Unbelievable?

Has Neuroscience killed God? Dr Alasdair Coles vs Martyn Frame - Unbelievable? 21 Jan 2012 - 21 January 2012

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Continuing our Mind, Body and Soul month of programming on Premier, Justin is joined by a Christian and an atheist as they discuss whether people's religious experiences can be explained by brain activity alone.

Revd Dr Aladair Coles is an academice neurologist in Cambridge and part of the Faraday Institute's Test of Faith initiative. He says that even though neuroscience has helped us understand the brain activity of religious people, atheist scientists such as Sam Harris have not thereby disproved God.

Martyn Frame is a psychological therapist and atheist. He believes that people's brain states fully explain their religious experiences and, in any case, the Christian God would not have given us the brains we have if He existed.

For Premier's Mind, Body & Soul resources http://www.premier.org.uk/mind

For Alasdair Coles http://www.st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk/faraday/Biography.php?ID=60

For Test of Faith lectures by Alasdair http://www.testoffaith.com/resources/resources.aspx?resourceByTag=true&tagid=24

For Martyn Frame see http://www.freeoffaith.net

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 24 Jul 2010 - Psychology of Religion "Is religious belief a trick of the mind?" Atheist Martyn Frame & Christian Joanna Collicut McGrath

Unbelievable? 24 Jul 2010 - Wired for God? The Biology of Spiritual Experience

Join the conversation at http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

The Mark Driscoll Interview - special podcast 14 Jan 2012 - 14 January 2012

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 21:20:00 GMT

Justin Brierley interviews Grace & Mark Driscoll on their book Real Marriage and on Mark's ministry as pastor of Mars Hill Church Seattle.

The interview, which was recorded for Christianity Magazine, was criticised by Driscoll in a blog post http://pastormark.tv/2012/01/12/a-blog-for-the-brits

Justin Brierley responds to Mark's criticisms in the introduction to the interview.

For Christianity Magazine's response see http://www.christianitymagazine.co.uk/markdriscoll

For a free copy of Christianity Magazine http://www.christianitymagazine.co.uk/freesample.aspx

For Justin Brierley's weekly faith debate radio show & podcast Unbelievable? http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable

Is Our Mind More Than Matter? Keith Ward vs David Papineau - Unbelievable? 14 Jan 2012 - 14 January 2012

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Is our physical brain one and the same with the consciousness, thoughts and perceptions we experience? Is matter all there is ultimately?

Keith Ward is a prominent Christian Philosopher & Theologian. The Former Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford University. He believes in an immaterial mind, as well as the phsical brain.

David Papineau is Professor of Philosophy of Science at Kings College London. As an atheist & physicalist he believes that the mind is one and the same with the brain - there is nothing immaterial about it.

For Keith Ward see http://www.keithward.org.uk/

For David Papineau http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/philosophy/people/staff/academic/papineau/index.aspx

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

Unbelievable? 23 Aug 2008 Why there IS a God - Keith Ward Keith Ward and Robert Stovold

Unbelievable? 21 Jun 2008 A Case for theistic evolution - Keith Ward

Join the conversation at http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Is there scientific evidence for the star of Bethlehem? Unbelievable? 7 Jan 2012 - 07 January 2012

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 14:00:00 GMT

A show marking January's Feast of the Epiphany which marks the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus.

Various astronomical theories have been put forward for what might have constituted the "Star of Bethlehem" that guided the Magi as recorded in Matthew 2.

Christian Astrophysicists Hugh Ross and Jeff Zweerink of Reasons To Believe join Justin. Agnostic Astronomer Mark Kidger who works for the European Space Agency also joins the conversation. The firmly sceptical side is catered for by Norman Bacrac of the Ethical Society.

Hugh, Jeff and Mark outline the conclusion their work has drawn on the Star of Bethlehem most likely being a recurring nova, witnessed by other astronomers in 5 BC. Norman expresses scepticism at the idea a celestial object could have led the Magi to a specific location and the astronomers respond.

For Reasons to Believe resources on The Star http://www.reasons.org/christmasstar

For Mark Kidger's book The Star of Bethlehem http://amzn.to/wNklg2

For the Ethical Society http://www.ethicalsoc.org.uk

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this show you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 26 Dec 2009 - Are the two Christmas accounts contradictory? Christian Charles Foster vs. Atheist Robert Stovold

Unbelievable? 22 Dec 2007 - Did Christians steal Christmas?

Join the conversation at http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

New Year's Eve Special inc Robertson, Lennox, Driscoll & Craig - Unbelievable? 31 Dec 2011 - 31 December 2011

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:00:00 GMT

A varied New Year's Eve show with contributions from Revd David Robertson on his life-threatening illness. Reflections on the passing away of Christopher Hitchens from listeners and debate oppponent Prof John Lennox. Humorous "Praxman &..." sketches. An extract from a forthcoming interview with sometimes controversial US pastor Mark Driscoll. Audio from the Reasonable Faith Tour in Cambridge and more...

For Praxman sketches see http://youtu.be/fywHc4M7LdA http://youtu.be/Ki-TdFv7IVE http://youtu.be/LgafS_jfQMc or http://www.premier.tv/sketches

For Mark Driscoll interview in Feb edition of Christianity Magazine check back at http://www.christianitymagazine.co.uk/

For Reasonable Faith Tour videos http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

Join the conversation at

http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Did the Old Testament prophesy the birth of Christ? Unbelievable? 24 Dec 2011 - 24 December 2011

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 13:00:00 GMT

A festive edition of the show in which we investigate some of the common Old Testament prophecies associated with Christmas. Isaiah 7:14 "The virgin will conceive" and Micah 5:2 "But you Bethlehem..."

Do such prophecies supernaturally predict the coming of Christ?

Dr Michael Brown is a Messianic Jew who believes there is overwhelming evidence for Jesus fulfiling the prophecies of the Old Testament. Andrew Hindmarch is an atheist who denies that any kind of prophecy can be show to be valid.

Dr Michael Brown http://www.askdrbrown.org/

The Reasonable Faith Tour Video page http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy

Unbelievable? 24 May 2008 Jesus & Jewishness Jesus & Jewishness: are they compatible? Rabbi Shmuley Boteach & Michael Brown debate

Unbelievable? 20 Dec 2008 The Virgin Birth - for & against The Virgin Birth: Fact or Fiction? Revd Michael Sayward debates Unitarian Sarah Tinker

Join the conversation at

http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 17 Dec 2011 Believing Bulls**t - Is Christianity an intellectual blackhole? - 17 December 2011

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:30:00 GMT

Stephen Law is an atheist and Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at Heythrop College and director of the Centre for Inquiry UK. His latest book "Believing Bulls**t: how not to get sucked into an intellectual black hole" looks at the reasons people are persuaded into believing irrational things.

Jame Orr is a Christian convert studying for a Doctorate in philosophy at Cambridge University. He engages Stephen on whether the criteria for recognising "intellectual black holes" applies to the claims of Christianity, including The Resurrection.

For Stephen Law http://stephenlaw.blogspot.com/

Get the Book http://amzn.to/vNX92y

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this progamme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 5 Feb 2011 - Alister McGrath & Stephen Law - Why Won't God Go Away?

Unbelievable? 13 Nov 2010 - The Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism Alvin Plantinga vs Stephen Law

Join the conversation at

http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 10 Dec 2011 - Revisiting the evil God challenge - Law vs Peoples - 10 December 2011

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 15:00:00 GMT

Stephen Law is senior lecturer in philosophy at Heythrop College, London and director of the Centre For Inquiry UK. He joins Justin to reflect on his debate with William Lane Craig during the UK Reasonable Faith Tour where he defended atheism.

Glenn Peoples is a Christian Philosopher from New Zealand. He discusses Stephen's central argument against God - The Evil God Challenge and why he believes that the Moral Argument is the solution to it.

For Stephen Law http://stephenlaw.blogspot.com/

For Glenn Peoples http://www.beretta-online.com/

For Unbelievable? the Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this progamme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 18 October 2011 - William Lane Craig vs Stephen Law - Does God Exist?

Unbelievable? 16 Oct 2010 - The Moral argument for God Philosophers Arif Ahmed and Glenn People debate

http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 3 Dec 2011 - Did man make God, or did God make man? - 03 December 2011

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 14:30:00 GMT

Edgar Andrews is Emeritus Professor of Materials at the University of London and the author of "Who Made God?" He returns to support the view that only God explains the ability of science to make sense of the world around us.

Lewis Wolpert is Emeritus Professor of Biology at University College London, he is an atheist and Vice President of the British Humanist Association. He argues tht belief in God is purely a result of evolution.

They debate what constitutes "evidence" for God, and whether science is the only admissible type of evidence.

For "Who made God?" http://whomadegod.org/

Order the book: http://www.epbooks.org/who-made-god-p-2170.html

For Lewis Wolpert http://www.ucl.ac.uk/cdb/research/wolpert

For Unbelievable? the Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this progamme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 19 Dec 2009 - What does science tell us about God? Atheist scientist Lewis Wolpert debates believing scientist Russell Cowburn

Unbelievable? 1 May 2010 - Test of Faith: Do we need God, now that we have science? Christian Denis Alexander vs Atheist Stephen Law

http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 26 Nov 2011 - What created the universe? - 26 November 2011

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 12:30:00 GMT

Edgar Andrews is Emeritus Professor of Materials at the University of London and the author of "Who Made God?" He claims that the hypothesis of God is the best explanation for a variety of aspects of human existence and the universe as revealed by science. He has debated Richard Dawkins.

Robert Stovold is an atheist with a background in evolutionary biology. He believes that positing God is an uneccesary addition to the facts that science gives us about the universe.

They discuss fine tuning of the Universe, whether God could be behind the Big Bang and why the laws of nature are so elegant and intelligible to humans.

For "Who made God?" http://whomadegod.org/

Order the book: http://www.epbooks.org/who-made-god-p-2170.html

Edgar Andrew's debate with Dawkins http://richarddawkins.net/audio/721-1986-oxford-union-debate

Robert Stovold is looking for questions to be submitted for a book he is writing: http://bit.ly/s7BG4b

For Unbelievable? the Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this progamme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 25 Sep 2010 - Hawking, God & the Universe Sir Roger Penrose and Alister McGrath

Unbelievable? 13 Oct 2007 - John Lennox debates science & God Has science buried God? John Lennox & Robert Stovold

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 19 Nov 2011 - Signature in the cell - Stephen C Meyer vs Keith Fox - 19 November 2011

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Stephen Meyer is a leading proponent of Intelligent Design who directs the Centre for Science and Culture at the Discovery Institute in Seattle. His most recent book "Signature in the Cell" claims to show that the DNA code is the product of intelligent mind, not naturalistic processes.

Keith Fox is Professor of Biochemistry at Southampton University. He chairs the UK Christians in Science network but disagrees strongly with ID.

They debate how life could have originated and whether design is allowed as an explanation in science.

For Unbelievable? the Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this progamme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 16 Jan 2010 - "Expelled" The Movie - Stephen C Meyer vs. Peter Atkins

Unbelievable? 20 Mar 2010 - "Expelled" live audience debate "Expelled" live audience debate at Imperial College London - Susan Blackmore, Steve Fuller, Keith Fox & Alastair Noble

Unbelievable? 23 Oct 2010 - Darwin's Black Box - Michael Behe & Keith Fox debate Intelligent Design

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 12 Nov 2011 - William Lane Craig apologetics Q&A - 12 November 2011

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 12:30:00 GMT

William Lane Craig is research professor of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, La Mirada, California.

As part of the Reasonable Faith Tour in October 2011 he visited Oxford. As well as delivering a public lecture in the evening, Craig also addressed invited students about apologetics at a lunchtime gathering.

This recording of elements of the Q&A includes Bill addressing questions such as "What if all your arguments were refuted?" "Are debates the best way of doing apologetics?" and "What do you think of the young, restless and reformed movement?"

For videos from the Reasonable Faith Tour sponsored by UCCF, Damaris and Premier Radio http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

For Bill's latest apologetics training book "On Guard" http://amzn.to/u3Bid3

For Unbelievable? the Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this progamme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 5 Nov 2011 - Is God a Delusion? William Lane Craig in Oxford

William Lane Craig Profile Interview with Justin Brierley http://bit.ly/vF772O

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 5 Nov 2011 - Is God a Delusion? William Lane Craig in Oxford - 08 November 2011

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:00:00 GMT

FOR FULL VIDEO OF THE EVENT http://youtu.be/fP9CwDTRoOE

On 25th October 2011 Professor William Lane Craig spoke to a capacity audience at Oxford's Sheldonian theatre.

He critiqued Richard Dawkins' book The God Delusion and interacted with a panel of academics.

THe event was Chaired by Professor Peter Millican of Hertford College, and the panel comprised Dr. Daniel Came, Dr Stephen Priest, and Dr John Parrington.

Richard Dawkins was invited to defend his book but refused. An empty chair was left for him in case he changed his mind.

This event was part of the Reasonable Faith Tour 2011 sponsored by UCCF, Damaris & Premier Christian Radio.

More info on the tour and videos as they are made available at http://www.premier.org.uk/craig & http://www.bethinking.org/craig

For Unbelievable? the Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this progamme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 18 October 2011 - William Lane Craig vs Stephen Law - Does God Exist?

Unbelievable? 26 Oct 2011 - William Lane Craig vs Peter Millican - Does God Exist?

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 29 Oct 2011 - Gary Habermas & Geoff Campos - Belief in Miracles - 29 October 2011

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Justin went backstage at the Bethinking Apologetics Conference last week to record a show with one of the speakers - Professor Gary Habermas and an atheist listener to Unbelievable? Geoff Campos.

Habermas is Distinguished Professor of Apologetics and Philosophy at Liberty University, Virginia. Campos is an atheist convinced of materialism with a background in biological science.

They discuss why Geoff finds the concept of the miraculous incoherent, what it would take to convince him of a miracle, the resurrection of Jesus, Near Death Experiences and more.

For Gary Habermas http://www.garyhabermas.com

For Unbelievable the Conference DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this progamme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 12 Jul 2008 Gary Habermas - American Masters of Apologetics pt 1

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 26 Oct 2011 - William Lane Craig vs Peter Millican - Does God Exist? - 26 October 2011

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 23:00:00 GMT

The Reasonable Faith Tour has concluded!

This Special Podast edition of the show features the full audio from the debate held at Birmingham University between Christian Philosopher William Lane Craig and atheist Philosopher Peter Millican.

William Lane Craig is Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California. As well as publishing hundreds of academic works and articles he is well known for his debates with atheists around the world.

Peter Millican is Gilbert Ryle Professor of Philosophy at Oxford University and a noted Hume scholar.

They debate "Does God Exist?" before a capacity crowd at Bill's Alma Mater, Birmingham University where he studied for his first Doctorate.

For William Lane Craig see http://www.reasonablefaith.org

For Peter Millican see http://www.millican.org

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this progamme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 18 October 2011 - William Lane Craig vs Stephen Law - Does God Exist?

Unbelievable? 10 September 2011 - William Lane Craig Q&A & Tour preview

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 18 October 2011 - William Lane Craig vs Stephen Law - Does God Exist? - 18 October 2011

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:30:00 GMT

BOOK NOW: The UK Reasonable Faith Tour is underway! INFO http://www.bethinking.org/craig TICKETS http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

Due to popular demand we are releasing an early Special Podcast Edition of the show featuring the full audio of the recent debate between William Lane Craig and Stephen Law on "Does God Exist". The debate took place at Westminster Central Hall on Mon 17 October in front of an audience of over 1700 people.

William Lane Craig is Research professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of theology, California and has debated leading atheists around the world. Stephen Law is Senior lecturer in Philosophy at Heythrop College, University of London & Provost of CFI UK.

The formal debate concluded with a sit down conversation, hosted by Justin Brierley, which includes written questions from the audience.

For William Lane Craig http://www.reasonablefaith.org

For Stephen Law http://stephenlaw.blogspot.com/

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this progamme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 10 September 2011 - William Lane Craig Q&A & Tour preview

Unbelievable? 5 July 2011 - William Lane Craig vs AC debate on God & Evil

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 15 Oct 2011 - "Is the Bible historically reliable?" debate - 15 October 2011

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 12:30:00 GMT

Last chance to book: The Reasonable Faith Tour with William Lane Craig 17-26 October http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

On today's Show: New Testament Scholar David Instone-Brewer and Bible sceptic Ken Humphreys met in a debte at Gunnersbury Baptist Church, London recently.

David argues that the Bible is reliable source of historical information, Ken Humphreys argues it is not. Covering archaelogical evidence, the New Testament accounts of Christ and more, they present their case to an audience of sceptics and Christians, followed by Questions.

For the full debate visit

http://www.gunnersburybaptistchurch.org/events/viewmp3.php?mp3=42-0

For David Instone Brewer see http://www.tyndale.cam.ac.uk/index.php?page=david-instone-brewer

For Ken Humphreys http://www.jesusneverexisted.com/

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this progamme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 12 June 2010 - The Jesus DiscoveryAdam Bradford and David Instone-Brewer debate Jesus' human identity.

Unbelievable? 2 May 2009 "Did Jesus exist?" "Did Jesus Exist?" - Apologist JP Holding & Atheist Ken Humphreys debate.

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 8 Oct 2011 - Old Testament Grill-a-Christian with Peter J Williams - 08 October 2011

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 13:00:00 GMT

BOOK NOW: The UK Reasonable Faith Tour with William Lane Craig is one week away 17-26 Oct http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

Peter J Williams is the Warden of Tyndale House, Cambridge and a first class scholar of both Old and New Testament. He takes non-Christian listener sceptical questions on the Old Testament.

Nazam asks "Did Moses write the Torah?". Norman asks "Hasn't modern archaeology disproved OT stories?". Jim asks "Why do Christians think the 10 commandments are special?".

Peter joins William Lane Craig, John Lennox & Gary Habermas for the Bethinking Apologetics Conference in London on Sat 22 Oct http://bit.ly/oF76eG

You can order Tyndale House DVDs mentioned here http://www.tyndale.cam.ac.uk/index.php?page=2009dvd

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this progamme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 3 Jan 2009 "Misquoting Jesus" Ehrman & Williams Bart Ehrman & Peter Williams - "Misquoting Jesus: Do we have the original writings of the New Testament?"

Unbelievable? 19 June 2010 - Does the Bible condone slavery? Bob Price & David Instone-Brewer.

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 1 Oct 2011 - Craig, Lennox, Habermas & PJ Williams - Apologetics conference preview - 01 October 2011

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 07:00:00 GMT

BOOK NOW: The UK Reasonable Faith Tour with William Lane Craig http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

Watch the video preview at http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=pQifJkVCFaQ

On this week's show: We look ahead to the Bethinking National Apologetics Day Conference "Countering the New Atheism" on Sat 22 Oct in London. It will form part of the Reasonable Faith Tour. Speakers include William Lane Craig, John Lennox, Gary Habermas & Peter J Williams.

Justin features all four apologists on the show speaking to them about their hopes for the Tour and the Conference, hearing about their personal faith journeys and how they respond to atheists in their field of expertise.

For more info on the Bethinking Conference http://bit.ly/oF76eG

To hear the full interview with William Lane Craig on his life and work http://www.premierradio.org.uk/shows/saturday/unbelievable/Features.aspx

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this progamme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 10 Sep 2011 - William Lane Craig Q&A & Tour preview

Unbelievable? 12 Jul 2008 Gary Habermas - American Masters of Apologetics pt 1

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 24 Sep 2011 - Understanding Jesus - listener Q&A - 24 September 2011

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 15:00:00 GMT

BOOK NOW: The Reasonable Faith Tour with William Lane Craig 17-26 October 2011 http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

Peter S Williams is a Christian philosopher and apologist. His latest book Understanding Jesus brings together lines of evidence for a philosophical, historical and theological understanding of Jesus.

He takes listener calls on questions such as "How can Jesus be both God and man?" "Is there any evidence that Christians really have a 'relationship' with Jesus?" & "Was Jesus a failed apocalyptic prophet?"

For Peter S Williams http://www.arn.org/authors/williams.html

For 'Understanding Jesus' http://idpluspeterswilliams.blogspot.com/2011/05/pre-order-understanding-jesus-five-ways.html

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 8 May 2010 - "The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ" Philip Pullman, Martin Saunders and Bible Scholar Anthony McRoy.

Unbelievable? 31 Oct 2009 - Preterist, Dispensational and Liberal views of The return of Jesus. Did Jesus get it wrong in Matthew 24? - Dee Warren, Terry Boyle & Andrew Whyte.

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 17 Sep 2011 - Can an atheist believe in meaning? - 17 September 2011

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:30:00 GMT

COMING SOON: Book into the UK Reasonable Faith Tour with William Lane Craig http://www.premier.org.uk.craig

Geoff Crocker is a former Christian, now atheist. However, he says he still believes in Spirituality even as an atheist and that believing the universe is Godless does not mean there is no meaning to be grasped. His book "An Enlightened Philosophy" asks if atheism may be able to borrow from Religion "reintrepreted as myth".

Peter S Williams is a Christian Philosopher and apologist. He says that Atheism does not allow for objective meaning, value or purpose, only theism can provide those.

For Geoff Crocker see www.anenlightenedphilosophy.com

For Peter S Williams see

http://idpluspeterswilliams.blogspot.com/

For book titles by Peter S Williams

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-by-Peter-S-Williams/lm/RSF2D8GU2KJ6Z

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcasthttp://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 7 Feb 2009 "The Atheist's Bible" "The Atheist's Bible" - Joan Konner and Peter S Williams

Unbelievable? 18 Jul 2009 - Intelligent Design vs Evolution Intelligent Design vs Evolution - Peter S Williams and Peter Hearty debate

Join the discussion at the Premier Communityhttp://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 10 Sep 2011 - William Lane Craig Q&A & Tour preview - 10 September 2011

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 06:00:00 GMT

William Lane Craig is coming to the UK from October 17-26 2011 for a series of debates and lectures countering atheism and presenting strong rational grounds for belief in God. Book now for the Reasonable Faith Tour at http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

William Lane Craig is Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, La Mirada, California. As well as extensive writing on the Philosophy of time, morality and natural theology, he is widely recognised as a renowned defender of Christian theism and has debated with leading atheists around the world.

He talks about the forthcoming tour, why Polly Toynbee, Richard Dawkins and AC Grayling have withdrawn or refused to debate him, and takes a variety of atheist & Christian listener questions on the Cosmological argument, Fine Tuning argument and Moral argument for God.

TOUR INFO http://www.bethinking.org/craig

TICKETS for debates, lectures & apologetics conference http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/reasonablefaithtour

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 5 July 2011 - William Lane Craig vs AC debate on God & Evil

Unbelievable? 8 Jan 2011 - William Lane Craig reviews his debate with Dawkins

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 3 Sep 2011 - Islam, conversion & apostasy - 03 September 2011

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Book Now for October's UK Reasonable Faith Tour with William Lane Craig http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

Today's show:

Patrick Sookhdeo converted from Islam to Christianity as a young man. He has since gone on to represent the rights of persecuted Christians all over the world via the Barnabas Fund.

His latest book "Freedom to Believe" challenges Islam to reform its apostasy laws - the death penalty for those who leave Islam.

Sheikh Dr. Muhammed Al-Husseini is a Muslim scholar from Inter-faith organisation Scriptural Reasoning. He also agrees that Islam needs to take responsibility for the wrongs being done to Christians. However, he also believes the UK church is being hampered by politics that prevent it speaking out clearly on the issue.

For Patrick Sookhdeo http://barnabasfund.org/UK

For "Freedom to Believe" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Freedom-Believe-Challenging-Islams-Apostasy/dp/0978714199

For Muhammad Al-Hussaini http://www.scripturalreasoning.org.uk/index1.html

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 7 May 2011 - Was Osama Bin Laden the true face of Islam? Jay Smith, Muhammad Al-Hussaini & Anjem Choudary

Unbelievable? 11 Dec 2010 - Islamic Blasphemy Law Adnan Rashid, Stuart Windsor & John Joseph

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 27 Aug 2011 - Bart Ehrman on his loss of faith - 27 August 2011

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Bart Ehrman is James A Gray Distingushed Prof of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He is well known as a Bible scholar who has thrown doubt upon the reliability of Scripture with bestselling books "Misquoting Jesus" & "Forged".

Bart once held a strong evangelical Christian faith. He explains why he abandoned it as he discusses his deconversion with Mike Licona who is Research Professor of New Testament at Southern Evangelical Seminary.

Mike also experienced a crisis of faith but pursued Biblical research which led him to the conclusion that the resurrection of Jesus is a fact of history and that the Bible is reliable.

For Bart Ehrman http://www.bartdehrman.com/

For Mike Licona http://www.risenjesus.com/

Also: Order Unbelievable? The Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

Book in for the October Reasonable Faith UK Tour at http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 16th April 2011 - Biblical evidence for the Resurrection Bart Ehrman & Mike Licona.

Unbelievable? 6 August 2011 - Bart Ehrman & Darrell Bock on "Forged"

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 20 Aug 2011 - Dialogue with an ex-Christian - 20 August 2011

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 16:00:00 GMT

Rebekah Bennetch lives in Saskatoon, Canada. She grew up in a Christian family. Her dad is a pastor, and other family members are involved in Christian ministries. She professed faith from a young age, went to Bible college, atteneded church and went on mission trips. But in 2007 she "came out" as an atheist and now describes herself as the "black sheep" of her family.

Sheridan Voysey is a writer, speaker and broadcaster on contemporary spirituality. For many years he presented "Open House", a nationally-syndicated Australian radio show on life, faith and culture. He now resides in the UK.

They discuss what led Rebekah to abandon her faith, how Christians can best treat their "apostate" friends and family, and what lessons can be learnt for fruitful dialogue between believers and atheists.

For Rebekah Bennetch http://canadianatheist.com/author/rebekah/

For Sheridan Voysey www.sheridanvoysey.com

Also: Order Unbelievable? The Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

Tickets to William Lane Craig's UK tour http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 5 Apr 2008 "Why I became an atheist" Part 1 - John Loftus & Peter May Why I became an atheist - John W Loftus in discussion with Peter May

Unbelievable? 12 Sep 2009 - Richard Morgan - from Atheism to Faith From Atheism to Christian faith via richarddawkins.net - Christians Richard Morgan, David Robertson and Atheist Ed Turner

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 13 Aug 2011 - Hitler & Stalin's regimes - 13 August 2011

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 15:00:00 GMT

Critics of Christianity sometimes make the case that Hitler was a Christian and that it influenced the Nazi regime. Is that true? Critics of atheism sometimes make the case that Stalin's atheism was a driving motivation for his murderous regime. Is that true?

Peter Harris is a historian and Christian apologist. Ed Turner is a solicitor and atheist blogger. They discuss the historical evidence for and against both points of view.

For Peter Harris see http://www.bethinking.org/right-wrong/intermediate/dawkins-and-the-abuse-of-history.htm

For Ed Turner see http://edthemanicstreetpreacher.wordpress.com/

Also: Order Unbelievable? The Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

Tickets to William Lane Craig's UK tour http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 30 Jul 2011 - Does Religion make people kill?"Does religion make people kill?" Christian Peter Harris & atheist Ed Turner respond to Norway killings

Unbelievable? 13 Sep 2008 Christianity on Trial - Part 2 Christianity on trial Pt 2: Can we really look to the Bible and Jesus for morality

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 6 Aug 2011 - Bart Ehrman & Darrell Bock on "Forged" - 06 August 2011

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 11:00:00 GMT

Sceptical Bible scholar Bart Ehrman's latest book "Forged" claims that many of the writings of the New Testament are falsely attributed to apostles such as Peter and Paul. He claims that they were not written by them and that a deliberate deception was taking place.

Darrell Bock of Dallas Theological Seminary responds, saying that the case for forgery is not as conclusive as Bart claims.

They examine the evidence for whether 1 and 2 Peter were written by Peter as well as letters attributed to Paul such as Ephesians and 2 Thessolonians.

For Ehrman & "Forged" http://www.bartdehrman.com/

For Darrell Bock http://blogs.bible.org/bock

For The Ehrman Project http://ehrmanproject.com/

Also: Order Unbelievable? The Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

Book in for the October Reasonable Faith UK Tour at http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 29 Aug 2009 - Richard Bauckham on the Gospels - pt 1 Jesus and the Eyewitnesses part 1 : Richard Bauckham and James Crossley

Unbelievable? 3 Jan 2009 "Misquoting Jesus" Ehrman & Williams Bart Ehrman & Peter Williams - "Misquoting Jesus: Do we have the original writings of the New Testament?"

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 30 Jul 2011 - Does Religion make people kill? - 30 July 2011

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 06:30:00 GMT

On Fri 22 July 2011 tragedy struck Norway as Anders Breivik detonated a bomb in Oslo and shot dozens of people ont he island of Utoya.

Soon afterwards news media were referring to Breivik as a "Christian fundamentalist" But was he a Christian and did faith influence the terrible actions he took?

Peter Harris is a historian and Christian apologist. Ed Turner is a solicitor and atheist blogger. They discuss what Breivik appeared to believe and whether religion leads people to do evil things.

For Peter Harris see http://www.bethinking.org/right-wrong/intermediate/dawkins-and-the-abuse-of-history.htm

For Ed Turner see http://edthemanicstreetpreacher.wordpress.com/

Also: Order Unbelievable? The Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

Tickets to William Lane Craig's UK tour http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 19 Sep 2009 - Would Europe be better off Atheist or Christian? David Robertson, Ed Turner & Richard Morgan

Unbelievable? 3 Nov 2007 - The New Atheism Barry Duke and David Marshall Debate

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 23 Jul 2011 - Is there justification for abortion? - 23 July 2011

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Recent statistics on abortion in the UK saw just under 190,000 abortions in 2010. Figures were also released for late abortions carried out because of physical and mental disability.

Dr. Wendy Savage of Doctors For A Woman's Choice On Abortion has been campaigning in the pro-choice movement all her life. She says the right of the woman to choose comes before the rights of the foetus. She has personally carried out many abortions, offering services in New Zealand before the law was liberalised.

Madeleine Flannagan is part of the New Zealand MandM apologetics blog and has been involved in the Pro-life movement there. She says that assigning a baby in the womb rights at a certain point of pregnancy is arbitrary and that the safest option is to assume from conception that they hold the same human rights as a newborn.

They discuss whether abortion law devalues those with disabilities, at what point a foetus becomes a baby and whether the rights of the mother trump the rights of the child.

