Unbelievable? offers a weekly podcast, blog, and video series hosted by Ruth Jackson and a team of thinkers and Christian apologists.
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A weekly show from Premier Unbelievable? in which Ruth Jackson interviews leading apologists, theologians and evangelists in order to help Christians understand, defend and share their faith with confidence... unapologetically! For more from Premier Unbelievable? visit: http://www.premierunbelievable.com For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events: http://www.unbelievable.live
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In each episode of Matters of Life and Death, brought to you by Premier Unbelievable?, John Wyatt and his son Tim discuss issues in healthcare, ethics, technology, science, faith and more. John is a doctor, professor of ethics, and writer and speaker on many of these topics, while Tim is a religion and social affairs journalist. We talk about how Christians can better engage with a particular question of life, death or something else in between.
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#122 Mirjam Schilling: Why did God create mosquitoes?
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Is there a connection between climate crisis and viruses? Can science explain "miraculous healings"? Is God morally "good" and where do we get our reference point for "goodness"? How should we approach the "genocide" passages in the Bible? Do humans have souls? What about clones? Virologist and theologian Dr Mirjam Schilling answers questions asked…
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Stigma, anti-depressants and emotional resilience: Rethinking mental health and the church
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Tim is away this week so we’re sharing a classic episode from the MOLAD vault. Since the covid pandemic there has been an alarming rise in people presenting with mental health problems. Today we speak with Christian psychiatrist Daniel Maughan to better understand why this might be happening, how our mental healthcare systems are coping (or not), a…
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Should we allow gene editing? John Wyatt vs Sam McKee hosted by Andy Kind
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🌍✨ Should we edit the human genome, or is that playing God? 🧬With the revolutionary gene-editing technology CRISPR—winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry 🏆—we now have the power to potentially eradicate diseases that have caused untold suffering. But where should we draw the line? 🤔In his thought-provoking article, Sam McKee argues that if hum…
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Assisted suicide: Euthanasia tourism takes off in the US amid fresh push to change law in Britain
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Today we pick up a number of stories and updates in the conversation around assisted suicide. Long since legal in a growing number of states in the US, a new report has detailed how things are liberalising further. Some states now permit non-residents to cross state lines solely to die, creating a new market in euthanasia tourism for those living i…
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From Biology to Theology: How viruses challenge our perception of good and evil with Christian Virologist Dr Mirjam Schilling
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🎙️ Today we venture into the intersection of science and faith with Dr. Mirjam Schilling, a postdoctoral virologist and DPhil student in Science and Religion at the University of Oxford. With her unique background in virology and theology, Dr. Schilling grapples with profound questions about the nature of suffering, the existence of God, and how sc…
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Classic Replay: How should humanity flourish in an AI world? - Nigel Crook & Anil Seth
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Here, in part two of The Big Conversation "The Robot Race" we debate the nature of human consciousness and free will -- comparing it to AI and robotics - and ask how humanity should best flourish now that the AI genie is out of the bottle. 🌍🤖 Speaking into this issue, from two very different perspectives, is Christian believer Nigel Crook, Professo…
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Classic Replay: Is AI Replacing Humanity? 🚨 The Future of AI vs. Humanity Unveiled! 🌍🤖 Anil Seth vs Nigel Crook
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In this must-watch episode of 🌟The Big Conversation🌟, we tackle the burning questions that will shape our future. Are the rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) leading us towards a future we can't control? 🚀🧠 Can we even stop AI's rise if we wanted to? And what does AI’s evolution reveal about the essence of humanity? 🤔 Could AI one day re…
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Should robots be given human rights?
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If and when autonomous and intelligent robots come into existence, should they be granted rights, or even personhood? A growing number of technologists argue governments must lay out what status conscious and rational machines would have before they actually have been invented. But how can we decide what is and isn’t a person, and what rights and r…
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#120 James Emery White: Is online church the way forward?
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What are the dangers of online and how do we navigate them? How can we respond to AI? What is TikTok spirituality and why should we engage with it? How has the digital world impacted our relationships? Is online church just watching TV or is a hybrid model the only way forward? Dr James Emery White, author of Hybrid Church, explores questions aroun…
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Free Will vs. Determinism: Who's Really in Control? Alex O'Connor vs Prof Alex Carter hosted by Ruth Jackson
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Free Will Dilemmas: Determinism vs. CompatibilismAre we the masters of our fate or just dancing to the universe's tune? 🤔 This week on Premier Unbelievable, Ruth Jackson moderates a gripping debate on one of philosophy’s oldest questions: Do we truly have free will?Highlights:Freedom or Illusion? What does it really mean to act freely? Can science …
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Lucy Letby reconsidered: Innocence and guilt, partial evidence, and living with unknowns
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We covered the case of Lucy Letby – a neonatal nurse convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill seven more – last year. Since then, there has been a growing campaign claiming she is the victim of a miscarriage of justice, as Letby herself appeals the judgement. In this episode we look at why some people have become convinced of her …
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#119 James Emery White: Should we prioritise young people?
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Who are Generation Z and Alpha and why do they matter? How have algorithms impacted the way our young people think? What is so significant about being raised in a TikTok world? How are young people approaching politics and which way should they vote? Can Christianity ever be attractive to young people? How do we protect our children in a pornified …
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Why Doesn't God Stop Suffering? Stephen Woodford vs Sharon Dirckx Debate Hosted by Ruth Jackson
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Get ready for an electrifying round two on Unbelievable? Podcast. ⚡️ We’re thrilled to welcome back two dynamic debaters 🤩 Dr. Sharon Dirckx, a brain imaging scientist and author of several books on suffering, including Why? Looking at God, Evil, and Personal Suffering, and Stephen Woodford, better known as Rationality Rules, a prominent atheist Yo…
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What does it mean to be made in the image of God?
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‘Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness.”’ These famous words from the first chapter of Genesis are the touchstone of the theology of the image of God, or Imago Dei. Christians throw this reference out a lot, but we’re often a bit unclear about it really means to say humans are made in the image of God. Is it about certai…
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#118 James Emery White: Is Christ irrelevant in a post-Christian culture?
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What are the marks of a post-Christian culture and why is this significant? How do we engage in apologetics in this context? Are young people disinterested in religion or are we just attempting to answer questions they're not asking? Who are the "nones" and why are they on the rise? Dr James Emery White, founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Co…
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What is 'truth' in a post-truth world? Live debate with Kristi Mair vs Dr Shaun Stevenson
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Welcome to this week’s Unbelievable? Podcast! 🎙️ Today, we dive into some profound and challenging questions surrounding the concept of truth in our modern, post-truth world 🌍. Recorded live, this episode features an engaging debate between two distinguished scholars: Kristi Mair 📚, Apologist, Author, and Lecturer at Oak Hill Seminary, who is compl…
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Thanks to a long overdue public inquiry here in the UK, shocking stories of how NHS doctors recklessly gave patients blood contaminated with viruses including HIV and hepatitis have been emerging in recent years. One of the most painful cases was at a special school for children with haemophilia, where well-meaning but catastrophically misguided do…
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#117 Nicola Morrison: How to find hope in despair
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How do we differentiate truth from disinformation? Is it possible to verify the truth of Christianity in a similar way? How can we cope with injustice, discrimination and racism? Are we able t reconcile the goodness of God with the horrendous suffering we experience? Where can we turn in the midst of mental health struggles? Nicola Morrison, author…
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Unbelievable? What does the science of climate change say? Hugh Ross and Antonia Godber (replay)
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On the podcast today we're joined by climate change campaigner Antonia Godber and scientist Hugh Ross of Reasons to Believe. They discuss the science of climate change, whether we are heading towards a tipping point, climate ‘alarmism’ and practical solutions.Originally aired: 11 Nov 2021• Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/26…
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Are all religions HISTORICALLY verifiable? 📜 Christian vs. Muslim ⚡️
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Welcome to today's Unbelievable Debate, recorded live at St Michael’s Aylesbury, where two distinguished scholars, Robert Scott and Muhammad Yasir Al-Hanafi, engage in a thought-provoking debate on the historical verifiability, truth, and societal contributions of their respective faiths: Christianity and Islam. Join us as we delve into these compl…
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Autonomous killer drones and the future of warfare
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This week we look at developments prompted by the war in Ukraine, which has seen the humble drone take a leading role on the frontline. Both sides, and global powers watching on with interest, are now investing in building battle drones which can fly and attack themselves, leading to the chilling possibility that future wars will see autonomous AI …
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#116 Nicola Morrison: A trip to church saved my life
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Nicola Morrison, an editor and former BBC reporter, has experienced many highs and lows in her personal and professional life. She shares her struggles with childhood trauma, mental health difficulties and career setbacks. Following a failed attempt to take her own life, Nicola visited a church, which changed the trajectory of her life forever. You…
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How to overcome tribalism in politics and the church - Patrick Miller, Keith Simon and Tim Farron MP (Replay)
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‘Truth Over Tribe: Pledging allegiance to the lamb, not the donkey or the elephant’ is the name of the poignant book by Patrick Miller and Keith Simon. They are both church pastors in the USA who started the Truth Over Tribe podcast to combat polarisation in politics, culture and Christianity.They talk to Justin about Trump, abortion, LGBT, Christi…
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Gen Z's Faith Crisis: why young Christians are saying goodbye?! with Mary Jo Sharp and Harry Amos hosted by Billy Hallowell
