Unbelievable?

Justin chats to Kevin Palau of the Luis Palau Association, and Sam Adams, the first openly gay mayor of Portland. They talk about how they worked together, despite their differences, to make a difference in the city of Portland, and the lessons they have learned.  Later in the show Justin is joined by John Dickson of the Centre for Public Christianity in Australia to talk about the new video documentary ‘For The Love Of God: How The Church Is Better And Worse Than You Imagined’. For ‘Unlikely: Setting Aside Our Differences To Live Out The Gospel’: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unlikely-Setting-Aside-Differences-Gospel/dp/1476797269  For Kevin Palau https://www.palau.org/kevin-palau/  For Sam Adams https://twitter.com/samadams_tweets  For The Love Of God doc: https://fortheloveofgodproject.com/  Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk  For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter Get the MP3 Podcast of Unbelievable? Via RSS or Via Itunes

In a Christmas special Justin is joined by priest and physicist Revd Gillian Straine and agnostic astronomer Mark Kidger of the European Space Agency. They discuss the scientific theories for the star of Bethlehem, who the Magi were and how scientists reconcile the miracles of Christmas with science. And… cute kids alert! We hear the Christmas story retold by 6 and 7yr olds. Towards the end of the show Justin also asks NT Wright whether we can trust the Christmas stories in Matthew and Luke as historical. For Gillian Straine: http://www.gillianstraine.com/ For Mark Kidger’s blogs on the Star of Bethlehem https://openspacescience.blog/2017/12/01/star-of-bethlehem-reflections/  For a previous show on the Star of Bethlehem https://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable/Episodes/Unbelievable-The-Star-of-Bethlehem-Fact-or-Fiction-Colin-Nicholl-Aaron-Adair-Mark-Kidger  For the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast: http://www.askntwright.com Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk  For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter Get the MP3 Podcast of Unbelievable? Via RSS or Via Itunes

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby gave a keynote speech at the UK Trade Union Congress in September 2018 calling for the government to change its tax and welfare policies in order to support the neediest in society. James Price of the Taxpayers Alliance strongly criticised Welby’s intervention, quoting Jesus’ words ‘Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s’ and saying the Archbishop should ‘stick to his theological work’. Left-leaning Christian journalist Andy Walton praised Justin Welby’s speech. He debates James on what Jesus’ famous statement means, and whether religious leaders should keep out of the politics of taxation and the welfare state.   For James Price: https://www.taxpayersalliance.com/comment_on_justin_welby_s_higher_tax_proposals For Andy Walton https://twitter.com/waltonandy  For Justin Welby’s speech in full https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QewjUsHmScs  Buy the Unbelievable? Christmas bundle: https://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable/Unbelievable-the-Book/Exclusive-Christmas-Offer    Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk  For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter Get the MP3 Podcast of Unbelievable? Via RSS or Via Itunes

Are ‘social justice warriors’ a danger to the Gospel? In August 2018 a group of conservative Christians in the USA, led by John MacArthur, released The Statement On Social Justice And The Gospel to take a stand against the church being influenced by “questionable sociological, psychological, and political theories presently permeating our culture”. Some of the affirmations and denials in the document caused controversy among both evangelicals and progressives for its statements on political activism and racism. James White of Alpha and Omega ministries, was one of the framers of the document and a key signatory. He debates the Statement with Australian pastor and justice activist Jarrod McKenna, founder of Common Grace, on whether the concepts of privilege, intersectionality and identity politics should have any part to play in the Gospel. For the Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel: https://statementonsocialjustice.com For Jarrod McKenna: https://www.commongrace.org.au/jarrodmckenna/ For James White: https://www.aomin.org Buy the Unbelievable? Christmas bundle: http://www.premier.org.uk/shop    Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk  For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter Get the MP3 Podcast of Unbelievable? Via RSS or Via iTunes

In a ‘classic playback’ edition of the show, Justin re-airs the debate he hosted with agnostic Bible scholar Bart Ehrman opposite Christian Bible scholar Peter J Williams. They debate the reliability of the Gospels, textual criticism, and Bart’s claim that we can’t know what some of the original texts actually say. For Peter J Williams new book ‘Can We Trust the Gospels?’: https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/can-we-trust-the-gospels   For Bart Ehrman: https://www.bartdehrman.com/  Buy the Unbelievable? Christmas bundle: http://www.premier.org.uk/shop    Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk  For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter Get the MP3 Podcast of Unbelievable? Via RSS or Via Itunes

In his new book ‘A War Of Loves’, David Bennett tells his story of being an atheist gay activist who experienced a dramatic conversion to Christianity. David still identifies as gay but lives a celibate lifestyle, holding to traditional Christian sexual ethics. He engages with Justin Lee, author of ‘Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gay vs Christian debate’, who affirms faithful same-sex relationships. To support Unbelievable? on #GivingTuesday: https://resources.premier.org.uk/supportunbelievable-givingtuesday/  For David Bennett: https://www.awarofloves.com/  For Justin Lee: http://geekyjustin.com/  Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk  For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter Get the MP3 Podcast of Unbelievable? Via RSS or Via Itunes

Lord Richard Harries, former Bishop of Oxford is the author of ‘Haunted by Christ: Modern writers and the struggle for faith’ (SPCK). Philosopher Sir Anthony Kenny, former master of Balliol college Oxford, is the author of ‘Brief Encounters: Notes from a philosopher’s diary’ (SPCK) which recounts anecdotes from a life meeting significant personalities. They discuss their friendship, stories of significant encounters, why Anthony lost his faith as a young Catholic priest and why Richard found his faith affirmed in his literary loves.  For ‘Haunted By Christ’ by Lord Richard Harries: https://spckpublishing.co.uk/haunted-by-christ  For ‘Brief Encounters’ by Sir Anthony Kenny: https://spckpublishing.co.uk/brief-encounters  Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk  For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter Get the MP3 Podcast of Unbelievable? Via RSS or Via Itunes  

As Remembrance services take place to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1, Justin is joined by atheist guest Prof Michael Ruse and Christian guest Prof Nigel Biggar to discuss Darwinism, Christianity and just war theory. Michel Ruse is Professor of Philosophy of Science at Florida State University. Nigel Biggar is Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology at the University of Oxford. Ruse’s latest book ‘The Problem of War’ critiques Biggar’s work on just war theory ‘In Defence of War’. For ‘The Problem of War’ by Michael Ruse: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-problem-of-war-9780190867577 For ‘In Defence of War’ by Nigel Biggar: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/in-defence-of-war-9780199672615 Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk  For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter Get the MP3 Podcast of Unbelievable? Via RSS or Via Itunes

Justin is joined for the 6th episode of The Big Conversation by moral philosopher and atheist Peter Singer, professor of bioethics at Princeton University, and Christian theologian Andy Bannister of Solas Centre for Public Christianity. They debate whether humans have intrinsic value and dignity as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 70 years ago. They debate Singer’s controversial utilitarian approach to disability, the problem of suffering, and whether a moral reality to the universe points towards God. Watch the video and sign up at: https://www.thebigconversation.show/peter-singer-and-andybannister  For Peter Singer: https://petersinger.info/  For Andy Bannister: http://www.andybannister.net/  Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk  For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter Get the MP3 Podcast of Unbelievable? Via RSS or Via Itunes

Should Christians take part in Halloween festivities? And is it ok to watch grisly horror films? These are the two questions debates by Peter Laws and Michael Cummins ahead of Halloween. Peter Laws is a Baptist minister and lifelong fan of the horror genre, as he explains in his new book The Frighteners: Why We Love Monsters, Ghosts, Death & Gore. He believes that Christians don’t need to fear being involved in the spooky side of Halloween and thinks horror films aren’t bad for people who enjoy them. Michael Cummins is involved in supernatural deliverance ministry. He explains his concerns about demonic aspects of Halloween and horror films and tells stories of what he has witnessed in his ministry. For Peter Laws https://www.peterlaws.co.uk/  For Michael Cummins https://christsetsyoufree.wordpress.com/5-halloween/  For Big Conversation videos, updates and bonus content sign up: http://www.thebigconversation.show  Get signed copies of Unbelievable? the book and audiobook: www.unbelievablebook.co.uk  For more faith debates visit http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable Join the conversation: Facebook and Twitter Get the MP3 Podcast of Unbelievable? Via RSS or Via Itunes