For Doctors for a Woman's Choice on Abortion http://www.dwca.org/

For MandM resources on abortion http://www.mandm.org.nz/tag/feticide

Also: Order Unbelievable? The Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

Tickets to William Lane Craig's UK tour http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 23 Jan 2010 - Abortion - Pro-choice Evan Harris MP vs Pro-life Sarah Macken

Unbelievable? 19 Jan 2008 Abortion Abortion - pro-life vs. pro-choice.

Unbelievable? 12 Jan 2008 Embryology and medicine Human Fertilisation & Embryology - are we playing God?

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 16 Jul 2011 - Debating Nazi Ideology - 16 July 2011

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 09:30:00 GMT

Richard Weikart is a Christian and professor of History at California State University. He has drawn controversial conclusions regarding the role of Darwinism in providing a rationale for Hitler's Nazi ideology.

Hector Avalos is an atheist and Professor of Religious Studies at Iowa State University. He disagrees with Weikart, saying that Christian anti-semitism is the more likely explanation for Nazi ideology.

For Weikart see http://www.discovery.org/p/37

For "Hitler's Ethic" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hitlers-Ethic-Pursuit-Evolutionary-Progress/dp/0230112730/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2

For Avalos see http://www.philrs.iastate.edu/avalos.shtml

Also: Order Unbelievable? The Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

Tickets to William Lane Craig's UK tour http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 16 Jan 2010 - "Expelled" The Movie - Stephen C Meyer vs. Peter Atkins

Unbelievable? 25 Oct 2008 Is religion responsible for war?

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 9 Jul 2011 - Grill a Christian round 4 - 09 July 2011

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 16:35:00 GMT

Scottish pastor and apologist David Robertson returns for a show interacting with three UK atheist listeners of the show.

"Hasn't the experience of common morality around the world shown that we have no need of a divine law giver?" asks Jim. Andrew shares his positive experience of church as an atheist and how best to understand those of other viewpoints. John questions the atheist/agnostic labels we often use.

For David Robertson http://www.solas-cpc.org

Also: Order Unbelievable? The Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 18 Jun 2011 - Is a secular society a more tolerant one? David Robertson debates Terry Sanderson

Unbelievable? 5 Mar 2011 - Grill a Christian Round 3 & Unbelievable? Conference announcement

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 5 Jul 2011 - William Lane Craig vs AC Grayling debate on God & Evil - 05 July 2011

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 05:00:00 GMT

William Lane Craig & AC Grayling debated at the Oxford Union in 2005. Does the existence of evil and suffering in the world preclude the existence of the Christian God?

Book for the UK Reasonable Faith Tour 2011

Info at http://www.bethinking.org/craig

Book Tickets at http://www.premier.org.uk/craig

William Lane Craig is Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology California, and arguably the world’s foremost defender of historic Christianity

AC Grayling is the UK's most noted atheist Professor of Philosophy. He recently pre-resigned as incoming President of the British Humanist Association after controversy surrounding his New College of the Humanities.

After refusing an invitation to debate the Existence of God during the coming UK William Lane Craig Reasonable Faith Tour in October this year, he publicly stated that he had never debated Craig before.

We beg to differ.

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy

Unbelievable? 19 Jul 2008 American Masters of Apologetics Pt 2: William Lane Craig.

Unbelievable? 8 Jan 2011 William Lane Craig reviews his debate with Richard Dawkins.

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 25 Jun 2011 - Atheist delusions - David Bentley Hart vs Terry Sanderson - 25 June 2011

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 09:30:00 GMT

Many new atheist writers have claimed that a new age of enlightened secular rationalism has rescued Western civilisation from the stranglehold of backwards and archaic Christian influence.

David Bentley Hart says those who make such claims are suffering from an "atheist delusion". His book "Atheist delusions: The Christian revolution and its fashionable enemies" recently won the Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writing.

Terry Sanderson of the UK's national Secular Society claims we are better off than we have ever been in an increasingly secular society and that the freedoms and values we hold do not require a Christian foundation.

Bentley Hart believes that Terry is deluded by a new atheist myth of secular "progress" when the history of Christianity and secularism actually tell a different story.

The Michael Ramsey Prize website http://www.michaelramseyprize.org.uk/

For David Bentley Hart http://davidbhart.blogspot.com/

For Terry Sanderson http://www.secularism.org.uk/

Also: Order Unbelievable? The Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

You may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 18 Jun 2011 - Is a secular society a more tolerant one? David Robertson debates Terry Sanderson

Unbelievable? 29 Aug 2009 - Richard Bauckham on the Gospels - pt 1 Richard Bauckham and James Crossley.

Unbelievable? 5 Sep 2009 - Bauckham on the Gospels - Pt 2 Richard Bauckham & James Crossley.

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 18 Jun 2011 - Is a secular society a more tolerant one? - 18 June 2011

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 05:30:00 GMT

This week we air a debate that recently took place on whether Britain's increasingly secular society is thereby a more tolerant one. Does secularisation bring a level playing field for everyone, or are Christians now being marginalised for their beliefs?

David Robertson is a church pastor and author who runs the Solas Centre for Public Christianity. He debates with Terry Sanderson, spokesperson for the National Secular Society.

Justin also speaks to both for their reflections on the debate and its implications for society.

The debate took place at Gunnersbury Baptist Church - the full recording with audience Q&A can be accessed at http://www.gunnersburybaptistchurch.org/events/viewmp3.php?mp3=39-0

Also: Order Unbelievable? The Conference on DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 20 Feb 2010 - "Is Christianity good for us?" Michael Shermer vs. David Robertson US atheist Michael Shermer debates Scottish apologist David Robertson

Unbelievable? 18 Apr 2009 - "I am a Christian" - Are Christians being marginalised? Peter Kerridge, Terry Sanderson and Andrea Williams

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 11 Jun 2011 - Unbelievable? the Conference - 10 June 2011

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 22:30:00 GMT

"Unbelievable? The Conference" is available now on DVD - http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

Justin introduces two elements of the conference. Professor John Lennox, Scientist and Christian apologist gave the opening address "What are we apologising for?"

We also hear a round table discussion with audience Q&A that took place between Conference speakers David Robertson, David Instone-Brewer, Jay Smith and Mark Roques. They discuss questions on Old Testament reliability, whether apologists need to agree theologically and Osama Bin Laden.

These and all 9 seminars from the conference are available on DVD - http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

You can hear more programmes and find great resources at http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 4 Jun 2011 - Making the resurrection add up - 04 June 2011

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 06:30:00 GMT

"The Easter Challenge" is regularly issued by atheists and sceptics. Can Christians provide a coherent account the events of the resurrection of Jesus that harmonises the apparent differences between the four Gospel accounts?

Jay Smith is a Bible scholar and evangelist who says that it can be done. He debates with agnostic sceptic Stephen Pilcher on the details of the Gospel accounts. How many women went to the tomb? Were there angels present? Who did Jesus appear to?

For the challenge as issued by Dan Barker see: http://www.ffrf.org/legacy/books/lfif/?t=stone

For Andy Bannister's harmonisation see http://www.answering-islam.org/Andy/Resurrection/harmony.html

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 16th April 2011 - Biblical evidence for the Resurrection Bart Ehrman & Mike Licona

Unbelievable? 10 Jun 2007 - The resurrection Dead or Alive: the Truth of the Resurrection

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 28 May 2011 - Can Christian morality inform secular society? - 28 May 2011

Sat, 28 May 2011 13:30:00 GMT

Lord Richard Harries is a life peer in the British House of Lords and the former Bishop of Oxford. His book "The Re-enchantment of Morality" has been shortlisted for this year's Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writing.

He argues that Christianity and the example of Jesus "re-enchants" morality with a foundation, purpose and distinctiveness.

Lord Dick Taverne is a Liberal Democrat Peer in the House of Lords and an atheist. He contends that religion can be a help but also danger to a moral society.

They debate whether the West's focus on wealth needs a Christian moral solutuion, and also debate the rights and wrongs of euthanasia.

To Pre-Order "Unbelievable? The Conference" DVD http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For "The Re-Enchantment of Morality" http://www.spckpublishing.co.uk/shop/re-enchantment-of-morality-the/

For Lord Richard Harries http://www.gresham.ac.uk/professors-and-speakers/the-rt-revd-lord-harries

For Lord Dick Taverne http://www.libdems.org.uk/people_detail.aspx?name=Lord_Taverne&pPK=c40f5bff-94ec-4852-ac4d-229a9fa67e22

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 25 Apr 2009 Euthanasia - Should it be legalised? Lord Dick Taverne & Dan Boucher

Unbelievable? 27 Feb 2010 - Faith in Britain - Andrew Copson of the BHA vs David Robertson "Stop worrying and enjoy your life" - are we better off without God in Britain?

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 21 May 2011 - Is the Bible Unbelievable? - 20 May 2011

Fri, 20 May 2011 15:10:00 GMT

Former Methodist minister turned atheist Leslie Scrace stopped reading the Bible after he lost his faith. 20 years later he read it again and wrote a book-by-book account of how he views it as an atheist called "An Unbelievers Guide to the Bible".

Leslie criticises parts of the Old Testament that he sees as primitive and immoral while praising other parts of scripture that illustrate humanist values.

Chris Sinkinson is a church pastor and teaches Old Testament and Apologetics at Moorlands Bible College. He responds saying that the Bible can't be dissected in the way Leslie attempts and that taking God out of the morality of the Bible robs it of its meaning.

They discuss books such as Job, Joshua, Song of Solomon and the Gospels. Chris also challenges Leslie on whether his humanist morality has any objective foundation.

PLUS: pre-order "Unbelievable?: The Conference DVD" http://www.premier.org.uk/dvd

For Leslie Scrace's book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Unbelievers-Guide-Bible-Including-Apocrypha/dp/1852001461

For Chris Sinkinson http://www.moorlands.ac.uk/home/about-us/staff-profiles.php

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 19 Feb 2011 - Are there many paths to God? Chris Sinkinson & John Hick

Unbelievable? 9 April 2011 - "Is God a Moral Monster?" Paul Copan vs Norman Bacrac

Unbelievable? 8 May 2010 - "The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ" Philip Pullman, Anthony McRoy & Martin Saunders

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 14 May 2011 - Should women be church leaders? - 14 May 2011

Sat, 14 May 2011 12:00:00 GMT

In 1995 the Church of England allowed the ordination of Women priests. But the question of whether the Bible forbids female authority in the church remains.

Christina Rees serves on the Archbishop's Council and the General Synod. She advocates for women in ministry and female Bishops. John Richardson of the conservative Evangelical grouping Reform within the CofE disagrees with female ordination.

They debate Passages in the New Testament that appear to forbid women speaking in Church, the role of husbands and wives and the practical realities of men and women being church leaders.

For Women and the Church http://womenandthechurch.org/

For Christina Rees' book "Apostolic Women, Apostolic Authority" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Apostolic-women-apostolic-authority-transfiguring/dp/1848250401

For John Richardson http://www.ugleyvicar.blogspot.com/

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 29 May 2010 - Homosexuality and the Bible This first show addresses the main scriptural passages that relate to homosexuality.

Unbelievable? 13 Feb 2010 - Two views on Divorce and Remarriage - David Instone-Brewer & Andrew Corn "What did Jesus really say about Divorce and remarriage?" - David Instone-Brewer debates Andrew Cornes

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 7 May 2011 - Was Osama Bin Laden the true face of Islam? - 07 May 2011

Sat, 07 May 2011 14:00:00 GMT

With the death of Osama Bin Laden we ask "Did Bin Laden represent the true face of Islam"

Radical Islamist Anjem Choudary who has frequently praised Bin Laden and Al Queada for their acts of terror, joins the discussion. He says Osama was a true Muslim doing the work of Allah.

Muhammad Al Hussaini is a Muslim scholar for the organisation Scriptural Reasoning. He deplores acts of terror and says Bin Laden transgressed multiple commands of Islam.

Christian evangelist to Muslims Jay Smith believes that while Muhammad's moderate position is more humane, the postion of Choudary is more reflective of the actual commands and nature of Islam.

They debate whether Islam allows violent Jihad, whether Islam can offer a "complete" solution and the nature of war-like texts in both the Koran and the Bible.

For Anjem Choudary http://www.anjemchoudary.com/

For Jay Smith http://www.theopedia.com/Jay_Smith

For Muhammad Al Hussaini http://www.scripturalreasoning.org.uk/index1.html

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 18 Dec 2010 - Islam & Dhimmitude

Unbelievable? 15 Aug 2009 - Scriptural reasoning Imam Muhammad Al-Hussaini, Rabbi Mark Solomon and Christian Dr David Jackson discuss holy scriptures

Unbelievable? 7 Jul 2007 - Does the Koran justify terrorism?

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 30 Apr 2011 - Emerging Church Debate - Brian McLaren & James White - 30 April 2011

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 17:00:00 GMT

Brian McLaren is an author, theologian and church leader. He is at the forefront of the "emerging church" and his books such as "A new Kind of Christian" and "A Generous Orthodoxy" have been influential in the moevement's theology

Some describe the emerging church as "post-evangelical" and "post-modern" as it seeks to re-read scripture without the cultural baggage that it believes Western Christendom has often imposed.

James White of Alpha and Omega ministries in Arizona sees the theology of the "emerging church" as a departure from orthodoxy, and an attempt to reshape the Gospel and God to fit modern sensibilities.

They discuss post-modernity, Rob Bell's theology, interacting with other faiths, the atonement, sin and the cross.

For Brian McLaren see http://www.brianmclaren.net/

For his latest book "Naked Spirituality" http://www.amazon.com/Naked-Spirituality-Life-Simple-Words/dp/0061854018

To watch the Rob Bell debate on Heaven, Hell & Universalsim http://www.premier.tv/lovewins/

For more theological debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 22 mar 2008 - Easter & the Atonement - does it make sense?

Unbelievable? 15 Nov 2008 - Does the Trinity lead to polytheism? James White of Alpha & Omega ministries debates Abdullah Al Andalusi

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 23 Apr 2011 - Rob Bell defends 'Love Wins' - 23 April 2011

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 15:00:00 GMT

"Love Wins" by US megachurch pastor Rob Bell has ignited a theological debate about the nature of Hell, the nature of God and whether all people will utimately be saved. Bell joins Justin Brierley to discuss the book and respond to some of the key criticisms that have been levelled at it.

UK Church blogger Adrian Warnock disagrees with many of Bell's conclusions and believes he is swimming outside the stream of evangelical orthodoxy. We also hear from listeners who have been tweeting and emailing their questions.

A Video version of the debate will be available at the Unbelievable website soon http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable

For Rob Bell see http://www.robbell.com/

For Adrian Warnock see http://adrianwarnock.com/

For more theological debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 19 Feb 2011 - Are there many paths to God? - John Hick vs. Chris Sinckinson

Unbelievable? 17 Oct 2009 - The Evangelical Universalist - will everyone be saved? Robin Parry & Laurence M Blanchard

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 16 Apr 2011 - Biblical evidence for the Resurrection - Bart Ehrman & Mike Licona - 16 April 2011

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 15:15:00 GMT

Bart Ehrman is well known as a US New Testament Scholar who lost his Christian faith and now questions many core precepts of Christianity, including the Resurrection of Jesus. When Mike Licona had doubts he devoted himself to investigating the evidence and became convinced that Jesus resurrection is the only rational explanation for the facts.

They debate key historical facts about the resurrection - are the letters of Paul that report the resurrection and the Gospel accounts trustworthy or theologised and changed with time? What about apparent contradictions between the Gospels? Does the consensus of scholars count as evidence, or is there a Christian bias? Can a miracle count as an explanation for historical data?

For Mike Licona http://www.risenjesus.com/

For Bart Ehrman http://www.bartdehrman.com/

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 3 Jan 2009 - Bart Ehrman & Peter Williams - "Misquoting Jesus: Do we have the original writings of the New Testament?"

Unbelievable? 7th August 2010 - Adrian Warnock in discussion with Jonathan Clatworthy.

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 9 Apr 2011 - Is God a Moral Monster? Paul Copan & Norman Bacrac - 09 April 2011

Sat, 09 Apr 2011 10:10:00 GMT

Richard Dawkins describes the Old Testament God as "a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser" (among other things). Paul Copan is a Christian apologist and has written a book aiming to show why God's actions in the Old Testament are not immoral when taken in context.

Norman Bacrac is an atheist humanist and part ot the South place Ethical Society. He believes that Old Testament morality was barbaric and we don't need a God to tell us how to behave. He holds that God's morality is called into question if we take the Old Testament literally.

So how do we interpret passages where the Israelites were commanded to wipe out whole towns including women and children?

For Paul Copan and his book "Is God a Moral Monster?" see http://www.paulcopan.com/

For the Ethical Society see http://www.ethicalsoc.org.uk/

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 16 Oct 2010 - The Moral argument for God Philosophers Arif Ahmed and Glenn People debate

Unbelievable? 19 June 2010 - Does the Bible condone slavery? Bob Price & David Instone-Brewer.

Unbelievable? 13 Sep 2008 Christianity on Trial - Part 2 Can we really look to the Bible and Jesus for morality?

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 2 Apr 2011 - Is it best to be agnostic? - 02 April 2011

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 11:30:00 GMT

Mark Vernon trained to be an Anglican priest before losing his faith to become an atheist. But he became disenchanted with that position too. Now he champions agnosticism. He says agnosticism is more than "sitting on the fence" and is a rich place of searching after the big questions.

Church Pastor David Robertson debates with Mark on whether God is ultimately unknowable. David claims that Jesus has made God knowable and that a journey of searching only makes sense in order to arrive at knowing.

For Mark's book "How to be an Agnostic" see http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Be-Agnostic-Mark-Vernon/dp/0230293212/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_6

For Mark Vernon's blog http://www.markvernon.com

For David Robertson http://www.solas-cpc.org/

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 5 Dec 2009 - Are we better off free from religion? Atheist Dan Barker vs. Christian Charles Foster.

Unbelievable? 28 Mar 2009 - "Challenging Atheist myths" - Part 2 - Adrian Hayter & David Robertson on Godless Morality and the Immoral Bible.

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 26 Mar 2011 - Did Jesus die on the Cross? Islam debate - 26 March 2011

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:00:00 GMT

The Koran claims that Jesus did not die on the cross.

Mohammed Bahmanpour of the Islamic College in London defends the Koranic view that although "it was made to appear to them" that he died, in fact he was substituted by another.

Jay Smith is a Christian evangelist to Muslims in London and brings to bear Biblical and other historical witnesses to the crucifixion. They debate the issue and whether the Koran or the New Testament is to be trusted as a revelation of God.

Includes listener interactions with the guests.

Jay will be speaking on "How do I respond to Islam? - 3 questions on God, Jesus and the Trinity that Muslims ask" at Unbelievable?: The Conference, Sat 14 May. Book your place http://www.premier.org.uk/answers

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 4 Apr 2009 Muslim Shabir Ally & Christian Tony Costa - "Did Jesus rise from the Dead?" - A Muslim/Christian Dialogue

Hear Jay in action in the Documentary "Up the Ladder in Hyde Park" in our Feature section - http://www.premierradio.org.uk/shows/saturday/unbelievable/Features.aspx

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 19 Mar 2011 - Presuppositional apologetics round 2 - 19 March 2011

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 07:15:00 GMT

6 months ago Sye Ten Bruggencate and atheist Paul Baird met to discuss Sye's presuppositional approach to proof of God. Sye claims that the fact Paul believes in laws of logic, maths, science and rationality prove that God exists.

The show was a popular download with many subsequent online debates. They are back - Paul brings 6 months experience of debate on the subject online with him. Sye responds to some criticisms we received of his approach, including whether one can prove full blown Christian belief from presuppositional apologetics.

For Sye see http://www.proofthatgodexists.org/

For Paul Baird http://patientandpersistant.blogspot.com/

To see some of the discussion threads on Presuppositional apologetics created by the last programme see:

Sye & James debate Presuppositional apologetics round 2

Presuppositional apologetics Sye & Paul Show Comments

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 31 July 2010 - Presuppositional apologetic proof of God Paul Baird and Sye TenBruggencate - the first time round

Unbelievable? 21 Aug 2010 - Debating Apologetics Online Christians Todd Pitner & Richard Morgan with atheist Paul Baird

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 12 Mar 2011 - Music & God - 12 March 2011

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 10:20:00 GMT

Music often evokes strong emotions in people. But is there more to the beauty and meaning we find in music than atheism allows? David Robertson contends that the joy and meaning we experience in music is a pointer beyond itself to an ultimate source of joy and meaning in God.

Gordon Livesey is a musician and an atheist. He contends that while we all experience emotions and meaning in music, it ultimately can be explained in scientific terms alone.

They play selections of music including Beethoven, Leonard Cohen, Sixpence None the Richer, The Manic Street Preachers and... wait for it.. the Weather Girls!

For David Robertson http://www.solas-cpc.co.uk

For Unbelievable? : The Conference www.premier.org.uk/answers

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 27 March 2010 - " Former atheists conversion experiences - Is it evidence for God? Richard Morgan & Todd Pitner with atheist Gordon Livesey.

Unbelievable? 21 March 2009 - "Challenging Atheist Myths" Pt 1 Christian David Robertson & Atheist Adrian Hayter.

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 5 Mar 2011 - Grill a Christian Round 3 & Unbelievable? Conference announcement - 04 March 2011

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Today's show begins with details of the forthcoming Unbelievable? apologetics conference in London where Justin will be joined by speakers including John Lennox, Jay Smith, David Instone-Brewer and David Robertson.

David Robertson joins Justin for a third round of sceptical questions from Unbelievable? atheist listeners. Andrew in the UK asks about Secular society, Amigo in Japan about trusting scripture and Rob in the Netherlands about Freewill in light of God's omniscience.

For David Robertson http://www.solas-cpc.co.uk

For Unbelievable? : The Conference www.premier.org.uk/answers

For Amigojapan's full story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhAkY-pwUvg

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visithttp://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcasthttp://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 4 Dec 2010 - "Grill a Christian: Round 2" David Robertson answers questions on miracles, hell and prayer.

Unbelievable? 24 Apr 2010 - The "Grill a Christian" show - four atheists challenge David Robertson with their objections to faith

Join the discussion at the Premier Communityhttp://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 26 Feb 2011 - RE and indoctrination in education - 25 February 2011

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 13:30:00 GMT

The UK Government recently outlined a White Paper that threatens to demote Religious Education to a peripheral subject in the curriculum. More info on the campaign to have it reinstated here: http://www.reactcampaign.co.uk/

Mark Roques of Reality Bites regularly leads RE workshops for students - he says we need more engaging ways of teaching RE. He also claims there is a hidden curriculum in education indoctrinating students into an individualistic, secularist worldview.

Andrew Copson, CEO of the British Humanist Association also wants good RE teaching but disagrees with Mark's conclusions about hidden agendas in education causing consumerist attitudes among students.

They also debate whether an atheist worldview can account for our belief in reason and freewill.

For Mark Roques and Worldview RE resources see http://www.realitybites.org.uk

View the Reality Bites paper on secular indoctrination in education http://www.realitybites.org.uk/downloads/RealityBites_Education-Indoctrination-and-God.pdf

For Andrew Copson and the BHA see http://www.humanism.org.uk

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 29 Jan 2011 - Why do we value human life? Subversive Story Teller Mark Roques & atheist Paul Thompson

Unbelievable? 2 Aug 2008 - Faith & School - do they mix? Jan Ainsworth & Andrew Copson debate.

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 19 Feb 2011 - Are there many paths to God? - 19 February 2011

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 13:00:00 GMT

In an age of religious pluralism it can seem arrogant for Christians to claim they have "the truth" or the only means to salvation. So when Jesus said "no-one comes to the Father except through me" what did he mean? And what about those who have not heard the Gospel?

John Hick is a noted philosopher and theologian who is a proponent of a pluralist view of religion - that there is one light (God) but many lampshades (religious expressions).

Chris Sinkinson is a pastor and Bible tutor who has critiqued Hick's work. He says that pluralism empties Christianity of any content and in its own way disrespects other religions more than his own exclusivist stance.

For John Hick see http://www.johnhick.org.uk/

Chris Sinkinson is a tutor at Moorlands Bible College http://www.moorlands.ac.uk/home/about-us/staff-profiles.php

For his book "The Universe of Faiths" http://www.amazon.com/Universe-Faiths-C-Sinkinson/dp/1842271067

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 10 Oct 2009 - Jesus and the God of Israel Is the divinity of Jesus at odds with Jewish Monotheism? Richard Bauckham & James Crossley.

Unbelievable? 23 May 2009 Buddhism & Christianity in dialogue

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 12 Feb 2011 - Is the King James Version the best? - 12 February 2011

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 08:20:00 GMT

400 years on from the publication of the King James Version of the Bible, there is now a proliferation of translations available. Some Christians maintain that the KJV has never been surpassed for its style, authority and reliability.

James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries disputes the idea that the King James Version is the "only and best" version Christians should read. He says that there are translation problems as well as serious issues regarding the manuscripts the translators based it upon.

Revd Kyle Paisley, son of DUP leader Ian Paisley, defends the KJV as the best English version, despite any faults. He says that modern versions downplay key doctrines of the Christian faith and fail to live up to the prose of the KJV.

For James White visit http://www.aomin.org/

For his KJV resources http://www.aomin.org/catalog/index.php?cPath=53

For Kyle Paisley http://www.freepres.org/church.asp?oulton

For Kyle's sermons http://www.sermonaudio.com/source_detail.asp?sourceid=oultonbroad

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 3 Jan 2009 Bart Ehrman & Peter Williams - "Misquoting Jesus: Do we have the original writings of the New Testament?"

Unbelievable? 13 Mar 2010 - "Can we trust the doctrine of the Trinity?" Christian James White debates Unitarian Anthony Buzzard

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 5 Feb 2011 - Alister McGrath & Stephen Law - Why Won't God Go Away? - 04 February 2011

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Alister McGrath's new book "Why God won't go away" is a critique of the New Atheist Movement spearheaded by Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris & Dennett.

He chats with atheist philosopher Stephen Law about aggressive atheism and its online form. They debate whether religion leads to violence and whether Stephen's "Evil God challenge" is a defeater for belief in a good God.

To book a place at the London Book launch on 16 Feb 2011 email publicity@spck.org.uk or phone 0207 5923900

A guaranteed place there and a signed copy of the book for 5 listeners who can answer "What was the name of Alister's 2007 book in response to The God Delusion?" email unbelievable@premier.org.uk

For "Why God Won't Go Away" (SPCK) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Why-God-Wont-Go-Away/dp/0281063877

For Info on Alister McGrath http://users.ox.ac.uk/~mcgrath/

For Stephen Law http://www.cfilondon.org/ or http://stephenlaw.blogspot.com/

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 2 Oct 2010 - The Future of New Atheism - Alister McGrath & Caspar Melville.

Unbelievable? 13 Nov 2010 - The Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism - Alvin Plantinga vs Stephen Law

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 29 Jan 2011 - Human Value & Subversive Stories - 28 January 2011

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:20:00 GMT

Off-duty police men in Bogota, Columbia shoot street children because they consider them to be "disposables". Using stories such as this Mark Roques asks whether value in human life can be found anywhere other than our being made "In the image of God".

Atheist Paul Thompson argues that we don't need a supernatural explanation for the value we place on human beings.

They discuss the issue of where human value comes from and Mark's "Subversive Questions and storytelling" method of apologetics.

For Mark Roques see http://www.realitybites.co.uk

For Paul Thompson's profile (Sinbad) on the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/profile/Sinbad

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 20 Nov 2010 - "What Good is God?" Philip Yancey speaking to atheist Paul Thompson

Unbelievable? 13 Jun 2009 The Moral Argument For God - Atheist Paul Orton & Christian David Robertson

For written resources see:

http://www.premierradio.org.uk/shows/saturday/unbelievable/Resources/Atheism.aspx#

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 22 Jan 2011 - Which Translation should we Trust? - 22 January 2011

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 14:00:00 GMT

To mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible Justin Brierley will be presenting a number of programmes looking at issues of Biblical reliability and interpretation in the coming year.

This week he asks "Which translation shoud we trust?" There are now many different English translations of scripture available.

Atheist Norman Hansen asks how Christians can base their beliefs on a book that is capable of being translated in so many ways. Don Horrocks of the Evangelical Alliance responds, arguing that the Bible is "God-breathed" even if people disagree about it stranslation in some areas.

They cover issues including the correct translation of the atonement of Jesus, translation of verses regarding homosexuality and disputed sections of scripture from early manuscripts.

For The Evangelical Alliance see http://www.eauk.org

For BibleFresh see http://www.biblefresh.com/

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 3 Jan 2009 Bart Ehrman & Peter Williams - "Misquoting Jesus: Do we have the original writings of the New Testament?"

Unbelievable? 18 Oct 2008 Why Should I believe in Jesus? Ex-Christian Norman Hansen vs. Amy Orr-Ewing of the Zacharias Trust

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 15 Jan 2011 - Os Guinness & Mary Warnock debate religious freedoms - 15 January 2011

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Os Guinness is an author, cultural critic and Christian apologist. He co-founded the Trinity Forum which "seeks to transform society through the transformation of leaders".

Baroness Mary Warnock is a moral philosopher and atheist. She is a cross bench peer in the House of Lords and an influential voice arguing for liberalisation of euthanasia laws.

Her book "Dishonest to God" argues that religious and theological issues should have no place in issues of public morality, covering euthanasia, assisted suicide, and abortion.

At the time of recording Os Guinness was due to speak at the House of Lords on how Christian religious freedoms should be treated in a pluralistic society as set out in his new book "The Case for Civility".

They discuss how we judge what is moral, euthanasia, gay adoption and more. The show was recorded in the robing chamber in the House of Lords.

NEXT WEEK: 400 years after the King James Bible - which translation should we trust?

For Os Guinness see: http://www.osguinness.com/

For "The Case for Civility" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Case-Civility-Why-Future-Depends/dp/0061353434

For Mary Warnock articles see http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/marywarnock

For "Dishonest to God" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dishonest-God-Keeping-Religion-Politics/dp/1441127127

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy

Unbelievable? 25 Apr 2009 Euthanasia - Should it be legalised? Lord Dick Taverne & Dan Boucher

Unbelievable? 18 Apr 2009 - Peter Kerridge, Terry Sanderson and Andrea Williams - "I am A Christian" - are Christians being marginalised in society?

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 8 Jan 2011 - William Lane Craig reviews his debate with Dawkins - 08 January 2011

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 08:30:00 GMT

William Lane Craig is a philosopher, author and key defender of the Christian faith in debates around the world.

