Unbelievable?

Latest Episodes:

Classic Replay: Did Jesus Exist? Bart Ehrman Q&A Jul 19, 2022

Show notes

In this one-on-one edition of the show, Justin Brierley spoke to New Testament Historian Bart Ehrman about his recent book "Did Jesus Exist?" which argues for the historical fact of Jesus of Nazareth.

Ehrman, whose books are more usually at odds with evangelicals, was this time attacked by atheist proponents of "mythicism" - the view that Jesus never existed.

He responded to the criticisms, including mythicists Bob Price and Richard Carrier and answered questions sent in by Unbelievable? listeners.

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Lord Martin Rees & John Wyatt • Robots, Transhumanism, and Life Beyond Earth Jul 15, 2022

Show notes

The Big Conversation - Episode 5 | Season 4

Is Artificial Intelligence a friend or foe of human flourishing? Does faith have any part to play in the robotics revolution, and the race to upgrade our bodies and even escape our planet? What does the future hold for humans?

Astronomer Royal Lord Martin Rees author of 'On The Future' and Christian bioethicist Dr John Wyatt author of 'The Robot Will See You Now', discuss these questions alongside clips from interviews with robotics experts Nigel Crooke and David Levy.

For bonus content (including an hour of extra interview material with Nigel Crooke & David Levy), updates and more shows sign up at http://www.thebigconversation.show

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For Lord Martin Rees: https://www.martinrees.uk/

For Dr John Wyatt: https://johnwyatt.com/

The Big Conversation is a video series from Unbelievable? featuring world-class thinkers across the religious and non-religious community. Exploring science, faith, philosophy and what it means to be human. The Big Conversation is produced by Premier in partnership with John Templeton Foundation.

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Classic Replay: Atheist convert to Catholicism: Leah Libresco vs Hemant Mehta Jul 12, 2022

Show notes

When Leah Libresco became a Catholic her story was featured on CNN. Why? Because up to that point she had been an atheist blogger. Her story was soon being shared on Christian and atheist blogs.

She talked to atheist blogger Hemant Mehta (aka The Friendly Atheist) about why the moral argument helped her in the journey and he quizzed her over why she chose Catholicism. Listener questions were also included.

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Overturning Roe: A victory for life or step back for abortion rights? Lois McLatchie vs KS Jul 08, 2022

Show notes

Following the landmark reversal of Roe vs Wade by the US Supreme Court, pro-life advocate Lois McLatchie and pro-choice guest KS debate the legal and ethical implications.

For Lois McLatchie: https://adf.uk/team/lois-mclatchie/

For KS: https://defendingfeminism.com/

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Classic Replay: Jehovahs witness diaglogue: part 2 Jul 05, 2022

Show notes

In the second programme examining the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses, Robert King and Tony Brown discussed whether Christ claims to be God.

Robert is a disfellowshiped JW but still holds to Watchtower doctrine. Tony is a former JW, now a Christian pastor. They talked about whether JWs rely upon a works-based salvation, return to the 144,000 and discuss whether Jesus is the Archangel Michael and not the son of God, as Robert claims.

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Graham Oppy & Guillaume Bignon • Rationality, Religious Experience and the Case for God Jul 01, 2022

Show notes

The Big Conversation - Episode 4 | Season 4

Why do people convert to belief in God? Is it rational do so?

Graham Oppy is Professor of Philosophy and Associate Dean of Research at Monash University, Australia and a well-known atheist thinker and author. He engages with Guillaume Bignon a Christian philosopher from France whose book ‘Confessions of a French Atheist’ tells the story of his adult conversion to Christianity.

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For Graham Oppy: https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/graham-oppy

For Guillaume Bignon: https://www.tyndale.com/p/confessions-of-a-french-atheist/9781496443021

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Classic Replay: Jehovahs witness diaglogue: part 1 Jun 28, 2022

Show notes

In the first of two programmes Justin Brierley talks to Jehovah's Witness Robert King (aka e-watchman) and former JW Tony Brown.

Robert is disfellowshipped but still holds to Jehovah's Witness doctrine. He does not speak in any offical capacity for the Watchtower Society. Tony Brown is now a Christian pastor with a ministry to Jehovah's Witnesses, he describes how he joined and left the organisation.

They discuss the failed end-time prophecies of the organisation, their controversial blood doctrines and the belief in the 144,000 in heaven. Next week they tackle why JWs reject the deity of Christ.

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Shane Claiborne vs Kyle Thompson - Mass shootings, gun violence and the USA 2nd Amendment Jun 24, 2022

Show notes

Recent mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, NY have brought the issue of gun violence and mass shooting in the USA back into the spotlight.

Christian peace activist Shane Claiborne, creator of the 'Beating Guns' campaign and gun owner Kyle Thompson of Undaunted Life debate whether the Bible justifies lethal force in self defence, whether people or guns are the problem, and what practical steps could be taken to reduce gun violence in the USA.

Justin also speaks to Ben Nolan about World Vision Believe and their International Mission Partnership with Premier. Support here: https://www.worldvision.org.uk/believe

For Shane Claiborne: https://www.beatingguns.com

For Kyle Thompson: https://www.undaunted.life/

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Classic Replay: Is there evidence for a cosmic creator? Hugh Ross vs Lewis Wolpert Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

Recorded at Imperial College London in 2012. Christian astrophysicist Hugh Ross of Reasons To Believe debated atheist biologist Lewis Wolpert.

Ross brought evidence for God from Big Bang cosmology, explaining why scientific advance provides a testable model of Biblical Creation. Wolpert said that belief in God is a by-product of evolution and nothing more.

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Iain McGilchrist & Sharon Dirckx • Brain science, consciousness & God: Is there a master behind our mind? Jun 17, 2022

Show notes

The Big Conversation - Episode 3 | Season 4

What does the science of brain chemistry and consciousness tell us about the nature of our mind and our cosmos?

Recorded live at The British Library London, leading psychiatrist and philosopher Dr Iain McGilchrist, author of the influential books ‘The Master and his Emissary’ and 'The Matter With Things' engages in conversation with Christian neuroscientist Dr Sharon Dirckx author of 'Am I Just My Brain?'. They discuss brain science, consciousness and God. 

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For Iain McGilchrist: https://channelmcgilchrist.com/

For Sharon Dirckx: https://www.theocca.org/author/sharon-dirckx/

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