Unbelievable?

Justin and Ruth were joined by research scientist Dr John Wyatt on a live show to talk about AI, robotics and technology. Listeners asked questions about machine consciousness, the potential dangers of AI and how to raise children in a tech world.   Justin also reveals that a recent article on AI featured on the Premier Unbelievable website was in fact generated by ChatGPT - the new AI platform th...

In this week’s classic replay we go back to when Rob Bell returned to Unbelievable? 2 years after his debate on the controversial best-seller 'Love Wins'. He talked about life after Mars Hill Bible Church and his then-latest book 'What we talk about when we talk about God'. Andrew Wilson, author and theologian with the New Frontiers church network, quizzed Rob about his view of God, salvation and...

Matt Arnold, editor of the Christian Parapsychologist Journal and Dr Cal Cooper, a psychologist and paranormal researcher, speak to Justin about how they interpret account of ghosts, exorcism and apparitions as a Christian and skeptic.   For Matt Arnold: https://ghostsghoulsandgod.co.uk/ For Cal Cooper: https://www.callumecooper.com/   • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast:  https://pod.link/26...

In this classic show from the archives, atheist scientist Adam Rutherford and Christian biochemist Fazale (Fuz) Rana of Reasons To Believe, discuss the scientific advances in attempting to create simple synthetic life in the laboratory and how this research may be of benefit.   Fuz contends that the amount of ingenuity and intelligence required to produce life in the lab lends strong support to th...

Tim Keller is a renowned thinker, writer and speaker who has been dubbed New York's 'pastor to skeptics'. In a live online show hosted by Ruth Jackson and Justin Brierley he answers audience questions on his journey with pancreatic cancer, his transformed prayer life and his new book 'Forgive'.   • For Tim's book 'Forgive': http://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/timothy-keller/forgive/9781473643130/ • S...

Was the emergence of the first self-replicating organism a result of design or the blind forces of nature? In today's show from the archvies, Adam Rutherford is an atheist scientist whose book "Creation: The Origin of Life" claimed to show a naturalistic explanation for how life arose. Fazale (Fuz) Rana is a biochemist with Reasons To Believe. He values scientific research into origins but believe...

Justin presents an end of year show featuring a conversation with theologian and philosopher James KA Smith on his new book 'How To Inhabit Time' recorded at the Everything Conference. Justin also caught up with Trevin Wax in Oxford who gave him a tour of CS Lewis' home The Kilns.   Support our End Of Year Appeal: https://gtly.to/aAxRk0kQs   • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast:  https://pod.l...

Christians believe that Jesus' death on the cross provided the atonement for sins. But in what way? Advocates of the penal substitution view hold that God punished the Son, instead of us. Others argue this is an unjust way of viewing the crucifixion and prefer the 'Christus Victor' view, that Jesus defeats the powers of evil on the cross.   In this classic replay, Steve Jeffery defended Penal Subs...

Justin interviews two guests with remarkable stories of adult conversion to Christianity.   Lawyer Nico Tarquinio went from atheist skeptic to Catholic convert via the Unbelievable? show. Storyteller and mythologist Martin Shaw explains how a revelation during a forest vigil led to his recent conversion to Eastern Orthodox Christianity. They also tell Justin what Christmas means to them now. Justi...

In this episode from the archives we’re revisiting a debate between two Christian philosophers on the arguments for God.   AC Grayling is one of the UK's most well known atheist thinkers. His book The God Argument claims to refute the key arguments for God and show why humanism is the best way forward. Christian Philosopher Peter S Williams interacted with Grayling who he believes badly misunderst...

A Public Order Bill in UK Parliament proposing 'buffer zones' could potentially criminalise pro-life activity or even silent prayer outside abortion clinics.  Lois McLatchie of ADF UK says the bill threatens civil and religious liberty and is not 'pro-choice' for women. Ann Furedi, former head of BPAS the UK's leading abortion provider, says the legislation is necessary to prevent distress to wome...

Rowan Williams led the Anglican Church for 10 years. He reflects on his journey of faith, and the trials and joys of his time in office in a wide ranging interview with Justin Brierley. First broadcast in 2013.   • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast:  https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.liv...

'Truth Over Tribe: Pledging allegiance to the lamb, not the donkey or the elephant' is the name of the new book by Patrick Miller and Keith Simon. They are both church pastors in the USA who started the Truth Over Tribe podcast to combat polarisation in politics, culture and Christianity. They talk to Justin about Trump, abortion, LGBT, Christian nationalism, progressives and conservatives, and ho...

"Why?" was the title of a book that had just been published by Sharon Dirckx looking at God, evil and suffering. She interacted with atheist Alom Shaha as we asked "how can a loving God allow suffering?"   We also heard stories from people who had been through suffering but kept their faith such as Will, who became a Christian after losing his wife and a child in a tragic road accident, and Rachel...

Get our launch discount for 'Science, Faith and the Evidence for God with John Lennox' https://www.premierunbelievable.com/lennox   Justin is joined by Prof John Lennox to talk about his debates with well-known atheists and to introduce a new online apologetics course: 'Science, Faith and the Evidence for God with John Lennox'.   • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast:  https://pod.link/26714210...

The film “Hellbound” by Kevin Miller questioned the traditional "eternal, conscious torment" view of hell and asked whether Universalism is actually taught in scripture. Justin was joined by Kevin Miller, along with Glenn Peoples who holds an "annihilationist" position, and Peter Sanlon who defended the traditional view. They discussed whether questioning hell goes against evangelicalism, whether...

Apologist and author Sean McDowell joined Justin along with hundreds of Unbelievable? listeners for a live show talking about Sean's new book 'A Rebel's Manifesto' and taking questions on LGBT, same-sex marriage, transgender, divorce, theology and more.   Support Unbelievable? for Giving Tuesday: https://gtly.to/t4eSg7RRc   For Sean's book 'A Rebel's Manifesto': https://seanmcdowell.org/item/a-reb...

From the archives: NT Wright is a leading professor of New Testament at the forefront of what has been called the New Perspective on Paul. His reassessment of the words of Paul on "justification" led to concern from some reformed church leaders. Does this new perspective undermine important doctrine, or did the reformers read their Bible wrong? James White, reformed Bible scholar of Alpha and Omeg...

Were Victorian missionaries a tool of oppression, exploitation and empire as some critics claim? Or did they leave a legacy of education, healthcare and eradicating inhumane practises?   Victor Simz, known online as the Z Historian, is a Zambian historian who has charted the impact of missionaries in East Africa. He discusses the issues with Jonathan Wilson who comes from a missionary family and b...

From the archives: the Veritas Forum in Cambridge invited Christian philosopher Keith Ward and atheist philosopher Arif Ahmed to present the reasons for their different worldviews. Justin hosted this discussion with these two thinkers in front of an audience of Cambridge students who asked their own questions too.   • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast:  https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows...

As COP 27 gets underway Justin is joined by Christian climate campaigner Rachel Mander and Humanist activist Lori Marriott. They agree on the science and what needs to be done but have different views about which worldview provides the better moral foundation for the work of climate change action.   For Rachel Mander: https://arocha.org/en/about/people/rachel-mander/ For Lori Marriott: https://hum...

In Jan 2013 a new church began in London - with singing, a sermon and a great sense of community - but for godless people. Atheist stand up comedian Sanderson Jones who co-founded "the Sunday Assembly" talked about its first meeting and why he set it up. David Robertson, at the time a church minister, asked questions about whether an "atheist church" makes sense and what Christians could learn fro...

Stand up comedians Andy Kind (the Christian) and Andy White (the Atheist) join Justin to talk about comedy and faith and discuss Andy Kind's new book 'Hidden In Plain Sight: Clues you may have missed in the search for meaning'.   For Hidden In Plain Sight: https://standrewsbookshop.co.uk/product/hidden-in-plain-sight-2/ For Andy Kind: https://www.andykind.co.uk/ For Andy White: https://twitter.com...

In this episode from the archives, we go back to the time when then-leading UK evangelical Steve Chalke wrote an article for Christianity magazine on why he switched to affirming committed, faithful gay relationships. Justin talked to Steve about why he changed his mind, while theologian Greg Downes offered a defense of the traditional evangelical understanding of sexuality. We also heard the resp...

Michael Gungor and his wife Lisa were pioneers in the Christian music scene, building a loyal fan base through Gungor's music and podcasts such as The Liturgists. However, Michael's recent turn towards an increasingly progressive, msytical and deconstructed interpretation of faith has left many Christians confused.   Evan Wickham is a pastor in San Diego and a friend and former musical collaborato...