2023-09-26T10:00:00+01:00
In the first episode of this three-part series, Peter Byrom shares his fascinating story as told in the chapter he contributed to Coming to Faith Through Dawkins. He outlines how he encountered the apologist William Lane Craig via the New Atheists and discusses his growing disillusionment with Dawkins’ “devastating” argument from complexity.
2023-09-21T16:00:00+01:00
From 2020: 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.
2023-09-21T12:21:00+01:00
Erik Strandness reflects on deconstruction and reconstruction following an Unbelievable show on this topic
2023-09-15T15:00:00+01:00
In the second part of their discussion based on the book Coming to Faith Through Dawkins, theologian Alister McGrath and YouTuber Alex O’Connor discuss where we may be heading in regards to religion and atheism.
2023-09-12T11:17:00+01:00
Evangelist Phil Knox, author of Story Bearer and The Best of Friends, shares some of his story with Ruth Jackson, speaking about the impact of his dad’s death at a young age. Plus, they discuss why evangelism matters and how we can share our story and be a “good news person in a bad news world”.
2023-09-08T15:56:00+01:00
Retired bishop Richard Harries shares his thoughts about Queen Elizabeth II, who died a year ago on 8th September 2022
2023-09-05T09:00:00+01:00
Dr Erik Strandness explores the relationship between the soul, mind, brain, body and spirit following a recent Big Conversation about near death experiences
2023-08-29T11:00:00+01:00
Monday 28th August marked 60 years since the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Martin Luther King Jr delivered his iconic ‘I have a dream’ speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Adam Coleman’s grandfather was personally invited to attend the event by Dr King. Adam spoke about his grandfather’s experience and reflected on the last 60 years - how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go when it comes to racial justice.
2023-08-28T17:00:00+01:00
As we delve into the first book of the trilogy, Out of the Silent Planet, Professor Alister McGrath looks at some of its key themes. He explores the characters of Weston and Devine, looking at whether they represent particular ideologies and how Lewis exposes issues with their worldviews. Plus, why was JRR Tolkien such a fan of the book?
2023-08-27T09:30:00+01:00
Apologist Adam Coleman shares his thoughts about Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy 60 years after his iconic ‘I have a dream’ speech
2023-08-25T13:22:00+01:00
60 years on from Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘I have a dream’ speech, apologist Adam Coleman reflects on his grandfather’s first-hand experience of the March on Washington
2023-08-17T15:25:00+01:00
Rev Sam Allberry, a close friend of Tim and Kathy Keller, delivered a moving tribute at Tim Keller’s memorial service on 15th August. Here’s what he said
2023-08-15T10:12:00+01:00
Entrepreneur Max Anderson shares his final reflections on the great Tim Keller who influenced his life in a deeply profound way
2023-08-14T17:00:00+01:00
Alister McGrath explores some of the theological themes within Lewis’ trilogy, such as incarnation, atonement and the problem of evil. How did Lewis view the relationship between science and religion? What did he think about evolution? How did he critique certain worldviews through his fiction?
2023-08-14T13:00:00+01:00
Entrepreneur Max Anderson reflects on his New York pastor and friend’s teaching on work
2023-08-12T09:00:00+01:00
Entrepreneur Max Anderson reflects on his New York pastor and friend’s teaching on marriage
2023-08-11T09:40:00+01:00
Entrepreneur Max Anderson reflects on his New York pastor and friend’s teaching on idolatry
2023-08-10T13:27:00+01:00
Entrepreneur Max Anderson reflects on his New York pastor and friend’s apologetic teaching
2023-08-08T17:00:00+01:00
Entrepreneur Max Anderson reflects on his New York pastor and friend’s teaching on the Prodigal Son
2023-08-08T15:00:00+01:00
Entrepreneur Max Anderson reflects on the many things he’s learnt from his New York pastor and friend
2023-08-08T09:00:00+01:00
Ruth Jackson continues her conversation with Mexican writer Ana Ávila who studied clinical biochemistry. Why is there a perceived conflict between science and religion? Does science contradict the Bible? Can you prove there is a God?
