The Big Conversation - Episode 3 | Season 5 It’s a widely held view that science and religion are in conflict, including and perhaps especially over how they approach one of life's most fundamental questions: what does it mean to be human? But is that really the case, and do we need to rethink how we’ve been seeking the answer, at a time when we seemingly need more clarity over humanity's identity than ever before? Atheist science writer and broadcaster Philip Ball, author of The Book of...

From January 2015: The term 'Humanism' is often seen as synonymous with atheism. But a Theos report titled: 'The case for Christian Humanism: why Christians should be Humanists and Humanists should be Christians' claimed to show that atheism is ill-equipped to support the fundamental tenets of Humanism. Report author Angus Ritchie debated with atheist philosopher Stephen Law on whether atheistic humanism can account for the human dignity, morality and reason it espouses. For the Theos...

Even in a time of culture wars and controversy about everything, there are few subjects as difficult to discuss as transgender rights. In less than a decade the number of young people identifying as trans has exploded, and with it the number of arguments about the subject.  In British schools nearly 80% of teachers report trans-identified or non-binary students in their classroom.  Supporters say being trans is innate, like being gay, and that this is like the gay-rights movement of 30 years...

From January 2015. In 1960 physicist Eugene Wigner wrote a paper on the ‘unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics’. Christian philosopher William (Bill) Lane Craig was developing arguments concerning the ‘applicability’ of mathematics as evidence for God as part of his wider research on abstract objects. Bill interacted with atheist/agnostic philosopher Daniel Came on whether the remarkable ability of maths to describe the universe we live in is evidence for a transcendent designer. •...

From Porn Star to Pastor: Joshua Broome's Journey of Redemption Joshua Broome in conversation with Billy Hallowell This week Premier Unbelievable delves into the extraordinary life transformation of Joshua Broome. In this gripping interview we unravel the tale of a man who reached the pinnacle of fame and fortune in the adult film industry, only to be left empty, broken, and yearning for something more.  The interview has much to say to those struggling with addiction to porn, those caught up...

From 2014. Christian philosopher Prof Keith Ward and atheist philosopher of science Michael Ruse debate some of the issues raised by the DVD documentary series The God Question. It explores whether advances in science are undermining or supporting belief in God. Alongside audio clips from the film they discuss whether the human mind can be explained by material processes alone, religious experience and free will. • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More...

Is the occult just harmless fun? Or are there hidden dangers to alternative spirituality, satanism, and even new-age practices? Increasingly the debate is not about good vs evil but my truth vs your truth. Ex-psychic Jenn Nizza tells the story of her escape from the occult to Christianity to host Billy Hallowell journalist and author of 'Playing with Fire'. Joining the conversation is deliverance minister Mike Signorelli, lead pastor and founder of V1 Church based in New York City. So is...

In light of renowned New York pastor and author Tim Keller’s recent death on May 19th 2023, we wanted to revisit this interview he did with Justin Brierley from Easter 2014. Tim talked to Justin and answered listener questions about his life, faith and ministry. They also discussed his then-latest book 'Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering'. • For Tim Keller's most recent appearance on Unbelievable from December 2022, discussing his cancer battle, prayer life, and new book...

Given the huge interest in our recent Big Conversation debate between Bart Ehrman and Justin Bass, on the evidence for the Resurrection, we're revisiting a pivotal debate from 2009: Bart Ehrman's first appearance on Unbelievable?, debating Peter J Williams on whether we can trust the gospel accounts and, specifically, how New Testament scripture has been transmitted. This episode catapulted Unbelievable? into the podcast charts and introduced the show to a whole new audience, as well as...

Join us on Unbelievable presented by Ruth Jackson as we delve into the extraordinary life and work of the late Dr. Timothy J. Keller, a humble yet ambitious church leader who shaped faith in the modern world. Tim Keller's impact extends far beyond his time, as he fearlessly explored the intricate relationship between faith and culture. With City to City, and other nonprofit organisations he spearheaded, and as the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan alongside his wife...

Get ready for a riveting episode of Unbelievable? part of our ongoing series Rights of Life and Death. Today in The Abortion Debate:  Life, Equality, and Choice, we're diving headfirst into the contentious and thought-provoking topic of abortion. What does it means to stay that life begins?  What would it take for the fetus or the child to have a right to life, and for this to outweigh the mother’s right to choice?  How do we determine moral value? It's a debate that strikes at the very core...

Christian philosopher William Lane Craig and atheist physicist Lawrence Krauss met in Australia for 3 public dialogues on the existence of God in 2013. They joined Justin Brierley to reflect on the value of the events and the way it was carried out. We hear highlights of their discussion on whether God commanded genocide in the Old Testament and if there is good evidence for the resurrection of Christ.   • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 •...

Should anyone be eligible for medical assistance in dying?  "Choosing Death: Assisted Dying, Assisted Suicide, Murder – Who Decides?"   Should the power to decide be granted to everyone when it comes to medical assistance in dying? A recent Canadian survey sheds light on the attitudes towards euthanasia and assisted dying, revealing startling statistics. Poverty, homelessness, mental illness, and disability – these factors, according to the Canadian survey, justify access to...

From the archives. A DVD documentary series The God Question explored whether advances in science were undermining or supporting belief in God. Christian thinker Prof John Lennox and atheist physicist Lawrence Krauss debated some of the issues raised by the video series.. Alongside audio clips from the film they discussed the Big Bang, purpose, fine-tuning and the possibility of a universe "from nothing".   • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 •...

In 2019, Justin Brierley swapped his moderator’s chair for being a debater in a live show recorded in front of a student audience at Oxford University. He engaged atheist Stephen Woodford who runs the YouTube channel Rationality Rules on the question ‘Is it rational to be a Christian?’   • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events:...

From the archives. J Warner Wallace is a homicide detective specialising in cold case murder investigations. In his book Cold Case Christianity he shows how the same tools of investigating evidence can show that the Gospels are trustworthy accounts. Jim tells how the evidence moved him from atheism to Christianity and debates with 2 sceptical callers on differing timelines in the Gospels and corroboration.   • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 •...

This week on Unbelievable’s Coronation special Roger Bolton asks how important is the established Church of England to the fabric of life in the United Kingdom and beyond?  Does King Charles as Supreme Governor of the Church of England have divine purpose?  Academic and author Dr. Jonathan Chaplin of Wesley House, Cambridge suggests we should ditch the religious aspects of the Coronation to better reflect multicultural Britain.  Catherine Pepinster author and broadcaster argues the sacral...

From the archives: The SETI programme has been listening to the universe for signs of intelligent life for over 50 years. In his book 'Science, Religion and the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence' astrophysicist Revd Prof David Wilkinson assesses the evidence for the existence of alien life and what the impact of discovering it would be on Christianity. Mark Kidger, an astronomer for the European Space Agency, also joined the conversation as an agnostic on God, but as a believer in...

The Big Conversation - Episode 2 | Season 5 Is post-Christendom a brave new world or a culture in collapse? Can ancient wisdom still offer answers to the modern problems of life? Rod Dreher is Senior Editor of The American Conservative and author of bestselling books including 'The Benedict Option' and 'Live Not By Lies'. Louise Perry is a journalist and campaigner against sexual violence. Her book ‘The Case Against The Sexual Revolution’ explains why today’s liberal hook up culture has been...

In this debate from the Reasonable Faith UK tour in 2011, William Lane Craig visited the Cambridge Union. The motion under debate is "This house believes that God is not a delusion". The other debaters are Peter S Williams, Arif Ahmed & Andrew Copson.   • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning:...

This week we play Justin Brierley's personal favourite episode: the discussion he hosted live in California, between Christian apologist John Lennox and US talk show host Dave Rubin, from 2019. Part of The Big Conversation, they discussed the question of where the next generation is turning to in the search for meaning and identity. Is God finally dead, as Nietzsche once declared? Or is there space for a renaissance of religious belief in the modern world?   And lookout for new...

In light of the recent Church of England debates on gay marriage this archive show from 2013 titled "A Different Kind of Coming Out" saw Justin meet three evangelical church leaders who talked about their struggle with same-sex attraction and why they decided to choose celibacy, or being 'post-gay'. It was followed by a studio discussion between Anglican blogger Peter Ould and Savi Hensman of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement in light of the programme.   • Subscribe to the...

The Unbelievable? show has been broadcasting for over 17 years. Justin Brierley and Ruth Jackson take a retrospective tour through highlights from the show from day one to some of the most significant debates that have been hosted, before being joined by Dr. Vince Vitale for a special announcement by Justin.   Links to the full shows featured in this episode, if you'd like to explore more: • Bart Ehrman vs Peter J Williams (2009):...

From 2013: The second of two debates in which Young Earth Creationist Andy McIntosh debated palaeontologist Robert Asher. Andy responded to a number of questions left hanging over from the previous show. Both are Christians and give their differing views on how the Genesis stories of Adam and Eve and death and suffering can (or cannot) be reconciled with evolutionary theory.   • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook &...

The Big Conversation - Episode 1 | Season 5   The rise of Christianity has shaped the modern world, but are its historical origins best explained in purely naturalistic terms, or the explanation the first followers gave – that Jesus had risen from the dead?   New Testament historian Bart Ehrman doesn’t believe in the miraculous claims of the New Testament, including the resurrection of Jesus. New Testament scholar Justin Bass argues in his book ‘The Bedrock of Christianity’...