Although atheist Richard Dawkins had publicly said he will not debate Craig, he found himself on the same platform as him in November 2010. Dawkins was on an atheist team, Craig on a theist team as they debated "Does the Universe have a purpose?" at a Mexico TED-style event.

With extracts from the debate, William (Bill) Lane Craig chats to Justin about the circumstances of their encounter and why he believes Dawkins and the atheist team changed their tactics mid way, were ununified and failed to address the arguments that were presented.

To watch the full debate http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable/forum/topics/richard-dawkins-just-broke-his

For Bill's website http://www.reasonablefaith.org

For his article on "The absurdity of Life without God" http://www.premierradio.org.uk/shows/saturday/unbelievable/Resources/Atheism.aspx

For his book "Reasonable Faith" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Reasonable-Faith-William-Lane-Craig/dp/1433501155

For the Youtube Mix by Peter Byrom http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UnEkydeDVQ&feature=related

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy

Unbelievable? 19 Jul 2008 American Masters of Apologetics Pt 2: William Lane Craig.

Unbelievable? 8 Nov 2008 Richard Dawkins & John Lennox's Oxford debate - a review with interviews and comment.

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter

Unbelievable? 1 Jan 2011 - The all new Unbelievable? Website - 31 December 2010

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 16:00:00 GMT

www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable has undergone a major redevelopment and Justin Brierley uses this New Year Programme to take a tour around it.

Visit it now to find out more about the new features, interviews, articles and ways to interact with the show that gets christians and non-Christians thinking.

We're also on Facebook and Twitter

Justin plays snippets of some of the exclusive extra content available including interviews with Wm Paul Young author of "The Shack", Richard Dawkins, Timothy Keller and John Lennox.

Unbelievable? 25 Dec 2010 - The Unbelievable? "Christmas Cracker - 24 December 2010

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 08:30:00 GMT

A festive edition of the show. With studio guest Anthony McRoy and a host of phone guests from around the world Justin Brierley looks at various aspects of Christmas.

Is Christmas based on Pagan festivals and myths? What are the Christian roots of Father Christmas and Christmas trees? Are there other valid narratives of the Christmas story apart from Matthew and Luke? All these and more questions are discussed by a variety of guests.

Anthony McRoy is lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Wales Evangelical School of Theology http://www.west.org.uk/

Roger Morris heads up Faith Interface in Australia http://www.faithinterface.com.au/

Margaret Barker's book "Christmas: The Original Story" http://www.margaretbarker.com/Publications/Christmas.htm

Canadian apologist Tony Costa http://www.freewebs.com/tonycosta/

US Apologist William Lane Craig http://www.reasonablefaith.org/

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 22 Dec 2007 - Did Christians steal Christmas?

Unbelievable? 26 Dec 2009 - Are Matthew and Luke's birth narratives at odds with each other? Christian Charles Foster vs. Atheist Robert Stovold

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Unbelievable? 18 Dec 2010 - Islam & Dhimmitude - 18 December 2010

Sat, 18 Dec 2010 10:10:00 GMT

"The Third Choice" by Australian church pastor Mark Durie claims that Islam has a long history of oppressing those of other faiths under its power. Durie claims that when Islam conquered a nation its inhabitants could either convert, die or become "Dhimmi" - forced to pay money for their life and live in subservience to Muslims. He says that the doctrine lives on today.

Adnan Rashid of the Hittin Institute says that misrepresents the Dhimma pact. He claims that it was a peace treaty that led to mutual respect, defence and harmony for those who were non-Muslims and was part of a Golden Age of Islamic culture.

For Mark Durie and "The Third Choice" see http://www.markdurie.com/

For Adnan Rashid see http://www.hittininstitute.com/

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 11 Dec 2010 - Islamic Blasphemy Law" - Adnan Rashid, Stuart Windsor & John Joseph

Unbelievable? 16 Jun 2007 - Mosques in the UK: does society have anything to fear?

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Unbelievable? 11 Dec 2010 - Islamic Blasphemy Law - 11 December 2010

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 07:50:00 GMT

Asia Bibi is the first Christian woman in Pakistan to be sentenced to death for allegedly blaspheming against Mohammed. In light of her case we discuss Pakistan's use of Islamic blasphemy law with Adnan Rashid of the Hittin Institute and Stuart Windsor and John Joseph of Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

Stuart Windsor is director of CSW who supports those suffering persecution. John Joseph is a Christian human rights activist who has defended a number of people in Pakistan accused of blasphemy. They say Paikistan's blasphemy laws are used to settle personal disputes and are making life dangerous for Christians.

Adnan Rashid is a Muslim apologist. He condemns abuses of the blasphemy law and mob justice in Pakistan but believes properly run Islamic states should be able to impose the death penalty on those who unrepentantly insult Mohamed.

For Adnan Rashid see http://www.hittininstitute.com

For Christian Solidarity Worldwide see http://www.csw.org.uk or phone +44 (0) 845 456 5464

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 6 Mar 2010 - Which is more trustworthy - The Bible or Koran? Christian James White debate Muslim Adnan Rashid

Unbelievable? 1 Mar 2008 - Sharia law in the UK - Muslims & Christian debate.

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Unbelievable? 4 Dec 2010 - David Robertson answers skeptics questions - 03 December 2010

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 08:00:00 GMT

David Robertson is a Scottish church pastor and author of "The Dawkins Letters". He recently hosted the first Conference of the newly established Solas Centre for Public Christianity.

As a key respondent to Dawkins he has earned himself the nickname "The Wee Flea". He takes questions from three skeptics on today's prgramme.

Stephen Lees has come to doubt his once-held faith. He asks whether Christians are obliged to believe the miracles of the Bible. Agnostic Stephen Pilcher asks how it can be fair for God to send people to hell who simply don't find enough evidence for his existence. And atheist David Moser asks how prayer to an all knowing God makes sense.

For David's Book "The Dawkins Letters" http://www.stpeters-dundee.org.uk/node/13

For Solas http://www.solas-cpc.co.uk/blog

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 24 Apr 2010 - "Grill a Christian" show - four atheists challenge David Robertson with their objections to faith

Unbelievable? 20 Feb 2010 - "Is Christianity Good for us?" US atheist Michael Shermer debates Scottish apologist David Robertson

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Unbelievable? 27 Nov 2010 - Mike Behe & Michael Reiss audience debate on ID - 26 November 2010

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 14:30:00 GMT

This last week saw US Intelligent Deisgn proponent Michael Behe on the "Darwin or Design?" speaking tour of the UK. As well as hosting an evening event, "Unbelievable?" invited him to discuss ID with theistic evolutionist Prof Michael Reiss in front of an invited audience.

Michael Behe is professor of Biochemistry at LeHigh University, Pennsylvania. His book "Darwin's Black Box" launched the modern Intelligent Design movement which claims that aspects of biology are too compelx to have arisen by blind Darwinian processes but entail the guidance of an intelligent mind.

Michael Reiss is Professor of Science Education at the Institute of Education. Ordained in the Church of England, he was formerly director of education at the Royal Society before stepping down amid controversy over statements he made about engaging with ID and creationism in the classroom.

They engage the topic of ID and evolution in front of an audience of scientists, church and secular leaders at Charles Darwin house in London.

They discuss the limits of science, whether ID is a religious movement, the place of ID in the classroom and take questions from the audience.

For Michael Behe's visual presentation http://www.premier.org.uk/~/media/87809B06C34444DDB31D8B016F711D4A.ashx

For Michael Behe see http://www.lehigh.edu/~inbios/faculty/behe.html

For Michael Reiss see http://www.ioe.ac.uk/staff/GEMS/GEMS_71.html

For more Christian/non-Christian discussions visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 23 Oct 2010 "Darwin's Black Box - Has modern Biochemistry shown that life was intelligently designed?" Michael Behe vs. Keith Fox

Unbelievable? 20 Mar 2010 - "Expelled" live audience debate at Imperial College London - Susan Blackmore, Steve Fuller, Keith Fox & Alastair Noble

Join the discussion at the "Unbelievable?" page of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Unbelievable? 20 Nov 2010 - Philip Yancey on "What Good is God?" - 20 November 2010

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 13:15:00 GMT

Best-selling US Christian Author Philip Yancey writes books that address some of the hardest questions that Christians ask of themselves and skeptics ask of Christians. His latest book "What Good is God?" looks at how Christian belief matters in the lives of those who suffer.

He chats with atheist Paul Thompson (aka "Sinbad" on the Premier Community). Paul was present at the Twin Towers on Sep 11 2001. He says that while faith may be a comfort to those in distress, there is no proof that God is responsible.

For Philip Yancey http://www.philipyancey.com/

For his book "What Good is God?" http://www.amazon.com/What-Good-God-Search-Matters/dp/0446559857

For Paul's profile ("Sinbad") on the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/profile/Sinbad

For more Christian/non-Christian discussions visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 30 Jan 2010 - Where was God in Haiti? Christians Roger Forster & Nick Peters and atheist Gordon Livesey discuss the problem of evil.

Unbelievable? 27 Mar 2010 - Former atheists conversion experiences - Is it evidence for God? Richard Morgan & Todd Pitner with atheist Gordon Livesey

Join the discussion at the "Unbelievable?" page of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Unbelievable? 13 Nov 2010 - Alvin Plantinga on the Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism - 13 November 2010

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Richard Dawkins has said that "the theory of evolution made it possible to be an intellecually fulfilled atheist". But what if belief in evolution becomes irrational on atheist naturalism?

Alvin Plantinga is one of the foremost Christian philosophers in the world and is leading a resurgence of Christian philosophy in North America. He has formulated the "Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism" which proposes that if evolution is true then it provides a defeater for rational belief on a naturalistic framework. Can we trust our beliefs to be true if they have been produced by minds that are themselves the products of unguided evolution - a process that is geared towards producing beliefs for survival, not necessarily for truth?He explains the force of the argument and debates its implications with Stephen Law, atheist and Senior lecturer in philosophy at Heythrop college, University of London. Stephen is also Provost of the Centre for Inquiry UK.

Plantinga also states where he stands on Intelligent Design, the problem of evil and a few other things besides.