2023-08-02T13:10:00+01:00
Charles Clough is a retired military meteorologist who became a Christian while at MIT. Apologist Joel Furches spoke to him about being a scientist and a theologian
2023-07-28T10:00:00+01:00
Linguist and author of Dalek Christianity Tom Schwarz explores what factors influence our perception of truth. He also looks at how we can celebrate different perspectives
2023-07-26T09:00:00+01:00
Former non-theist Mary Jo Sharp found answers to many of her questions through Christian apologetics. She is now passionate about sharing this with others, despite the great personal cost at times. She shares some of her story with Joel Furches here
2023-07-25T15:40:00+01:00
Dr Jennifer Woodruff Tait, managing editor of Christian History magazine, discloses how looking at the past can help us with the future. She shares some of the interesting steps in her career, from preaching to her stuffed animals at the age of 4, to professor, music director, librarian and priest (and brown belt in Karate!). Plus, she offers her thoughts around the Asbury revival.
2023-07-21T12:00:00+01:00
Are science and religion in conflict? Is there more to life than mere matter? Where do we find meaning? Erik Strandness explores these big questions in light of a recent Big Conversation with atheist Philip Ball and Christian Nick Spencer
2023-07-19T12:24:00+01:00
Apologist Joel Furches explores the evolution of religion, focussing on the most ancient religion still practised today
2023-07-17T17:00:00+01:00
Many people don’t even realise CS Lewis wrote science fiction, much less have perused these three colossal volumes. So, why read them? In the first episode of our brand new series on Lewis’ Space Trilogy, Professor Alister McGrath looks at when and why Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra and That Hideous Strength were created and how they can impact our lives today.
2023-06-28T16:00:00+01:00
Ruth Jackson speaks to Dr Vince Vitale, one of the new guest hosts of Premier Unbelievable?, about his journey from scepticism to Christianity while studying philosophy at Princeton University.
2023-06-26T12:14:00+01:00
Ben Clifton grew up in a non-Christian household and didn’t encounter church until his wife’s mental health struggles led her to attend. Here, Jana Harmon tells the remarkable story of Ben’s journey from sceptic to apologist
2023-06-20T12:00:00+01:00
Apologist Joel Furches highlights the core beliefs of the fastest growing religion in the world and compares it to the two other Abrahamic faiths
2023-06-19T17:00:00+01:00
60 years after his death people continue to read, use and quote CS Lewis’ apologetics works. In this replay of an Unbelievable show, originally broadcast in October 2010, Justin Brierley speaks to Lewis scholar Dr Michael Ward and former Christian-turned atheist Dan Barker. Here, they discuss Lewis’ arguments, focussing particularly on his Natural Law argument for God in ‘Mere Christianity’.
2023-06-09T17:00:00+01:00
We’re revisiting a pivotal debate from 2009: Bart Ehrman’s first appearance on Unbelievable?, debating Peter J Williams on whether we can trust the gospel accounts and, specifically, how New Testament scripture has been transmitted.
2023-05-10T10:00:00+01:00
Apologist Joel Furches explores various definitions of “atheism” and the consequent impact of these
2023-05-05T12:44:00+01:00
This week on Unbelievable’s Coronation special Roger Bolton asks how important is the established Church of England to the fabric of life in the United Kingdom and beyond?
2023-05-04T15:59:00+01:00
From 2019: 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.
2023-05-03T17:00:00+01:00
In the final part of her discussion with Ruth Jackson, Dr Lydia McGrew, an analytic philosopher and author of Testimonies to the Truth: Why you can Trust the Gospels, unpacks some of the more disconcerting elements of Jesus’ character and looks at how this impacts the veracity of the Gospel accounts. She also addresses how the loneliness and suffering of Jesus can speak to a hurting world.
2023-05-03T12:06:00+01:00
Erik Strandness reflects on an Unbelievable? discussion between punk singer-turned-pastor Josh Porter and former-Christian Jon Steingard, exploring why numerous young American evangelicals lose their faith and whether they’re ever able to get it back
2023-05-01T12:00:00+01:00
As we approach the King’s coronation, journalist Heather Tomlinson explores the biblical idea of kingship and what that means for us
2023-04-28T13:30:00+01:00
Rt Revd Paul Butler, one of the bishop assistants to the King, shares his thoughts on this historical event
2023-04-26T17:00:00+01:00
Dr Lydia McGrew, an analytic philosopher and author of Testimonies to the Truth: Why you can Trust the Gospels, explores how reliability is assessed in regards to ancient documents. She tackles some of the alleged contradictions in the Gospels and looks at why certain elements, such as accurate geography, cultural knowledge and names are important.
2023-04-26T13:00:00+01:00
Apologist Joel Furches corrects what he believes are a number of misconceptions about some of these historical events and explores what Christians should do about them
2023-04-24T17:00:00+01:00
In the final episode of our series focussing on McGrath’s book, CS Lewis: A Life, we look at why someone who expected to be forgotten within five years of his death has had such a lasting impact. Why is CS Lewis still so popular and how long will his appeal last? Plus, this is your last chance to register for the opportunity to win a copy of McGrath’s seminal biography of Lewis.
2023-04-24T13:20:00+01:00
Author Mark Roques warns us to be on our guard when watching television and movies
2023-04-20T17:00:00+01:00
Justin Brierley is moving on from hosting the Ask NT Wright Anything show. Before the baton gets passed on to fresh hands, he sits down with Tom to ask him the questions he would like to hear answered.
2023-04-19T17:00:00+01:00
Dr Lydia McGrew, an analytic philosopher and author, became a Christian at the age of 4. She shares some of her story with Ruth Jackson, including her experience of being adopted, her prevailing wrestle with the problem of evil and why she’s passionate about an evidential approach to Christianity.
2023-04-19T16:25:00+01:00
Writer Steve Schramm explores Mormonism and questions how Christians should respond to it
2023-04-18T09:30:00+01:00
Neonatal physician Erik Strandness asks some challenging questions in light of many young people’s desperate struggles and explores what hope there is
2023-04-14T16:00:00+01:00
The Unbelievable? show has been broadcasting for over 17 years. Justin Brierley and Ruth Jackson take a retrospective tour through highlights from the show from day one to some of the most significant debates that have been hosted, before being joined by Dr. Vince Vitale for a special announcement by Justin.
2023-04-10T17:00:00+01:00
In this special episode, we take a break from our series on Professor Alister McGrath’s seminal biography, CS Lewis: A Life, to celebrate reaching our 100th episode. Alister shares some of his thoughts around what modern readers can learn from Lewis and how he can help with the renewal of the Church.
2023-04-07T17:00:00+01:00
The Big Conversation - Episode 1 | Season 5
2023-04-06T17:00:00+01:00
As Easter approaches Tom answers a variety of listener questions on the Biblical resurrection accounts, the nature of the resurrection body, why Jesus didn’t stay with us, and also shares his thoughts on popular psychology professor Jordan B Peterson. First broadcast in 2019.
2023-04-06T11:21:00+01:00
Professor John Swinton, a former psychiatric nurse-turned practical theologian at Aberdeen University, reflects on the significance of the resurrection and its impact
2023-04-06T10:42:00+01:00
Professor John Swinton, a former psychiatric nurse-turned practical theologian at Aberdeen University, reflects on the significance of Good Friday and Holy Saturday
2023-04-06T08:57:00+01:00
Dr Jeremiah Johnston, author of ’Body of Proof: The 7 Best Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus-and Why It Matters Today’ shares his thoughts on this painful topic
2023-04-05T11:09:00+01:00
Apologists Nick Peters and Joel Furches explore the plausibility of Christianity’s central claim
2023-04-04T11:04:00+01:00
Apologist Joel Furches looks at the soul, near death experiences and the resurrection of Jesus, examining their veracity and relevance
2023-04-03T13:11:00+01:00
Apologists Nick Spencer and Joel Furches examine the evidence for the event at the heart of Christianity
2023-04-01T11:00:00+01:00
Dr Andy Bannister, director of the Solas Centre for Public Christianity, explores why he believes Jesus’ death on the cross was necessary
2023-03-31T11:49:00+01:00
Professor John Swinton, a former psychiatric nurse-turned practical theologian at Aberdeen University, unpacks some of its key moments and their relevance
2023-03-30T13:00:00+01:00
Professor John Swinton, a former psychiatric nurse-turned practical theologian at Aberdeen University, reflects on the events leading up to the death of Jesus and ponders their significance for our lives today
2023-03-29T18:00:00+01:00
In part two of his discussion with Ruth Jackson, Professor John Swinton shares what Holy Week means to him and explores what impact the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus has on a world in need of hope.
