Unbelievable?

Dominic Johnson’s new book ‘God is Watching You: How the fear of God makes us human’ makes the claim that belief in divine punishment has arisen because of the evolutionary advantage it brings in creating cooperative, moral societies. Christian philosopher Peter S Williams interacts with Dominic on questions over whether his research explains away religious belief, and whether Christianity is a re...

It’s sometimes said that the best way to understands your opponent’s position is to put yourself in their shoes. Justin hosts an unusual edition of the show, in which his Christian and atheist guests swap roles. Atheist philosopher Michael Ruse defends what he believes are the best arguments for believing in God, while Christian theologian Randal Rauser defends atheism. They discuss the problem of...

As gay marriage is legalised in countries around the world, some studies claim to show that rearing children in same sex families can be harmful. Bobby Lopez was raised by two lesbian mothers but today campaigns for the right of children to be raised by a biological mother and father. Debating Lopez are James Croft, humanist leader and gay rights campaigner, and Jacob Clark who has been fostered f...

Justin is joined by Palestinian Christian Salim Munayer and Jewish Christian believer Lisa Loden, authors of 'Through My Enemy's Eyes', as they discuss the prospects for peace in Israel. They are also joined by Andrew Sibley author of 'Understanding Israel'. For Through My Enemy's Eyes http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00J25R7E6 For Andrew Sibley http://zions-new-name.blogspot.co.uk/ For more faith...

Perry Marshall is an online marketing strategist with a background in computer engineering. His new book 'Evolution 2.0: Breaking the deadlock between Darwin and Design' claims to show a 'third way' which proves evolutionary changes are neither random not accidental but are targeted, adaptive and aware. PZ Myers is well known as an evolutionary biologist and strident atheist blogger. He believes M...

Justin is joined by a glittering array of guests for a Boxing Day edition of the show. Colin Nicholl author of 'The Great Christ Comet' discusses why he believes the Bethlehem star was a comet. Phil Vischer (creator of VeggieTales) and Ruth Jackson of Premier Childrenswork magazine debate whether we should encourage children's belief in Father Christmas. Agnostic radio host Nick Pandolfi explains...

A recent report on faith and public life in the UK recommended cutting back the role of Christianity to make space for other faiths and humanist points of view. Mail on Sunday columnist Peter Hitchens says the report's recommendations further undercut the Christian heritage that has allowed the UK to flourish. Terry Sanderson says the report does not go far enough in banishing religious privilege....

Christian author and cultural critic Os Guinness' new book called "Fools Talk: Recovering the art of Christian persuasion" is aimed at helping Christians develop a confident and winsome approach to engaging those who are closed to faith. He engages with ex-evangelical Rodney Wilson who has researched the reasons why evangelical Christians lose their faith in his book "Killing God" as they discuss...

Unbelievable? has turned 10 years old! Justin answers a ton of questions send in by listeners about the show, the guests and his own beliefs. We also hear some memorable moments from shows over the years, Birthday greetings form selected friends and audio form the very first edition of the programme. For more faith debates from ten year of Unbelievable! http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/S...

This week’s episode is a podcast-only special featuring the audio of a recent debate between David Robertson of the Solas Centre for Public Christianity and Michael Nugent of Atheist Ireland. Around 400 people filled Belfast’s Stormont Hotel ballroom to hear them debate the question ‘Is Christianity holding Northern Ireland back?’ moderated by BBC presenter William Crawley. For more from the debat...

Following the terror attacks in Paris, Justin is joined by Christians and Muslims to debate whether Islamic State represents a true interpretation of Islam. Jeremiah J Johnston and Craig A Evans, authors of 'Jesus and the Jihadis' argue that the terror and violence of ISIS springs directly from the pages of the Koran. Adnan Rashid and Inayat Bunglawala argue that it is aninvalid extremist sect. Fo...

Some atheists say that, as scientific explanations for the natural world multiply, God has become unnecessary as an explanation. David Glass who is researching the objection says this is not the case. God can act as an explanation alongside scientific ones. Interacting with David are two atheists: Oxford scientist Peter Atkins and humanist celebrant James Croft. They say that science has pushed Go...

Alex Gabriel is an atheist and Rich Park is a Christian. They enjoyed lengthy conversations in the pub while they were students at Oxford University. In this edition of the show we swap the pub for the studio and address the question of whether it’s possible to build a flourishing society in the absence of a Christian or theistic framework. Who determines what flourishing means? And why should we...

