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Unbelievable?

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Apr 1, 2025 • 1h 4min

Classic: Faith & Doubt: A Former Atheist and Ex-Christian Face Off

Can belief and unbelief follow the same path? In this Unbelievable? episode, Justin Brierley hosts a fascinating conversation from 2014 between Guillaume Bignon, an atheist-turned-Christian theologian, and Wade Padgett, a former devout Christian who became an atheist. šŸ” What’s Inside? šŸ”„ Guillaume’s journey from atheism to Christianity—an unexpected turn shaped by intellectual inquiry and life-changing events šŸ”„ Wade’s shift from Christianity to atheism, driven by existential philosophy and critical reflection on faith šŸ”„ The power of personal experience—do conversions and deconversions rely on reason or emotion? šŸ”„ The role of evidence—what counts as "good reasons" for belief or unbelief? šŸ”„ Are conversion stories valid arguments for faith? šŸ“– Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:14 Guillaume Bignon’s Journey from Atheism to Christianity 04:10 Encountering Christianity & The Turning Point 06:16 Intellectual & Emotional Struggles 10:13 Challenges of a Newfound Faith 16:20 Wade Padgett’s Religious Upbringing 21:16 From Faith to Doubt: Wade’s Journey to Atheism 25:47 Comparing Conversion & Deconversion Stories 31:15 Questioning Arguments for Christianity 32:41 The Role of Personal Experiences in Belief & Deconversion 36:47 Properly Basic Beliefs & Knowledge 46:29 Cognitive Science & Belief Formation 52:10 Do Conversion Stories Prove Faith? 1:03:02 Final Reflections šŸŽ™ļø Subscribe & Share → Don’t miss more thought-provoking debates! šŸ“Œ Stay Connected & Join the Conversation šŸ“ Twitter (X):@UnbelievableFE šŸ“ Facebook:@PremierUnbelievable šŸ“ Instagram:@Premier.Unbelievable šŸ“ TikTok:@PremierUnbelievable šŸš€ Are conversions and deconversions truly rational, or are they shaped by deeper motivations? Let us know in the comments!
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Mar 28, 2025 • 1h 7min

Should We Help People Live - Not Die? Assisted Dying and the Terminally Ill Adults Bill | Dr Susan Marriott & Prof Keith Brown

How close are we to legalising assisted suicide in the UK? Should dying be offered as a course of treatment by NHS doctors? The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is one of the most contentious pieces of legislation currently before Parliament. It seeks to amend the Suicide Act of 1961 so that 'encouraging or assisting suicide' would no longer be illegal if carried out in accordance with the new Bill. Joining Andy Kind on Unbelievable are Dr Susan Marriott, a trained medical doctor and Head of Public Policy at the Christian Medical Fellowship UK, and safeguarding expert Prof. Keith Brown who spoke on this topic when the bill first came to Parliament. Due to technical issues beyond our control, Prof Keith Brown was only able to join us for the start of the programme. We hope to welcome him back to Unbelievable before the Bill reaches its report stage on 25 April 2025.
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Mar 25, 2025 • 1h

Classic: Is the Mormon Gospel Biblical? Ex-Mormon vs. Active Mormon Debate

šŸ”„ Mormonism vs. Biblical Christianity - Where Do They Stand? šŸ”„ In this classic Unbelievable? episode from 2014, Justin Brierley moderates a thought-provoking debate between Lynn Wilder, a former temple-recommend-holding Mormon turned Christian, and Michael Flournoy, a lifelong active Mormon. Lynn shares her journey out of Mormonism, triggered by her son's conversion to Christianity, while Michael defends the Latter-day Saint (LDS) faith. Together, they tackle: āœ… The nature of Jesus in Mormonism vs. Christianity āœ… Grace vs. Works - How are we truly saved? āœ… The role of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon āœ… Allegations of racism in Mormon scriptures āœ… Doctrinal shifts, cultural influences, and theological misunderstandings šŸ’” At the heart of it all: Is the Mormon gospel truly biblical? šŸ“– Get Lynn Wilder’s book Unveiling Grace šŸ‘‰ https://amzn.to/4ikyjh0 ā³ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction & Guest Overview 01:21 Lynn Wilder’s Journey Out of Mormonism 02:37 Temple Practices & Doctrinal Issues 03:39 Challenges & Turning Points 08:57 Michael Flournoy’s Faith Journey 15:08 Debating Doctrinal Differences 18:37 Scriptural Interpretations & Controversies 26:33 Grace, Works & Salvation 31:11 Mormon Scriptures & Racism 32:00 Personal Experiences with Racism in the Church 32:46 Debating Racist Teachings in Mormon Scriptures 36:38 Grace & Works in Mormonism vs. Christianity 40:02 Salvation & Exaltation in Mormon Theology 43:32 The Role of Joseph Smith in Salvation 49:18 Different Views on Jesus Christ 55:20 Final Reflections šŸŽ™ļø Subscribe & Share → Don’t miss more thought-provoking debates! šŸ“Œ Stay Connected & Join the Conversation šŸ“ Twitter (X):@UnbelievableFE šŸ“ Facebook:@PremierUnbelievable šŸ“ Instagram:@PremierUnbelievable šŸ“ TikTok:@PremierUnbelievable šŸš€ What do you think—Is Mormonism compatible with biblical Christianity? Let us know in the comments! #UnbelievablePodcast #Mormonism #Christianity • 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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Mar 21, 2025 • 59min

Is there good evidence to believe in God? Ed Atkinson vs Sara Stevenson hosted by Andy Kind

