Unbelievable?

Latest Episodes:

Debating the Statement on Social Justice – Jarrod McKenna & James White Dec 07, 2018

Show notes

Are ‘social justice warriors’ a danger to the Gospel? In August 2018 a group of conservative Christians in the USA, led by John MacArthur, released The Statement On Social Justice And The Gospel to take a stand against the church being influenced by “questionable sociological, psychological, and political theories presently permeating our culture”. Some of the affirmations and denials in the document caused controversy among both evangelicals and progressives for its statements on political activism and racism.

James White of Alpha and Omega ministries, was one of the framers of the document and a key signatory. He debates the Statement with Australian pastor and justice activist Jarrod McKenna, founder of Common Grace, on whether the concepts of privilege, intersectionality and identity politics should have any part to play in the Gospel.

For the Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel: https://statementonsocialjustice.com

For Jarrod McKenna: https://www.commongrace.org.au/jarrodmckenna/

For James White: https://www.aomin.org

Buy the Unbelievable? Christmas bundle: http://www.premier.org.uk/shop

Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk

For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable

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Bart Ehrman vs Peter J Williams – debating ‘Misquoting Jesus’ Nov 30, 2018

Show notes

In a ‘classic playback’ edition of the show, Justin re-airs the debate he hosted with agnostic Bible scholar Bart Ehrman opposite Christian Bible scholar Peter J Williams.

They debate the reliability of the Gospels, textual criticism, and Bart’s claim that we can’t know what some of the original texts actually say.

For Peter J Williams new book ‘Can We Trust the Gospels?’: https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/can-we-trust-the-gospels

For Bart Ehrman: https://www.bartdehrman.com/

Buy the Unbelievable? Christmas bundle: http://www.premier.org.uk/shop

Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk

For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable

Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter

Get the MP3 Podcast of Unbelievable? Via RSS or Via Itunes

How should gay Christians express their sexuality? David Bennett & Justin Lee Nov 23, 2018

Show notes

In his new book ‘A War Of Loves’, David Bennett tells his story of being an atheist gay activist who experienced a dramatic conversion to Christianity.

David still identifies as gay but lives a celibate lifestyle, holding to traditional Christian sexual ethics. He engages with Justin Lee, author of ‘Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gay vs Christian debate’, who affirms faithful same-sex relationships.

To support Unbelievable? on #GivingTuesday: https://resources.premier.org.uk/supportunbelievable-givingtuesday/

For David Bennett: https://www.awarofloves.com/

For Justin Lee: http://geekyjustin.com/

Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk

For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable

Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter

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The agnostic and the Bishop on searching for Christ in literature and life - Lord Richard Harries & Sir Anthony Kenny Nov 16, 2018

Show notes

Lord Richard Harries, former Bishop of Oxford is the author of ‘Haunted by Christ: Modern writers and the struggle for faith’ (SPCK). Philosopher Sir Anthony Kenny, former master of Balliol college Oxford, is the author of ‘Brief Encounters: Notes from a philosopher’s diary’ (SPCK) which recounts anecdotes from a life meeting significant personalities.

They discuss their friendship, stories of significant encounters, why Anthony lost his faith as a young Catholic priest and why Richard found his faith affirmed in his literary loves.

For ‘Haunted By Christ’ by Lord Richard Harries: https://spckpublishing.co.uk/haunted-by-christ

For ‘Brief Encounters’ by Sir Anthony Kenny: https://spckpublishing.co.uk/brief-encounters

Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk

For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable

Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter

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Is War justified by Christianity and Nature? Michael Ruse vs Nigel Biggar Nov 09, 2018

Show notes

As Remembrance services take place to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1, Justin is joined by atheist guest Prof Michael Ruse and Christian guest Prof Nigel Biggar to discuss Darwinism, Christianity and just war theory.

Michel Ruse is Professor of Philosophy of Science at Florida State University. Nigel Biggar is Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology at the University of Oxford. Ruse’s latest book ‘The Problem of War’ critiques Biggar’s work on just war theory ‘In Defence of War’.

For ‘The Problem of War’ by Michael Ruse: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-problem-of-war-9780190867577

For ‘In Defence of War’ by Nigel Biggar: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/in-defence-of-war-9780199672615

Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk

For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable

Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter

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Andy Bannister vs Peter Singer – Do we need God to be good? Nov 02, 2018

Show notes

Justin is joined for the 6th episode of The Big Conversation by moral philosopher and atheist Peter Singer, professor of bioethics at Princeton University, and Christian theologian Andy Bannister of Solas Centre for Public Christianity.

They debate whether humans have intrinsic value and dignity as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 70 years ago. They debate Singer’s controversial utilitarian approach to disability, the problem of suffering, and whether a moral reality to the universe points towards God.

Watch the video and sign up at: https://www.thebigconversation.show/peter-singer-and-andybannister

For Peter Singer: https://petersinger.info/

For Andy Bannister: http://www.andybannister.net/

Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk

For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable

Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter

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Halloween and horror films - Peter Laws & Michael Cummins Oct 26, 2018

Show notes

Should Christians take part in Halloween festivities? And is it ok to watch grisly horror films? These are the two questions debates by Peter Laws and Michael Cummins ahead of Halloween.

Peter Laws is a Baptist minister and lifelong fan of the horror genre, as he explains in his new book The Frighteners: Why We Love Monsters, Ghosts, Death & Gore. He believes that Christians don’t need to fear being involved in the spooky side of Halloween and thinks horror films aren’t bad for people who enjoy them. Michael Cummins is involved in supernatural deliverance ministry. He explains his concerns about demonic aspects of Halloween and horror films and tells stories of what he has witnessed in his ministry.

For Peter Laws https://www.peterlaws.co.uk/

For Michael Cummins https://christsetsyoufree.wordpress.com/5-halloween/

For Big Conversation videos, updates and bonus content sign up: http://www.thebigconversation.show

Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk

For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable

Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter

Get the MP3 Podcast of Unbelievable? Via RSS or Via Itunes

A tale of two doubters: Austin Fischer & Ed Atkinson Oct 19, 2018

Show notes

Austin Fischer is a church pastor who tells the story of his own struggle with doubt in the book ‘Faith In The Shadows: Finding Christ in the midst of doubt’ and how he has kept his faith.

Ed Atkinson is a former Christian and co-host of the Doubts Aloud podcast. He talks about why he lost his faith and why he believes Christians should take doubt more seriously.

For Austin Fischer: https://www.ivpress.com/faith-in-the-shadows

For Ed Atkinson on Doubts Aloud: https://www.spreaker.com/user/heremcast

For the Unbelievable? Christian & Skeptic Meetup group: https://www.meetup.com/Unbelievable-Christian-and-Skeptic-Discussion-Group-London/

For Big Conversation videos, updates and bonus content sign up: http://www.thebigconversation.show

Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk

For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable

Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter

Get the MP3 Podcast of Unbelievable? Via RSS or Via Itunes

Is Jesus the Jewish Messiah? Michael Brown vs Jonathan Romain Oct 12, 2018

Show notes

Michael Brown is a Messianic Jew and hosts The Line Of Fire radio show in the USA. He engages with liberal UK Reform rabbi Jonathan Romain on whether Jesus fulfilled the role of Messiah.

Michael and Jonathan end up disagreeing on much more than just Jesus as they debate the rabbi’s pluralist view of religion compared to Brown’s belief that Jesus is the only way to God.

For Michael Brown: https://askdrbrown.org

For Jonathan Romain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Romain

For Big Conversation videos, updates and bonus content sign up: http://www.thebigconversation.show

Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk

For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable

Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter

Get the MP3 Podcast of Unbelievable? Via RSS or Via Itunes

Daniel Dennett vs Keith Ward: Are we more than matter? Mind, consciousness and free will Oct 05, 2018

Show notes

In the 5th episode of The Big Conversation, Justin is joined by atheist guest Daniel Dennett and Christian guest Keith Ward. Daniel C Dennett is Professor of Philosophy at Tufts University, USA and a leading naturalist voice in the philosophy of mind. Keith Ward is a British philosopher and former Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford University as well as being an ordained priest in the Church of England..

They debate physicalism, idealism, the ‘hard problem’ of consciousness, whether an objective moral realm exists, freewill vs determinism and whether robots could have an immortal soul Watch the video debate and subscribe to the newsletter at https://www.thebigconversation.show/daniel-dennett-and-keith-ward

For Big Conversation videos, updates and bonus content sign up: http://www.thebigconversation.show

Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk

For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable

Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter

Get the MP3 Podcast of Unbelievable? Via RSS or Via Itunes