Unbelievable?

Can Jesus be meaningfully compared to other spiritual figures like Krishna? In this classic episode, Christian philosopher Ken Samples and Hindu representative Dipen Rajyaguru join Justin Brierley to explore Hinduism, the person of Krishna, and whether all religions ultimately lead to the same God. Drawing from his book God Among Sages, Ken believe that Jesus is unique among all spiritual leaders and is superior to Krishna in terms of his historical and moral record and his offer of salvation. Ken argues for the uniqueness of Jesus as God incarnate, while Dipen explains Hindu perspectives on avatars, karma, and Krishna as a divine figure. The conversation navigates areas of agreement—such as mutual respect and moral insights—as well as deep differences on sin, salvation, and the exclusivity of truth claims. Link to Ken's book https://amzn.to/4f2VvzL

Stephen Law is a prominent philosopher promoting critical thinking and secular humanism, while Mike Jones leads Inspiring Philosophy, advocating for Christianity. They dive deep into the future shaped by either humanism or Christianity, debating morality, human rights, and societal progress. Can secular humanism thrive without religion? What are the implications of suffering and virtue from a Christian viewpoint? The conversation challenges beliefs about faith, ethics, and their roles in human flourishing.

Mustafa Akyol, author of The Islamic Jesus, champions a view of Jesus in Islam as a prophet without divinity, challenging extremist interpretations, while Richard Shumack, who wrote Jesus Through Muslim Eyes, defends early Christian worship of Jesus. They explore the profound theological differences and shared reverence for Jesus between Islam and Christianity. The conversation dives into historical contexts and contemplates bridging divides through constructive disagreement, emphasizing the potential for mutual understanding and respect among faiths.

Join historian Bijan Omrani, author of *God is an Englishman*, and Paul Kingsnorth, a former environmental activist turned Christian author, as they navigate the pulse of Christianity in England. They tackle the decline of church attendance and the rise of young seekers craving authenticity. Discussing the historical impact of Christianity, they ponder what society might lose without it and explore whether there's hope for a revival, blending ancient traditions with modern approaches to faith.

Dipping into the archives, a classic episode of Unbelievable? from The Big Conversation series features Justin Brierley joined by Astronomer Royal Lord Martin Rees and Christian bioethicist Dr John Wyatt to explore the future of humanity in the age of AI, robotics, and transhumanism. From robot carers and sex bots to life beyond Earth, the discussion tackles profound ethical and philosophical questions. Can machines ever become conscious? What does it mean to be human in a digital age? Will we lose something essential if robots replace human connection? Drawing from their books — (Rees) and (Wyatt) — the guests debate whether technological advancement enhances or endangers human dignity, meaning, and morality. Along the way, we also hear from real-life robot ‘Nao’ and insights from robotics experts Nigel Crook and David Levy. A must-listen for anyone curious about where science, ethics, and faith intersect in our rapidly changing world. • Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://www.premier.plus/unbelievable • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com

In this thought-provoking dialogue, Mike Jones, known as InspiringPhilosophy on YouTube and a fervent Christian apologist, joins Sam McKee, a history and philosophy of science tutor who researches DNA repair. They tackle whether belief in God can coexist with increasing scientific advancements like AI and space exploration. The discussion navigates morality’s connection to faith, the role of religion in human nature, and the historical context of biblical interpretation. Expect an engaging examination of how spirituality might adapt in our rapidly evolving world!

From the archives of The Big Conversation (Season 4, Episode 2), the acclaimed spin-off series from the Unbelievable? podcast, we're revisiting a powerful episode featuring celebrated author Paul Kingsnorth, who shares the remarkable story of his adult conversion to Eastern Orthodox Christianity. We've just recorded a brand new Unbelievable? show with Paul, so this classic episode is the perfect way to familiarise yourself with his spiritual journey and key ideas. And don’t miss his upcoming book, Against the Machine, releasing this September – pre-order it here In this conversation, Paul is joined by Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, as they explore the deep spiritual hunger beneath our secular age and whether ancient expressions of Christianity might hold the answers today's culture is seeking.

What does it mean to be truly human in an age of artificial intelligence, declining religious belief, and rising spiritual hunger? Oxford mathematician and Christian apologist Professor John Lennox and cognitive scientist Dr John Vervaeke of the University of Toronto explore whether AI threatens or reveals our uniqueness, if meaning can exist without God, and whether spiritual transformation is possible in a post-religious age. Along the way, they challenge one another on the Logos, consciousness, and the enduring power of the Book of Revelation. Lennox draws from his new book, God, AI and the End of History, to argue for a Christian vision of wisdom and hope.

In the wake of the catastrophic and deadly 2025 floods in Texas, that caused widespread devastation, fresh questions are being asked about divine justice and human suffering. This classic episode of the Unbelievable? podcast from 2010 grapples with the topic of natural disaster in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake, which claimed over 150,000 lives. The discussion brings together Roger Forster of the Ichthus Christian Fellowship, atheist Gordon Livesey, and philosophy student Nick Peters to explore the theological, philosophical, and emotional dimensions of suffering and natural disasters. While Forster and Peters suggest that suffering may have a place within God's greater plan, Livesey challenges the coherence of belief in a loving, omnipotent God in light of such tragedy. The conversation remains strikingly relevant today, as communities continue to wrestle with the meaning of good and evil in a broken world. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:09 The Haiti Earthquake: Facts and Figures 00:41 Panel Introduction and Initial Reactions 00:53 The Problem of Evil and Suffering 02:52 Personal Stories and Perspectives 04:38 Atheist Perspective on Suffering 09:10 Philosophical and Theological Debates 10:41 Listener Reactions and Further Discussion 13:43 God's Role in Human Suffering 17:25 Debating God's Omnipotence and Love 24:52 Summarizing Arguments and Next Steps 31:21 The Problem of Evil and Natural Disasters 31:55 Human Responsibility and the Role of God 33:55 Nancy's Perspective on God's Power 35:35 Gordon's Skepticism and Human Limitations 37:43 Roger's Explanation of Human History and Divine Purpose 43:25 Debating the Nature of Good and Evil 50:14 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Join Dr. Joe Rigney, a theology fellow and author of The Sin of Empathy, as he argues that unchecked empathy can be sinful. He squares off with Dr. Alastair Roberts, a theologian and co-author of Echoes of Exodus, who advocates for a more nuanced view. They dive into the moral complexities of empathy, its role in pastoral care, and the importance of balancing compassion with truth. From scriptural foundations to discussions on masculinity in relationships, this dialogue challenges listeners to rethink the nature of empathy in a modern context.