Premier Unbelievable? Podcast is back in Aylesbury, UK at Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School with host Andy Kind moderating a debate on the existence of God, featuring Sara Stevenson from OCCA The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and atheist Ed Atkinson, engineer and former Christian turned Agnostic, and host of the Doubts Aloud podcast. Today's discussion dives into questions of morality, human value, and scientific methods for belief, addressing whether there is good evidence to believe in God.
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Mar 18, 2025 • 1h

Classic: Faith vs. doubt - a clash of worldviews Os Guinness and Ed Atkinson

Can faith withstand scrutiny? Can doubt lead to truth? In this classic Unbelievable? episode from 2014, Justin Brierley hosts a gripping dialogue between Os Guinness, renowned author and social critic, and Ed Atkinson, a former Christian turned atheist. And listen out as Ed joins the show again in a few weeks. šŸ” What’s Inside? šŸ”„ Os defends the rational and experiential case for faith šŸ”„ Ed shares his journey from belief to atheism šŸ”„ They challenge each other on meaning, morality, and worldview bias šŸ”„ They explore the role of science, religion, and love in shaping belief šŸ”„ Can faith be intellectually credible? Can atheism provide ultimate meaning? šŸŽ§ Listen in as they debate, challenge, and wrestle with life’s biggest questions. šŸ“– Get Os Guinness's latest book: Our Civilisational Moment: The Waning of the West and the War of the Worlds šŸ‘‰ https://amzn.to/4iwMDmN
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Mar 14, 2025 • 52min

Does science point toward or away from God? Phil Halper vs Professor Paul Ewart (Oxford Physics) hosted by Sam McKee

Today's episode will seek to answer the age-old question: Does science bring us closer to understanding a divine creator, or does it steer us away from such a belief? Sam McKee, researcher and associate tutor in history and philosophy of science at Manchester Metropolitan University guest hosts and he is joined by two distinguished guests. Paul Ewart, an Emeritus Fellow of Worcester College, Oxford. He has served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics. His research areas include fundamental atomic physics, quantum and nonlinear optics, and the design of novel lasers for spectroscopy. He has also focused on developing new techniques for optical diagnostics and gas-sensing for environmental monitoring. Debating with Paul is Phil Halper, a YouTuber who has interviewed many of the world's leading scientists, including Stephen Hawking, Roger Penrose, and Alan Guth. Phil is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and was appointed journalist in residence at the Penn State Institute for Gravitation and the Cosmos. He has been the lead author on several peer-reviewed papers in fields ranging from cosmology to neuroscience and philosophy. Phil's first book, 'Battle of the Big Bang: The New Tales of our Cosmic Origins,' co-authored with award-winning cosmologist Niayesh Afshordi, will be published by the University of Chicago Press in the spring of 2025. So listen below as Paul Ewart and Phil Halper engage in a compelling debate exploring the profound question: Does science point toward or away from God? Guest hosted by Dr. Sam McKee.
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Mar 11, 2025 • 1h 20min

Classic: Is there historical evidence for the bodily resurrection of Jesus? Justin Bass & Dale Allison

New Testament scholars Dale Allison and Justin Bass discuss their different approaches to the evidence for Jesus' resurrection in a show first aired in 2021. Bass, author of 'The Bedrock of Christianity: The unalterable facts of Jesus' death and resurrection' says the evidence from the core historical facts points to a resurrection. Allison, author of 'The Resurrection of Jesus: Apologetics, Criticism, History' is less certain that these facts lead us to a bodily resurrection. For more Justin Bass on Unbelievable https://youtu.be/LVUQAVQS1-U For more Dale Allison :https://youtu.be/FfUD1OkbSHw
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Mar 7, 2025 • 1h 12min

Islamic blasphemy law in Britain? Andy Bannister and Tim Dieppe hosted by Andy Kind

As the UK government announced the launch of a new Islamophobia council to define ā€˜anti-Muslim hatred/ Islamophobia’ on February 28th, the start of Ramadan, one thing is clear: This is a hot-button issue that raises serious questions about free speech, blasphemy laws, and the balance between protecting religious sensibilities and upholding open dialogue in a liberal society. Joining us on the podcast today are Andy Bannister from Solas CPC and Tim Dieppe from Christian Concern to tackle this complex but important topic. Together, we ask the tough questions: What is the controversy surrounding the definition of Islamophobia in Britain today? What are the chilling effects of unofficial laws on people of all beliefs? How does Islam view blasphemy, and does that perspective clash with modern Western ideals? And what will ultimately be the impact on British society?
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Feb 28, 2025 • 1h 26min

Classic: Why I believe with Professor John C. Lennox

This week, we revisit a conversation with Dr. John Lennox, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics and renowned Christian apologist. Lennox shares his journey from growing up in Ireland to studying at Cambridge and defending his faith globally, from Russia to East Germany. He also reflects on his debates with leading atheists like Richard Dawkins, Peter Atkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Peter Singer. Don’t miss this insightful look into his life and work. Originally Aired: 20 Oct 2023
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Feb 21, 2025 • 1h

Is God’s hiddenness proof he isn’t there? Live Debate Theist Dr Max Baker-Hytch vs Atheist Dr Julian Baggini

If God exists, why isn’t His existence obvious to everyone? In today’s Unbelievable? debate, public philosopher Julian Baggini and Oxford University’s Dr. Max Baker-Hytch go head-to-head on the problem of divine hiddenness. Is God’s absence a test of faith, or is it evidence that He doesn’t exist? Can history, reason, and personal experience point to the divine, or are religious beliefs simply shaped by culture and psychology? Join us for a deep dive into faith, skepticism, and the mystery of God’s silence, as we explore one of the biggest challenges in philosophy and theology. šŸ”” Subscribe now for more debates on faith, reason, and belief! SOCIAL LINKS Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable šŸ‘‰ Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes—absolutely free! Join now at www.premierunbelievable.com šŸŽ‰šŸ“¢ • 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/courses • 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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