Unbelievable?

Alister McGrath chats to Justin Brierley about his major new biography 'CS Lewis: A Life - Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet'. They discuss Lewis' (re-dated) conversion, his life in Oxford, his arguments for God and why he remains so singificant a figure 50 years on from his death. Alister also answers listener questions. Enter the draw for a signed copy of the book by emailing unbelievable@premier.org.uk with the title of Alister's opening address at Unbelievable? the Conference 2013. Alister is a keynote speaker at Unbelievable? the Conference 2013 on Sat 25 May www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable2013 For more theological discussion between Christians visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable Join the conversation via Facebook and Twitter For Alister's new book http://www.hodder.co.uk/Books/detail.page?isbn=9781444745528 For Alister's website http://alistermcgrath.weebly.com/ Get the MP3 podcast of Unbelievable? http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes You may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 5 Feb 2011 - Alister McGrath & Stephen Law - Why Won't God Go Away? Unbelievable? 6 Jun 2009 A Skeptic in Narnia Narnia & CS Lewis - Michael Ward & Laura Miller

In a podcast special, atheist scientist Adam Rutherford and Christian biochemist Fazale (Fuz) Rana of Reasons To Believe, discuss the latest advances in synthetic bio-engineering and whether they support or contradict the view that life is a product of design. In the second of 2 programmes they explain the latest scientific advances in attempting to create simple synthetic life in the laboratory and how this research may be of benefit. Fuz contends that the amount of ingenuity and intelligence required to produce life in the lab lends strong support to the view that life on earth is a product of an intelligent mind. Adam Rutherford, whose new book is called "Creation: The Future of life" disagrees. Fuz is a speaker at Unbelievable? the Conference 2013 www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable2013 For more discussion between Christians and non-Christians visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable Join the conversation via Facebook and Twitter For Adam Rutherford's new book http://goo.gl/ZqaE0 For Fuz Rana http://www.reasons.org/about/who-we-are/fazale-rana For "Creating Life in the Lab" http://goo.gl/HoLra Get the MP3 podcast of Unbelievable? http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes You may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 23 Oct 2010 - Darwin's Black Box - Michael Behe & Keith Fox debate Intelligent Design Unbelievable? 28th April 2012 - A Universe From Nothing - Lawrence Krauss & Rodney Holder

For more information about Rob Bell's new book, click here: http://bit.ly/15Mve2T Rob Bell returns to Unbelievable? 2 years after his debate on the controversial best-seller 'Love Wins'. He talks about life after Mars Hill Bible Church and his latest book 'What we talk about when we talk about God'. Andrew Wilson is an author and theologian with the New Frontiers church network. He quizzes Rob about his view of God, salvation and his recently stated support for gay marriage. For Unbelievable? the Conference 2013 www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable2013 For more theological discussion between Christians visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable Join the conversation via Facebook and Twitter For Rob Bell's new book https://www.robbell.com/newbook/ For Andrew Wilson http://thinktheology.co.uk/theology/contributors/21 Get the MP3 podcast of Unbelievable? http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes You may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 23rd April 2011 - Rob Bell defends 'Love Wins' vs Adrian Warnock Full Video of the Rob Bell "Love Wins" debate Unbelievable? 14 Apr 2012 - What's wrong with the world? Christian Andrew Wilson & atheist Geoff Lillis

Was the emergence of the first self-replicating organism a result of design or the blind forces of nature? Adam Rutherford is an atheist scientist whose new book "Creation: The Origin of Life" claims to show a naturalistic explanation for how life arose. Fazale (Fuz) Rana is a biochemist with Reasons To Believe (and a speaker at Unbelievable? The Conference 2013). He values scientific research into origins but believes that Rutherford's explanation is a dead-end. Design is still the best explanation. The first of two programmes dealing with cellular biology. Next week they discuss "Creating life in the lab". For Unbelievable? the Conference 2013 www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable2013 For more discussion between Christians and non-Christians visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable Join the conversation via Facebook and Twitter For Adam Rutherford's new book http://goo.gl/ZqaE0 For Fuz Rana http://www.reasons.org/about/who-we-are/fazale-rana For "Creating Life in the Lab" http://goo.gl/HoLra Get the MP3 podcast of Unbelievable? http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes You may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 19 November 2011 - Signature in the Cell Unbelievable? 5th May 2012 - Why is the Universe the way it is?

AC Grayling is one of the Uk's most well known atheist thinkers. His new book The God Argument claims to refute the key arguments for God and show why humanism is the best way forward. Christian Philosopher Peter S Williams interacts with Grayling who he believes has badly misunderstood the arguments for God in his book. In a busy show they debate The Argument from Fine Tuning, The Cosmological Arguement and The Moral Argument. For Unbelievable? the Conference 2013 www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable2013 For more discussion between Christians and non-Christians visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable Join the conversation via Facebook and Twitter For AC Grayling's Book "The God Argument" http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-God-Argument-Religion-Humanism/dp/1620401908 For Peter Williams book "CS Lewis vs The New Atheists" http://www.amazon.co.uk/LEWIS-VS-THE-NEW-ATHEISTS/dp/1842277707 Get the MP3 podcast of Unbelievable? http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes You may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 26 Oct 2011 - William Lane Craig vs Peter Millican - Does God exist? Unbelievable? 5 July 2011 - William Lane Craig vs AC Grayling debate on God & Evil.

