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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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Theology
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
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
Matters of Life & Death: Listener questions: Polarised culture wars, the challenge of elder care, and childlike sexbots
To mark one year since Matters of Life and Death joined the Premier Unbelievable network, we have a special one-off episode answering some questions emailed in by listeners.
Are we all priests?
Erik Strandness explores what a priesthood of all believers means and what that looks like in practice.
The CS Lewis Podcast #96 Alister McGrath: A prophet without honour?
In the tenth episode of our series focussing on McGrath’s book, CS Lewis: A Life, we explore the professional setbacks and personal trials Lewis encountered post Second World War. We also look at his move away from apologetics and why he declined a CBE. Plus, don’t forget to register for the opportunity to win a copy of McGrath’s seminal biography of Lewis.
Unbelievable? Where does order in nature and the cosmos come from? Stephen Meyer & Saleem Ali
Prof Saleem Ali of the University of Delaware is author of ‘Earthly Order: How natural laws define human life’ and describes the way order in the universe drives order in human and social settings. He engages with Dr Stephen Meyer of the Discovery Institute, whose book ‘The Return of The God Hypothesis’ makes the case that order in nature points to a divine mind.
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.
The CS Lewis Podcast #95 Alister McGrath: CS Lewis’ international fame
In the ninth episode of our series focussing on McGrath’s book, CS Lewis: A Life, we look at some of Lewis’ popular literature and how his rising fame affected his reputation as an Oxford scholar. We discuss The Great Divorce, the Ransom Trilogy and some of the strengths and weakness of Mere Christianity. Plus, it’s not too late to register for the opportunity to win a copy of McGrath’s seminal biography of Lewis.
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.
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
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
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
Ask NT Wright Anything #157 Making sense of Adam, Eve and the Genesis creation story
Tom Wright joins Justin to answer listener questions on how to interpret the early chapters of Genesis, what he believes about the nature of Adam and Eve, whether suffering and death existed before the fall and much more… He also pulls out the guitar once more for a Genesis-themed song. First broadcast in 2019.
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
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.
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.
Working for peace in our politically divided world is essential. But the Church needs to get its own house in order, too
With discussions around sexuality looming large at the Church of England’s General Synod this week, journalist Heather Tomlinson takes a look at tribalism within the Church. For more on sexuality, gender and identity, register free for an Unbelievable? Live webinar on 7th February here
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.
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.
Matters Of Life & Death: Medical Assistance in Dying 2: Suicidal ideation, no crystal balls, conscientious objection, and Hippocrates’ successful medical practice
In our second conversation on Canada’s euthanasia regime, we chat with a Canadian doctor about the troubling expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying to those only suffering from mental illness.
Unbelievable? ChatGPT, AI and the future - John Wyatt Q&A on living faithfully in a technologically confusing world
Justin and Ruth were joined by research scientist Dr John Wyatt on a live show to talk about AI, robotics and technology. Listeners asked questions about machine consciousness, the potential dangers of AI and how to raise children in a tech world.
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.
Matters Of Life & Death: Medical Assistance in Dying 1: Judicial activism, a ‘reasonably foreseeable’ death, the unacceptability of suffering, and reasons to stay alive
This week we speak with a Christian psychiatrist from Canada who has been involved in both the campaigning against the spread of euthanasia, and also figuring out on the ground how to care well for patients in a system which offers them the chance to take their own lives instead of receiving treatment.
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.
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
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.
Are we being too ‘winsome’ in our approach to evangelism? Tim Keller responds
Pastor and author Tim Keller shares his thoughts on the critics who argue it’s time to move on from his “winsomeness” approach to cultural engagement and evangelism
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.
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.
Should Christians be Concerned about the Rapid Advancements in Artificial Intelligence?
As artificial intelligence (AI) technology continues to advance rapidly, Sarah Johnson explores the potential ethical and societal impacts of AI and the potential benefits of the technology.
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
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
My Eucharistmas: A personal memoir on Holy Communion during the festive period
Oxford student Jonathan Garner shares his thoughts on Advent and the Eucharist
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.
