Undeceptions with John Dickson

Latest Episodes:

187. On Slavery Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

What in the world do we do about slavery in the Bible?

We shouldn’t rush to William Wilberforce and the Christian abolitionists so quickly that we gloss over an uncomfortable fact: Christians really did use the Bible to keep slaves in their place.

Secular thinkers defended slavery using science, philosophy, politics, economics, and pragmatism. But there’s no doubt many Christians provided moral cover by quoting passages from the Old Testament that seem to endorse slavery, and passages from the New Testament that, at the very least, seem to put up with it.

Professor Esau McCaulley and our friends at International Justice Mission join us for this last Undeceptions episode of the season to try and untangle this tricky topic.

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERE

CREDITS

Undeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed and edited by Mark Hadley.

Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership.

Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian.

Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant.

Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant.

Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.

Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out.

186. Question Answer XVII Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

What do we do when we discover our so-called ‘Christian heroes’ did abhorrent things? What’s the difference between the soul and the spirit? Where does the idea of being a ‘missionary’ come from? Is the God of the Old Testament just a conglomeration of the gods from other cultures that came before?

It’s our seasonal Q&A, and John Dickson is in the hot seat answering your questions.

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERE

CREDITS

Undeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed and edited by Mark Hadley.

Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership.

Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian.

Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant.

Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant.

Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.

Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out.

185: Dis / Ability Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

We have a troubled relationship with disability. Even the term ‘disability’ is contested.

Perhaps disability is something to inspire us. Or something that calls for our compassion. Or simply something to accept and let be.

How should we think about disability? Should we be trying to cure it? And what about disability in Heaven?

In this episode of Undeceptions, we’re unpacking our assumptions about disability, dignity, suffering and difference—and asking what it means to be fully human.

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERE

CREDITS

Undeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed and edited by Mark Hadley.

Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership.

Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher.

Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian.

Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant.

Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant.

Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.

Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out.

184. Forgive Us Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

Christianity has a bit to say about ‘forgiveness’, both on a theological and a sociological level.

In short, God forgives us, and Christians are therefore called to extend this forgiveness to those who’ve wronged them.

But this raises a lot of questions.

What does forgiveness actually mean? How does it work? Does it involve forgetting wrongs? Can you forgive someone who isn't sorry? What about profound abuse and injustice?

The Christian emphasis on forgiveness has shaped our civilisation. But does it still make sense?

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERE

CREDITS

Undeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed and edited by Mark Hadley.

Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership.

Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher.

Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian.

Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant.

Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant.

Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.

Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out.

183. With Lennox Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

John Lennox is one of Christianity’s greatest living “Undeceivers”. His Irish charm, kindness, and general approachability defuse even the most intense debates - and he’s had many intense debates in his lifetime (Dawkins! Hitchens!)

Through it all, Lennox has had one great aim … and it’s the aim of our podcast … to uncover the truth and beauty of Christianity in a world that doesn’t know what to make of it.

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERE

CREDITS

Undeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed and edited by Mark Hadley.

Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership.

Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher.

Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian.

Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant.

Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant.

Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.

Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out.

182. Tough Texts Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

The Bible is full of tough texts that can be off-putting to the curious sceptic.

But at its best, Christianity stands smiling in the ring of history, science, culture, ethics, and all the rest, and invites anyone to take a swing.

Don’t let these tough texts put you off; treat them as an entry point to the Bible and, just maybe, you’ll be surprised by what else you find.

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERE

CREDITS

Undeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed and edited by Mark Hadley.

Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership.

Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher.

Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian.

Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant.

Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant.

Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.

Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out.

Beautiful Maths Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

Almost everyone can remember the exact moment they gave up on mathematics.

But for those who persist, many don’t just find maths useful; they find it beautiful.

Some even go so far as to claim that mathematics is the ‘language of God’.

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERE

CREDITS

Undeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed and edited by Mark Hadley.

Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership.

Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher.

Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian.

Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant.

Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant.

Our voice actor today was Yannick Lawry.

Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out.

On Hildegard Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

It’s high time for an episode on the fabulous Hildegard of Bingen.

This remarkable 12th-century nun’s work covered a vast amount of ground: she wrote about ecclesiastical history, science, medicine, botany, mineralogy and petrology, zoology and theology, mysticism, music, painting, and monastic architecture.

She was also a travelling preacher, visionary, and geopolitical manoeuvrer.

She’s now revered as a ‘Doctor of the Church’ - one of only 38 people awarded the title for their profound and lasting impact on Christian teaching.

Other Doctors include Augustine of Hippo, Gregory the Great, and the Venerable Bede. So, Hildegard is in good company.

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERE

CREDITS

Undeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne, directed and edited by Mark Hadley.

Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher.

Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership.

Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian.

Lyndie Leviston remains my wonderful assistant.

Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant.

Our voice actors for this episode were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love

Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com – letting the truth out.

Spiritual ≠ Religious Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

The West might be becoming less ‘religious’, but according to many it’s becoming a lot more ’spiritual’.

In fact, “spiritual but not religious” is described as a “rapidly growing faith group” in America, with as many as 20 per cent of people falling into the category.

And yet, there’s nothing new about being spiritual but not religious; it’s been Christianity’s dancing partner – or maybe sparring partner - for thousands of years.

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERE

CREDITS

Undeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne, directed and edited by Mark Hadley.

Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher.

Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership.

Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian.

Lyndie Leviston remains my wonderful assistant.

Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant.

Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com – letting the truth out.

178. Against Ambition Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

High performers - athletes, business professionals, artists, and the like - inspire and motivate us. They give us benchmarks to strive for and show us what sort of life we might lead if we were the “greatest of all time” in a given field.

But is striving to be the “greatest” actually good for us? Or does it do more harm than good?

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERE

CREDITS

Undeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne, directed and edited by Mark Hadley.

Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher.

Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership.

Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian.

Lyndie Leviston remains my wonderful assistant.

Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant.

Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com – letting the truth out.