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Unbelievable?

Latest episodes

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Aug 15, 2023 • 1h 3min

Classic Replay: Is the Church failing gay Christians

From Feb 2015: Church leader Steve Chalke is well known for his support of same-sex relationships. Ed Shaw is a same sex attracted Christian whose traditional Biblical convictions have led him to remain celibate. They discuss how churches should treat those in their congregation who are LGBT. Jayne Ozanne, an evangelical and former member of the Archbishop's council who recently came out as gay joins by phone and we hear the story of Rosaria Butterfield's journey from lesbian activist english professor to becoming wife of a church pastor. For the article 'Is the church failing gay Christians?' by Chalke and Doherty: http://www.premierchristianity.com/Past-Issues/2015/March-2015/Is-the-Church-failing-gay-Christians • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate
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Aug 11, 2023 • 1h 1min

The Mystery of Existence: Where did natural environments and complex organisms came from? What is the origin of life ? Part 2 with Richard Dawkins, Jessica Frazier, Silvia Jonas, Richard Swinburne and Jack Symes

Featuring four of the biggest names in philosophy and biology Unbelievable presents the second part of “The Mystery of Existence” a riveting debate showcasing the intellectual prowess of four eminent figures in the realm of biology and philosophy: Richard Dawkins (representing science and atheism), Jessica Frazier (on Hinduism), Silvia Jonas (speaking on Jewish philosophy), and Richard Swinburne (defending Christianity). The origin of our universe is the greatest mystery of all. The second part of this special debate discusses what is the origin of life? Why is there something rather than nothing? This remarkable two-part series is a collaboration with The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast and has been made possible, in part, by the Global Philosophy of Religion Project at the University of Birmingham. Hosted by Ruth Jackson of Unbelievable and presented by Jack Symes of Panpsycast, this Unbelievable special 'The Mystery of Existence' offers profound insights and perspectives on origins and meaning. If you missed the first part of this enthralling debate, titled "Why is there something rather than nothing?" be sure to catch up here {Hyperlink FOR PREVIOUS WEEK's SHOW] The Global Philosophy of Religion Project: http://global-philosophy.org Philosophers on God (book): http://amzn.to/3K4enjy Talking about Philosophy: http://talkingaboutphilosophy.com Richard Dawkins: http://richarddawkins.com  Jessica Frazier: http://bit.ly/jessicafrazier  Silvia Jonas: http://silviajonas.com  Jack Symes: http://jacksymes.co.uk  Richard Swinburne: http://bit.ly/richardswinburne  Philosophers on God (book): http://amzn.to/3K4enjy Talking about Philosophy: http://talkingaboutphilosophy.com  The Global Philosophy of Religion Project: http://global-philosophy.org  Support: http://patreon.com/panpsycast • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate
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Aug 8, 2023 • 1h 7min

Classic Replay: Is genocide a skeleton in God's closet?

From February 2015: Joshua Ryan Butler, author of 'The Skeletons in God's Closet' discusses hell, judgement and holy war with Jeff Cook. They debate whether Old Testament warfare passages constitute divinely mandated genocide. For Joshua Butler: http://joshuaryanbutler.com For Jeff Cook: http://everythingnew.org/ • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate
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Aug 4, 2023 • 1h 1min

The Mystery of Existence: Why is there something rather than nothing? Part 1 with Richard Dawkins, Jessica Frazier, Silvia Jonas, Richard Swinburne and Jack Symes

The origin of our universe is the greatest mystery of all. Why is there something rather than nothing? Further still, how did we come to exist in a world with such precise laws of nature and complex creatures? As we shall see, how we answer these questions determines everything: from the meaning of our lives to the secrets of our futures. This week Premier Unbelievable presents a two part show event entitled “The Mystery of Existence” opening with the perennial and mind teasing question, “Why is there something rather than nothing?”. We have teamed up with our friends at The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast to create a riveting two-part show made possible in part thanks to the Global Philosophy of Religion Project at the University of Birmingham. Featuring four of the biggest names in philosophy: Richard Dawkins (representing science and atheism), Jessica Frazier (on Hinduism), Silvia Jonas (speaking on Jewish philosophy), and Richard Swinburne (defending Christianity), the show asks the question, Why is there something rather than nothing?”  The debate is presented by Unbelievable’s Ruth Jackson and hosted by Panpsycast’s Jack Symes. The Global Philosophy of Religion Project: http://global-philosophy.org Philosophers on God (book): http://amzn.to/3K4enjy Talking about Philosophy: http://talkingaboutphilosophy.com Richard Dawkins: http://richarddawkins.com Jessica Frazier: http://bit.ly/jessicafrazier Silvia Jonas: http://silviajonas.com Jack Symes: http://jacksymes.co.uk Richard Swinburne: http://bit.ly/richardswinburne • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate
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Aug 1, 2023 • 50min

Classic Replay: Paula Gooder answers your questions

From February 2015: New Testament scholar, author and speaker Paula Gooder joins Justin to tackle a range of questions sent in by listeners. The Old Covenant, eyewitness testimony, how the Gospels were written and much more is covered. For Paula Gooder: http://www.gooder.me.uk/ • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate
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Jul 28, 2023 • 1h 8min

Sharon Dirckx vs Emily Qureshi-Hurst • Do Consciousness and Near Death Experiences Point to an Afterlife?