Ask NT Wright Anything #147 Catholics have questions
Catholic listeners have sent in some questions for Tom, including: Will the elusive dream of Catholic and Anglican unity ever be possible? I’m reconsidering my conversion to Catholicism… should I take my 6 year old daughter out of the church? Justin Bass joins for a final time.
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.
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.
Do atheists believe in “One Less God” than Christians?
Apologist Joel Furches explores the rationality behind naturalism and Christianity
Matters Of Life & Death: Dependence 2: The Panopticon at home, evangelising to retirees, existential angst in the House of Lords, and rejecting self-sufficiency
In the second part of our conversation on ageing and dependence, we think about how secular society has tried to ameliorate the crisis of isolated older people with technological solutions.
The CS Lewis Podcast #80 Joshua Karras: A modern take on The Screwtape Letters
80 years after the publication of The Screwtape Letters, young author Joshua Karras has written an appropriation of CS Lewis’ classic epistolary novel for a modern audience. Ruth Jackson discovers the inspiration behind this audacious project.
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.
Matters Of Life & Death: Dependence 1: Isolated elderly people, altruistic suicide, a second childhood, and a crucified hero
We’ve discussed in previous episodes the looming ‘demographic timebomb’ – a growing mass of elderly and increasingly chronically ill people in many developed nations, expected to place huge strain on public resources.
The CS Lewis Podcast #79 A tour of CS Lewis' house ‘The Kilns’ with Trevin Wax
Justin Brierley takes podcast listeners on a revealing tour around The Kilns, the house Lewis shared with his brother Warnie in Oxford.
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
Is God hidden or have we lost our senses?
Erik Strandness explores the hiddenness of God
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.
Matters Of Life & Death: Protestant Social Teaching 1: Overlap with Catholicism, chronological snobbery, rejecting one-size-fits-all ethics, and ‘worldly’ versus ‘spiritual’ matters
Over 150 years the Catholic Church has built up a body of ethical doctrine commonly known as Catholic Social Teaching, which applies Catholic theology to wider social concerns, covering everything from labour relations to contraception.
Is science at odds with religion?
Physician Erik Strandness unpacks the age-old conflict between science and faith
Unbelievable? Michael Gungor & Evan Wickham: Millennials, music and mystical deconstruction
Michael Gungor and his wife Lisa were pioneers in the Christian music scene, building a loyal fan base through Gungor’s music and podcasts such as The Liturgists. However, Michael’s recent turn towards an increasingly progressive, msytical and deconstructed interpretation of faith has left many Christians confused.
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
A materialist, a panpsychist and a Christian walked into a bar…
…or on to a stage. Erik Strandness explains why God continues to stand behind the question of consciousness
The CS Lewis Podcast #76 The spirituality of Owen Barfield, CS Lewis & JRR Tolkien Pt 2
The second part of a conversation between philosopher Mark Vernon and poet-theologian Malcolm Guite on the spiritual journeys of The Inklings, a group of writers and poets including Owen Barfield, CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien, who met in Oxford to discuss each other’s work. Part 2 of an Unbelievable? show first broadcast in 2019.
Who is the real Jesus?
Apologist Joel Furches unpacks one of the most Googled questions, looking at the nature of Jesus
Unbelievable? Rethinking Kingdom work in the Global South & North - Joseph D’Souza & Andrew Scott
Joseph D’Souza, bishop of the Good Shepherd Church network in South Asia and Andrew Scott of Operation Mobilisation join Justin to talk about a new paradigm for mission work in the Global South and how it impacts church and culture in the Global North.
The CS Lewis Podcast #75 Who were the Inklings? And what did they believe? Malcolm Guite & Mark Vernon Pt 1
Mark Vernon, author of ‘A Secret History of Christianity: Jesus, the last Inkling and the evolution of consciousness’ engages with poet-theologian Malcolm Guite on the spiritual and religious influences of Owen Barfield, JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis, three key members of ‘The Inklings’. Part 1 of an Unbelievable? show first broadcast in 2019.
Which God is the real God?
Apologist Joel Furches explores one of the most Googled questions
Unbelievable? Can the Canaanite conquest be reconciled with a God of love? Paul Copan vs Randal Rauser
How should we understand Old Testament accounts of warfare and violence where God seems to command the slaughter of men, women and children?
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.
Ask NT Wright Anything #133 Is faith anti-intellectual?
Is faith a valid way of knowing truth? Will we need faith in the new creation? Why is my church so anti-intellectual? Tom answers listener questions on faith, knowledge and reason.
Unbelievable? Why is God hidden? Cosmic Skeptic & Lukas Ruegger at Oxford University with Max Baker-Hytch
Why doesn’t God seem to reveal himself to people who are open and seeking him?
Is the famous psychologist Jordan Peterson drawing closer to Christian faith?
Heather Tomlinson says we were given some clues in a recent Big Conversation
Ask NT Wright Anything #130 Do I need to tithe? Church rules, covenants and leadership
Should I always tithe 10% to my church? What do you think of signing church covenants? I don’t agree with my church leadership on complementarianism, but I love the members - should I stay? Tom answers listener questions on church practise and rules.
Unbelievable? Is Progressive Christianity a false gospel? Randal Rauser & Doug Groothuis
Theologian Randal Rauser defends ‘progressive’ Christians such as Rob Bell, Richard Rohr and Brian Mclaren, against ‘heresy hunters’ in his new book ‘Progressive Christians Love Jesus Too’ a response to Alisa Childers’ book ‘Another Gospel?’.
Ask NT Wright Anything #129 Would God need to redeem aliens? Life beyond earth and the cosmos
If the Universe is so big why did God choose to come to a small hill called Mount Zion? If there is sentient life beyond earth would it need redeeming too? Are the Nephilim evidence of aliens and UFOs? Tom answers questions on aliens and the cosmos!
When Jesus becomes a trigger word in Woke theology
Is language violence? Are anecdotes replacing facts? Erik Strandess reviews a recent debate on the limits of ‘woke theology’.
Ask NT Wright Anything #128 Why did God make childbirth difficult? More questions about Eden and the Fall
Were Adam and Eve’s pre-fall bodies like the resurrected Jesus? Was marriage a post-fall accomodation? Why does Genesis say God made childbirth more difficult after the fall? NT Wright answers more questions on the Garden of Eden and the Creation story.
Matters Of Life & Death: Suffering 1: ’Adamah’, mystery and presence, the ever-smiling Buddha, and the lamb slain from the creation of the world
The problem of suffering has been one of the most intractable and painful theological debates for centuries.
Ask NT Wright Anything #127 How do I reconcile Evolution, the Fall and Original Sin?
If evolution is true then physical death existed before the Fall - how do we reconcile that with scripture? How do we reconcile evolution with the concept of a first man and woman and original sin? Did the Fall also affect the rest of the universe?
Unapologetic #10 Lee Strobel: The case for heaven
Legendary apologist Lee Strobel joins Justin to talk about the soul, afterlife and near death experiences as related in his book and video documentary The Case For Heaven.
Unapologetic #9 Lisa Fields: Being a black female apologist
Lisa Fields, fonder of Jude 3 Project continues her conversation with Megan Cornwell on polarisation in the USA and the challenges facing her calling as a black female apologist.
Unapologetic #8 Lisa Fields: Apologetics for the black church
What are the questions being asked today by African-American skeptics and believers about Christianity? Lisa Fields shares her faith journey and why she began the Jude 3 Project.
Unapologetic #7 John Lennox: The case for design in biology and the Universe
In the final part of their conversation Justin and Prof John Lennox talk about the fine-tuning of the universe for life and what the frontiers of evolution and biology tell us about the case for design in nature.
Unapologetic #6 John Lennox: Why God is a good explanation
Justin continue his conversation with Christian thinker Prof John Lennox as they talk about the new atheist attempts to dismiss God as an explanation for the Universe.
Ask NT Wright Anything #121 Making sense of The Trinity
Ahead of Trinity Sunday, Tom answers questions about the Trinity: How do I explain the Trinity without accidental heresy? Is there a hierarchy in the Trinity? Can you explain Jesus’ prayer for intimacy with the Father and the Spirit in John 17?
