Unbelievable?

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Unbelievable?

Unbelievable? offers a weekly podcast, blog, and video series hosted by Ruth Jackson and a team of thinkers and Christian apologists.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Is Empathy a Sin? Can caring too much ever become morally wrong? Dr. Joe Rigney and Dr. Alastair Roberts

    Joe Rigney calls empathy a sin. Alastair Roberts says not so fast. Who’s right? Today, we explore a question at the heart of pastoral care, public witness, and Christian leadership: Is empathy a virtue to be cultivated or a vice to be resisted?  Professor Joe Rigney and Dr Alastair Roberts joined Andy Kind. Joe is the author of The Sin of Empathy, a provocative work that argues that when empathy becomes "untethered" from truth, it ceases to be a virtue and can even become sinful.  Alastair, a fellow theologian, has written a substantial critique, arguing that Joe's language has muddied important distinctions and potentially misrepresents a vital Christian posture.  This conversation is not about labels, but substance - and we'll explore everything from scriptural foundations to gender roles, pastoral ethics, and theological nuance. Can caring too much ever become morally wrong? Dr Joe Rigney serves as Fellow of Theology at New Saint Andrews College and is the author of several books, including Things of Earth and Strangely Bright. Joe Rigney, Dr. Joe Rigney, author of The Sin of Empathy. Joe on X:  @joe_rigney Dr Alastair Roberts is a Teaching Fellow of The Theopolis Institute and professor for Davenant Hall, and one of the hosts of the Mere Fidelity podcast. He is a co-author of Echoes of Exodus: Tracing Themes of Redemption Through Scripture (2018). Alistair's substack: https://argosy.substack.com/. Alistair on X: @zugzwanged oon Radiopaper: https://radiopaper.com/AlastairRoberts SOCIAL LINKS Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/PremierUnbelievable/ Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://www.tiktok.com/@premierunbelievable X (Twitter): / https://x.com/unbelievablefe Bluesky: / https://bsky.app/profile/unbelievablefe.bsky.social 👉 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes - absolutely free! Join now at www.premierunbelievable.com 🎉📢 • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://www.premier.plus/unbelievable • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate

    1h 13m

  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    Classic: Can Humanism Exist Independently of Christian Influence? Theo Hobson & Andrew Copson

    Justin Brierley moderates a thought-provoking discussion between Theo Hobson, author of 'God Created Humanism,' and Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association. The conversation examines whether humanist values of equality and human dignity are rooted in Christianity's shaping of Western culture or can develop independently from a secular perspective. What are the origins of secular humanism? And what is the sustainability of humanist values without religious foundations? This dialogue from 2017 explores the historical and philosophical underpinnings of modern humanism. For more of Theo Hobson and his book https://theohobson.wordpress.com/ Andrew Copson’s book is The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

    1 hr

  3. 4 JUL

    Heaven: Dinosaurs, Angels, and Reincarnation? A Mind-Bending Look at the Afterlife

    This week on Unbelievable. Do animals go to heaven? Do humans become angels? Do we start families in the afterlife? And what about reincarnation? Is that really off the table for Christians? Andy Kind spoke with Princeton theologian Dr. Dale Allison Jr. and rising scholar Andrew Hronich for a mind-expanding conversation on heaven, what it is, who's there, and what we might do for eternity. You will not want to miss this one! SOCIAL LINKS Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable 👉 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes - absolutely free! Join now at www.premierunbelievable.com 🎉📢 • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://www.premier.plus/unbelievable • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate

    1h 18m

  4. 1 JUL

    Classic: Is the Turin Shroud the burial cloth of Christ? Alan Whanger vs Hugh Farey

    More than a decade ago, Unbelievable? brought together two experts with very different conclusions about the Shroud of Turin—one of the most mysterious and debated Christian relics. Dr Alan Whanger, who devoted years to studying the Shroud, claimed to identify faint images and markings that point to its origins in 1st-century Israel. Meanwhile, Hugh Farey, editor of The Catholic Shroud of Turin Newsletter, has spent decades critically examining the Shroud literature and argues the evidence strongly supports a medieval origin. Latest Developments (2020s): Since that episode aired, there have been further scientific investigations and renewed debates. In 2017, Italian researchers used new dating techniques (notably, Raman spectroscopy and FTIR analysis) to argue for a possible 1st-century origin—challenging the 1988 carbon dating that placed the Shroud in the 13th or 14th century. However, these newer findings remain controversial and have not overturned the scientific consensus. The Shroud continues to spark interest not only among believers and sceptics, but also in fields as diverse as history, forensic science, and art restoration. For Alan Whanger: http://people.duke.edu/~adw2/shroud/ For Hugh Farey: https://www.shroud.com/bstsmain.htm

    1h 2m

  5. 27 JUN

    The Mystery of Morality | Alex O'Connor, Richard Swinburne, Jessica Frazier and Peter Singer hosted by Jack Symes