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Although the number of nones in the USA has flatlined in recent years, deconstruction is still on the mind of many young people. This week a Christian apologist - raised without any religion, and a Christian who moved to agnostic atheism debate how we can reengage young people.Joining the Unbelievable debate is former atheist Mary Jo Sharp from the…
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Should Christians break the law? Civil disobedience, climate protest and heavy-handed policing
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A landmark court case in the UK recently saw five radical climate activists jailed for up to five years for their role in organising the blocking of a major motorway to protest against fossil fuels. The sentences have been criticised by many, including the UN, as excessive given the peaceful nature of the protest and the cause behind it, but are th…
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#115 Michael Lloyd: Culture wars, creativity and relativism
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Could a decline in creativity and beauty be why the Church has become increasingly irrelevant and unlikeable? What are culture wars and how should we respond? Is relativism flawed and what is the alternative? Does human creativity point to God? Rev Dr Michael Lloyd, principal of Wycliffe Hall, shares his thoughts about culture, creativity and The N…
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Why is God hidden? Cosmic Skeptic & Lukas Ruegger at Oxford University with Max Baker-Hytch (replay)
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Recorded at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University, atheist Alex O’Connor (aka Cosmic Skeptic) and Christian apologist Lukas Ruegger join Justin discuss the hiddeness of God. OCCA tutor Max Baker-Hytch also joins the discussion for a post-script commentary.Episode originally aired Jan 2020• Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/2671421…
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Does the Bible condone slavery? #NoQuestionOffLimits Amy Orr-Ewing, Ben Thomas, & Ben Chang hosted by Ruth Jackson
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This week’s Unbelievable Podcast is a special #NoQuestionOffLimits episode that you won't want to miss. We’re revisiting one of our live Q&A events, hosted in collaboration with Spring Harvest.Joining us on the panel is the renowned public theologian and author of several books including Why Trust The Bible? Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing, Dr. Ben Thomas, an in…
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The unintended consequences of sperm donation
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A recent Netflix documentary, The Man With A 1000 Kids, has shone a light on the often under-discussed topic of sperm donation. It exposes a Dutch man as a prolific and deceptive sperm donor who compulsively fathers children around the world via donated sperm. While an extreme case, it raises important questions about the ethics of bringing childre…
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114: Joe Boot: Resurrection, miracles and climate change
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Is there any proof for the resurrection of Jesus? Are miracles a genuine possibility? How should we respond to global injustice and environmental breakdown? What practical ways can we use apologetics in everyday situations? We hear from Rev Dr Joe Boot, founder and president of the Ezra Institute for Contemporary Christianity. This interview was re…
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Did Adam and Eve exist? William Lane Craig and Joshua Swamidass
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From the Archives: How should Christians understand the Adam & Eve story in Genesis? Is it scientifically plausible that humanity can be traced back to a first human couple? What does it mean for the concept of ‘Original Sin’?These and more questions are discussed by Christian philosopher William Lane Craig, author of the new book ‘In Quest of the …
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"Why didn't God heal my Dad's cancer?" (and other questions) with Amy Orr-Ewing, Ben Thomas, Ben Chang hosted by Ruth Jackson
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Ever find yourself asking tough questions of God? Struggling to see His goodness and wondering, "Are you really there, God?" 🤔🙏Our 'No Question Off Limits' panels are here to tackle these tough questions head-on. We've teamed up with Spring Harvest and invited questions, especially from young people.In the hot seat were author and public theologian…
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Neo-Luddism and the ‘myth’ of progress: Should Christians be pro or anti technology?
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In recent weeks we have discussed how to keep modern technology at arms-length (smartphones in the home) and our excitement at how humans may be about to untap God’s blessing in creation through technology (the solar energy revolution). Today we ask the question: can we really hold these positions simultaneously? Can we be neo-Luddites when it come…
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#113 Joe Boot: Is there a role for apologetics in culture?
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Rev Dr Joe Boot, founder and president of the Ezra Institute for Contemporary Christianity, explores what shapes and drives culture. What are the cultural implications for certain world and life views? Is there a place for Jesus in politics? This interview was recorded in March with a live audience at Holy Trinity Church, Aylesbury in partnership w…
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Can we know God? Phil Sumpter vs Berel Dov Lerner hosted by Andy Kind
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Explore the intricate and enlightening conversation between scholars Beryl Dov Lerner and Phil Sumpter as they delve into Jewish and Christian interpretations of scripture, covenants, and theological modesty. This engaging debate asks ‘Can we know God?’ and sheds light on the nature of God, the divine-human relationship, and the crucial role covena…
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