Unapologetic #5 John Lennox: God, science and atheism
Renowned Christian thinker Prof John Lennox recounts his own journey with science and faith and explodes a few myths about their supposed conflict in the first of a three part conversation with Justin Brierley.
Putin’s Blasphemy: 3 reasons why the Russian President is no true Christian
Peter Harris argues that Putin’s warped religious beliefs are at odds with the Orthodox faith he claims to hold.
Ask NT Wright Anything #119 Old Testament Q&A: Noah, Moses and where to start
Tom answers questions on the Old Testament - Where should a new Christian start? Did events like Noahs flood and Jonah and the whale really happen? Why did God attempt to kill Moses in Exodus 4?
Unapologetic #3 Glen Scrivener: Science - How Christianity birthed the scientific revolution
Where did modern science come from? Contrary to popular atheist accounts of the conflict between science and faith, Glen Scrivener argues that Christianity gave the framework of an intelligble universe invested with order that scientists set out to explore.
Ask NT Wright Anything #118 Mental health: Am I failing God by taking medication?
Does taking anti-depressant medication mean I’m failing to trust God? I was told to read the Bible to cure my eating disorder - how do we educate the church? How do I reconcile the Biblical command ‘do not be anxious’ with chronic anxiety? Tom answers listener questions about mental health.
Unapologetic #2 Glen Scrivener: Compassion - How Christianity made our moral world
Glen Scrivener of Speak Life talks to Justin Brierley about how Christianity birthed the modern concept of showing compassion to the most vulnerable.
Ask NT Wright Anything #117 I can’t shake my sinful addiction
Tom answers pastoral question from listeners about how to develop spiritual disciplines, escaping the cycle of besetting sin, and how to respond to homeless people with substance addiction and mental health problems.
Original sin vs original goodness: Katharine Birbalsingh & Steve Chalke on educating children
Katharine Birbalsingh has been described as ‘Britain’s strictest headteacher’. Twitter erupted when she tweeted that ‘original sin’ was responsible for the fact children need to be habituated into choosing good over evil.
Unapologetic #1 Glen Scrivener: How Christianity gave us equality
Welcome to the first episode of Unapologetic, a podcast helping you to understand, defend and share your faith with confidence. Justin begins a 4-part series with Glen Scrivener of Speak Life.
Ask NT Wright Anything #116 Questions about Surprised By Hope
Tom answers questions on his bestselling book ‘Surprised by Hope’.
Unapologetic #0 Justin Brierley introduces Unapologetic
Justin Brierley, director of Premier Unbelievable? introduces their newest podcast - Unapologetic
Unbelievable? Has woke theology gone too far? Calvin Robinson & Robyn Henderson-Espinoza
Anti-woke Anglican ordinand Calvin Robinson engages with Transqueer Latinx theologian Dr Robyn Henderson-Espinoza on whether ‘woke’ theology is creating a more inclusive faith or a dangerous diversion from historic Christianity.
Ask NT Wright Anything #115 Part 2: NT Wright, Esau McCaulley & Tim Mackie on race and the church
Hear the audience Q&A that followed NT Wright and Esau McCaulley’s conversation on race and the church, hosted by Tim Mackie of The Bible Project.
Ask NT Wright Anything #114 NT Wright, Esau McCaulley & Tim Mackie on Reading the Gospels While Black Pt 1
In this bonus episode, hear NT Wright’s conversation with Rev Esau McCaulley, author of ‘Reading While Black’, on race and the Bible and it’s impact on the Church.
Ask NT Wright Anything #113 Was Judas predestined to betray? Did the disciples hallucinate?
NT Wright answers questions about the Easter story.
Ask NT Wright Anything #112 How do I pray for Ukraine?
Tom shares his thoughts on the Ukraine conflict and answers listener questions on how to pray for Ukraine and whether such events are evidence of the ‘end times’.
Ask NT Wright Anything #111 Why can’t Christians agree on doctrine?
How important is it to get our doctrine right? Why read the Bible if theologians can’t agree on its interpretation? Whose books do you disagree with that you’d still recommend? NT Wright responds to questions about differences on doctrine and theology.
Ask NT Wright Anything #110 I feel guilty about evangelism
How far should Christians seek to impose their moral beliefs on a secular society?
Philip Yancey live Q&A on faith, doubt and the future of the US church
Prolific Christian author Philip Yancey joined Justin and several hundred guests for a live Q&A on his life, work and faith. They talk about his recently published memoir ‘Where The Light Fell’ and his new paraphrase of John Donne’s writing ‘A Companion in Crisis’, as well as taking questions on suffering, prayer, the Ukraine and the future of the US evangelical church.
Ask NT Wright Anything #109 Am I guilty of my friend’s suicide?
NT Wright responds to a variety of pastoral questions around ethical dilemmas and regrets: Should I boycott the Qatar world cup? What do about the fact my job involves working on the cell line of an aborted baby? Was I responsible for my friend’s suicide after I rejected his romantic advances?
Ask NT Wright Anything #108 What if I’m not really saved?
Can we lose our salvation? What if I don’t feel worthy to be a disciple of Jesus? Could I think that I’m saved, but not be?
Ask NT Wright Anything #107 Baptism: What happens? Should we baptise infants?
What happens at baptism? How does John’s baptism of repentance differ from Christian baptism? And what does Tom think of infant vs believer’s baptism?
Ask NT Wright Anything #106 Is cremation or burial best?
Tom continues to answer listener questions on the practical side of death - funerals, cremation vs burial and organ donation. Is there a biblical approach to these topics?
Ask NT Wright Anything #105 The theology of death
Tom and Justin engage listener’s theological questions about death
Ask NT Wright Anything #104 Are good works evidence of saving faith?
What are ‘good works’ and are they evidence of saving faith?
Ask NT Wright Anything #103 Vaccines, mandates and civil disobedience
Should faith leaders speak out in favour of vaccines? Is it ok for Christians to disobey government mandates? What about pacifism? Tom answers these and more questions.
Ask NT Wright Anything #102 Does God predetermine everything?
What does Tom think of the Calvinist view that God predetermines everything? What is his view on Open Theism? What about the idea that Christ only died for some people? These and more questions are explored in the latest show.
Ask NT Wright Anything #101 Sacrificial Love - NT Wright at London Bible Week
Tom Wright speaks on ‘Sacrificial Love’ at London Bible Week in 2017.
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 #100 Jesus the revolutionary - NT Wright at London Bible Week
Tom Wright speaks on ‘Jesus the Revolutionary’ at London Bible Week in 2017.
Ask NT Wright Anything #99 Jesus for everyone - NT Wright at London Bible Week
Tom Wright speaks on ‘Jesus for Everyone’ at London Bible Week in 2017.
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?
Unbelievable? James White vs William Lane Craig: Calvinism vs Molinism on the problem of evil
Calvinism and Molinism are two very different ways of understanding God’s sovereignty. But which one best addresses the problem of evil?
Ask NT Wright Anything #94 Forgiveness - Is there an unforgivable sin? Can I forfeit God‘s forgiveness?
Why don’t we get a second chance at forgiveness when we die? Is God’s forgiveness dependent on us forgiving others? Is blaspheming the Holy Spirit unforgivable?
Unbelievable? Do we need to rethink the Koran and the Trinity? Abdulla Galadari and Joshua Sijuwade
The deity of Jesus is a doctrine that typically divides Muslims and Christians. However, Dr Abdulla Galadari, author of ‘Quranic Hermeneutics’ believes the Koran doesn’t reject the Gospels’ view of Jesus - it interprets them.
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 #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 #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 #80 Live audience Q&A on evangelism
NT Wright answers audience questions on evangelism and the gospel.
Ask NT Wright Anything #79 How to retell the Jesus story to a world that’s forgotten it
NT Wright’s opening address at Unbeilevable? the Conference 2021
The CS Lewis Podcast #18 Mere Christianity on the Trinity
In the seventh episode of the second series of The C.S. Lewis Podcast, professor Alister McGrath speaks to Ruth Jackson about Lewis’ understanding of the nature of God and the Trinity, looking at why his thoughts are still relevant to our prayer life and Christian journey today.
Unbelievable? Did Adam & Eve exist? William Lane Craig and Joshua Swamidass
How should Christians understand the Adam & Eve story in Genesis? Is it scientifically plausible that humanity can be traced back to a first human couple? What does it mean for the concept of ‘Original Sin’?
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 #76 Will my daughter see the child she lost? Qs about heaven and loved ones
What does Jesus mean by ‘many rooms in my father’s house’? Will my daughter see the child she lost in pregnancy? What about marriage in the resurrection? Tom answers questions on heaven and loved ones.
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.
Unbelievable? Premillennial vs Amillennial debate on Christ’s return - Daniel Goepfrich & Chris Date
Debate has raged over the timeline of Christ’s return. Daniel Goepfrich holds to ‘premillennialism’ - that Christ will return before a 1000 year reign of peace, Chris Date holds to ‘amillennialism’ - that there will be no literal 1000 year reign.
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 #70 Wisdom literature – Proverbs, Song of Solomon and Job
Tom Wright answers listener questions on Proverbs, Song of Solomon, the concept of ‘Wisdom’ in the Bible and whether we should take the book of Job literally?
Unbelievable? Sabine Hossenfelder and Luke Barnes - The fine-tuning of the Universe: Was the cosmos made for us?
The Big Conversation - Episode 4 | Season 3. Many physicists have pointed out the extraordinary ‘fine tuning’ of the physical laws of the universe that have allowed life to develop within the cosmos.
Ask NT Wright Anything #68 Live audience show with Tom Wright and Tom Holland Pt 1
Justin hosts NT Wright and Tom Holland for a live audience edition of the Ask NT Wright Anything show at Unbelievable? 2021.
Unbelievable? NT Wright and Douglas Murray - Identity, myth & miracles: How do we live in a post-Christian world?
Episode 3 | Season 3 of The Big Conversation. Social commentator Douglas Murray engages theologian NT Wright on whether Christianity still makes best sense of the world in a post-Christian age, and how to address the growing meaning and identity crisis in the West.
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.
Ask NT Wright Anything #63 Facebook Questions Pt. 2: Bereavement, other faiths & atonement
Tom answers more questions on atonement, other religions and caring for those who have lost loved ones, sent in by members of the NT Wright discussion group.
Ask NT Wright Anything #62 Facebook has questions - New creation, souls in heaven and Torah
In a special episode Tom answers questions sent in by members of the NT Wright discussion group on Facebook about heaven, souls and Torah.
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.
Ask NT Wright Anything #58 Genesis, 6-day creation and the first humans
Does Tom believe in 6-day creation? When did the first humans ‘made in God’s image’ appear? These and other questions on creation and evolution are tackled by Tom. Plus a bonus song on the end of the episode! Tom and geneticist Francis Collins perform a duet of their song ‘Genesis’. To hear their conversation on the BioLogos podcast: https://biologos.org/podcast-episodes/n-t-wright-francis-collins-a-christian-response-to-coronavirus
Ask NT Wright Anything #57 The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches
Tom responds to questions on why the Roman Catholic bible includes more books than Protestant versions, what he makes of the Eastern Orthodox tradition and a listener who is thinking of ‘crossing the Tiber’.
Ask NT Wright Anything #55 Ravi, Carl Lentz & the fall of Christian leaders
Tom responds to listeners concerned about recent scandals among Christian leaders. Is restoration possible or appropriate? What does the Bible tell us about leadership, authority and accountability?
Ask NT Wright Anything #53 US politics, conspiracy theories and prophecy
Tom answers listener questions on the prevalence of conspiracy theories, US church support for Trump and the failed prophecies of his returning to power.
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.
Ask NT Wright Anything #50 Icons, praying to saints & dividing over sexuality
Tom answers listener questions around whether shrines are pagan, infant baptism is biblical and how we can live in unity with theological differences around sexuality.
Ask NT Wright Anything #49 Other faiths, Judaism and Gnosticism
Tom answers listener questions, such as will Jews be in heaven? What about religious experiences among other faiths? And is Gnosticism the prevailing world view in America?
Ask NT Wright Anything #48 Broken Signposts and questions on forgiveness and salvation
Tom talks about his latest book and answers listener questions around how God forgives, conversion and how you can be sure you’re saved.
Ask NT Wright Anything #47 Should women preach and lead in church? What about marriage?
Tom answers listener questions around gender, women in leadership and the dynamics of family life.
Unbelievable? Intelligent Design on trial. 15 years on from Kitzmiller-Dover – Mike Behe and Joshua Swamidass
In 2005 a high profile trial saw the Dover School District taken to court for promoting Intelligent Design (ID) as an alternative theory to evolution in classrooms. 15 years on Mike Behe a prominent biochemist and ID advocate who took the stand as a defence witness, talks about what the ...
Ask NT Wright Anything #46 Big questions from and about children
Tom answers listener questions on how to talk to children about tricky things like suffering and hell. Plus, we talk about parenting and discipling children and young people
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 #41 Brexit, Abortion, Race and Critical Theory
Tom tackles a variety of questions on ‘hot button’ political issues that have been sent in, including the place of faith in politics, abortion, racism and ‘critical theory’.
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 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.
NT Wright livestream Q&A
Justin and Lucy Brierley ask Tom questions on racism, other religions, the problem of suffering, heaven and the Gospels, all submitted during the show via Facebook live.
Ask NT Wright Anything #38 Lockdown livestream – Tom answers questions on Facebook Live
Tom Wright talks about his new book ‘God and the Pandemic’ and takes a variety of live listener questions in this livestream edition of the show. Justin and Lucy Brierley ask Tom questions on racism, other religions, the problem of suffering, heaven and the Gospels, all submitted during the show via Facebook live.
Ask NT Wright Anything #37 Is the world doomed? Global justice and climate change
In another show recorded pre-lockdown, Tom answers questions from listeners on whether the world is getting better or worse, on poverty and economic justice, and what climate change activism means for the theology of new creation.
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.
Coronavirus-spreading churches: Bad theology has tragic consequences
Pete Phillips explains why being a Christian does not mean magical exemption from the consequences of a fallen world.
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.
Ask NT Wright Anything #34 An Evening With NT Wright live in London
In a bonus podcast special we bring you ‘An Evening with NT Wright’, hosted by SPCK and recorded live at Westminster Chapel London with an audience Q&A.
Tom Wright on being a Christian during Coronavirus ∕∕ Ask NT Wright Anything
In a podcast special recorded from his home in Oxford where he is self-isolating with his wife Maggie, Tom talks to Justin about the Coronavirus pandemic.
Ask NT Wright Anything #33 Tom on Coronavirus, self-isolating and praying through crisis
In a podcast special recorded from his home in Oxford where he is self-isolating with his wife Maggie, Tom talks to Justin about the Coronavirus pandemic. They cover: How Christians can maintain spiritual health during isolation, the pastoral implications for churches now and in the future, and why God created a world where disease and sickness exist.
Unbelievable? Coronavirus: How will it change the church and the world? AJ Roberts, Mark Sayers and mystery guest
In a special edition of the show, recorded from home, Justin looks at the present Coronavirus crisis, how the pandemic will change global society and how the church can respond.
Are science and theology in conflict with same-sex relationships?
Erik Strandness responds to a recent debate between ‘Side A and B’ gay Christians
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?
Ask NT Wright Anything #26 Bible translations and controversies
Listeners ask questions on which Bible translations are best and Tom’s own translation of scripture ‘The Bible For Everyone’. What makes a good translation, why doesn’t Tom capitalise ‘holy spirit’, and what does he make of Pope Francis ‘changing’ the Lords’ Prayer?
Ask NT Wright Anything #25 When Christians lose their faith
In the wake of two high profile Christians who have renounced their faith, Tom responds to listener questions on what defines being a Christian, whether we can lose our salvation, and what to do when a loved one cannot respond to the Gospel because of dementia.
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’.
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