Undeceptions with John Dickson

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REWIND: Post Christian Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

Back in 2020, John caught up with author and journalist Greg Sheridan to talk about Christianity’s struggles in both Australia, and the global West more broadly. However, Greg wasn’t so glum on the future of the faith in a post-Christian world. Ahead of an upcoming episode on how the gospel applies to a post-Christian world, we thought now was the time to look back at what Greg had to say.

163. Divine Comedy Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

In his Divine Comedy, Dante isn’t claiming to offer us a vision of what hell and heaven are actually like.

It might be set in the afterlife, but it’s really about how we live life here and now.

Even if you’ve never read one line of the epic poem, you’ve been influenced by The Divine Comedy.

It’s time we learned more about one of Western literature’s greatest works … and how it might just change our lives.

CREDITS

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

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.

Editing by Richard Hamwi.

Our voice actor today was Yannick Lawry.

Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception's episode possible.

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

162. Persecution Complex Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Some claim Christian persecution is on the rise, while others find the idea of a modern persecution implausible. So, what’s the truth? It’s complex …

(00:00) - - John Dickson's persecution complex
(08:56) - - The myth of persecution
(13:24) - - The first Christian persecutions
(21:29) - - The third-century persecutions
(32:25) - - The Emperor Diocletian comes to power
(38:32) - - The Great Persecution
(48:04) - - The persecutions end
(53:10) - - Haroon's story
(01:02:53) - - Smash and squeeze persecution
(01:15:33) - - Five Minute Jesus

CREDITS

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

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.

Editing by Richard Hamwi.

Our voice actor today was Yannick Lawry.

Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible.

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

161. Jane Austen Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

Jane Austen’s words and books are well known. But what do we know of Jane herself - what she was like, and what she believed? What did she think of society and class, ethics, literature, romance, and faith?

(00:00) - - Jane behind the text
(05:51) - - Jane's world
(10:35) - - Jane the novelist
(19:31) - - The author and the characters
(32:39) - - Romance, satire, or something else?
(39:50) - - Jane's 'undeceptions'
(41:34) - - Jane and the church
(50:50) - - Ethics and virtues
(55:47) - - Five Minute Jesus
(01:00:31) - - Silence on slavery
(01:06:26) - - Jane's legacy

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

Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher.

Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian.

Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant.

Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant.

Editing by Richard Hamwi.

Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible.

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

160. Deep Learning Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

Christianity is sometimes branded as anti-intellectual, and its followers labelled unteachable. But in an increasingly divided age, the church - with its rich history of learning - might be able to help the world recover what it means to have a teachable spirit … and to know who to learn from.

(00:00) - - How we learn
(04:17) - - Teachability
(10:44) - - Humility in learning
(16:00) - - Is faith a block to thinking critically?
(20:58) - - Combating fear with knowledge
(26:51) - - Learning from strangers
(31:25) - - Learning from the dead
(43:33) - - Learning from our enemies
(53:40) - - Five Minute Jesus
(01:01:03) - - Why learn from Christians?

CREDITS

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

Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher.

Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian.

Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant.

Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant.

Editing by Richard Hamwi.

Our voice actor for this episode was Suzanne Ellis.

Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible.

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

159. African Jesus Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

African Christianity is almost as old as Christianity itself. Many of the early church's theological giants came from Africa, and today, Christianity is exploding across the continent. In this episode, we look at Jesus through African eyes.

(00:09) - - The Tortoise and the Hare: A different perspective
(08:15) - - Why look at Jesus through African eyes?
(11:26) - - Africa in the Bible
(15:26) - - Diversity in Christianity
(18:19) - - Hermeneutics - African style!
(23:30) - - The African church
(30:39) - - Syncretism
(36:41) - - Scripture through different lenses
(43:32) - - Five Minute Jesus
(51:04) - - Hannah's prayer
(57:12) - - Can we see Jesus however we want?

158. Faith Factor Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

As the West undergoes a ‘de-churching,’ some are starting to wonder about the unintended consequences of a society with fewer believers.

After all, some of history’s greatest humanitarians all had one thing in common: a Christian faith.

(00:00) - - Intro
(00:00) - Chapter 2
(04:32) - - The power of faith communities
(08:21) - - Faith and politics
(15:20) - - Navigating tragedy in a faith community
(18:11) - - The Charleston shooting
(24:35) - - Measuring the 'good life'
(32:14) - - The great de-churching
(40:06) - - The happiness 'miracle drug'
(43:06) - - Five Minute Jesus
(47:25) - - Why join the faith?

REWIND: Mental Health Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Season 15 of Undeceptions is coming really soon! And our latest REWIND will help you brush up on some of the issues we’ll be discussing in our first full episode of next season.

There’s a growing body of research – authoritative, real-life, peer-reviewed research – that reports a significant benefit to wellbeing if you are religious. And not just religious, but part of a faith community.

REWIND: Decoding Dreams Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Are our dreams full of messages and warnings?
John was sceptical, but for most of human history, that’s been the common view. In this Undeceptions REWIND, we take a closer look.

If you like what you hear, listen to the episode in full: Episode 105 'Decoding Dreams'.

157. Why Believe? Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

The 18th-century philosopher David Hume famously predicted that, as the world grew more rational and scientific, people would stop having supernatural encounters.

But that’s not what has played out.

We might live in a secular age, but we continue to have seemingly divine experiences.

Lots of people now describe themselves as “spiritual but not religious”, but taking that next step - that leap of faith - into a formal belief system might actually be more rational than not.

(00:00) - - Intro
(00:09) - - Modern miracles
(05:14) - - Ross Douthat: Columnist and podcaster
(06:28) - - The Decadent Society
(11:29) - - Secular regrets
(18:51) - - The Logos of creation
(36:13) - - The Pathos of near-death experiences
(42:39) - - Buff Dickson's near-death experience
(48:06) - - More miracles
(56:21) - - Join a religion - any religion!
(01:07:35) - - The three problems with religion
(01:13:35) - - Why believe in Jesus?