Is suffering planned as part of God’s sovereign will? Or is God not to blame, as suffering is the result of an ongoing cosmic spiritual battle? Ken Brownell is a Calvinist pastor and seminary teacher believes the ‘blueprint’ model – that both good and evil are ordained by God as part of his eternal purposes. He discusses the issue with theologian Kurt Jaros who defends a ‘warfare’ model, popularis...

Jonathan McLatchie is a Christian currently studying cell biology at PhD level and an advocate of Intelligent Design (ID). Cory Markum is an atheist and a blogger at the Atheist Republic website. Cory critiques whether design and God are a good explanation in biology, while Jonathan defends ID. For Jonathan Mclatchie: http://crossexamined.org/author/jonathan-m/ http://www.evolutionnews.org/2015/10...

Ex-Christian Ed Atkinson has been investigating the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus following the "Summer of Scripture" debate between James Crossley and Gary Habermas. He revisits the "minimal facts" argument for the resurrection and debates with Canadian apologist Tony Costa on whether the evidence for the empty tomb is better explained by hallucination or urban myth. For the original Hab...

Theologian Alister McGrath's new book 'Inventing The Universe' weaves his own story of conversion from atheism to Christianity while studying science as a student, into the questions that modern science continues to provoke around God, atheism and meaning. Physicist and radio presenter Jim Al-Khalili is the president of the British Humanist Association. Jim interacts with Alister on whether scienc...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormonism) differs from mainstream Christianity in various ways. Some Christians, including Bill McKeever of Mormonism Research Ministry, say that LDS believers have an unbiblical view of Grace - the free gift of forgiveness by Christ. James Holt, a UK Mormon involved in academic research with the LDS Church, responds to Bill on questions such as wh...

Homo Naledi is one of the most significant hominin (human ancestor) fossil discoveries in history. But what are the implication of these hominid species in the evolutionary record for creation, and Adam and Eve? Fuz Rana of Reasons To Believe explains why, as an old Earth Creationist, he believes these species, amazing as they are, were not evolutionary precursors of humans. James Kidder of Biolog...

The feature “Up the Ladder in Hyde Park”, originally broadcast in 2008, sees Justin meet Muslims and Christians engaged in rowdy debates at Speakers Corner in Hyde Park, London. Can these shouting matches be fruitful? Are they Christ-like? Justin meets the participants and Jay Smith the Christian evangelist who believes they are an important way of sharing the Gospel. For more from Jay Smith and t...

Christian theologian Randal Rauser's new book "Is the atheist my Neighbour?" says that Christians often fail to extend respect and love towards atheists. Atheist contributor Alom Shaha interacts with Randal as they discuss the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to atheist/Christian dialogue and debate. For Randal Rauser: http://randalrauser.com/tag/is-the-atheist-my-neighbor/ For Alom Shaha:...

China is experiencing rapid Christian growth, with more Christian believers today than members of the Chinese Communist party. John Lombard is an ex-Christian and David Marshall is a Christian apologist. Both work in China. John believes that, despite the state sanctioned atheism of China’s communist party, secular humanism has never really been tried in the country, and is the best way forward. D...

The Rainbow Through The Rain tells the story of Geoffrey Mowat, the grandfather of Justin Brierley. Geoff was a Prisoner of War under the Japanese during World War 2, which included time spent under brutal conditions in the construction of Burma’s ‘Death Railway’. Through the experience Geoff developed a call to ministry in the church of England. When the programme first aired ten years ago it won...

Atheist philosopher Michael Ruse joins Justin as we spend a second week looking at Andy Bannister’s new book ‘The atheist who didn’t exist’. Its amusingly titled chapters include ‘The Peculiar Case of the Postmodern Penguin (or: Why Life without God is Meaningless). Michael and Andy debate whether it’s a problem that atheists can’t have meaning with a ‘capital M’. For The Atheist Who Didn’t Exist:...

Andy Bannister is the author of ‘The Atheist Who Didn’t Exist’. Its amusingly titled chapters include ‘The Scandinavian sceptic (or: Why atheism is really a belief system)’. Atheist Ed Turner last did battle with Andy several years ago on the show. He returns to debate who has the burden of proof when it comes to belief/unbelief in God and whether atheism is or isn’t like being a non-stamp collect...