Unbelievable?

Randal Rauser is a Christian theologian and philosopher, Justin Schieber is an atheist philosopher. They’ve written a conversational book together called “An Atheist and a Christian Walk into a bar… Talking about God, The universe and everything” (Prometheus). In this show they discuss one of the themes of the book: religious disagreement. If there is a God shouldn’t we expect to find people acros...

Joe Ogborn is a Christian who has been going to church in Cambridge with his friend Tom Hallam for several years. But Tom is an atheist. Justin finds out about Joe and Tom's friendship, what impact going to church as a non believer has had on Tom and how worshipping next to an atheist has affected Joe's faith. They talk about the ups and downs of going to church and what it would take for Tom to b...

In a New Year's Eve special, Justin interviews two women involved in theology and apologetics in different ways.  Jessica Kelley describes the heart-breaking story of losing her 4 year old son Henry to brain cancer. She also explains how adopting a "warfare" view of suffering gave her a theological framework for trusting God through the pain, as described in her new book 'Lord Willing?'. Read her...

In a Christmas Eve edition of the show Justin is joined by Christian guest Colin Nicholl, atheist Aaron Adair and agnostic Mark Kidger, each of whom has written a book on the star of a Bethlehem from different perspectives. Nicholl says his research has led him to conclude the star was a comet. Adair says the star was pious fiction by the writer of Matthew's Gospel. Astronomer Mark Kidger also sha...

Hitler is often claimed to have been an atheist or a Christian by believers and skeptics eager to put the dictator in the other's camp. Christian historian Richard Weikart argues he was neither in his new book "Hitler's Religion: The twisted beliefs that drove the Third Reich". Richard Carrier is an atheist historian who has researched Hitler's purported anti-Christian statements often quoted by a...

Mike McHargue – known as ‘Science Mike’ - was a Christian who lost his faith then found it again through science. He tells his story of coming back to faith through an experience on a beach and how he now puts science and Christian faith together. Ben Watts is an atheist who grew up with a Christian Faith but lost it after going to university to study science. He engages with Mike on this week’s s...

In this podcast only edition of the show you can hear a public debate that took place between Christian apologist David Wood and atheist Michael Shermer. Audio provided by Ratio Christi. Find out more about Ratio Christi  https://ratiochristi.org/ Get the MP3 For David Wood:  https://m.youtube.com/user/Acts17Apologetics   For Michael Shermer:  http://www.michaelshermer.com/   Order Unbelievable? T...

Doug Axe is a molecular biologist who says that his work on molecular systems convinced him that life is designed, rather than a result of unguided evolution. He lays out the evidence in the book ‘Undeniable: How biology confirms our intuition that life is designed’ and why his intelligent design conclusions got him into trouble as a researcher in Cambridge. Keith Fox is Professor of Biochemistry...

Luke J Janssen once took a literalistic view of the creation story in scripture. But his studies in biology, genetics and evolution made him change his mind on how Christians should think. His book "Standing on the shoulders of giants: Genesis and Human Origins" says the church needs to rethink much of its doctrine in light of modern biology. He dialogues with Fuz Rana, biochemist with Reasons To...

CORRECTED AUDIO! NT (Tom) Wright's new book "The Day the Revolution Began: Reconsidering the meaning of Jesus' crucifixion" says that the cross was about much more than Jesus absolving us of sin.  He discusses atonement theology, God's wrath and penal substitution with reformed Bible scholar Thomas Schreiner. It's also the 500th podcast episode of the show! Get the MP3 For a discount on NT Wright'...

Justin is joined for the first of two shows by renowned Bible scholar NT (Tom) Wright. He answers a variety of questions sent in by both sceptical and Christian listeners. Topics include John's gospel, the resurrection, innerancy and hell. Later in the show Justin talks to Max McLean whose stage production of CS Lewis' 'The Screwtape Letters' is coming to London during December. For a discount on...

NYC's pastor-to-the-sceptics Tim Keller debates atheist Jeremy Rodell. Tim's new book 'Making Sense of God: An invitation to the sceptical' is a prequel to his bestselling 2008 book 'The Reason For God'. Tim is pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York. Jeremy is the dialogue officer for the British Humanist Association. They discuss whether humanism is a form of faith, as well as identit...

