Unbelievable?

Revelation remains a closed book of the New Testament to many Christians. In this episode Justin is joined by Chris Date and Rob Wiesner to talk about the nature of Revelation and what it actually says about Hell and judgement.   Chris Date changed his mind about Hell several years ago from the traditional view of "eternal conscious torment" to "conditional immortality", the view that Hell involves final destruction of the unrepentant. He debates with Robert Wiesner who takes the traditional view. Whose position do the passages in Revelation support? For Rethinking Hell: http://rethinkinghell.com/   Can We Agree To Disagree? Dialogue event 14 Nov: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/can-we-agree-to-disagree-christians-humanists-in-dialogue-tickets-27430401068   Order Unbelievable? The Conference 2016 DVD/MP3CD & Digital Download   http://www.premier.org.uk/Shop 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

Historian Tom Holland recently penned an article for The New Statesman on why he changed his mind about Christianity. Holland is the author of popular books on ancient empires and says his research made him realise how unique Christianity was in its infancy. He claims that, despite secular arguments that Christianity hinders moral progress, the West actually owes its values of equality and human dignity to the religion.   Holland discusses the issues with New Testament historian Larry Hurtado whose recent book 'Destroyer of the Gods' explains the unique and unusual nature of the early Christian church in the context of Greco- Roman culture. For Tom Holland's article: http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/religion/2016/09/tom-holland-why-i-was-wrong-about-christianity For Larry Hurtado's 'Destroyer of the Gods': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Destroyer-gods-Early-Christian-Distinctiveness/dp/1481304739 For the Beyond Materialism conference on 12 Nov: https://www.c4id.org.uk Can We Agree To Disagree? Dialogue event 14 Nov: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/can-we-agree-to-disagree-christians-humanists-in-dialogue-tickets-27430401068 Order Unbelievable? The Conference 2016 DVD/MP3CD & Digital Download   http://www.premier.org.uk/Shop 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

Following a recent show in which both guests argued in favour of the multiverse, Justin is joined by Luke Barnes, an Australian physicist whose new book ‘A Fortunate Universe: Life in a Finely Tuned Cosmos’ makes the case for the fine tuning of our universe for life and is co-written with Geraint Lewis.  Luke is sceptical of the ability of multiverse theory and its ability to solve the riddle of fine tuning and explains why.   Max Andrews is a PhD student researching the philosophy of the multiverse. He unpacks some of his research on the implication of the ‘quantum’ theory of the multiverse for theology and fine tuning.  For A Fortunate Universe: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fortunate-Universe-Finely-Tuned-Cosmos/dp/1107156610 For Luke Barnes https://letterstonature.wordpress.com For Max Andrews http://sententias.org/ The Rethinking Hell Conference 2016 http://www.rethinkinghellconference.com/ Order Unbelievable? The Conference 2016 DVD/MP3CD & Digital Download   http://www.premier.org.uk/Shop 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 hears about the unusual life of Soren Kierkegaard in a theological edition of the show. Author Stephen Backhouse explains how the 19th Century theologian/philosopher has shaped the modern world and today's Christian faith. Jane Williams of the GodPod podcast and theologian at St Mellitus College joins the discussion. For Kierkegaard: A Single Life http://www.kierkegaardbook.com For GodPod https://sptc.htb.org/godpod The Rethinking Hell Conference 2016 http://www.rethinkinghellconference.com/ Order Unbelievable? The Conference 2016 DVD/MP3CD & Digital Download http://www.premier.org.uk/Shop 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 word 'multiverse' has been on the lips of both physicists and apologists in recent years. In this show Justin is joined by atheist Phil Harper and Christian astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink of Reasons To Believe. They explain why they both believe there is scientific evidence for many universes and how that could impact the argument for God from the fine tuning of the universe. For Jeff Zweerink on the multiverse http://shop.reasons.org/Who-s-Afraid-of-The-Multiverse-p/l0803.htm For SkyDivePhil on YouTube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QqjsZEZMR7I Justin's 'Dice' video http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yy6kaDaeDT8 Order Unbelievable? The Conference 2016 DVD/MP3CD & Digital Download http://www.premier.org.uk/Shop 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 presents a live audience edition of the show from Church Everyday in Northridge, California. He’s joined by atheist Ryan Bell, a former Christian pastor who took ‘A Year Without God’ after coming to doubt his faith, and Sean McDowell a Christian thinker who tells his own journey of doubt and coming to a conviction that Christianity is true. There’s also an interview with Justin by Kevin Yi of Truth Matters Ministries who hosted the event, and time for audience Q&A at the end. For Truth Matter Ministries and the event video www.truthmattersministries.com/ For Ryan Bell www.lifeaftergod.org/ For Sean McDowell http://seanmcdowell.org/ Order Unbelievable? The Conference 2016 DVD/MP3CD & Digital Download http://www.premier.org.uk/Shop 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 continues his conversation with illusionist and atheist Derren Brown. They discuss his latest stage show Miracle where Derren appears to be able to heal people and even ‘slay’ them in the spirit. Does his ability to produce manufactured miracles show that healing claims are a con? They also discuss where the burden of evidence lies when it comes to miracles and God. Justin is joined again for the final part of the show by Dave Rose, Jamie Cutteridge and Ruth Jackson to reflect on the interview. He also speaks to Rico Tice and Barry Cooper about their new evangelism course Life Explored Request a free copy of Premier Christianity magazine featuring the interview http://www.premierchristianity.com/freesample Read the Derren Brown interview online http://www.premierchristianity.com For Life Explored http://www.ceministries.org/LifeExplored Order Unbelievable? The Conference 2016 DVD/MP3CD http://www.premier.org.uk/Shop 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

Derren Brown, the UK’s most famous illusionist and mentalist, was once a Christian. In the first of a two part special, he talks to Justin Brierley about why he lost his faith, and about his latest stage show Miracle in which he plays the persona of a healing evangelist. Justin and Derren also discuss the resurrection of Jesus, atheism and finding meaning in life. Next week’s show sees them discuss in detail the content of the Miracle stage show. Justin is joined for the final part of the show by station manager (and Derren Brown fanboy) Dave Rose, plus Jamie Cutteridge and Ruth Jackson of Premier Youthwork magazine to reflect on the interview. Request a free copy of Premier Christianity magazine featuring the interview http://www.premierchristianity.com/freesample Read the Derren Brown interview online http://www.premierchristianity.com For Derren’s website http://derrenbrown.co.uk/ Order Unbelievable? The Conference 2016 DVD/MP3CD http://www.premier.org.uk/Shop 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

Today’s show debates philosopher Alvin Plantinga’s reformed epistemology and his view that Christians have a ‘properly basic’ belief in God. Can Christians can be justified in their belief in God apart from argumentation? Tyler McNabb is a Christian PhD student specialising in epistemology and philosophy of religion who defends properly basic belief in God, using it in street evangelism as well as philosophy. Stephen Law is an atheist philosopher and Provost of the Centre for Enquiry UK. He has frequently critiqued reformed epistemology on his blog. Justin also speaks to Scott Klusendorf at the end of this week’s show about the Clarkson Academy - a pro-life training weekend for Christians in September. For Tyler McNabb http://www.tylermcnabb.com For Stephen Law http://www.stephenlaw.blogspot.co.uk For The Clarkson Academy 2016 https://www.theclarksonacademy.co.uk/book-now For Unbelievable? Live in the USA on Sat 27 Aug http://www.truthmattersministries.com/events/unbelievable-live/ Order Unbelievable? The Conference 2016 DVD/MP3CD http://www.premier.org.uk/Shop 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

Jay Smith has led a Christian ministry engaging face to face with Muslims in London for over 20 years using polemics and apologetics. As he leaves the UK to undertake an international role Beth Grove will be leading the work in London through the newly established Pfander Centre for Apologetics. They talk about the joys and challenges of reaching Muslims in the UK, those they have seen convert, why the nature of the debates have changed and the new arguments critiquing the historicity of Mecca, Mohammed and the Koran. At the end of the show Ben Virgo of Christian Heritage London drops in to talk about the amazing history of London’s landmarks and the Christian figures who lived and worked there. For Pfander Centre for Apologetics http://www.pfander.uk For the documentary Up the Ladder in Hyde Park http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable/Episodes/Unbelievable-Up-the-Ladder-in-Hyde-Park-Muslims-Christians-in-debate For Jay’s 2014 debate with Shabir Ally http://www.pfander.uk/videos/the-classical-debates-which-is-the-word-of-god-the-bible-or-the-quran-jay-smith-vs-dr-shabir-ally/ For Christian Heritage London http://www.christianheritagelondon.org/ For Unbelievable? Live in the USA on Sat 27 Aug http://www.truthmattersministries.com/events/unbelievable-live/ Order Unbelievable? The Conference 2016 DVD/MP3CD http://www.premier.org.uk/Shop 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