2023-03-29T15:00:00+01:00
Apologist Joel Furches explores one of life’s biggest questions
2023-03-29T13:30:00+01:00
Writer Steve Schramm unpacks various atonement theories, looking at their historical and biblical origins
2023-03-24T13:00:00+00:00
Heather Tomlinson shares a short explainer about charismatic gifts of the Spirit and cessationism, following a recent Unbelievable? debate
2023-03-21T14:29:00+00:00
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
2023-03-20T16:24:00+00:00
Author Mark Roques challenges the assumption that some things are in the ‘secular box’, while others are in the ‘religious box’
2023-03-17T14:18:00+00:00
Tim James explores how the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to our understanding of the divine importance of physical place in our modern world
2023-03-15T18:00:00+00:00
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.
2023-03-09T18:00:00+00:00
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.
2023-02-28T15:00:00+00:00
Subscribe for early access to this episode at thebigconversation.show
2023-02-27T16:45:00+00:00
In the eighth episode of our series focussing on McGrath’s book, CS Lewis: A Life, Professor Alister McGrath shares some of Lewis’ thoughts on suffering. We also hear how and why Lewis was broadcast on BBC Radio during the Second World War and the impact this had. Plus, it’s not too late to register for the opportunity to win a copy of McGrath’s seminal biography of Lewis.
2023-02-23T17:08:00+00:00
Protestant Christian and apologist Nick Peters explores some key distinctions within different branches of Christianity
2023-02-22T13:00:00+00:00
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.
2023-02-21T14:00:00+00:00
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
2023-02-17T15:00:00+00:00
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
2023-02-16T15:36:00+00:00
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
2023-02-14T09:58:00+00:00
As we head into a day devoted to celebrating relationships, Erik Strandness looks at how God restores the relationships damaged through our infidelity
2023-02-13T18:00:00+00:00
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.
2023-02-11T12:00:00+00:00
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
2023-02-08T15:00:00+00:00
Pastor Marc Lambert looks at how parents can lovingly walk alongside their children as they doubt, question and rebel against Christianity
2023-02-07T10:00:00+00:00
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.
2023-02-06T14:30:00+00:00
Join journalist Heather Tomlinson as she navigates the topic of tribalism within the Church, a topic brought into focus during past discussions on sexuality within the Church of England.
2023-02-03T18:00:00+00:00
‘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.
2023-02-03T16:23:00+00:00
Apologists Clinton Wilcox and Joel Furches explore some of the core principles of transhumanism and their ramifications
2023-02-02T18:00:00+00:00
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.
2023-01-31T13:30:00+00:00
Writer Steve Schramm explores Young Earth Creationism, Old Earth Creationism, Intelligent Design and Theistic Evolution
2023-01-26T18:00:00+00:00
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.
2023-01-26T09:04:00+00:00
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.
2023-01-24T14:30:00+00:00
Apologist Joel Furches explores one of the primary objections offered by Americans who exit the Christian faith
2023-01-19T18:00:00+00:00
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.
2023-01-18T18:00:00+00:00
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.
2023-01-17T15:30:00+00:00
Writer Steve Schramm offers a helpful explanation on the relationship between these two key religions
2023-01-16T18:00:00+00:00
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.
2023-01-11T18:00:00+00:00
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.
2023-01-09T16:00:00+00:00
Apologist Joel Furches explores one of life’s big questions
2023-01-05T16:00:00+00:00
Writer Steve Schramm explains a potentially uncomfortable claim within Christianity
2023-01-04T15:30:00+00:00
Digging deeper into Gungor’s rejection of Christian faith suggests so, says Heather Tomlinson
2023-01-02T18:00:00+00:00
As we begin a new year, we pause to remind ourselves of the thought, life and legacy of CS Lewis. Professor Alister McGrath shares why and how we can engage with Lewis and his writings as we introduce a new series focussing on McGrath’s book CS Lewis: A Life.
2023-01-02T15:30:00+00:00
Erik Standness looks at what unites people in a crisis and why
2022-12-30T15:30:00+00:00
Justin Brierley rounds up the most popular shows of the year
2022-12-29T15:30:00+00:00
Timothy James reflects on the significance of the cross and its meaning for our lives
2022-12-28T15:30:00+00:00
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
2022-12-27T15:30:00+00:00
Erik Strandness reflects on how we get to heaven and what that means for us
2022-12-23T15:30:00+00:00
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
2022-12-22T15:30:00+00:00
Jonathan Clark investigates whether early Christians merely piggybacked off pre-existing pagan celebrations
2022-12-21T18:00:00+00:00
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.