    What grounds morality... and who counts? Is morality hardwired into us by evolution, shaped by culture, or guided by religion? In this live edition of the Unbelievable? Podcast recorded in London and hosted by public philosopher Jack Symes, four leading thinkers explore the origins and future of ethical thought. From the role of emotions in our moral choices to the ethics of animal rights and cross-cultural disagreements, this conversation tackles one of humanity’s most enduring questions: what does it mean to be good? Joining us are: Peter Singer: World-renowned utilitarian philosopher and animal rights advocate (Professor of Bioethics, Princeton University)Jessica Frazier: Oxford scholar of comparative religion and Indian philosophy (Fellow, Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies)Richard Swinburne: Leading Christian philosopher and defender of theism (Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of Oxford)Alex O’Connor: Atheist thinker and host of Within Reason PodcastProduced by Theora Media x Unbelievable? x Within Reason, 00:00 Exploring the Roots of Morality 05:13 The Evolution of Moral Reasoning 11:00 The Role of Emotions in Ethics 17:33 Moral Disagreement and Its Implications 23:52 The Intersection of Ethics and Religion 30:04 Animal Rights and Moral Considerations 36:32 Cultural Perspectives on Morality 42:52 The Future of Moral Philosophy Link to related content Alex O'Connor debates Ben Shapiro https://youtu.be/yspPYcJHI3k and Richard Swinburne debates Philip Goff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQmBJDc2FCY For Today's Guests: Richard Swinburne: users.ox.ac.uk/~orie0087 Jessica Frazier: theology.ox.ac.uk/people/dr-jessica-frazier Jack Symes: jacksymes.co.uk Alex O’Connor: alexoconnor.com Peter Singer: petersinger.info SOCIAL LINKS Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable 👉 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes—absolutely free! Join now at www.premierunbelievable.com 🎉📢 • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/courses • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

    1h 42m

  6. 24 JUN

    Classic: Debating Intelligent Design – Jonathan McLatchie v Cory Markum

    In this 2015 episode of Unbelievable, host Justin Brierley moderates a discussion between Christian advocate for Intelligent Design Jonathan McLatchie and atheist blogger Corey Markum. The debate centres on whether God or another form of intelligence is the best explanation for the complexity and apparent design observed in nature. The conversation addresses scientific arguments, the potential biases inherent in human perception of design, and theological implications, especially in regard to the problem of suffering and 'poor' design in biological systems. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview 01:43 Corey Markham's Journey to Atheism 05:51 Jonathan McClatchy's Interest in Intelligent Design 09:44 Defining Intelligent Design 15:48 Corey Markham's Psychological Perspective on Design 20:47 Philosophical and Scientific Critiques of Intelligent Design 26:54 Debating the Validity of Intelligent Design 34:07 Questioning Biological Design 34:33 Possibility of Natural Explanations 35:55 Debating Intelligent Design 38:10 Common Ancestry vs. Intelligent Design 40:11 Scientific Hypotheses and Worldviews 44:14 The Role of Theism in Science 47:56 Evidence and Inference in Intelligent Design 54:55 Challenges to Intelligent Design 58:18 The Problem of Suffering and Design 01:03:14 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

    1h 8m

  7. 20 JUN

    Are we slaves to our genes? Denis Alexander vs Dr Simon Walker-Samuel hosted by Andy Kind

    Are we slaves to our genes, and is who we are already written in our DNA? In this live edition of Unbelievable?, recorded at Aylesbury High School, Andy Kind is joined by humanist physicist Dr. Simon Walker-Samuel and Christian biologist Dr. Denis Alexander for a lively and thought-provoking debate on genetics, free will, and what makes us… us. From CRISPR and epigenetics to moral responsibility, determinism, and the question of "the soul", this conversation dives deep into whether our genes define our destiny, or if there's more to the human story. Are we morally responsible if we’re biologically programmed? Can science detect a “soul”? What do twin studies reveal about nature vs nurture? And do your genes influence your beliefs? Are we just highly evolved biological machines? Or is there something that transcends our biology? SOCIAL LINKS Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable 👉 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes - absolutely free! Join now at www.premierunbelievable.com 🎉📢 • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://www.premier.plus/unbelievable • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate

    47 min

  8. 17 JUN

    Classic: When faith fails how do you navigate doubt? Dominic Done and Andrew Whyte

    In this classic, Unbelievable? podcast episode hosted by Justin Brierley, the discussion centres around the nuanced relationships between faith and doubt from 2019. Senior Pastor Dominic Done talks about his book 'When Faith Fails,' sharing his journey through a significant period of questioning and how he rebuilt his faith. In contrast, Andrew Whyte, co-host of the 'Doubts Allowed' podcast, shares how his journey of doubt led him from Christianity to agnosticism. They examine various aspects of doubt - its origins, its implications, and how it can be both corrosive and life-giving. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview 02:00 Dominic's Faith Journey and Cultural Context 08:52 Andrew's Journey from Faith to Agnosticism 17:33 Dominic's Struggles with Doubt and Suffering 26:01 Exploring Doubt and Unbelief 38:28 Exploring the Depths of Belief and Doubt 38:47 The Challenge of Diverse Religious Beliefs 41:36 Deconstructing and Reconstructing Faith 42:59 The Role of Doubt in Strengthening Faith 46:38 The Importance of Foundational Beliefs 49:46 Personal Journeys Through Faith and Doubt 53:04 The Intersection of Faith, Morality, and Evidence 01:08:11 Final Thoughts on Faith and Doubt

    1h 13m
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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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