Christians believe that Jesus' death on the cross provided the atonement for sins. But in what way? Advocates of the penal substitution view hold that God punished the Son, instead of us. Others argue this is an unjust way of viewing the crucifixion and prefer the 'Christus Victor' view, that Jesus defeats the powers of evil on the cross. Steve Jeffery defends Penal Substitution, while Alan Molineaux questions it. Also contributions from American theologian & church leader Greg Boyd in defense of Christus Victor and UK leader Dave Bish in defense of PSA. For Unbelievable? the Conference 2013 www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable2013 For more discussion between Christians and non-Christians visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable Join the conversation via Facebook and Twitter For Steve Jeffery http://northlondonchurch.org/ministers-blog/ For his book "Pierced for our transfressions" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pierced-our-transgressions-Rediscovering-Substitution/dp/1844741788 For Alan Molineaux http://alanmolineaux.blogspot.co.uk/ Get the MP3 podcast of Unbelievable? http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes You may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 26 Mar 2011 - Did Jesus die on the Cross? Islam debate Unbelievable? 22 Mar 2008 Easter & the atonement Easter & the Atonement - does it make sense?

"Why?" is the title of the new book by Sharon Dirckx looking at God, evil and suffering. She interacts with atheist Alom Shaha as we ask "how can a loving God allow suffering?" We also hear stories from people who have been through suffering but kept their faith. Will, who became a Christian after losing his wife and a child in a tragic road accident. Rachel who has suffered from MS for a number of years. For Unbelievable? the Conference 2013 www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable2013 For more discussion between Christians and non-Christians visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable Join the conversation via Facebook and Twitter Sharon Dirckx bio http://www.rzim.eu/biography-sharon-dirckx For her book "Why?" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Why-Sharon-Dirckx/dp/1844746194 For Alom Shaha http://alomshaha.com/ Get the MP3 podcast of Unbelievable? http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes You may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 25th August 2012 - The Young Atheist's Handbook - Alom Shaha & Tom Price Unbelievable? 5 July 2011 - William Lane Craig vs AC debate on God & Evil.

Rowan Williams led the Anglican Church for 10 years. He reflects on his journey of faith, and the trials and joys of his time in office in a wide ranging interview with Justin Brierley. Find out why he briefly considered becoming a Catholic, what he makes of new atheists like Richard Dawkins, the debate on penal substitution and whether he has had doubts about God. Read this interview in Christianity Magazine www.christianitymagazine.co.uk For Justin Brierley's regular discussion show between Christians and non-Christians visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable For Unbelievable? the Conference 2013 www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable2013

The religious right wing primarily campaigns on abortion and homosexuality - but is this the way Christians should be involved in politics? Andy Walton of the Contextual Theology Centre had published a report on whether the UK is seeing the rise of a religious right. Alan Craig is from the Christian People's Alliance, a small political party campaigning for Christian values in society. Joining by phone from the USA, Brian McLaren is a former pastor and author, and a critic of the religious right. Brian Fisher of the American Family Association is a vociferous critic of liberal America. For Unbelievable? the Conference 2013 www.premier.org.uk/jesus For more discussion between Christians and non-Christians visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable Join the conversation via Facebook and Twitter For Andy Walton's report http://goo.gl/JwTfW For The Christian People's Alliance http://www.cpaparty.org.uk/ For Brian McLaren and his books http://www.brianmclaren.net/ For Bryan Fischer http://www.afa.net/detail.aspx?id=2147486648 Get the MP3 podcast of Unbelievable? http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes You may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 30 June 2012 - The Global Charter of Conscience - Os Guinness & Terry Sanderson Unbelievable? 21 April 2012 - The Gay Marriage Debate - Peter Tatchell vs Peter D Williams.

Bible Scholar Derek Tidball takes on a range of objections to the New Testaments from three atheist callers. Andrew Nightingale asks why Christians can't agree on doctrines in scripture? Andrew Hindmarch asks why the genealogies of Jesus vary? Jack, a sceptical teenager in Australia, asks about apparent contradictions in the story of Judas' death. For Unbelievable? the Conference 2013 www.premier.org.uk/jesus For more discussion between Christians and non-Christians visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable Join the conversation via Facebook and Twitter For Derek Tidball's 'The Message of Women' www.ivpbooks.com/9781844745951 Get the MP3 podcast of Unbelievable? http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes You may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 30 May 2009 Bible contradictions Christian Derek Tidball vs. Atheist Gordon Livesey Unbelievable? 21 May 2011 - Is the Bible Unbelievable? Chris Sinkinson & Leslie Scrace