For Alvin Plantinga see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Plantinga for more links to Plantinga's work see http://philofreligion.homestead.com/plantingapage.html

For Stephen Law see http://stephenlaw.blogspot.com/ or http://www.cfilondon.org/

For more discussions visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this discussion you may also want to hear:

Unbelievable? 1 May 2010 Test of Faith: Do we need God, now that we have science? Christian Denis Alexander vs Atheist Stephen Law

Unbelievable? 26 Jul 2008 American Masters of Apologetics Pt 3: Alvin Plantinga

Join the debate at the "Unbelievable?" group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Unbelievable? 6 Nov 2010 - Ex-Gay and Gay-Affirming approaches to homosexuality - 05 November 2010

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 08:40:00 GMT

Both guests on today's show are Christians, both are gay, and both run ministries supporting Christians of homosexual orientation.

However a very different ethos underpins each. The True Freedom Trust, run by Jonathan Berry believes that Christians with homosexual orientation should abstain from sexual practise. Courage, run by Jeremy Marks accepts committed same-sex relationships between Christians.

Courage adopted its new position in 2001. Jeremy explains why, and Jonathan responds. Sharing their own stories, they debate the best way of supporting gay Christians and why they differ on Biblical teachings about homosexuality

For True Freedom Trust http://www.truefreedomtrust.co.uk/

For Courage http://www.courage.org.uk/

For more discussions visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this discussion you may also want to hear:

Unbelievable? 29 May 2010 - This first show addresses the main scriptural passages that relate to homosexuality.

Unbelievable? 5 Jun 2010 - Homosexuality and the Church - This second show addresses whether the church is homophobic in its attitude towards gay people

Join the debate at the "Unbelievable?" group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Unbelievable? 30 Oct 2010 - The Apologetics of CS Lewis - 30 October 2010

Sat, 30 Oct 2010 07:50:00 GMT

C.S. Lewis was one of the most influential Christian writers of the 20th Century and remains so today. Many are familiar with his Narnia stories, but he was also a populariser of Christian apologetics, and continues to be the first place that many encounter the key arguments for Christian faith.

60 years on from when they were written, are his arguments for God and Christ still compelling? We look at Lewis' Natural Law argument for God in "Mere Christianity", his Argument from Reason in "Miracles" and his classic 'Trilemma' - Jesus is either a liar, lunatic, or Lord.

Michael Ward is Chaplain of St. Peter's College, Oxford and a research fellow at the Independent Institute. He is a leading authority on CS Lewis. His books "Planet Narnia" and "The Narnia Code" unearthed a hidden dimension to the Narnia chronicles. He also lectures on the apologetics of C.S. Lewis.

Dan Barker is a US atheist and heads up the Freedom From Religion Foundation.   As a Christian he read "Mere Christianity" but on re-reading it as an atheist found it unconvincing.

They debate the faith, philosophy and apologeics of CS Lewis.

For Michael Ward see http://www.planetnarnia.com/ or http://www.independent.org/aboutus/person_detail.asp?id=1333

For the new book "The Narnia Code" http://www.amazon.com/Narnia-Code-Lewis-Secret-Heavens/dp/1414339658/ref=pd_sim_b_3

For Dan Barker and his book "Godless" see http://www.ffrf.org/

For more Christian/non Christian discussions visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast or via itunes

If you enjoyed this discussion try these:

Unbelievable? 6 Jun 2009 Narnia & CS Lewis - a skeptic and Christian discuss - Michael Ward & Laura Miller

Unbelievable? 5 Dec 2009 - Are we better off free from religion? Atheist Dan Barker vs. Christian Charles Foster

Unbelievable? 10 Oct 2009 - Is the divinity of Jesus at odds with Jewish Monotheism? Richard Bauckham & James Crossley.

Join the discussion at the "Unbelievable?" group of The Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Unbelievable? 23 Oct 2010 - Darwin's Black Box - Michael Behe & Keith Fox debate Intelligent Design - 22 October 2010

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Michael Behe is professor of biochemistry at Lehigh University, Pennsylvania and the founder of the modern Intelligent Design movement. His book "Darwin's Black Box" ignited the controversy 14 years ago when it claimed that certain molecular machines and biological processes are "irreducibly complex" and cannot be explained by Darwinian evolution.

His new book "The Edge of Evolution" takes his conclusions further, arguing that the Darwinian processes of random mutation and natural selection are incapable of producing the variation and complexity we see in most of life.

So can we conclude that life was intelligently designed by a creator?

Keith Fox is Professor of biochemistry at the University of Southampton and chairman of Christians in Science. As a theistic evolutionist he believes that Evolution is the best explanation going for the complexity we see and that ID is a blind scientific alley and theologically unappealing to boot.

They debate whether micromachines in the cell such as the "bacterial flagellum" could have evolved by a Darwinian process of evolution. When inference to design is and isn't acceptable in science. Whether random mutation can mathematically stack up to complex life, and whether God is reduced to a divine "tinkerer" by ID.

For Michael Behe see http://www.lehigh.edu/~inbios/faculty/behe.html or http://www.darwinordesign.org.uk/

For Keith Fox see http://www.cis.org.uk/resources/interviews/keith-fox and for the CIS conference 2010 http://www.cis.org.uk/

For more debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy

Unbelievable? 20 Mar 2010 - Expelled" live audience debate at Imperial College London - Susan Blackmore, Steve Fuller, Keith Fox & Alastair Noble

Unbelievable? 16 Jan 2010 - "Expelled" the Movie - Intelligent Design theorist Stephen Meyer vs. Atheist scientist Peter Atkins debate Intelligent Design

Unbelievable? 2 Jan 2010 - Is there design in biology? Intelligent Design proponent William Dembski vs. Biology Professor Lewis Wolpert

Join in the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Unbelievable? 16 Oct 2010 - Philosophers Debate The Moral Argument for God - 16 October 2010

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 06:10:00 GMT

Torturing children for fun - is that absolutely wrong?

The Moral Argument for God states that there are such things as objective moral facts, and that objective moral facts must have an immaterial source - namely God. Therefore God Exists... Simple right?

However, atheist Cambridge Philosopher Arif Ahmed disagrees with the first two premises. He debates with New Zealand's Christian philosopher Glenn People's on whether the argument proves the existence of God.

So, are moral beliefs nothing more than our "preferences"? What do we do with the intuition that certain things are absolutely wrong? Are atheists who affirm moral facts but deny God, being inconsistent?

For Glenn People's blog visit http://www.beretta-online.com/wordpress/

For Arif Ahmed see http://www.phil.cam.ac.uk/teaching_staff/ahmed/ahmed_index.html

For more Christian/non Christian debates and discussions visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 13 Jun 2009 The Moral Argument For God - Atheist Paul Orton & Christian David Robertson

Unbelievable? 7 Mar 2009 "The Reason for God" - Pastor Timothy Keller & Atheist Norman Bacrac

To join the discussion at the Premier Community visit http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Unbelievable? 9 Oct 2010 - Hawking's God - John Polkinghorne & Hugh Ross (Plus Mike Behe interview!) - 08 October 2010

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:30:00 GMT

We return to listener questions on whether Hawking was right or wrong to dismiss God as a cause of the universe in his new book "The Grand Design".

John Polkinghorne is a theoretical physicist and Anglican Priest in Cambridge.  Hugh Ross is a Christian physicist and founder of "Reasons to Believe".

They tackle questions on whether the multiverse is really an alternative to God in explaining our fine-tuned universe. What physicists really mean when they say the universe came into being "out of nothing", and whether the massive size of the universe makes our existence insignificant.

For Hugh Ross see http://www.reasons.org/resources

For John Polkinghorne see http://www.polkinghorne.net/

For more debates and discussions visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or via Itunes

Join the discussion at the "Unbelievable?" group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Unbelievable? 2 Oct 2010 - The New Atheism - Alister McGrath & Caspar Melville - 02 October 2010

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennett & Sam Harris are all figures at the vanguard of the "New Atheism". The books have sold well, but where does this form of confrontational and outspoken atheism have to go next?

Alister McGrath is Theology professor at Kings College London and regularly speaks and writes against Atheism. He says that there's nothing "new" about New Atheism and that it exhibits all the signs of being a religious form of belief itself.

Caspar Melville is editor of the UK's New Humanist magazine. He says that "New Atheism" has been good for business and is provoking a debate that needs to be had.

They debate whether there is a historical naivety to the movement, Dawkins' claim that "I just believe in one less god than you" and much more besides.

For Alister McGrath see http://users.ox.ac.uk/~mcgrath/

For Caspar Melville see http://www.newhumanist.org.uk/

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast at http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 14 Nov 2009 - Alister McGrath on Atheism, theology and defending the faith

Unbelievable? 12 Dec 2009 Richard Dawkins debate on "Atheism is the New Fundamentalism" - review with interviews

Join the discussion at the Unbelievable? group of the Premier Community. http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Unbelievable? 25 Sep 2010 - Hawking, God & the Universe - Sir Roger Penrose and Alister McGrath - 24 September 2010

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:00:00 GMT

Stephen Hawking made headlines around the world when he announced that his M-Theory of cosmology has led him to conclude God did not create the universe and its "fine tuning" is the result of a multiverse.

Oxford mathematician and physicist Sir Roger Penrose worked alongside Hawking in developing gravitational singularity theorems.  Roger is not himself a religious believer and is a member of the British Humanist Association.  But he believes Hawking is wrong about M-theory, and that God's existence doesn't need to be dragged into things.

Alister McGrath is professor of Theology at Kings College London. His 2008 book "A Fine Tuned Universe" claims that there is fruitful discourse between Christian faith in God and the evidence of the Universe's "fine tuning" for life we see from science.

They discuss where they disagree with Hawking's book "The Grand Design", whether God can be an explanation for our fine tuned universe and Roger's own CCC theory of the Universe published as "Cycles of Time: an Extraordinary new view of the Universe"

For Roger Penrose see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Penrose

For his book "Cycles of Time" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cycles-Time-Extraordinary-View-Universe/dp/0224080369

For Alister McGrath see http://users.ox.ac.uk/~mcgrath/

For his book "A Fine Tuned Universe" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fine-Tuned-Universe-Science-Theology-Lectures/dp/0664233104

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or via iTunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 17 Apr 2010 - Are we alone in the Universe? Astrophysicist Paul Davies & Mathematician John Lennox

Unbelievable? 14 Mar 2009 Fine Tuning of the Universe - is it evidence of God? Nicholas Beale vs Julian Baggini

Join the discussion at the "Unbelievable?" group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable