingard, former lead singer of Hawk Nelson who underwent his own journey of deconstruction in 2020.
The CS Lewis Podcast #91 Alister McGrath: CS Lewis’ early years at Magdalen college
In the fifth episode of our series focussing on McGrath’s book CS Lewis: A Life, we look at some key moments in Lewis’ Oxford career, such as the death of his father. Plus, don’t forget to register to win a copy of McGrath’s seminal biography of Lewis.
Unbelievable? Uninvented: Are the stories of Jesus too unusual to have been made up? Mike D’Virgilio vs Matthew Taylor
‘You just can’t make this stuff up!’ That, in a nutshell is the contention of Mike D’Virgilio’s book ‘Uninvented: Why the Bible could not be made up and the evidence that proves it’. He says that the life of Jesus doesn’t read like made up stories, myths and legends.
How should Christians respond to transhumanism?
Apologists Clinton Wilcox and Joel Furches explore some of the core principles of transhumanism and their ramifications
Ask NT Wright Anything #155 Making sense of Old Testament violence
Tom responds to listener Qs on Andy Stanley ‘unhitching’ Christianity from the Old Testament, the historicity of the Exodus, and the way that Greg Boyd interprets violent portraits of God in ‘The Crucifixion Of The Warrior God’. First broadcast in 2019.
Do you want to be healed?
Following a recent episode of Unbelievable? on miracle healing, Erik Strandness explores what we can learn about healing from the biblical account of the pool at Bethesda
When the Church of England blesses gay marriage it signs its own death certificate
Social critic Bethel McGrew shares her thoughts on recent proposals by the House of Bishops to allow the blessing of same-sex marriages
Fighting against God – a staunch atheist encounters God after a suicide attempt
Roger Sherrer vehemently believed religion was poison. Jana Harmon shares his story of transformation here
Ask NT Wright Anything #154 Tom answers Qs on universalism, hell and salvation
In an extended edition of the show originally broadcast on the Unbelievable? podcast, Justin asks a variety of listener questions on dispensationalism, John’s gospel, inerrancy, salvation, hell, universalism and Tom’s favourite books, music and much more… First broadcast in 2016.
Unapologetic #37 Alanzo Paul: a former opiate addict on how to reach young people
Originally from Canada, Alanzo Paul fell into a life of addiction after his parents’ divorce. Here, he shares some of his story with Ruth Jackson, including his reflections on working with Ravi Zacharias. He also looks at some of life’s big questions and suggests ways to reach the apathetic with the gospel.
Are there contradictions in the Bible?
Apologist Joel Furches explores one of the primary objections offered by Americans who exit the Christian faith
The CS Lewis Podcast #89 Alister McGrath: CS Lewis and the Great War
In the third episode of our series focussing on McGrath’s book CS Lewis: A Life, we explore Lewis’ experience of the First World War and the significant relationships he formed during this time, such as with the Moore family. We also delve into Lewis’ interest in sadomasochism! Plus, a quick reminder of our competition to win a copy of McGrath’s seminal biography of Lewis.
Ask NT Wright Anything #153 Is the Bible inerrant? Is ‘Sola Scriptura’ correct? What about verses endorsing slavery?
How should we treat the Bible? Inerrant? Infallible? Does it contain errors? Tom answers questions on the nature of the Bible as well as related issues such as whether the Reformers were right to concentrate solely on scripture rather than church tradition, and whether there is a ‘trajectory hermeneutic’ when it comes to issues like slavery in the Bible.
Unapologetic #36 Trevin Wax: How to tackle objections to Christianity
In the second part of their discussion, Ruth Jackson speaks to Trevin Wax, author of award-winning book ‘The Thrill of Orthodoxy’, about culture wars, evangelism and how to approach life’s big questions.
Running from God – a Jehovah’s Witness’ journey away from and back towards God
Claire Dooley grew up in a large religious family in Mississippi. Here, she shares some of her reasons for leaving the faith and why, after years of atheism and in her moment of deepest despair, she started exploring Christianity
What is Judaism and how does it differ from Christianity?
Writer Steve Schramm offers a helpful explanation on the relationship between these two key religions
The CS Lewis Podcast #88 Alister McGrath: CS Lewis’ unpleasant schooldays
In the second episode of a new series focussing on McGrath’s book CS Lewis: A Life, we look at why Lewis found school so thoroughly unpleasant and how it helped to cement his growing atheism. Plus, we launch a competition to win a copy of McGrath’s book.
Unbelievable? Paranormal hauntings and exorcism - a Christian and skeptic in discussion.
Matt Arnold, editor of the Christian Parapsychologist Journal and Dr Cal Cooper, a psychologist and paranormal researcher, speak to Justin about how they interpret account of ghosts, exorcism and apparitions as a Christian and skeptic.
Ask NT Wright Anything #152 - Can women lead in church? Why does 1 Timothy tell women to ‘be silent’?
Tom answers questions on what the New Testament says about the role of women in church leadership. Does 1 Tim 2:13-15 forbid women from preaching? What does he make of complementarian vs egalitarian theology? How does he treat passages such as Ephesians 5: 22 ‘wives submit to your husband’? First broadcast in 2019.
Unapologetic #35 Trevin Wax: Can Orthodoxy be thrilling?
Trevin Wax, author of award-winning book ‘The Thrill of Orthodoxy’, speaks to Ruth Jackson about what Orthodoxy is, how we articulate it in a modern context and why we should pass it on to the next generation.
How effective are ‘thoughts and prayers’ in times of great suffering?
As the new year unfolds in the shadow of rising living costs, raging war and a pervasive mental health crisis, Erik Strandness looks at what those in the midst of despair actually need
Is it arrogant to disagree? Michael Gungor responds to his critics
Musician and exvangelical Michael Gungor responds to journalist Heather Tomlinson’s critique of his approach on a recent episode of Unbelievable?
Do all religions lead to God?
Apologist Joel Furches explores one of life’s big questions
Unbelievable? Tim Keller Q&A on cancer, prayer and forgiveness
Tim Keller is a renowned thinker, writer and speaker who has been dubbed New York’s ‘pastor to skeptics’. In a live online show hosted by Ruth Jackson and Justin Brierley he answers audience questions on his journey with pancreatic cancer, his transformed prayer life and his new book ‘Forgive’.
And it was very good: creation and humanity
Erik Strandness explores the place of humans on this planet
Ask NT Wright Anything #151 NT Wright Q&A with Bishop Joseph D’Souza on global mission - Oxford Conference Session 3
Tom Wright and Joseph D’Souza host a Q&A at the Reimagining Global Mission conference in Oxford covering questions on the theology of mission and discipleship.
Is it arrogant for Jesus to claim to be the only way to get to heaven?
Writer Steve Schramm explains a potentially uncomfortable claim within Christianity
Unapologetic #34 Pedro Garcia: I became a Christian through Halloween
Apologist Pedro Garcia speaks to Ruth Jackson about how Halloween kickstarted his journey towards faith in Jesus.
Is the Western Church’s problem that it is too self-centred?
Digging deeper into Gungor’s rejection of Christian faith suggests so, says Heather Tomlinson
When atheism isn’t enough – an intellectual’s search for meaning
Jana Harmon tells the story of a man who discovered hope in the place he least thought he would find it
Teach the world to sing in a minor key
Erik Standness looks at what unites people in a crisis and why
The Top 10 Unbelievable? shows of 2022
Justin Brierley rounds up the most popular shows of the year
Ask NT Wright Anything #150 NT Wright on the multi-ethnic mission of the church - Oxford Conference Session 2
In this second lecture from the Reimagining Global Mission conference in Oxford, Tom speaks on the multi-ethnic, multicultural, polychrome mission of the church.
The cross as the ultimate symbol of deconstruction
Timothy James reflects on the significance of the cross and its meaning for our lives
Unapologetic #33 Finding Jesus changed Christmas forever
As we approach a new year, we speak to three people from different backgrounds who found new life in Jesus. They share their stories and talk about how finding Jesus has changed the way they celebrate Christmas for ever.
How should we respond to racial injustice?
As we approach a new year, we must continue to talk about these important issues. Clare Williams, apologist and founder of Get Real shares her thoughts about how Christians should respond to racial injustice
Secret service
Erik Strandness reflects on how we get to heaven and what that means for us
The CS Lewis Podcast #85 A magical Narnia trail
There is something inherently Christmassy about The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and a church in the North East of England have used Lewis’ classic children’s tale to put on a special event, inviting local families to engage with the Christmas story in an imaginative way.
The faith of the shepherds: A Christmas reflection
Tim James looks at what we can learn from a bunch of seemingly unimportant individuals who were brave enough to accept an invitation to meet the Messiah
Unapologetic #32 Charles Foster: The virgin birth, child massacre and Shamanic astrology
In the second half of our discussion about Christmas, Charles Foster, author of The Christmas Mystery, looks at some of the more sinister and less straightforward elements of the biblical Nativity narratives.
My Eucharistmas: A personal memoir on Holy Communion during the festive period
Oxford student Jonathan Garner shares his thoughts on Advent and the Eucharist
Church service cancelled on Christmas day? Mine will be our last…and I wouldn’t miss it for the world
As Christmas falls on a Sunday this year, Bethel McGrew explores what that might mean for many Americans
The CS Lewis Podcast #84 CS Lewis on Christmas
What did Christmas mean to CS Lewis? How did he celebrate it? Did he ever write about the festive season? Professor Alister McGrath shares his insights into CS Lewis’ depiction of the incarnation and Christmas.
Why the virgin birth?
Medical scientist Peter Elwood OBE examines the evidence for the miracle at the heart of the Christmas story
God in diapers
Erik Strandness reflects on the Christmas story
Ask NT Wright Anything #148 NT Wright on Reimagining Mission in the Global South - Oxford Conference Session 1
NT Wright was keynote speaker at an Oxford conference on Reimagining Mission in the Global South, hosted by Bishop Joseph D’Souza of the Good Shepherd Church network in India, in partnership with Premier.
Motorbikes and Jesus: How we can engage in cringe-free conversations this Christmas
As we enter the festive season, we may be faced with opportunities to talk about Jesus and the Christian story. Mark Roques looks at how we can approach these conversations
Unapologetic #31 Charles Foster: The truth behind the Christmas story
Why do only two of the four Gospels mention Jesus’ birth? What if the Christmas story isn’t true? Can we trust the biblical sources? Charles Foster, author of The Christmas Mystery, answers some of the tricky questions surrounding the Nativity narratives in the Bible.
Joy in the trials: Why something better than happiness is promised at Christmas
As we enter a festive season full of “comfort and joy”, Erik Strandness looks at what biblical joy looks like and how we are to practise it in the midst of the darkness
Five reasons we can trust the Nativity narratives
Cold-case detective J .Warner Wallace examines the evidence around the biblical accounts of the Christmas story
Does God answer prayer in a miraculous way?
Christmas celebrates one of the greatest miracles of all time – God becoming man – but should we reliably believe in miracles and can they be the result of our prayers? Retired priest, John Clarke, investigates
Joy to the world?
Ruth Jackson recalls her experience of miscarriage at Christmas and reflects on experiencing pain, fear and doubt in a season of celebration and frivolity
Unapologetic #30 Murdo Macleod: How John Wycliffe impacted my life
Ruth Jackson spoke to film director Murdo Macleod about his new film ‘Morningstar’, which focuses on John Wycliffe’s life and legacy.
How do you solve a problem like Jesus?
As we approach the celebration of Jesus’ birth, Erik Strandness explores who the founder of Christianity really is and what our response should be
Can we affirm the virgin birth?
As we approach Christmas, apologist Nick Peters explores the credibility of this outrageous biblical claim
Why do Christians believe God is trinity?
Writer Steve Schramm explores one of the strangest Christian doctrines
Unapologetic #29 Jon Tyson: Digital evangelism and reaching a lost generation
Ruth Jackson speaks to New York-based pastor Jon Tyson about reaching young people, digital evangelism and parenting.
US elections and countercultural power
Following mid-term elections in the US, Erik Strandness explores what it would look like to operate from a perspective of God’s kingdom rather than man’s
Unbelievable? Sean McDowell live Q&A on sexuality, transgender and culture war questions
Apologist and author Sean McDowell joined Justin along with hundreds of Unbelievable? listeners for a live show talking about Sean’s new book ‘A Rebel’s Manifesto’ and taking questions on LGBT, same-sex marriage, transgender, divorce, theology and more.
‘Science is not enough’
Scientist Dr Sy Gate was a convinced atheist who thought the Church was the main enemy of humanity. Through his scientific study and a number of dreams, Sy begin to question his firmly held beliefs
Ask NT Wright Anything #145 Should I use the word ‘heaven’? Will we know everything in the new creation?
A listener wants to know if the suggestion of Old Testament prophets being raised from the dead presents a problem for the uniqueness of Jesus’ resurrection? Is ‘heaven’ the in-between-state before new creation? Will we know everything once we are raised? Tom answers listener questions along with guest scholar Justin Bass.
Falling from Grace: Addressing power, leadership and abuse in the Church
Erik Strandness reflects on a recent webinar on sexual abuse and looks at the lessons we must learn
Ask NT Wright Anything #144 Why is John's Gospel so different? What did Paul know about Jesus?
Tom Wright and Justin Brierley are back with a fresh batch of listener questions on the gospels this week including: How do I reconcile John’s portrayal of Jesus with the other gospels? Are the timings of the crucifixion accounts in conflict? And what did Paul know about Jesus? New Testament scholar Justin Bass also joins the conversation.
Does hell exist?
Apologist Joel Furches explores different opinions of hell and why its existence matters
‘I Don’t Need God’ – a sceptic’s U-turn
Ardent atheist Mark Meckler began to consider whether there might be something more after 51 years of scepticism
Is Christianity sexist?
Apologist Joel Furches explores women’s place in the Church, both historically and today
Ask NT Wright Anything #143 The bedrock facts of the resurrection - NT Wright & Justin Bass
Justin Brierley and Tom Wright are joined by New Testament scholar Justin Bass, author of ‘The Bedrock of Christianity: The unalterable facts of Jesus’ death and resurrection’. They discuss why the appearances of Jesus and the rise of Christianity count as historical evidence for the truth of the resurrection
We will remember
As we approach Remembrance Day and Veterans Day, Ruth Jackson reflects on the importance of remembering
Unapologetic #26 Clare Williams: Why young black people are leaving Christianity
Ruth Jackson speaks to apologist Clare Williams about black consciousness and why so many young black people are leaving the Church.
How should I read scripture?
Apologist Nick Peters takes us on a whistlestop tour of the Bible and shares his advice about how we approach it
Ask NT Wright Anything #142 What did St Paul believe about justification, election and salvation?
Tom Wright talks to Justin about his book Paul: A Biography and takes listener questions on ‘justification’, election and salvation and what three things he would ask Paul if he were alive today. From a show first broadcast in 2019.
Unapologetic #25 Clare Williams: Why racial justice matters
Ruth Jackson speaks to apologist Clare Williams about racial justice, black pain and how the Church should respond.
Michael Gungor talks about his changing faith with Evan Wickham (full transcript)
Unbelievable? explores how two friends with similar upbringings ended up in such different places spiritually
I became a Christian through a pumpkin party
Halloween may be a controversial topic for some Christians, but it was the beginning of a journey to faith for apologist Pedro R Garcia
Halloween: scary movies, religious belief and wish fulfilment
As we approach Halloween, researcher Derek Caldwell explores Freud’s wish fulfilment hypothesis in light of our inherent fears
Unapologetic #24 Clare Williams: Why Black History Matters
As we come to the end of Black History Month in the UK, Ruth Jackson speaks to apologist Clare Williams about how we can support young black people and reach them with the gospel message.
Apologetics: What is it and how do we use it?
It’s not about saying sorry. Joel Furches says making an intellectual defence for Christian faith has a long history
Who is the real Jesus?
Apologist Joel Furches unpacks one of the most Googled questions, looking at the nature of Jesus
The greatest story ever told
Erik Strandness reflects on how Christianity shaped the West
Ask NT Wright Anything #140 Q&A on racial reconciliation and female leadership with Pastor Miles McPherson Pt 2
Tom speaks on the role of the church in racial reconcliation in the USA and why he believes the Bible affirms the leadership roles of both men and women. This is the second part of Tom’s on-stage interview with Pastor Miles McPherson, recorded at Rock Church, San Diego in 2019.
Unapologetic #23 Tom Holland: How the Bible inspired the anti-slavery movement
Why were radical Christians at the forefront of the abolition movement? Historian Tom Holland, author of ‘Dominion’, shares why the story of Jesus dying the death of a criminal slave was the historical catalyst for the modern day anti-slavery movement. The second part of a conversation recorded live with Justin Brierley at the IllumiNations Europe conference in Scotland.
Can mystical experiences be trusted? New Testament scholar Dale Allison certainly thinks so
Erik Strandness explores the role of mystery in apologetics
Ask NT Wright Anything #139 Q&A on New Creation & Salvation with Pastor Miles McPherson Pt 1
NT Wright was interviewed by Pastor Miles McPherson at Rock Church San Diego. They talk about Tom’s work to redescribe the gospel in terms of new creation, and what that means for the concept of ‘getting saved’. Recorded in 2019.
Ask NT Wright Anything #137 Atheist asks: Was Jesus’ death just a ‘bad weekend at human camp’?
Tom Wright talks about his book The Day The Revolution Began and answers listener Qs on Penal Substitution, the Old Testament sacrificial system, Christ’s ‘descent to the dead’, and an atheist’s claim that Christ’s death was ‘just a bad weekend at human camp’. First broadcast in 2018.
Ask NT Wright Anything #136 Talking to kids about New Creation & responding to William Lane Craig
Tom Wright answers listener questions on how to teach children about new creation, where our loved ones go after they die, and responds to a critique from William Lane Craig in a replay of an early edition of the show from 2018.
Unbelievable? Angels, visions and near death encounters - Dale C Allison on whether skeptics can take religious experiences seriously
From rapturous joy to inexplicable terror, angelic encounters to near death experiences, New Testament scholar Dale Allison has researched a wide range of phenomena in his new book ‘Encountering Mystery: Religious Experience in a Secular Age’. He tells of his own experiences and explains why they are more common than many people realise, and why skeptics shouldn’t dismiss them out of hand. Justin also brings listener questions from atheists and believers.
Ask NT Wright Anything #134 Should we cancel Luther & Calvin?
Should we value the theology of Luther and Calvin given the anti-semitism and killing they both endorsed? How do I convince my Lutheran friend that not all ‘works’ are bad? Is it a problem that the Lutheran baptistmal rite uses the disputed ending of Mark? Tom answers listener questions on the influence of the reformers.
Ask NT Wright Anything #132 Is the Bible anti-women? Does God hear the prayers of agnostics?
Tom offers advice to a listener who is moving away from Christianity because she believes the Bible seems to treat women as second class citizens. Another is an agnostic who has been praying for the war in Ukraine. Will God hear my prayers if I’m not even sure I believe?
Unapologetic #13 Derwin L Gray: What the Bible says about racial reconciliation
Former NFL footballer-turned-pastor Derwin L Gray shares lessons he has learned from leading Transformation Church, the multi-ethnic megachuch he founded, as he continues to open up his book ‘How To Heal Our Racial Divide’
Unbelievable? Lord Martin Rees & John Wyatt • Robots, Transhumanism, and Life Beyond Earth
The Big Conversation - Episode 5 | Season 4. Is Artificial Intelligence a friend or foe of human flourishing? Does faith have any part to play in the robotics revolution, and the race to upgrade our bodies and even escape our planet? What does the future hold for humans?
Ask NT Wright Anything #126 - From the slums of Kenya to new life - NT Wright meets Jey Mbiro
Justin and NT Wright speak to Jey Mbiro a Kenyan Christian who grew up as a street kid in the slums of Nairobi and was imprisoned aged just 9. They talk about poverty, the church in East Africa and Jey’s own story of transformation thanks to Compassion.
Unbelievable? Overturning Roe: A victory for life or step back for abortion rights? Lois McLatchie vs KS
Following the landmark reversal of Roe vs Wade by the US Supreme Court, pro-life advocate Lois McLatchie and pro-choice guest KS debate the legal and ethical implications.
Ask NT Wright Anything #125 - Situation, Theology, and Hermeneutics in Galatians
Situation, Theology, and Hermeneutics in Galatians. Another bonus edition of the podcast featuring Tom teaching on his new video course on Galatians.
Unbelievable? Graham Oppy & Guillaume Bignon • Rationality, Religious Experience and the Case for God
The Big Conversation - Episode 4 | Season 4
Ask NT Wright Anything #124 - Medieval questions and the subject of Galatians
Medieval Questions and the subject of Galatians. A bonus edition of the podcast featuring Tom teaching on his new video course on Galatians.
Unbelievable? Shane Claiborne vs Kyle Thompson - Mass shootings, gun violence and the USA 2nd Amendment
Recent mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, NY have brought the issue of gun violence and mass shooting in the USA back into the spotlight.
Ask NT Wright Anything #123 How St. Paul changed the world Pt 2 - Tom Holland & NT Wright
NT Wright and popular historian Tom Holland continue their discussion about the way the writings and theology of St Paul changed the modern world.
Ask NT Wright Anything #122 Tom Holland & NT Wright talk about Paul
Who was Paul? What difference did he make to the world? What do we know about his conversion? Justin sat down with NT Wright and popular historian Tom Holland to talk about NT Wright’s then-recently published book Paul: A Biography in a conversation that took place in 2018.
Unbelievable? God Unmuted Conference highlights - Glen Scrivener, Alister McGrath and guests plus John Lennox
Justin presents talks and clips from panel discussions at Unbelievable? the Conference 2022, live from The British Library in London. Glen Scrivener on ‘Why Christ Alone Can Win The Culture Wars’, Alister McGrath on ‘How to transform our culture and not be consumed by it’, and snippets from panel discussions on transgender and vocation.
Ask NT Wright Anything #120 New Testament Q&A: Pharisees, contradictions & oral tradition
Tom answers listener questions on the New Testament. Were the Pharisees all bad? How do we reconcile the different Gospel endings about where the disciples stayed after the resurrection? Is the oral tradition, before the Gospels were written down, reliable?
Unbelievable? Are the gifts of the Spirit still in operation? Cessation vs Continuation: Doug Wilson & Michael Brown
The charismatic church is the fastest growing part of the global church. But not all Christians believe gifts of tongues, prophecy and healing are for today.
Lee Strobel on the Case For Heaven PLUS Alister McGrath, Lisa Fields, Jeff Vines and Sharon Dirckx conference preview
Justin interviews some of the contributors to Unbelievable? 2022 including theologian Alister McGrath, African-American apologist Lisa Fields, US pastor Jeff Vines and neuroscientist Sharon Dirckx. Lee Strobel also chats to Justin about his new documentary film The Case for Heaven
Is there historical evidence for the bodily resurrection of Jesus? Justin Bass & Dale Allison
New Testament scholars Dale Allison and Justin Bass discuss their different approaches to the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection.
Did Christianity give us our belief in equality, compassion and consent? Bart Ehrman vs Glen Scrivener
Glen Scrivener’s book ‘The Air We Breathe: How We All Came to Believe in Freedom, Kindness, Progress & Equality’ makes the case that our belief in modern human rights & values are a direct product of the Christian story that shaped the West.
Send Proof: Is there medical evidence for miracles? Craig Keener, Michael Shermer and Elijah Stephens
Elijah Stephens, director of the documentary Send Proof, joins Justin to discuss his investigation into supernatural healing claims. Miracle researcher Craig Keener shares extraordinary stories - but is it enough to convince atheist skeptic Michael Shermer?
Unbelievable? Do extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence? Jonathan McLatchie vs Jonathan Pearce
‘Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence’ is often used as a maxim by skeptics against modern miracle claims and Biblical miracles.
Ask NT Wright Anything #95 Did it really happen? Questions on the reliability of the Bible
How should we approach historical scholarship that undermines the Bible? Was early Christian persecution exaggerated? Did saints really rise from their graves as Matthew 27 claims?
Ask NT Wright Anything #91 Tom‘s problems with Platonism
NT Wright frequently mentions the problem of Christianity being infected by Platonism. But what does that mean? And what about parts of the New Testament that seem quite… Platonic? Tom answers listener Qs on the subject
Ask NT Wright Anything #90 Galatians, Tom vs Luther and gender
Tom has recently had a major new commentary on Galatians published. Justin talks to him about it and poses question from listeners about aspects of Galatians, including the fruits of the Spirit, whether gender will exist in the new creation, and where he disagree with Martin Luther’s commentary on Galatians.
Ask NT Wright Anything #89 Audience Q&A on Paul: A Biography
Tom Wright takes audience questions on the person of Paul and is theology in part 3 of an event by SPCK to mark the publication of Paul: A Biography in 2018.
Ask NT Wright Anything #88 Martin Bashir interviews NT Wright on Paul
Tom Wright speaks to Martin Bashir about Paul and the church in Part 2 of an event by SPCK to mark the publication of Paul: A Biography in 2018.
Ask NT Wright Anything #87 Who was the Apostle Paul and why does he still matter?
Tom Wright talks about the life and legacy of the apostle Paul in front of an audience at Westminster Central Hall, London. The lecture was part of an event by SPCK to mark the publication of Paul: A Biography in 2018.
Ask NT Wright Anything #84 Why did Jesus have to die? What did it achieve?
Is saying Jesus ‘had to die’ putting a limit on God’s forgiveness? And if Jesus defeated sin why does the world still look so bad? Tom answers these and other listener questions.
Ask NT Wright Anything #81 Do Jewish people need Jesus?
Are Jews saved under the old covenant? How should I share my faith with Jewish people today? Does the Bible endorse Zionism?
Ask NT Wright Anything #78 What did the apostles do after Acts? And Qs on the historicity of the New Testament.
Do the earliest Gospels lack a divine Jesus? Who authored 2 Peter? What do we know about what happened to the Apostles after the close of scripture? Tom answers questions on the historicity of the Gospels.
Ask NT Wright Anything #77 Gifts of the Spirit: How much should we value prophecy and tongues?
What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? Are tongues genuine? Tom answer question on spiritual gifts and offers advice to a group of friends experiencing unexpected prophecy and healing.
Ask NT Wright Anything #75 Qs about Jesus
Would Jesus have used miracles to make life easier for himself? Are some of Jesus’ word too harsh? Could Jesus have sinned? Tom answers questions about Jesus by listeners.
Ask NT Wright Anything #74 Confused by parables
What’s with the persistent neighbour? What lesson should we take from the shrewd manager? Is the story of Lazarus and the rich man a lesson about hell? NT Wright answers these and other listener questions on the parables of Jesus
Unbelievable? Is Revelation bonkers? Brett Davis and Glenn Packiam
Revelation is one of the most mysterious and strange books in the Bible. Is it mapping out end times events? Is it just tripping? Or is it something else?
Ask NT Wright Anything #73 Vocation and calling
Does our vocation and calling on earth make a difference if God is going to put everything right in the end? Does my past disqualify me from a call to priesthood? These and more questions are answered by Tom Wright.
Ask NT Wright Anything #71 Should the story of the woman caught in adultery be in our Bible?
NT Wright answers listener questions on the New Testament, including a question about the reliability of John 8:1-11, Jesus on prayer and petition, and whether Paul made a mistake about the promise to Abraham in Romans 4.
Ask NT Wright Anything #69 Live show Pt 2 – How do we get people reading the Bible again?
The second part of the live audience show with NT Wright and Tom Holland recorded at Unbelievable? 2021.
Ask NT Wright Anything #65 Acts Q&A Pt 2 – Tongues, doctrine and evangelism
Should we use Acts for doctrinal guidance? Is speaking in tongues the mark of a mature Christian? Is there a difference between the Paul of Acts and the letters? How should Acts inspire us to live today? Tom responds to more questions from participants on the NT Wright Online video course on The Acts of The Apostles.
Ask NT Wright Anything #64 Questions on the Acts of the Apostles
Is church life in Acts prescriptive for us today? What guidance does Acts give about baptism? How should we understand the signs and wonders in Acts? Tom responds to these and more questions from participants on the NT Wright Online video course on The Acts Of The Apostles.
Unbelievable? Why the Bible makes sense of modern life - Tom Holland & Andrew Ollerton
It’s still the bestselling book in the world. But can the Bible speak to modern life in the way it has to past generations?
Ask NT Wright Anything #61 Could Jesus have been female? What about polygamy?
Tom tackles questions on whether Jesus could have been incarnated as a woman instead of a man, how you explain polygamy in scripture, and the question of Biblical commands about men and women speaking in church.
Unbelievable? Transgender people and the church – Preston Sprinkle and Christina Beardsley
Rev Christina Beardsley is a transgender priest in the Church of England and author of numerous resources on trans experience in the church. She engages with Preston Sprinkle, author of ‘Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, and What the Bible Has to Say’ who takes a grace-filled but traditional Christian approach to sexuality. They discuss how churches should engage with trans people, theological questions of ‘bodily’ and ‘gender’ identity, and the issue of Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria.
Unbelievable? Is the Bible as bad as atheist memes claim? Dan Kimball vs Michael Wiseman
The online atheist world is awash with memes that critique passages from the Bible.
Unbelievable? Christmas special
We look back over 2020 and share some of our highlights, favourite clips and lessons we’ve learnt along the way. Plus, author Nick Page debunks some Christmas myths and we hear stories of people who came to faith largely through apologetics.
Unbelievable? The Christmas story: fact or fairytale? Lydia McGrew vs Jonathan Pearce
Atheist blogger Jonathan Pearce is the author of ‘The Nativity: A Critical Examination’. He believes the birth narratives in Matthew and Luke are pious fiction. Christian thinker Lydia McGrew, author of ‘The Mirror or the Mask?’ defends the historicity of the Nativity accounts.
Ask NT Wright Anything #43 Tom on his life and faith and the meaning of the cross
NT Wright talks to Justin about his early life and how his faith developed over the years, before turning to the question of what the atonement means, as laid out in his book The Day The Revolution Began. This interview was first broadcast on The Profile podcast https://www.premierchristianradio.com/theprofile
Ask NT Wright Anything #42 Ananias and Sapphira and more tricky theological questions
How do we reconcile the New Testament account of Ananias and Sapphira being struck dead with the cross-shaped vision of a God of love?
Ask NT Wright Anything #40 Do I have to agree with St. Paul?
Tom answers listener questions on the life of the Apostle Paul, whether he wrote all the letters attributed to him, and whether contemporary Christians need to agree with all the views he gives.
Ask NT Wright Anything #39 Will animals go to heaven?… and other questions on new creation
Tom answers listener questions on heaven and new creation. Will free will still exist? DO near Death Experiences tell us anything about it? Will we be reunited with our loved ones… and even our pets?
NT Wright: Cessationism & why I pray in tongues ∕∕ Ask NT Wright Anything
Tom talks about his own experience of praying in tongues and why he disagrees with the view that the charismatic gifts of the Spirit ceased with the closure of scripture.
NT Wright responds to Richard Carrier on women and the resurrection
Tom responds to the claim that Jesus mythicist Richard Carrier has debunked the view that women’s testimony of the empty tomb in the Gospels acts as a source of strong evidence for the resurrection.
Unbelievable? Are martyred apostles good evidence for the resurrection? Sean McDowell vs Paulogia
Would 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?
Ask NT Wright Anything #36 Has the resurrection been debunked?
It’s Eastertide so Tom is answering questions on the resurrection, including one listener who believes that the evidence of the women at the empty tomb has been debunked by modern scholarship.
The resurrection may make sense of history. More importantly, it makes sense of me
Dr. Erik Strandness says it’s not just historical facts that need to be harmonized.
Ask NT Wright Anything #35 Questions on Crucifixion and Atonement
Just in time for Easter we bring you a show (recorded before lockdown) in which Tom answers listener questions on the crucifixion, the nature of atonement and forgiveness.
Why doesn’t God stop Coronavirus and mend the world?
It’s the most natural question in the world: If God is good and all powerful, then why doesn’t he just stop bad things happening? It’s something that individuals often ask at times of personal tragedy. As the Coronavirus sweeps across the world Justin Brierley offers an answer to the questions being asked by people all over the globe.
Ask NT Wright Anything #29 The charismatic gifts of the Spirit
Tom answers question on whether gifts of prophecy and tongues are for today, the roles of signs and wonders, and talks about his own experience of the Holy Spirit.
Ask NT Wright Anything #28 Satan and the powers of evil
Are we supposed to believe in a literal Satan? What do the New and Old Testament say about the devil? In what ways does Jesus counter the forces of evil in his ministry and at the cross?
Was Jesus’ claim to be God an invention? Examining Ehrman’s arguments
Peter S. Williams reviews The Big Conversation between New Testament scholars Bart Ehrman & Peter J. Williams
Peter J Williams, Bart Ehrman and the Gospels: A critical analysis
James Bejon breaks down the key arguments made by Ehrman and Williams in their Big Conversation on the Gospels.
The Right Way to Debate Bart Ehrman
Lydia McGrew reviews a recent debate with Bart Ehrman, and argues that Bible scholar Peter J Williams offers a model for dispensing common sense
Ask NT Wright Anything #24 The New Testament In Its World
In a one–year anniversary special of the show, Justin and Tom are joined by Australian Bible scholar Mike Bird to talk about their major new collaborative book ‘The New Testament in its World: An introduction to the history, literature and theology of the first Christians’.
Fake News? Did the Gospel writers get the facts right but their stories wrong?
Catholic blogger K Albert Little examines the difference between the stories of Jesus and the stories of President Trump…
Ask NT Wright Anything #23 Tom talks about life, faith and atonement
In this interview with NT Wright from The Profile podcast, Justin Brierley interviews Tom about his life and faith, as well as his theology of atonement in his book The Day The Revolution Began.
Why women should be church leaders and preachers ∕∕ Ask NT Wright anything
Bible scholar NT Wright answers a listener question on whether the Bible allows women to teach in churches, including the passage from 1 Timothy 2 v 11-12 “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.
Ask NT Wright Anything #20 Israel, Christian Zionism and the return of Jesus
How should Christians think about the place of Israel today? Do the Jewish people still have a distinct role in God’s purposes? The Bible says Jesus will return ‘soon’, so why hasn’t he?
Ask NT Wright Anything #19 Doctrine questions about the Trinity and Baptism
How does the doctrine of the Trinity work? Do you have to believe it to be a Christian? Where do you find it in the Bible? What does Tom think about the doctrine of baptism?
Ask NT Wright Anything #18 Hell and Heaven
What is the nature of hell and what does Tom believe about it? What about annihilationist or universalist views? Can we be happy in heaven if we know that loved ones won’t be there?
Despite banning, burning and belittling, the cross still stands
How did an instrument of torture and execution became one of the world’s most recognisable cultural symbols? Ahead of Unbelievable? The Conference 2019, Justin Brierley examines the power of the cross.
Jesus for skeptics. How to respond to those who say Jesus is a myth
How should we respond those who doubt the existence of Jesus? Ahead of Unbelievable? the Conference 2019, Justin Brierley offers three approaches.
Ask NT Wright Anything #13 Christian sexual ethics, homosexuality and transgender
In this edition of the podcast Tom answers listener questions on how to have better conversations on sexuality in the church, co-habitation, whether the New Testament understanding of homosexuality was different to today and his thoughts on Transgender following a letter he wrote to The Times newspaper.
Ask NT Wright Anything #6 Female church leadership, complementarity and marriage
Tom answers questions on what the New Testament says about the role of women in church leadership. Does 1 Tim 2:13-15 forbid women from preaching? What does he make of complementarian vs egalitarian theology? How does he treat passages such as Ephesians 5: 22 ‘wives submit to your husband’?
Justin Welby • Thy Kingdom Come, tongues, Brexit, LGBT and church unity
Justin Welby the Archbishop of Canterbury speaks to Premier’s Justin Brierley about the evangelism and prayer initiative Thy Kingdom Come, praying in tongues, Brexit, politics, being the leader of the Anglican Church, and how he deals with controversy surrounding LGBT issues.
How do I share the Gospel with a Muslim?
Bible scholar Tom Wright answers a listener from Beirut’s question on how to have fruitful gospel conversations with Muslims.
Ask NT Wright Anything #5 Qs on the life of St Paul, justification and predestination
Tom Wright talks to Justin about his new book Paul: A Biography and takes listener questions on ‘justification’, election and salvation and what three things he would ask Paul if he were alive today.
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