Unbelievable?

Latest Episodes:

Hellbound the movie - debating three views on hell - Unbelievable? Jun 23, 2014

Show notes

Hellbound is the new movie by Kevin Miller which questions the traditional "eternal, conscious torment" view of hell and asks whether Universalism is actually taught in scripture.

Justin is joined by Kevin, along with Glenn Peoples who holds an "annihilationist" position, and Peter Sanlon who defends the traditional view.

They discuss whether questioning hell goes against evangelicalism, wheter evangelism is at stake and what most Christians really believe about hell.

For Unbelievable? the Conference 2013 www.premier.org.uk/jesus

For more discussion between Christians and non-Christians visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable

Join the conversation via Facebook and Twitter

For Hellbound www.hellboundthemovie.com

For Rethinking Hell www.rethinkinghell.com

For Oakhill College www.oakhill.ac.uk

Get the MP3 podcast of Unbelievable? http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 23rd April 2011 - Rob Bell defends 'Love Wins' Rob Bell & Adrian Warnock debate

Unbelievable? 3rd March 2012 - Is hell annihilation or eternal conscious punishment? Chris Date & Steve Jeffery

Unbelievable? 17 Oct 2009 - The "Evangelical Universalist" is revealed - will everyone be saved? Robin Parry & Laurence M Blanchard

NT Wright & James White debate on St. Paul & Justification - Unbelievable? Jun 23, 2014

Show notes

NT Wright is a leading professor of New Testament at the forefront of the New Perspective on Paul. His reassesment of the words of Paul on "justification" have led to concern from reformed church leaders like John Piper.

Is Wright undermining important doctrine, or did the reformers read their Bible wrong?

James White, reformed Bible scholar discusses with Wright as they seek to find out what Paul really said about justification.

Plus news about the forthcoming Unbelievable? Conference 2013 "Jesus: liar, lunatic, legand...or Lord?"

For Unbelievable? the Conference 2013 www.premier.org.uk/jesus

For more discussion between Christians and non-Christians visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable

Join the conversation via Facebook and Twitter

For NT Wright http://ntwrightpage.com/

For James White www.aomin.org

Get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 19 May 2012 - Was Jesus a Calvinist? James White & David Instone-Brewer

Unbelievable? 6 August 2011 - Bart Ehrman & Darrell Bock on "Forged"

I just believe in one less god than you... Randal Rauser & Ralph Jones - Unbelievable? Jun 23, 2014

Show notes

Is the phrase "I just believe in one less god than you" a good argument for atheism against Christianity?

Ralph Jones is an atheist who recently featured in Christianity Magazine's "Why I'm not a Christian" column. He interacts with Christian apologist Randal Rauser, the author of "The Swedish atheist, the scuba diver and other apologetic rabbit trails".

They talk about theism, deism and atheism. Randal ask how Ralph's atheism accounts for DNA and Morality, Ralph asks how Christianity can claim to be moral or justify hell.

For Unbelievable? the Conference 2013 www.premier.org.uk/jesus

For more discussion between Christians and non-Christians visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable

Join the conversation via Facebook and Twitter

For Randal Rauser www.randalrauser.com and for his book http://goo.gl/tbl4H

For Ralph Jones www.mrralphjones.co.uk or www.theawkwardsilence.co.uk

Ralph's Christianity column http://goo.gl/ZXTTI

Get the MP3 podcast of Unbelievable? http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 25th August 2012 - The Young Atheists Handbook - Alom Shaha & Tom Price

Unbelievable? 15 May 2010 - Peter Hitchens "The Rage Against God" debate with atheist Adam Rutherford

The Christian & Atheist philosophers' worldviews: Keith Ward & Arif Ahmed - Unbelievable? Jun 23, 2014

Show notes

The Veritas Forum in Cambridge invited Christian philosopher Keith Ward and atheist philosopher Arif Ahmed to present the reasons for their different worldviews.

Justin Brierley hosts a discussion with the two thinkers in front of an audience of Cambridge students who ask their own questions too.

For more discussion between Christians and non-Christians visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable

Join the conversation via Facebook and Twitter

For Veritas USA www.veritas.org For Veritas Europe www.veritasforum.eu

For Keith Ward www.keithward.org.uk

For Arif Ahmed http://goo.gl/02nu7

Watch the video promo for Unbelievable? the Conference 2012 DVD http://youtu.be/6g-5jTMeZew Order it at http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

Get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 14th January 2012 - Is our Mind more than Matter? Keith Ward vs David Papineau

Unbelievable? 16 Oct 2010 - The Moral argument for God Philosophers Arif Ahmed and Glenn Peoples debate

The atheist church - Sanderson Jones & David Robertson - Unbelievable? Jun 23, 2014

Show notes

In Jan 2013 a new church began in London - with singing, a sermon and a great sense of community - but its for godless people. Atheist stand up comedian Sanderson Jones who co-founded "the Sunday Assembly" talks about its first meeting and why it exists.

Scottish church minister David Robertson asks questions about whether an "atheist church" makes sense and what Christians could learn from it.

Justin is also joined by two of those who attended the first service, Rory Fenton and Simon Jenkins.

For more info on The Sunday Assembly www.sundayassembly.com

For David Robertson http://solas-cpc.org

For Rory Fenton http://roryfenton.com for Simon Jenkins http://simonjenkins.com

Watch the video promo for Unbelievable? the Conference 2012 DVD http://youtu.be/6g-5jTMeZew Order it at http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 11 February 2012 - Should atheists be more religious? Alain de Botton & James Orr

Unbelievable? 8th December 2012 - Does Christianity make emotional sense? Francis Spufford & Philip Pullman

Join the conversation via Facebook and Twitter

Steve Chalke on his new gay affirming stance - Unbelievable? Jun 23, 2014

Show notes

Leading UK evangelical Steve Chalke has written an article for Christianity magazine on why he now affirms committed, faithful gay relationships.

