Two Pastors in a Pub

Where did the universe come from? If there was a Big Bang - how did it start? Does this provide evidence for God? If the quantum world is so weird and beyond our imagination; isn't it possible that the supernatural world is like this too? Or is this just wishful thinking from believers? Trying to squeeze some modern physics into their ideas about God to make themselves feel better? Join Matt,...

Does God use violence? Should the church expand through force? How does God relate to political power? Tom, Matt and Karen have mentioned in 9 previous episodes what the Kingdom of God is NOT. So today, they are back in the pub exploring what it IS. What is it all about? Why does Jesus talk about it so much? Join them in a new location, along with some very weird drinks, for a fascinating explorat...

Karma, the universal law of cause and effect, dictates that actions—good or bad—eventually return to the doer, acting as a cosmic balancer.  Is this true? Is Karma the universal law? How does it affect us? Is God involved with it? Can we escape from its impact? Does what goes around come around? Tom, Matt & Karen are back in The Plough in Cirencester exploring Karma. Join them, along with a fe...

Surely it is right to topple evil regimes? New leaders would be much better for the people. Isn't it worth spilling a little blood to get a more peaceful world? Didn't God remove some bad kings in the Bible? Shouldn't we use our military to force good changes on other countries? Touched by global events, Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the pub, exploring this political, religious...

Evangelicals. I've heard of them - but aren't they all crazy? Bigoted nationalists? Hating science? Misusing the Bible?  What is an Evangelical Christian? Who are these people? Why are they in the news? What have they got to do with Donald Trump? Tom, Matt & Karen are back in a busy pub (The Plough in Cirencester, UK) exploring this subject. Exploding some myths, explaining some hist...

What happens after we die? Is there somewhere to go? Do we come back? Is there just nothing? Do we float around as a ghost? Tom, Matt & Karen explore all the options. What are the ideas that humans have about heaven and the afterlife? Is there any evidence to support the idea that there is something beyond the grave? Join them in a very busy pub, along with some weird drinks, for a fascinating...

Was Jesus a myth? Was Jesus a Cynic? Was he an alien? Was he a prophet? Is Jesus a code-word for a magic mushroom? Did Jesus start a political revolution? Christians claim Jesus was (and is) the Son of God. But isn't there an alternative explanation that fits the evidence better? Tom, Matt & Karen consider 9 alternative theories for the life of Jesus. What do you think? Join them, and som...

Churches are closing, right? People are leaving. There are only a handful of old people going to church. Surely the church in the UK and in the West is destined to shrink away to nothing. Is this true? What about stories of a "quiet revival"? What is happening? Is there a new openness to faith in God? Join Tom, Karen & Matt in the pub for an intriguing discussion. Plus, or course, so...

If faith in God is so good, why would someone give up on it? Surely, if Jesus is real - then turning away doesn't make sense. Why do people lose faith? Why do people get faith in the first place? Matt, Tom & Karen are back in the pub looking at the 8 reasons for someone to lose their faith in God. Join them, and some weird drinks, for a fascinating 40 minutes of discussion - and maybe a l...

The British flag - the Union Jack - has been appearing on streets across the UK. What does this express? Is this a desire to return to 'British values? And is this flag a Christian symbol? Is patriotism a good thing? What does God think about love of country? What about other countries and their flags? Are St George, St Andrew & St Patrick to be celebrated in Britain? Tom, Matt & Kare...

Are the hidden humanoids living in the forest? Is there a Yeti in Nepal, a Bigfoot in America, a Yowie in Australia and big cats in the UK? What are they? Do they exist? Are they aliens? Are they hybrids? And how do they relate to the mysterious giants in the Bible - the Nephilim? Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the pub wrestling with this unusual question - inspired by one of the regular listen...

Does alcohol cause more harm than good? Does it damage our health, our relationships, our society, our finances and our mental well-being? Or is it one of the enjoyable things of life given for us to find pleasure in? And what does God think about it? Surely God doesn't like people being drunk - but Jesus turned water into wine. Join Matt, Tom, Karen and a live audience at the George Hotel in...

How can you trust this ancient book? Surely it's been passed down from generation to generation and each time people have made a change - like a giant game of Chinese Whispers (Telephone to our US listeners).  Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the Plough to ask this vital question. The bible may be popular, but hasn't it been changed by people with agendas? Hasn't it collected loads...

How can I get the life that I want? How can I overcome the problems in my life? Will the Universe help me? How can I get hold of this power? What do I need to do to manifest good things for me and for those I love? Manifesting has grown in recent years as a tool to bring positive change to people's lives. Does it work? Is God involved with this? Is it just the same as prayer? Are the Universe...

Surely if we believe there were dinosaurs (and who doesn't) this proves that the Bible is wrong? Where are the dinosaurs in the Bible? Did they go on Noah's Ark? Why isn't the T-Rex mentioned in the book of Genesis? Joined by some plastic dinosaurs, Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the pub to explore this question. Is it possible to believe in the Bible and in dinosaurs? Or are the...

"God told me to do it". "I know God led me to do this". It is possible for people to be very convinced that God is speaking to them. "How can I hear God's voice?". "Does God speak to people?". "Does God even exist?" It is also possible for people to think that God never speaks to them. Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the pub wrestling with t...

As people hover between life and death - what happens? So many who recover report seeing and hearing extraordinary things. They see light, heaven, family, God, beauty - sometimes they experience fear. Do these mean anything? Are they just the working of our brains, or is more going on? What about people who have received information while 'dead' that they couldn't have known? Tom, M...

Shouldn't church leaders be an example of honesty, purity and kindness? If they are followers of Jesus - isn't this just a normal expectation? So why do we hear so often of Christian ministers, preachers, pastors, bishops who seem to get it wrong? They say one thing and do another. They look good on the surface, but in secret there is something else going on. Tom, Matt & Karen are ba...

Surely any sane person can see that things are falling apart. Any optimism from the post-WW2 world and the end of the Cold War has gone – wars in Ukraine, Congo, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Sudan – a global pandemic – millions of refugees – chaotic unstable politics in USA, Korea, France, Germany – right-wing nationalism on the rise – humans rights being abused – climate crisis - mental health crisis –...

Surely if God is powerful and He answers prayers – then the team with the most people praying for it should win. Is God interested in sport? Does He support the other team? Does God answer prayers for anything? Is there even a God in the first place? Does sport matter? Tom, Matt & Karen are exploring this apparently trivial – but ultimately very deep subject. What is God's relationship wi...

Why would you think God only speaks to Christians? Isn't God interested in everybody? Why wouldn't God speak to the leaders or holy people from any religion? Is the god of the Muslims, Hindus and Christians the same? Is there a god anyway? Join Matt, Tom & Karen in the Plough Inn for this discussion exploring whether God speaks, what He thinks about all religions, why a religion migh...

Trump. Harris. Democrat. Republican. Economy. Migration. Foreign Policy. Abortion.  US politics fills the news - even in the 95% of the world that can't vote. But how much does it matter? Is God interested? Does God have a favoured candidate? Why are Christians - especially the famous 'Evangelicals' so involved in the election? Is America any more important than other countries? Tom...

What is wrong with women? Why does the church give women such a hard time? Do they think women are stupid or sinful? Why are all the leaders men? Special guest Caz McCrone joins Matt Frost in the pub for this crunchy subject. They wrestle with this big question. Exploring if the church is misogynistic (women-hating) or is it just becoming feminist and woke because Western culture says it should. H...

Matt & Tom are discussing this hot topic at the Ship Inn in Brimscombe. Do animals have souls? Will Matt's dog Elsie be in heaven (or hell)? What should be our attitudes to animals and nature? Does God want me to be vegetarian? Are animals there to be used by humans? Top-class canine, philosophical and theological debate - including some weird drinks and a passing French Bulldog. Follow u...

If I am in real pain with a terminal illness, isn't it right that I should be allowed to end my suffering? Isn't this simply compassion? Why should we prolong pain? Doesn't God want suffering to end? But if we allow this, will it start to put pressure on people to end their lives so that they are not a bother to the living? If I have a disability, will I be asked to end my life?  Wh...