2022-12-20T16:00:00+00:00
As Christmas falls on a Sunday this year, Bethel McGrew explores what that might mean for many Americans
2022-12-19T18:00:00+00:00
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.
2022-12-19T16:00:00+00:00
Medical scientist Peter Elwood OBE examines the evidence for the miracle at the heart of the Christmas story
2022-12-13T15:30:00+00:00
Cold-case detective J .Warner Wallace examines the evidence around the biblical accounts of the Christmas story
2022-12-09T15:11:00+00:00
Ruth Jackson recalls her experience of miscarriage at Christmas and reflects on experiencing pain, fear and doubt in a season of celebration and frivolity
2022-11-23T18:00:00+00:00
New York-based pastor Jon Tyson shares some of his thoughts about living as a Christian in a secular space.
2022-11-17T18:00:00+00:00
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.
2022-11-14T15:00:00+00:00
Ardent atheist Mark Meckler began to consider whether there might be something more after 51 years of scepticism
2022-11-11T15:45:00+00:00By Joel Furches
Apologist Joel Furches explores women’s place in the Church, both historically and today
2022-11-10T18:00:00+00:00
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
2022-11-09T16:51:00+00:00
Erik Strandness explores the hiddenness of God
2022-10-26T17:00:00+01:00
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.
2022-10-26T15:30:00+01:00
It’s not about saying sorry. Joel Furches says making an intellectual defence for Christian faith has a long history
2022-10-21T16:30:00+01:00By Erik Strandness
Erik Strandness reflects on how Christianity shaped the West
2022-10-20T17:00:00+01:00
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.
2022-10-19T17:00:00+01:00
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.
2022-10-18T15:30:00+01:00By Erik Strandness
Erik Strandness explores the role of mystery in apologetics
2022-10-07T17:00:00+01:00
How should we understand Old Testament accounts of warfare and violence where God seems to command the slaughter of men, women and children?
2022-07-25T17:00:00+01:00
‘If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things’. Alister and Justin discuss the way that CS Lewis’ 1948 essay is remarkably relevant to modern crises such as Covid and the war in Ukraine.
2022-07-20T14:00:00+01:00
Archaeologist Scott Stripling recently made a significant discovery in Israel - a ‘curse’ tablet that could prove the historical authenticity of parts of the Old Testament. He tells Justin Brierley about why this find is so significant.
2022-07-20T10:54:00+01:00
In the second half of our conversation with theologian Andrew Davison, we ask what the discovery of life elsewhere in the universe would mean for Christian faith and teaching.
2022-07-13T09:36:00+01:00
In the week the first images from the new James Webb Space Telescope were beamed back to Earth, we are joined by theologian Andrew Davison to consider the spiritual value of cosmology and astrophysics.
2022-07-06T08:00:00+01:00
Today we’re going back to our conversation about simulation for part two of this re-broadcast.
2022-06-29T08:00:00+01:00
For the next two weeks we’re dipping back into the Matters of Life and Death archive to bring you an episode we first broadcast last year. It’s all about simulation.
2022-06-22T08:00:00+01:00
Could it be that some knowledge – including whether your unborn child has a serious genetic condition – is actually not helpful, and even harmful to us?
2022-06-15T09:12:00+01:00
Pregnant women today are offered a battery of tests and screening for their unborn child, looking for an ever-increasing range of conditions and risks.
2022-06-08T10:10:00+01:00
Demographic trends reveal clearly the next century will be one increasingly dominated by older people. If God is giving us a lot more folk in their later years, what are they for in church life?
2022-06-01T10:02:00+01:00
The world’s population is rapidly becoming older and older, with many developed nations seeing unprecedented proportions of their citizens in retirement age.
2022-05-25T09:17:00+01:00
In the second part of our conversation on robot rights, we explore three Christian responses to calls for robot personhood, spanning the spectrum of hostility to optimism about the development.
2022-05-18T13:36:00+01:00
If and when autonomous and intelligent robots come into existence, should they be granted rights, or even personhood?
2022-05-11T15:29:00+01:00
Abortion is a flashpoint issue in both the church and wider culture, with the very language you choose used as a cudgel for either side.
