Life & Faith

Scott Rae is a Professor of Philosophy of Religion and Ethics at Biola University and a fellow of the Centre for Bioethics and Human Dignity. CPX caught up with him in Melbourne at the Religion in the Public Square Colloquium put on by the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. We interviewed him on areas of medical and business ethics including abortion, euthanasia, the GFC, business and the environment.

Richard Swinburne is an Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oxford. He is the author of many eminent books of the philosophy of religion in general and of the philosophy of Christianity in particular.CPX gathered his thoughts on the violence of the Old Testament, divine revelation, evil and whether he believes there is a renaissance of unbelief.

Simon Smart and Greg Clarke went out on the streets to find out what Easter means to people in Australia today.

David Bentley Hart is regarded as one of America’s brightest theologians, who combines highly skilled and entertaining writing with expertise in literature, history, philosophy, art and culture. In this interview Bentley Hart talks about the impact of Christianity on the West, some questionable interpretations of history, suffering and the problem of evil and why he remains a believer.

Cormac McCarthy's much acclaimed novel The Road has been made into a feature film starring Viggo Mortensen. Greg Clarke and Simon Smart discuss why The Road matters.

Harold Koenig is on the faculty at Duke University as Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Associate Professor of Medicine. Greg Clarke interviews him about the effects of religious belief on people's physical and mental health.

Australia has traditionally been thought of as a godless nation. But two recent surveys, one by Nielsen for the Sydney Morning Herald, and one commissioned by CPX, revealed some fascinating, and perhaps unexpected results. We invited Fairfax journalist and author David Marr into the CPX studio to discuss the results of the two surveys and to shed some light on what he thinks the findings might mean.

Simon Smart attended the Parliament of World Religions held recently in Melbourne. He shares his thoughts on the interfaith project, interviews with attendees and reflects on the uniqueness of Christ.

Professor Alvin Plantinga is a leading American philosopher, from the University of Notre Dame, where he is something of an institution having been there since 1982. In this interview at Notre Dame, Simon Smart talks to Plantinga who provides a summary of his evolutionary argument against Naturalism, as well as giving a personal reflection on the highs and lows of a life of faith.

Former Federal Liberal Politician Bruce Baird discusses a life in politics including his stand against his own party in the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees.