The Profile

Diarmaid MacCulloch is Professor of the History of the Church at Oxford, the author of numerous books including A History of Christianity and an award winning broadcaster. He talks to Sam Hailes about his life and career and explains why he believes the Church of England's position on gay marriage is wrong. The historian also unpacks why history should matter for Christians today, and reveals how his own Christian faith has changed over the years.  The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy, visit premierchristianity.com/freesample For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile Get the Podcast of The Profile via iTunes or Podbean

This week on The Profile, Justin Brierley meets Brian McLaren. The speaker, activist and public theologian is the author of numerous books including A New Kind of Christian, The Secret Message of Jesus and most recently The Great Spiritual Migration. In 2005 Time magazine listed the former pastor as one of the 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America. In this in-depth interview Brian explains why he's a passionate advocate both for “a new kind of Christianity” and the truth of the scriptures.  The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy visit premierchristianity.com/freesample Follow Brian on Twitter @BrianMcLaren For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile

Trevin Wax is the Bible and Reference Publisher for LifeWay - one of the largest providers of Christian resources in the world. In this in-depth interview Trevin, who is now based in Nashville, explains how living and working in Romania changed his view of the USA. Introducing his latest book This Is Our Time, Trevin says our smartphones are lying to us, and says Christians must be careful to avoid aggressive worldliness when it comes to cultural engagement. The pastor and managing editor of The Gospel Project also comments on why so many white evangelicals continue to support Donald Trump and reveals how his love for the work of the 'Prince of Preachers' Charles Haddon Spurgeon brought him to the UK.  The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the special Reformation issue, visit premierchristianity.com/freesample Follow Trevin on Twitter at @TrevinWax For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile  

Shawn Bolz is a prolific contemporary prophet in the charismatic movement. In this wide ranging interview with Premier's Tony Aris, Shawn explains how he teaches Christians to operate in the prophetic gift. Shawn is the founder of Expression58 church which is situated in the heart of Hollywood and reaching everyone from film stars to the homeless.  The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the special Reformation issue, visit premierchristianity.com/freesample

Christy Wimber is a significant leader in the USA Vineyard church movement. In this edition of the show she tell Katie Stock why she took the decision to close down her church in Yorba Linda, California and why Christians who believe in miracles and healing also need to develop a theology of suffering. The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. To request a free sample copy of the latest issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample 

On this week's show Sam Hailes meets one of the USA's leading thinkers on Christianity and culture. Greg Garrett shares his story from growing up as a Southern Baptist to now identifying as an Episcopalian. He also talks about working with the late great Brennan Manning, discusses whether Christians should watch Game of Thrones and introduces his new book: Living with the Living Dead: The Wisdom of the Zombie Apocalypse. Explaining he's attracted to the big questions of life, Greg also discusses his study of the Holocaust and tackles the age-old question of how an all powerful, loving God can allow suffering.  The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. To request a free sample copy of the latest issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample 

Popular Christian apologist and former Muslim Nabeel Qureshi died on Saturday 16th September after after a year-long battle with stomach cancer. He was 34. As tributes pour in from around the world, Premier Christian Radio are re-airing Justin Brierley's Profile interview with Nabeel. In this in depth interview, Nabeel shared his remarkable testimony and explained why he no longer believed Islam is a religion of peace. The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy visit premierchristianity.com/freesample

Alistair Begg is an internationally renowned preacher and host of the popular 'Truth for Life' radio program and podcast. In this in depth interview, Alistair talks about life growing up in Scotland, his subsequent move to America, why he believes the Bible is inerrant and what made him get involved with the forthcoming 'Spurgeon Study Bible'. Although he's known as a 'Reformed' preacher, Alastair explains why he's never used the label himself and addresses issues surrounding evangelism and Western scepticism to the Christian faith. 

The Telegraph columnist and historian Tim Stanley explains how he went from evangelical Baptist to atheist, before converting to Anglicanism and finally Roman Catholicism. Tim, who regularly appears as a political commentator on CNN and Sky, also recalls the experience of having a front-row seat for Trump's inauguration and comments on why he still believes Brexit is best for Britain. Following Jacob Rees Mogg's grilling over his views on abortion on Good Morning Britain, Tim says journalists can lack imagination when asking interesting questions about faith.  The Profile is sponsored by Premier Christianity magazine. If you'd like to request a free sample copy visit premierchristianity.com/freesample. For more information about The Profile visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile

'America’s best theologian' Stanley Hauerwas talks to Katie Stock about why he believes the Church in the West has lost its way. You can also read the interview in this month's edition of Premier Christianity magazine. Request a free sample at premierchristianity.com/freesample