The Big Conversation - Episode 4 | Season 5 What should we make of accounts of “near death experiences”? Do they give credible support to the possibility that there is life after death, or can they be explained away as mere physical phenomena? Indeed, what is the connection between the brain, consciousness, and "the soul" (if it even exists)? Christian speaker and former neuroscientist Dr Sharon Dirckx, author of Am I Just My Brain?, engages with atheist philosopher Dr Emily Qureshi-Hurst, college lecturer and Junior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford and author of the book God, Salvation, and the Problem of Spacetime. • For bonus content, updates and more shows sign up at: http://www.thebigconversation.show • Take our survey! https://survey-star.co.uk/dirckx&hurst The Big Conversation is a video series from Premier Unbelievable? featuring world-class thinkers across the religious and non-religious community. Exploring science, faith, philosophy and what it means to be human. The Big Conversation is produced by Premier Unbelievable? in partnership with John Templeton Foundation. • For Sharon Dirckx: https://www.faraday.cam.ac.uk/about/people/dr-sharon-dirckx/ and dirckx.org • For Emily Qureshi-Hurst: https://www.philosophy.ox.ac.uk/people/emily-qureshi-hurst • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training-and-events • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate
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Jul 25, 2023 • 1h 1min

Classic Replay: Why does God allow suffering? Vince Vitale & Julian Baggini

From February 2015: Following atheist Stephen Fry's viral anti-God video, the question of how a good God could allow suffering has come into focus again. Justin is joined by Christian philosopher Vince Vitale, author of "Why Suffering?" as he debates the issues with atheist think Julian Baggini. To watch Justin's own response to Stephen Fry: https://youtu.be/klPr708VWDk To watch the video of this debate: https://youtu.be/GgCiEftlNy4 For Vince Vitale: www.theocca.org For John Loftus: www.microphilosophy.net • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate
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Jul 21, 2023 • 1h 15min

Should we deconstruct or reconstruct? with Olivia Jackson, Preston Ulmer and Vince Vitale.

Unbelievable takes on the often-misunderstood topic of deconstruction in the sense of deconstructing Christian faith or becoming exvangelical is another phrase you might have come across. It refers to a process, some would say a movement, where individuals critically examine their beliefs, doctrines, and assumptions about Christianity. It often involves re-evaluating traditional interpretations of scripture, exploring different theological perspectives, and grappling with doubts and uncertainties.   Many proponents of deconstruction argue that it can lead to a deeper and more authentic faith by shedding outdated or harmful beliefs and embracing a more personal and nuanced understanding of spirituality. Critics, on the other hand, express concerns that deconstruction can result in a crisis of one's most foundational beliefs crumble beneath them.   But is this at all surprising? With failures of the church to reflect Jesus, with abuse by Christian leaders in the news daily, where is one to turn? Will deconstruction take you deeper? Or will it destroy your belief altogether? Vince Vitale hosts this week, and his guests are Olivia Jackson author of (un) Certain A Collective Memoir of Deconstructing Faith and Preston Ulmer, founder of The Doubters Club and author of Deconstruct Faith Discover Jesus -  how questioning your religion can lead you to a healthy and holy God Olivia's book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Certain-Collective-Memoir-Deconstructing-Faith/dp/0334063639 Preston's book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Preston-Ulmer/e/B098F92CQY/ref=aufs_dp_mata_dsk https://www.instagram.com/ptulmer/ https://www.thedoubtersclub.com/startyourowndc • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate
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Jul 18, 2023 • 50min

Classic Replay: Does Christianity pass the Outsider Test? (PART 2)

From January 2015: In a continuation of last week’s show David Marshall & John Loftus continue to debate whether Christianity is rationally tenable and unique among world religions. David Marshall author of ‘Why Jesus Passes the Outsider Test’, argues that Christianity uniquely fulfils the hopes and desires of all religious searching. • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate
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Jul 14, 2023 • 1h 15min

Is violence ever justified? The dilemma of Nigeria’s Christians with Hassan John and Roger Bolton

More Christians are killed in Nigeria than in any other country in the world. According to the charity Open Doors almost nine in ten of the more than 5,600 Christians murdered worldwide during 2022 were in Nigeria. A report by the British Parliament, Nigeria: Unfolding Genocide? Three Years On, was released this week, and highlights the massacres. ‘When will the world wake up to the persecution of Nigerian Christians?’, asked a lone headline in the The Spectator magazine. Few other news outlets paid attention. This week, Unbelievable host Roger Bolton speaks to Archdeacon Hassan John, an Anglican minister from Jos in northern Nigeria who has lived through much of the violence. A former journalist, he is now a church leader and campaigner for religious liberty, who tries to bring reconciliation between Christians and Muslims in the region. Hassan recalls harrowing tales of near-miss encounters with Islamic extremists and on-going anti-Christian violence which continues to tear apart communities. He also discusses how he and other Christians attempt to work with Muslim in their communities to prevent the violence. The Unbelievable conversation will help listeners understand the complexity of the situation of Nigeria and beyond, as well as asking some of the bigger questions facing Christians being persecuted for their faith worldwide. Is it ever acceptable for Christians to respond to persecution with violence? How can Christians ever practice forgiveness and love for enemies who have killed or harmed their family and friends? And, more broadly, why does the Western media ignore the story in places like Nigeria? • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

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