As the most bitter and controversial US election in history approaches its conclusion, Justin is joined by Christians of varying political persuasions. Donald Trump's nomination has split evangelicals, but Hillary Clinton is also disliked by many in both parties. Former chair of Women And The Church, Christina Rees debates with John Zmirak, senior editor at conservative blog  Stream.org .   We als...

Revelation remains a closed book of the New Testament to many Christians. In this episode Justin is joined by Chris Date and Rob Wiesner to talk about the nature of Revelation and what it actually says about Hell and judgement.   Chris Date changed his mind about Hell several years ago from the traditional view of "eternal conscious torment" to "conditional immortality", the view that Hell involve...

Historian Tom Holland recently penned an article for The New Statesman on why he changed his mind about Christianity. Holland is the author of popular books on ancient empires and says his research made him realise how unique Christianity was in its infancy. He claims that, despite secular arguments that Christianity hinders moral progress, the West actually owes its values of equality and human d...

Following a recent show in which both guests argued in favour of the multiverse, Justin is joined by Luke Barnes, an Australian physicist whose new book ‘A Fortunate Universe: Life in a Finely Tuned Cosmos’ makes the case for the fine tuning of our universe for life and is co-written with Geraint Lewis.  Luke is sceptical of the ability of multiverse theory and its ability to solve the riddle of f...

Justin hears about the unusual life of Soren Kierkegaard in a theological edition of the show. Author Stephen Backhouse explains how the 19th Century theologian/philosopher has shaped the modern world and today's Christian faith. Jane Williams of the GodPod podcast and theologian at St Mellitus College joins the discussion. For Kierkegaard: A Single Life http://www.kierkegaardbook.com For GodPod h...

The word 'multiverse' has been on the lips of both physicists and apologists in recent years. In this show Justin is joined by atheist Phil Harper and Christian astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink of Reasons To Believe. They explain why they both believe there is scientific evidence for many universes and how that could impact the argument for God from the fine tuning of the universe. For Jeff Zweerink o...

Justin presents a live audience edition of the show from Church Everyday in Northridge, California. He’s joined by atheist Ryan Bell, a former Christian pastor who took ‘A Year Without God’ after coming to doubt his faith, and Sean McDowell a Christian thinker who tells his own journey of doubt and coming to a conviction that Christianity is true. There’s also an interview with Justin by Kevin Yi...

Justin continues his conversation with illusionist and atheist Derren Brown. They discuss his latest stage show Miracle where Derren appears to be able to heal people and even ‘slay’ them in the spirit. Does his ability to produce manufactured miracles show that healing claims are a con? They also discuss where the burden of evidence lies when it comes to miracles and God. Justin is joined again f...

Derren Brown, the UK’s most famous illusionist and mentalist, was once a Christian. In the first of a two part special, he talks to Justin Brierley about why he lost his faith, and about his latest stage show Miracle in which he plays the persona of a healing evangelist. Justin and Derren also discuss the resurrection of Jesus, atheism and finding meaning in life. Next week’s show sees them discus...

Today’s show debates philosopher Alvin Plantinga’s reformed epistemology and his view that Christians have a ‘properly basic’ belief in God. Can Christians can be justified in their belief in God apart from argumentation? Tyler McNabb is a Christian PhD student specialising in epistemology and philosophy of religion who defends properly basic belief in God, using it in street evangelism as well as...

Jay Smith has led a Christian ministry engaging face to face with Muslims in London for over 20 years using polemics and apologetics. As he leaves the UK to undertake an international role Beth Grove will be leading the work in London through the newly established Pfander Centre for Apologetics. They talk about the joys and challenges of reaching Muslims in the UK, those they have seen convert, wh...

Do extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence? The 18th century philosopher David Hume is credited with originating the phrase often used by atheists and sceptics. In a second show, Christian philosopher Gary Habermas and atheist philosopher Michael Ruse debate whether Hume established that it is irrational to believe in miracles. They also discuss the evidence for the resurrection and wha...

Gary Habermas is Professor of Philosophy and Apologetics at Liberty University. Michael Ruse is Professor of Philosophy of Science at Florida State University. They debate whether Michael's belief in naturalism (all that exists is the material world) is a coherent worldview given the challenges posed by personhood, morality, free will and subjective states. They also discuss whether progress in sc...