Unbelievable?

The Unification church of Revd Sun Myung Moon (aka The Moonies) is often regarded as a cult.  But what do they actually believe about Jesus and his death and resurrection? Christian Nseka is a member of the religion and believes we need to see Jesus' death and resurrection in a new way.  He believes that Christ did not fulfil his mission and that Revd Moon is the new Messiah. Doug Harris runs the Reachout Trust, a Christian organisation seeking to engage with Cults and the New Age.  He believes that Nseka's understanding of the Bible is skewed and he has missed the point of Jesus death and resurrection at Easter. For Doug Harris visit http://www.reachouttrust.org/ or his TV show on Revelation TV http://www.revelationtv.com/progblog.php?progid=795 For Christian Nseka visit http://www.messiah101.com/ For more Christian/non Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or via Itunes If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy Unbelievable? 5 Jan 2008 Christianity and Freemasonry - serving two masters? Doug Harris & Michael Donovan Unbelievable? 26 Apr 2008 Proof for the Resurrection - Evangelist Tony Costa & Atheist Ken Humphreys debate. Join the discussion at the 'Unbelievable?' Group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

An Inter-Christian discussion on the beliefs and doctrines that are distinctive of Seventh Day Adventists.  Why do they hold to Saturday as the "true" day for worship and rest?  Are they too legalistic?  What about the failed prophecy of Christ's return that they grew out of?  What should we make of founder Ellen White's teaching on "Investigative Judgement"? David Burnett and Victor Hulbert of the SDA church in the UK respond to these questions raised by Doug Harris of the Reachout Trust in a friendly encounter seeking to understand more about the denomination. For the Seventh Day Adventist Church see http://www.adventist.org.uk or http://tottenham.adventistchurch.org.uk Watch Doug Harris, Victor Hulbert and Gerard Chrispin's TV debate http://www.adventistinfo.org.uk/about/world-in-focus.php For Doug Harris see http://www.reachouttrust.org/ Hear more theological debate at http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or subscribe to the podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or via itunes If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 8 Sep 2007 - Mormonism and Christianity Unbelievable? 9 Feb 2008 - Bahai faith and Christianity Join the discussion at the "Unbelievable?" group on the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Richard Morgan and Todd Pitner both experienced adult conversions from atheism to Christian Faith.  Morgan, whose conversion story two years ago has been told before on "Unbelievable?" questions whether atheists who rule out personal experience as evidence for God are acting consistently. Todd Pitner who was converted two and a half years ago presents his own story and what he believes was a miraculous event.  He now runs a website http://www.iloveatheists.com that seeks to answer the main challenges to Christian belief. Atheist Gordon Livesey interacts with both stories as we ask questions such as - "Is a Christian's testimony their best evangelistic tool?" and "Is there more to evidence than a purely scientific approach?" Want more? Todd, Richard and Gordon are discussing this show at the Unbelievable? group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable For Richard Morgan see http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/profile/RichardMorgan and read his story here (p8): http://www.freechurch.org/pdf/monthlyrecord/sept08.pdf For Todd Pitner's website see http://www.iloveatheists.com/ For his story see: http://www.iloveatheists.com/about_us/dear-friends For more Christian/non-Christian debate audio visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the mp3 podcast at http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 12 Sep 2009 From Atheism to Christian faith via richarddawkins.net - Christians Richard Morgan, David Robertson and Atheist Ed Turner Unbelievable? 30 May 2009 Reconciling Bible Contradictions: Christian Derek Tidball vs. Atheist Gordon Livesey  

Hear the debate that took place after the "Unbelievable?" screening of Intelligent Design Film "Expelled" at Imperial College London in Feb 2010. Against the film: Atheist Prof Susan Blackmore (Psychology, Plymouth) & Theistic evolutionist Prof Keith Fox (Biology, Southampton) For the film: Prof Steve Fuller (Sociology, Warwick) & Dr. Alastair Noble (Former Inspector of Schools) Panellists on both sides of the ID debate give their reactions to the film's claims that scientists are not free to question Darwinian evolution and the link the film makes between Nazi Eugenics and evolutionary theory. Followed by Q&A from the audience. You can hear the second debate that took place in the evening at the "Features" page: http://www.premierradio.org.uk/shows/saturday/unbelievable/features.aspx For more Christian/non-Christian discussion shows visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievableor 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? 16 Jan 2010 "Expelled" the Movie - Intelligent Design theorist Stephen Meyer vs. Atheist scientist Peter Atkins debate Intelligent Design Unbelievable? 6 Feb 2010 - Do we need God to Do Science? Steve Fuller and Thomas Dixon debate Intelligent Design and the Dover Trial Join the discussion at the 'Unbelievable?' Group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Is the doctrine of the Trinity to be found in the Bible?  Was Jesus really "of one substance" with God the Father? US Christian apologist James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries returns to defend the doctrine of the Trinity as he discusses key Old and New Testament texts with Sir Anthony Buzzard of the Restoration Fellowship. James believes the doctrine of the Trinity is implicit and explicit at various points throughout scripture.  Anthony disagrees and claims the Doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most costly mistakes the Christian church ever made. For James White see http://www.aomin.org/ For Anthony Buzzard see http://www.restorationfellowship.org For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast at http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=267142101 If you enjoyed this programme then you may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 10 Oct 2009 - "Jesus and the God of Israel" Is the divinity of Jesus at odds with Jewish Monotheism? Richard Bauckham & James Crossley Unbelievable? 31 Jan 2009 - Christadelphianism - what it is and how it differs from mainstream Christian faith. To hear Justin's "Tale of Two Megachurches" documentary mentioned at the end of today's show visit http://www.premierradio.org.uk/shows/saturday/unbelievable/features.aspx Join the debate at the "Unbelievable?" Group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries is on the show this week and next defending the Christian faith.  Today he argues the Bible is historically more reliable than the Koran.   Adnan Rashid of the Hittin Institute argues for the Koran and criticises the transmission of Biblical writings. How were both scriptures written and passed on?  Among other things the Koran and Bible disagree on an important event - Jesus' crucifixion.  So which should we trust? For James White visit http://www.aomin.org/ For Adnan Rashid visit http://www.hittininstitute.com/ For more Christian and non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=267142101 If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 15 Nov 2008 Does the Trinity lead to polytheism? James White of Alpha & Omega ministries debates Abdullah Al Andalusi Unbelievable? 5 Jul 2008 Which is more relevant to 21st Century Britain: Islam or Christianity? Join the discussion at the "Unbelievable?" Group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

A year ago the British Humanist Association launched the "Atheist Bus Campaign" declaring "There is probably no God.  Now stop worrying and enjoy your life". Would we enjoy life and be less worried without belief in God in modern Britain?  Where do humanist values come from? What about the role of faith in school and society?  Their latest poster campaign urges that children should not be "labelled" with a faith position. Andrew Copson Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association discusses the issues with Scottish minister and apologist David Robertson. For the BHA see http://www.humanism.org.uk For David Robertson see http://www.stpeters-dundee.org.uk/davidblog For more Christian/Non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable of get the podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or via Itunes If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 19 Sep 2009 - "Would Europe be better off as an atheistic or Christian society?" David Robertson, Ed Turner & Richard Morgan Unbelievable? 2 Aug 2008 - Faith & School - do they mix? Jan Ainsworth & Andrew Copson debate. Check out the "Unbelievable?" TV debate on "Christian Origins" that won Gold at the 2010 Christian Broadcasting Council Awards here. http://player.premier.tv//Premiertv.aspx?AssetId=23b04461-0eec-4668-bc56-b93d6df14693 Join the discussions at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

This week: As part of Premier Radio's coverage of National Marriage Week we look at two different Christian views of Divorce and Remarriage. Andrew Cornes is Vicar of All Saints Crowborough.  He holds to the traditional understanding that Jesus taught divorce is only permissible for adultery, and that the Bible forbids remarriage. David Instone-Brewer is a New Testament scholar from Tyndale House Cambridge.  He believes the church has misunderstood Jesus teaching on divorce.  He claims that Jesus was responding to "any cause" divorce - a Rabbinical view of divorce popular at the time. They debate the Biblical and pastoral issues involved. For David Instone-Brewer visit http://www.divorceremarriage.com For his book "Divorce and Remarriage in the Church" (Paternoster) Click here For Andrew Cornes visit http://www.allsaintscrowborough.org For his book "Divorce and Remarriage: Biblical Principle and Pastoral Practise" (Christian Focus) Click here For Christian/non Christian debate and theology visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via itunes If you enjoyed this show you may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 8 Aug 2009 Debating doctrine: Hell - Conditional immortality vs. Eternal conscious torment - James White debates Roger and Faith Forster Unbelievable? 3 Jan 2009 Bart Ehrman & Peter Williams - "Misquoting Jesus: Do we have the original writings of the New Testament?" Join the discussion at the ""Unbelievable?" Group of the Premier Community. http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Are societies better off with the influence of Christianity?  Are Christians more caring than atheists?  What role should faith play in society? Just some of the questions explored by atheist Michael Shermer and Christian David Robertson. Michael Shermer is president of the US Skeptics Society and Editor of its magazine "Skeptic".  He claims that there are various ways in which Christianity has had a negative influence on society and that a Christian worldview is unnecessary for living a good life. David Robertson is pastor of St Peter's Free Church in Dundee, Scotland and author of "The Dawkins Letters".  He says that true Christianity has been a force for good and continues to empower people to live better lives. For Michael Shermer visit http://www.michaelshermer.com For David Robertson visit http://www.stpeters-dundee.org.uk/ You can hear more Christian/non-Christian discussions at http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 25 Jul 2009 - Do miracles happen today? Atheist Michael Shermer vs Christian Adrian Holloway Unbelievable? 12 Sep 2009 - From Atheism to Christian faith via richarddawkins.net - Christians Richard Morgan, David Robertson and Atheist Ed Turner Join in the discussions at the "Unbelievable?" group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

As we look forward to the screening and debate around the film Expelled at Imperial College London on Sat 27th Feb (See www.premier.org.uk/expelled for info on extra screening & debate) two of the panellists join Justin to debate Intelligent Design. Steve Fuller is Professor of Sociology at Warwick University.  He features as a pro ID advocate in the film "Expelled" and was an expert witness in the USA "Dover Trial" of 2005 when ID was judged non-scientific. Thomas Dixon is Senior Lecturer in History at Queen Mary University of London.  He is critical of the film and the ID movement. For Steve Fuller see http://www.warwick.ac.uk/~sysdt/Index.html For his book "Dissent over Descent" click here For his forthcoming book "Science: the art of living" Click here For Thomas Dixon see http://www.history.qmul.ac.uk/staff/dixont.html For his book "Science and Religion: a very short introduction" Click Here Hear more faith debate at www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast or via Itunes If you enjoyed this show you may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 16 Jan 2010 - "Expelled" the Movie - Intelligent Design theorist Stephen Meyer vs. Atheist scientist Peter Atkins debate Intelligent Design Unbelievable? 27 Jun 2009 - "Is Christian faith at odds with science?" Atheist biologist PZ Myers & Christian biologist Denis Alexander For tickets to the newly added screening and debate on Sat 27th Feb at 6.30pm visit www.premier.org.uk/expelled