2022-04-27T16:11:00+01:00
This is part two of our re-broadcast of last year’s John Stott episode, to mark what would have been his centenary.
2022-04-22T18:21:00+01:00
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
2022-04-20T16:08:00+01:00
This month marks 101 years since the late John Stott was born, and his centenary last year prompted a flurry of events to mark the centenary of this highly influential vicar, Bible teacher and evangelical leader.
2022-04-15T21:22:00+01:00
New Testament scholars Dale Allison and Justin Bass discuss their different approaches to the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection.
2022-04-13T16:01:00+01:00
In Britain as in many countries there is a growing campaign to legalise assisted suicide and to make doctors prescribe on request lethal drugs to terminally ill patients.
2022-04-06T15:58:00+01:00
Over the past 60 years a new field of medicine has emerged – palliative care.
2022-04-01T18:54:00+01:00
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.
2022-03-29T15:54:00+01:00
Following on from our discussion last week on the rise of climate fatalism, we discuss what an authentically Christian response to our environmental crisis would look like.
2022-03-22T15:51:00+00:00
The latest report from the UN’s climate scientists was both incredibly downbeat about climate change and almost entirely ignored by a media fixated on Ukraine.
2022-03-15T15:46:00+00:00
In this episode we pick up our conversation from last week about transhumanism and how technology might redefine what it means to be human.
2022-03-08T15:41:00+00:00
Billions of dollars are currently being spent by a suite of private firms, mostly in Silicon Valley, pursuing radical research to enhance human capacities.
2022-03-01T15:36:00+00:00
To mark our arrival on the Premier network, we recap how Matters of Life and Death began and what we hope our intergenerational conversations might achieve.
2022-02-01T20:34:00+00:00
Pastor Joby Martin, pastor of The Church of Eleven22 and author of ‘If The Tomb is Empty’ tells Justin the story of how the church has sponsored over 14,000 children through Compassion.
2021-12-17T15:28:00+00:00
The Omicron variant has in a few short weeks almost taken over the pandemic.
2021-12-09T15:16:00+00:00
This week we are resuming our conversation about infertility which begun in our previous episode.
2021-11-10T14:05:00+00:00
Today we are delving into a complex and sensitive topic – infertility and IVF.
2021-10-08T10:49:00+01:00
This week we’re digging into assisted dying. A bill to legalise it in England has been introduced to parliament – what does it propose and how likely is it to actually become law?
2021-08-30T13:06:00+01:00
Mark Driscoll, the hermeneutic of suspicion, Sigmund Freud’s chaise longue, and Paul-Timothy relationships
2021-07-20T12:59:00+01:00
This episode was inspired by John’s new book – The Robot Will See You Now
2021-05-26T11:28:00+01:00
It’s been almost six months since we last dedicated an episode to covid, and since then a lot has happened.
2021-05-04T11:17:00+01:00
Last week marked 100 years since the late John Stott was born and there has been a flurry of events to mark the centenary of this highly influential vicar, Bible teacher and evangelical leader.
2021-03-15T11:04:00+00:00
Today’s topic is simulation. We live in an era when digital technology is making it increasingly easy and cheap to create fake but compelling images or videos of people, or even entirely artificial human-like personalities.
2021-02-24T10:49:00+00:00
This episode explores one of the most significant and potentially long-lasting ways the covid pandemic has affected church life – the shift to digital.
2021-02-20T00:00:00+00:00
Richmond Wandera, a pastor in Kampala, Uganda and listener of Unbelievable? talks to Justin about the history of Christian revival in Africa, elections and Covid in Uganda, witchcraft, secularism and the problem of the prosperity gospel in churches. He also share his story of coming from the slums of Kampala through to theological education and church leadership in a show in partnership with Compassion.
2021-01-22T10:43:00+00:00
In today’s episode we’re taking a sideways step from the covid pandemic and instead are discussing social media and free speech.
2020-12-16T10:38:00+00:00
Microchips. Bill Gates. The mark of the beast. 5G cell towers. False positive rates. Big pharma. DNA alteration. It’s been hard to avoid the swirling morass of misinformation and conspiracy theories around the pandemic.
2020-12-11T10:18:00+00:00
Can Christians be given the vaccine without compromising on their religious convictions?
2020-11-11T09:50:00+00:00
Is this crude, blunt instrument really the best way to tackle the second wave of the covid pandemic?
2020-11-09T09:14:00+00:00
We received a fascinating question from a listener after our last episode on vaccines, picking up on the competing and perhaps contradictory philosophies behind the anti-vax movement.
2020-10-08T16:10:00+01:00
There are about 40 different potential covid vaccines already being tested on humans, with almost a hundred more at earlier stages of development in the lab.
2020-09-10T15:51:00+01:00
We’re back after a slightly longer than expected summer break with a new episode, all about our fears, anxieties and hopes amid the pandemic.
2020-06-24T16:19:00+01:00
In the second part of our conversation on technology during the coronavirus pandemic, we look into our crystal balls and try to imagine what the world of tech will look like in the future, thanks to Covid-19.
2020-06-19T15:35:00+01:00
One of the perhaps unexpected results of the coronavirus pandemic is how it has thrown up some fascinating debates about technology.
2020-05-26T15:30:00+01:00
Rarely it is deemed polite to mention the uncomfortable fact that one day we all will die, let alone try to bring faith or spirituality into that conversation. But in the midst of a pandemic, is that changing?
2020-05-16T15:26:00+01:00
In this episode we examine what life in the NHS has been like during the Covid-19 crisis.
2020-05-13T15:17:00+01:00
First come, first served? Or key workers and politicians before everyone else? How can doctors decide who to treat in a healthcare emergency when there are not enough beds or ventilators to go around?
2020-04-29T15:11:00+01:00
Our third episode on coronavirus zooms in to focus on how Christians should be thinking and acting during the pandemic.
2020-04-27T14:51:00+01:00
In this second episode in our series on coronavirus, we explore how Covid-19 is different to plagues in the past.
2020-04-23T09:52:00+01:00
Our first ever episode of Matters of Life and Death kicks off a short series on coronavirus.
2020-01-28T00:00:00+00:00
That was the challenge levelled at historian Tom Holland on The Big Conversation by AC Grayling, one of Britain’s leading atheist philosophers. The answer, it turns out is: quite a lot
2020-01-22T00:00:00+00:00
That was the challenge levelled at historian Tom Holland by AC Grayling, one of Britain’s leading atheist philosophers. The answer, it turns out is: quite a lot
2020-01-18T00:00:00+00:00
2020-01-08T00:00:00+00:00
Are the intellectual stars of New Atheism out of arguments? Esther O’Reilly reviews historian Tom Holland’s clash with atheist philosopher AC Grayling on The Big Conversation
2019-11-27T00:00:00+00:00
Lydia McGrew reviews a recent debate with Bart Ehrman, and argues that Bible scholar Peter J Williams offers a model for dispensing common sense
2019-09-17T00:00:00+01:00
Bruce Blackshaw breaks down what happened when two distinguished thinkers debated religion and evolution.
2019-06-27T00:00:00+01:00
How should we respond those who doubt the existence of Jesus? Ahead of Unbelievable? the Conference 2019, Justin Brierley offers three approaches.
2019-03-30T00:00:00+00:00
2018-11-13T00:00:00+00:00
Geologist and priest Michael Roberts is convinced the earth is 4.6 billion years old. He shares ten questions he’d like to ask Christians who believe the earth is only 6,000-10,000 years old
2018-11-10T00:00:00+00:00
2018-09-25T00:00:00+01:00
Following his debate with John Lennox on The Big Conversation, Prof Michael Ruse explains why he’s not a New Atheist, but not a Christian either.
2018-09-20T00:00:00+01:00
The prophet Daniel stood firm in a culture that undermined everything he stood for. Prof John Lennox explains how today’s Christians can learn from his example and bring light to a secular society
2018-09-01T00:00:00+01:00
2018-08-23T00:00:00+01:00
Popular atheists including Steven Pinker say that science, human rights and reason are a result of the Enlightenment conquering religious superstition. That’s just another fairytale, argues Nick Spencer
2018-07-23T00:00:00+01:00
Bestselling historical author Tom Holland took part in a revealing dialogue with New Testament scholar NT Wright
2018-06-16T00:00:00+01:00
2018-05-19T00:00:00+01:00
2018-04-16T00:00:00+01:00
J.John explains why he believes Christianity has been a force for good in the world
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