Ask NT Wright Anything #154 Tom answers Qs on universalism, hell and salvation

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.

Unapologetic #34 Pedro Garcia: I became a Christian through Halloween

2023-01-04T18:00:00+00:00

Apologist Pedro Garcia speaks to Ruth Jackson about how Halloween kickstarted his journey towards faith in Jesus.

Unapologetic #33 Finding Jesus changed Christmas forever

2022-12-28T18:00:00+00:00

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.

The CS Lewis Podcast #85 A magical Narnia trail

2022-12-26T18:00:00+00:00

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.

Unbelievable? Intellectual and supernatural conversions - Christmas special with Nico Tarquinio & Martin Shaw

2022-12-23T18:00:00+00:00

Justin interviews two guests with remarkable stories of adult conversion to Christianity.

The faith of the shepherds: A Christmas reflection

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 

Ask NT Wright Anything #149 Can we trust the Christmas story? Responding to Bart Ehrman

2022-12-22T18:00:00+00:00

Tom Wright talks to Justin about Christmas and the birth narratives, and answers listener questions on the reliability of the gospels, Bart Ehrman on textual transmission, the dating of the gospels, and whether The Ascension happened as described. Replay of a show first broadcast December 2018 

Was Christmas originally a pagan festival?

2022-12-22T15:30:00+00:00

Jonathan Clark investigates whether early Christians merely piggybacked off pre-existing pagan celebrations

Unapologetic #32 Charles Foster: The virgin birth, child massacre and Shamanic astrology

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.

My Eucharistmas: A personal memoir on Holy Communion during the festive period

2022-12-21T15:30:00+00:00

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

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

The CS Lewis Podcast #84 CS Lewis on Christmas

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.

Why the virgin birth?

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 

​God in diapers

2022-12-16T16:59:00+00:00

Erik Strandness reflects on the Christmas story

Unapologetic #31 Charles Foster: The truth behind the Christmas story

2022-12-14T18:00:00+00:00

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

2022-12-14T15:30:00+00:00By Erik Strandness

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

2022-12-13T15:30:00+00:00

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?

2022-12-12T16:30:00+00:00

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?

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

Christ-free Christmas carols

2022-12-08T15:53:00+00:00

As we approach the carolling season, Justin Brierley shares his thoughts on musician Tylean Polley’s atheist Christmas album

Can we affirm the virgin birth?

2022-12-06T16:00:00+00:00

As we approach Christmas, apologist Nick Peters explores the credibility of this outrageous biblical claim

Ask NT Wright Anything #144 Why is John's Gospel so different? What did Paul know about Jesus?

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.

Is there historical evidence for the bodily resurrection of Jesus? Justin Bass & Dale Allison

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.

Unbelievable? Christmas for skeptics and an atheist finds God via Dawkins: Rebecca McLaughlin, Peter Byrom and Ruth Jackson

2021-12-25T00:00:00+00:00

Justin hosts a ‘Christmas Cracker’, with Rebecca McLaughlin author of ‘Is Christmas Unbelievable?’, Peter Byrom tells his story of going from atheism to faith via Richard Dawkins, and a catch up with co-presenter Ruth Jackson and baby Eden-Grace!

Debating an Atheist who took Christ out of Christmas Carols

2019-01-29T00:00:00+00:00

Christian evangelist Glen Scrivener says that atheist musician TyLean Polley’s Christ-less carols can’t offer true comfort and joy.

Are the Christmas stories in the bible fact or fiction?

2019-01-08T00:00:00+00:00

NT Wright responds to a question on whether the birth narratives in Matthew and Luke are historically reliable or a ‘pious’ fiction.

Unbelievable? The science behind Christmas: Mark Kidger & Gillian Straine (+ NT Wright)

2018-12-22T00:00:00+00:00

Unbelievable? Debating The Atheist Christmas Carol Album. TyLean Polley & Glen Scrivener

2017-12-23T00:00:00+00:00

Meet the atheist who wants to take Christ out of Christmas carols

2017-12-22T00:00:00+00:00

Justin Brierley recently hosted an Unbelievable? debate on ‘The Atheist Christmas Album’, which takes all the Christian references out of classic Christmas carols. But does it makes sense?

The battle for Christmas: Is it Christian, Pagan or Secular?

2017-12-13T00:00:00+00:00

Jonathan Clark wades into the debate

Unbelievable? The Star of Bethlehem - Fact or Fiction? Colin Nicholl, Aaron Adair & Mark Kidger

2016-12-24T00:00:00+00:00

3 theories on what caused the star the wise men followed

2016-01-06T00:00:00+00:00

On Epiphany - the time when Christians traditionally remember the visit of the Magi to the Christ child - Jonathan McLatchie explains three theories as to what caused the star over Bethlehem

Unbelievable? Christmas special: Santa, the star & the atheist who loves Christmas. Colin Nicholl, Phil Vischer, Ruth Jackson, Nick Pandolfi & David Suchet

2015-12-26T00:00:00+00:00

Sorry Giles, the virgin birth is central to Christmas

2015-12-24T00:00:00+00:00

After Giles Fraser questioned the virgin birth on his Guardian blog, Ian Paul responds on why we abandon this central Christian truth at our peril.

5 reasons why the story of Christmas is true

2015-12-23T00:00:00+00:00

Having investigated the Christmas story, cold-case detective J. Warner Wallace says Christians should be confident in believing the Bible’s account

How does an atheist celebrate rites of passage? Unbelievable?

2013-10-19T00:00:00+01:00

How does a non-religious person choose to mark significant milestones in life such as births, weddings and deaths? Some people are turning to the services of Humanist celebrants such as Hannah Hart, who talks to Justin about her line of work.

Unbelievable? 25 Dec 2010 - The Unbelievable? "Christmas Cracker

2010-12-24T00:00:00+00:00

A festive edition of the show. With studio guest Anthony McRoy and a host of phone guests from around the world Justin Brierley looks at various aspects of Christmas.

26 Dec 2009 - Are the two Christmas accounts contradictory?

2009-12-26T00:00:00+00:00

Matthew and Luke are the two Gospel writers that include narratives of the birth of Christ. The traditional Nativity Story is an amalgamation of the two accounts.

Unbelievable? 13 Dec 2008 Atheist Christmas Comedy - Robin Ince & James Cary

2008-12-13T00:00:00+00:00

Stand up comedian Robin Ince is hosting “A rational celebration of Christmas”. Ricky Gervais and Richard Dawkins are among many other atheists on the bill. Comedy writer and Christian James Cary discusses with Robin whether Christianity and belief in God is irrational.. and there’s plenty of jokes along the way..

Unbelievable? 22 Mar 2008 Easter & the atonement

2008-03-22T00:00:00+00:00

Atheist Marilyn Mason says that the idea of God punishing his son for the sins of others is unjust, bizarre and immoral. Roger Forster of the Ichthus Christian Fellowship explains what he believes happened on Good Friday. Muslim guest Nazam Guffoor also contributes.