Unbelievable?

William Lane Craig & AC Grayling debated at the Oxford Union in 2005.  Does the existence of evil and suffering in the world preclude the existence of the Christian God? Book for the UK Reasonable Faith Tour 2011 Info at http://www.bethinking.org/craig Book Tickets at http://www.premier.org.uk/craig William Lane Craig is Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology California, and arguably the world’s foremost defender of historic Christianity AC Grayling is the UK's most noted atheist Professor of Philosophy. He recently pre-resigned as incoming President of the British Humanist Association after controversy surrounding his New College of the Humanities. After refusing an invitation to debate the Existence of God during the coming UK William Lane Craig Reasonable Faith Tour in October this year, he publicly stated that he had never debated Craig before. We beg to differ. For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy Unbelievable? 19 Jul 2008 American Masters of Apologetics Pt 2: William Lane Craig. Unbelievable? 8 Jan 2011 William Lane Craig reviews his debate with Richard Dawkins. Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Many new atheist writers have claimed that a new age of enlightened secular rationalism has rescued Western civilisation from the stranglehold of backwards and archaic Christian influence. David Bentley Hart says those who make such claims are suffering from an "atheist delusion".  His book "Atheist delusions: The Christian revolution and its fashionable enemies" recently won the Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writing. Terry Sanderson of the UK's national Secular Society claims we are better off than we have ever been in an increasingly secular society and that the freedoms and values we hold do not require a Christian foundation. Bentley Hart believes that Terry is deluded by a new atheist myth of secular "progress" when the history of Christianity and secularism actually tell a different story. The Michael Ramsey Prize website http://www.michaelramseyprize.org.uk/ For David Bentley Hart http://davidbhart.blogspot.com/ For Terry Sanderson http://www.secularism.org.uk/ Also: Order Unbelievable? The Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes   You may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 18 Jun 2011 - Is a secular society a more tolerant one? David Robertson debates Terry Sanderson Unbelievable? 29 Aug 2009 - Richard Bauckham on the Gospels - pt 1  Richard Bauckham and James Crossley. Unbelievable? 5 Sep 2009 - Bauckham on the Gospels - Pt 2 Richard Bauckham & James Crossley. Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

"Unbelievable? The Conference" is available now on DVD - http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd Justin introduces two elements of the conference. Professor John Lennox, Scientist and Christian apologist gave the opening address "What are we apologising for?" We also hear a round table discussion with audience Q&A that took place between Conference speakers David Robertson, David Instone-Brewer, Jay Smith and Mark Roques. They discuss questions on Old Testament reliability, whether apologists need to agree theologically and Osama Bin Laden. These and all 9 seminars from the conference are available on DVD - http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd You can hear more programmes and find great resources at http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

This week we air a debate that recently took place on whether Britain's increasingly secular society is thereby a more tolerant one.  Does secularisation bring a level playing field for everyone, or are Christians now being marginalised for their beliefs? David Robertson is a church pastor and author who runs the Solas Centre for Public Christianity.  He debates with Terry Sanderson, spokesperson for the National Secular Society. Justin also speaks to both for their reflections on the debate and its implications for society. The debate took place at Gunnersbury Baptist Church - the full recording with audience Q&A can be accessed at http://www.gunnersburybaptistchurch.org/events/viewmp3.php?mp3=39-0 Also: Order Unbelievable? The Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 20 Feb 2010 - "Is Christianity good for us?" Michael Shermer vs. David Robertson US atheist Michael Shermer debates Scottish apologist David Robertson Unbelievable? 18 Apr 2009 - "I am a Christian" - Are Christians being marginalised? Peter Kerridge, Terry Sanderson and Andrea Williams Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Lord Richard Harries is a life peer in the British House of Lords and the former Bishop of Oxford.  His book "The Re-enchantment of Morality" has been shortlisted for this year's Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writing. He argues that Christianity and the example of Jesus "re-enchants" morality with a foundation, purpose and distinctiveness. Lord Dick Taverne is a Liberal Democrat Peer in the House of Lords and an atheist.  He contends that religion can be a help but also danger to a moral society. They debate whether the West's focus on wealth needs a Christian moral solutuion, and also debate the rights and wrongs of euthanasia. To Pre-Order "Unbelievable? The Conference" DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd For "The Re-Enchantment of Morality" http://www.spckpublishing.co.uk/shop/re-enchantment-of-morality-the/ For Lord Richard Harries http://www.gresham.ac.uk/professors-and-speakers/the-rt-revd-lord-harries For Lord Dick Taverne http://www.libdems.org.uk/people_detail.aspx?name=Lord_Taverne&pPK=c40f5bff-94ec-4852-ac4d-229a9fa67e22 For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 25 Apr 2009 Euthanasia - Should it be legalised? Lord Dick Taverne & Dan Boucher Unbelievable? 27 Feb 2010 - Faith in Britain - Andrew Copson of the BHA vs David Robertson "Stop worrying and enjoy your life" - are we better off without God in Britain? Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

"The Easter Challenge" is regularly issued by atheists and sceptics.  Can Christians provide a coherent account the events of the resurrection of Jesus that harmonises the apparent differences between the four Gospel accounts? Jay Smith is a Bible scholar and evangelist who says that it can be done.  He debates with agnostic sceptic Stephen Pilcher on the details of the Gospel accounts.  How many women went to the tomb? Were there angels present? Who did Jesus appear to? For the challenge as issued by Dan Barker see: http://www.ffrf.org/legacy/books/lfif/?t=stone For Andy Bannister's harmonisation see http://www.answering-islam.org/Andy/Resurrection/harmony.html For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 16th April 2011 - Biblical evidence for the Resurrection Bart Ehrman & Mike Licona Unbelievable? 10 Jun 2007 - The resurrection Dead or Alive: the Truth of the Resurrection Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

In 1995 the Church of England allowed the ordination of Women priests.  But the question of whether the Bible forbids female authority in the church remains. Christina Rees serves on the Archbishop's Council and the General Synod.  She advocates for women in ministry and female Bishops.  John Richardson of the conservative Evangelical grouping Reform within the CofE disagrees with female ordination. They debate Passages in the New Testament that appear to forbid women speaking in Church, the role of husbands and wives and the practical realities of men and women being church leaders.  For Women and the Church http://womenandthechurch.org/ For Christina Rees' book "Apostolic Women, Apostolic Authority" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Apostolic-women-apostolic-authority-transfiguring/dp/1848250401 For John Richardson http://www.ugleyvicar.blogspot.com/ For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 29 May 2010 - Homosexuality and the Bible This first show addresses the main scriptural passages that relate to homosexuality. Unbelievable? 13 Feb 2010 - Two views on Divorce and Remarriage - David Instone-Brewer & Andrew Corn "What did Jesus really say about Divorce and remarriage?" - David Instone-Brewer debates Andrew Cornes Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Former Methodist minister turned atheist Leslie Scrace stopped reading the Bible after he lost his faith.  20 years later he read it again and wrote a book-by-book account of how he views it as an atheist called "An Unbelievers Guide to the Bible".   Leslie criticises parts of the Old Testament that he sees as primitive and immoral while praising other parts of scripture that illustrate humanist values.   Chris Sinkinson is a church pastor and teaches Old Testament and Apologetics at Moorlands Bible College.  He responds saying that the Bible can't be dissected in the way Leslie attempts and that taking God out of the morality of the Bible robs it of its meaning.   They discuss books such as Job, Joshua, Song of Solomon and the Gospels.  Chris also challenges Leslie on whether his humanist morality has any objective foundation.   PLUS: pre-order "Unbelievable?: The Conference DVD" http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd   For Leslie Scrace's book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Unbelievers-Guide-Bible-Including-Apocrypha/dp/1852001461   For Chris Sinkinson http://www.moorlands.ac.uk/home/about-us/staff-profiles.php    For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 19 Feb 2011 - Are there many paths to God? Chris Sinkinson & John Hick Unbelievable? 9 April 2011 - "Is God a Moral Monster?" Paul Copan vs Norman Bacrac Unbelievable? 8 May 2010 - "The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ" Philip Pullman, Anthony McRoy & Martin Saunders Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

With the death of Osama Bin Laden we ask "Did Bin Laden represent the true face of Islam"   Radical Islamist Anjem Choudary who has frequently praised Bin Laden and Al Queada for their acts of terror, joins the discussion.  He says Osama was a true Muslim doing the work of Allah.   Muhammad Al Hussaini is a Muslim scholar for the organisation Scriptural Reasoning.  He deplores acts of terror and says Bin Laden transgressed multiple commands of Islam.   Christian evangelist to Muslims Jay Smith believes that while Muhammad's moderate position is more humane, the postion of Choudary is more reflective of the actual commands and nature of Islam.   They debate whether Islam allows violent Jihad, whether Islam can offer a "complete" solution and the nature of war-like texts in both the Koran and the Bible.     For Anjem Choudary http://www.anjemchoudary.com/   For Jay Smith http://www.theopedia.com/Jay_Smith   For Muhammad Al Hussaini http://www.scripturalreasoning.org.uk/index1.html   For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 18 Dec 2010 - Islam & Dhimmitude Unbelievable? 15 Aug 2009 - Scriptural reasoning Imam Muhammad Al-Hussaini, Rabbi Mark Solomon and Christian Dr David Jackson discuss holy scriptures Unbelievable? 7 Jul 2007 - Does the Koran justify terrorism? Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Brian McLaren is an author, theologian and church leader. He is at the forefront of the "emerging church" and his books such as "A new Kind of Christian" and "A Generous Orthodoxy" have been influential in the moevement's theology Some describe the emerging church as "post-evangelical" and "post-modern" as it seeks to re-read scripture without the cultural baggage that it believes Western Christendom has often imposed. James White of Alpha and Omega ministries in Arizona sees the theology of the "emerging church" as a departure from orthodoxy, and an attempt to reshape the Gospel and God to fit modern sensibilities. They discuss post-modernity, Rob Bell's theology, interacting with other faiths, the atonement, sin and the cross. For Brian McLaren see http://www.brianmclaren.net/ For his latest book "Naked Spirituality" http://www.amazon.com/Naked-Spirituality-Life-Simple-Words/dp/0061854018 To watch the Rob Bell debate on Heaven, Hell & Universalsim http://www.premier.tv/lovewins/ For more theological debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 22 mar 2008 - Easter & the Atonement - does it make sense? Unbelievable? 15 Nov 2008 - Does the Trinity lead to polytheism? James White of Alpha & Omega ministries debates Abdullah Al Andalusi Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter