In Jan 2013 a new church began in London - with singing, a sermon and a great sense of community - but for godless people. Atheist stand up comedian Sanderson Jones who co-founded "the Sunday Assembly" talked about its first meeting and why he set it up. David Robertson, at the time a church minister, asked questions about whether an "atheist church" makes sense and what Christians could learn from it. Justin was also joined by two of those who attended the first service, Rory Fenton and Simon Jenkins.




 




• 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-and-events




• Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow




• Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

Classic Replay: London’s atheist church - Sanderson Jones & David Robertson

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

Religion & Spirituality

Other

Spirituality

Christianity

Buddhism

Hinduism

Judaism

Islam

For too long, the ‘science and religion’ debate has fixated on creation, evolution, cosmology, miracles and quantum theory, and not enough on the essence of what it means to be human. But this is a mistake argues one of our guests today, Christian academic Nick Spencer, Senior Fellow at Theos, in his new book ‘Playing God: science, religion and the future of humanity.’ Back on the show is Emily Qureshi-Hurst expert on the philosophy of time. Emily is a Lecturer in Philosophy at Oriel College, University of Oxford and together Nick and Emily sort out the role of science and belief when it comes to questions of personhood and the future of humanity. Ably led by host Andy Kind, Unbelievable? digs back into that perennial question, ‘can science and religion come together - furiously or fruitfully - over the status and nature of what it means to be human’?

#ai #eugenics #whatisahuman #scienceandreligion 

SOCIAL LINKS: 
Twitter: / unbelievablefe
Facebook:  / premierunbelievable
Instagram:  / premierunbelievable
Tik Tok: / premierunbelievable

• Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101
• Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate


FOR NICK:
Read Nick Spencer and Hannah Waite's book Playing God: Science, Religion and the Future of  Humanity
Theos: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/
⬇️ Follow Nick on Social Media
X: @theosnick

FOR EMIlY: 
Read Emily Qureshi-Hurst's book God, Salvation and the Problem of Spacetime
Online: https://www.emilyqureshihurst.com/ 
At Oxford: https://www.philosophy.ox.ac.uk/people/emily-qureshi-hurst 
⬇️ Follow Emily on Social Media
X: @equreshihurst


For more on on this and related topics check out: 


Why do humans play God? Nick Spencer vs Emily Qureshi Hurst presented by Andy Kind

In a world riddled with conflict, where headlines scream of violence and unrest, the age-old question resurfaces: Is war ever justified, or should Christians wholeheartedly embrace pacifism? Join esteemed scholars Nigel Biggar and Stanley Hauerwas as they delve into the moral complexities of war and peace from a Christian perspective in this classic replay episode.

Nigel Biggar, renowned theologian and ethicist, brings his nuanced understanding of just war theory, exploring the conditions under which Christians might find themselves compelled to engage in warfare. 

Stanley Hauerwas, also a leading voice in Christian ethics, advocates for a radical alternative: pacifism. Hauerwas challenges listeners to reconsider conventional notions of power and violence, urging a transformative approach rooted in love and nonviolence.

This episode originally aired on: 8 November 2014

• Subscribe to Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 on your preferred platform to never miss an episode, and join the conversation as we explore the nuances of belief, skepticism, and the evolving landscape of modern thought.
• Rate and review this podcast in your podcast provider to help others discover the podcast
• Get in touch with us to share your questions for upcoming shows!  
• Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

Classic Replay: War and Peace: is war ever justified or should Christians embrace pacifism? Nigel Biggar and Stanley Hauerwas

It's no secret that modern American Christians are deeply divided over politics. This division raises important questions about the influence of Scripture on political beliefs. To make sense of this, we invited renowned scholar NT Tom Wright, theologian, professor and star of the "Ask NT Wright Anything Podcast" along with New York Times bestselling author Dr. Preston M. Sprinkle host of the Theology in the Raw podcast. Tom Wright stresses the need for Christians to prioritise the kingdom of God and embody its values within the church. Preston talks about how Israel’s exile to Babylon, Jesus’ mission on earth, and the teachings of Paul all shaped the church’s relationship with politics and can inform our own relationship with politics today.  Tom Wright's co-author Mike Bird came on Unbelievable (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zieWeTqe2qc). This is part of our continuing series on navigating politics.

#politics #godandpolitics #ntwrightonline #debate

SOCIAL LINKS: 
Twitter: / unbelievablefe
Facebook:  / premierunbelievable
Instagram:  / premierunbelievable
Tik Tok: / premierunbelievable

• Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101
• Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate


FOR TOM:
Read Tom Wright and Michael Bird's book Jesus and the Powers 
Ask NT Wright Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ask-nt-wright-anything/id1441656192
And more resources online: https://www.ntwrightonline.org/
⬇️ Follow Tom on Social Media
IG: @ntwrightonline


FOR PRESTON: 
Read Preston Sprinkle's book Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire
⬇️ Follow Preston on Social Media
X: @PrestonSprinkle
IG: preston.sprinkle


For more on on this and related topics check out: 


Jesus and Modern Politics with Tom 'NT' Wright, Preston Sprinkle and Billy Hallowell

Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Is there any good evidence to support the resurrection? Are alternative explanations more compelling? Can we trust the biblical narratives? Ruth Jackson hosted a live debate at a school with the help of Aylesbury Youth for Christ. She was joined by Rev Dr Joseph Boot, founder and president of the Ezra Institute for Contemporary Christianity, and Harry Amos, who moved from Christianity to "agnostic atheism" while studying philosophy, politics and economics and blogs about his experience at The Book of Amos. 

For Ezra Institute: https://www.ezrainstitute.com/
For Book of Amos: https://thebookofamos.wordpress.com/

For Easter videos on our NEW TikTok channel: https://www.tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable
• 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

The resurrection: Fact or fiction? Harry Amos vs Joe Boot hosted by Ruth Jackson

Today we delve into the contentious debate surrounding the role of secularism in Western civilization and its relationship with Christianity.
A growing chorus of new atheist writers heralds the advent of an enlightened era of secular rationalism, purporting to liberate society from what they perceive as the shackles of outdated Christian influence. However, according to David Bentley Hart, acclaimed author of "Atheist Delusions: The Christian Revolution and its Fashionable Enemies," such claims amount to nothing more than an "atheist delusion." His book, which garnered the prestigious Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writing in 2011, challenges the narrative of secular triumphalism by revisiting the historical contributions of Christianity.
On the opposing side, Terry Sanderson former President of the UK's National Secular Society contends that contemporary society thrives under an increasingly secular framework, asserting that the freedoms and values we cherish are not contingent upon a Christian foundation.
In this engaging dialogue, we see a clash of perspectives as David argues that secular perspectives are rooted in a misguided myth of secular "progress." By examining the intertwined histories of Christianity and secularism, David presents a compelling case that challenges prevailing notions of societal evolution.

This episode originally aired on:  25 June 2011

Subscribe to Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 on your preferred platform to never miss an episode, and join the conversation as we explore the nuances of belief, skepticism, and the evolving landscape of modern thought.

• More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com
• For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live
• For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/coures

• Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow
• Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

Classic Replay: London’s atheist church - Sanderson Jones & David Robertson

Download our free app to listen on your phone