Justin Brierley talks to Steve about why he's changed his mind while theologian Greg Downes offers a defence of the traditional evangelical understanding of sexuality. We also hear the responses and reflections of church leaders including Steve Clifford of the Evangelical Alliance, Lord Richard Harries former Bishop of Oxford, Faith Forster of Ichthus Christian fellowship and more.

For Christianity Magazine's coverage http://www.christianitymagazine.co.uk

For Steve Chalke http://www.oasisuk.org/inclusionresources

For Greg Downes http://www.cml.uk.net/staff/director

Watch the video promo for Unbelievable? the Conference 2012 DVD http://youtu.be/6g-5jTMeZew Order it at http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 21 April 2012 - The Gay Marriage Debate - Peter Tatchell vs Peter D Williams

Unbelievable? 6 Nov 2010 - Ex-Gay and Gay-Affirming approaches to homosexuality "Two different approaches to supporting gay Christians" Jonathan Berry & Jeremy Marks

Join the conversation via Facebook and Twitter

Did God command 'genocide' in the Old Testament? John Allister vs Justin Schieber - Unbelievable? Jun 23, 2014

Show notes

1 Samuel Chapter 15 may be one of the hardest passages in the Bible to reconcile with a God of love. It describes God apparently commanding the slaughter of men, women and children in the Amalekite tribe.

How can Christians who take OT passages on warfare seriously reconcile it with the God of love shown in Jesus? Is God Evil?

John Allister is the vicar of St. Jude's Church, Nottingham. He argues that the passage needs to be understood in its context.

Justin Schieber is co host of the atheist podcast Reasonable Doubt. He argues that the story cannot be reconciled with a good God.

For John Allister http://custardy.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-amalekites.html and his paper on the Amalekites http://www.churchsociety.org/churchman/documents/Cman_124_3_Allister.pdf

For Justin Schieber http://freethoughtblogs.com/reasonabledoubts/

Watch the video promo for Unbelievable? the Conference 2012 DVD http://youtu.be/6g-5jTMeZew Order it at http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 9 April 2011 - "Is God a Moral Monster?" Paul Copan & Norman Bacrac

Unbelievable? 8 Oct 2011 - Old Testament Grill-a-Christian with Peter J Williams

Join the conversation via Facebook and Twitter

Is atheism a "lack of belief"? Calum Miller, Paul Orton & Non Stamp Collector - Unbelievable? Jun 23, 2014

Show notes

In the first show of 2013, three 'Unbelievable?' listeners join Justin Brierley to discuss their views of atheism.

Calum Miller is a Christian medical student at Oxford with an interest in philosophy. He chats with atheist Paul Orton and agnostic Steve (aka Non Stamp Collector).

They both define their atheism as a mere "lack of belief in God" rather than a positive belief that "there is no God".

Why the distinction? Find out as we ask questions about where the burden of proof lies, the difference between agnosticism and atheism, and the God of the Bible.

For Calum Miller http://dovetheology.com http://www.twitter.com/dovetheology

For Paul Orton http://www.missinggodgene.com http://www.skepticule.com

For Non Stamp Collector http://www.nonstampcollector.com/ http://www.youtube.com/user/NonStampCollector

Watch the video promo for Unbelievable? the Conference 2012 DVD http://youtu.be/6g-5jTMeZew Order it at http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 20 August 2011 – Dialogue with an ex-Christian Rebekah Bennetch & Sheridan Voysey

Unbelievable? 11 February 2012 - Should atheists be more religious? Alain de Botton & James Orr

Join the conversation via Facebook and Twitter and http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

William Lane Craig on reaching the UK with apologetics - Unbelievable? Jun 23, 2014

Show notes

As videos from 2011's Bethinking Conference are made available on Youtube we hear the talk that leading Christian philosopher William Lane Craig gave to those gathered on the apologetic task of reaching the UK. Includes audience Q&A.

Plus we hear you suggestions for show topics in the new year and some advance details of Unbelievable? The Conference 2013.

For The Bethinking Conference videos www.youtube.com/reasonablefaithtour

For Bethinking www.bethinking.org

Watch the video promo for Unbelievable? the Conference 2012 DVD http://youtu.be/6g-5jTMeZew Order it at http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 9th June 2012 - Unbelievable? The Conference 2012 Michael Green & guests

Unbelievable? 18 Oct 2011 - William Lane Craig vs Stephen Law - Does God exist?

Join the conversation: http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Christmas: historical fact or theological invention? Ben Witherington & S Thornton - Unbelievable? Jun 23, 2014

Show notes

Matthew and Luke both tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The stories share some details in common but also vary in others. Where did they get their information from, and should we regard them as historical or merely "theological"?

Stephen Thornton is a liberal Bible tutor who believes that none of the details of the Christmas story are historically true. Rather, stories of the virgin conception, the shepherds, the wise men etc contain "deeper meanings" that were written down as a "teaching aid" to the early church.

Ben Witherington III is New Testament professor at Asbury Theological Seminary. He says that the Christmas stories certainly contain deep meaning, but only because they have a basis in historical events, and that Stephen's approach is out of date.

For Ben Witherington www.benwitherington.com

You can email Stephen Thornton smthornton@ntlworld.com

Watch the video promo for Unbelievable? the Conference 2012 DVD http://youtu.be/6g-5jTMeZew Order it at http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 9th January 2012 - Is there scientific evidence for the star of Bethlehem? Hugh Ross, Jeff Zweerink, Mark Kidger and Norman Bacrac

Unbelievable? 22 Dec 2007 - Did Christians steal Christmas? Did Christians steal Christmas?

Join the conversation: http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter