In the mid 2010's, New Atheism was busy producing best-selling books and plastering adverts on the sides of buses. Its loud scepticism is not as popular these days, but many of its arguments live on. What has changed and how can we respond a decade later? Andy Bannister explores this in his revised and expanded book, The Atheist Who Didn't Exist, for a 10th anniversary edition. He speaks to Gavin Matthews and Simon Wenham about what's new what's interesting about the state of atheism today.

Get a free copy of the book when you sign up to support Solas for just £4 a month. https://solas-cpc.org/book-offer/

Why do personal stories have the power to move us?

In this episode, Brooke Kehl, of Eastern European Mission, explores why testimonies can be such a compelling witness to others. Hear how God is transforming lives, and how you can play your part in reaching those around you. Could a focus on mirroring Christ be the first step to unlocking new and surprising opportunities to share your faith? How might our own stories inspire and impact others, as part of God’s grand plan to reach the lost?

“Many [Christians] know what they believe, but they just think ‘I can’t share that in the workplace. I can’t share that in a friendship. I don’t want to get into a fight… But if you listen to people talking on the street, or in the workplace, most people aren’t afraid to share their opinions.”

In a world that often feels fragmented and uncertain, many are searching for purpose and meaning. At the same time, Christians often feel that they are on the ‘back foot’, when it comes to how the church is viewed by wider society. In this episode of PEP Talk, Dr Paul Coulter calls us to step forward with confidence, offering a transforming vision of an identity rooted in Christ. By engaging with contemporary culture, he shares how we can meet the challenges of today with a bold faith that provides meaning, identity and hope – and how we can share that message with those around us.

Our Guest: Paul Coulter's day job is as Head of Ministry Operations for Living Leadership, which seeks to support Christian leaders and their families to live in Christ joyfully and serve Him faithfully. Paul has worked as a medical doctor, a cross-cultural pastor and a lecturer in practical theology. He continues to teach ethics and other subjects in theological colleges.  Paul holds primary degrees in medical genetics and medicine, an MA and PhD in theology, and a post-graduate certificate in higher education teaching. Paul lives in Lisburn with his wife, Gar-Ling, and their two children.  In his spare time he enjoys cycling, walking and reading historical novels. 

Centre for Christianity in Society: www.christianityinsociety.org

Personal website: www.paulcoulter.net

“Why don’t we write a prayer guide for people who aren’t religious and who don’t do church?”

If you could inspire people across the country to pray, what would be the result? In this episode, we hear from David Hill, who runs a ministry that is doing just that. For many this has led to unexpected and profound experiences of God – moments of revelation and transformation. How have so many people found a deeper connection to God in this way? Tune in as we explore the ways in which the power of prayer is breaking down barriers and leading to extraordinary spiritual breakthroughs. Could a simple invitation to pray be the first step for someone near you to experience God?

Try praying yourself at trypraying.org or find campaign resources at do.trypraying.org

Gavin and Kristi hear from Chris McBurney about how students in Ireland are responding to the gospel in different ways across very different contexts in the north and south of the island. Reflecting on the rise in spirituality, coupled with muddied worldviews, the beating heart of evangelism for young people still seems to remain rooted in authentic relationships. As leader of Christian Unions Ireland, Chris shares his passion for this type of ministry.

Chris McBurney is the Director for Christian Unions Ireland. He lives in Comber with this wife Katie and two girls, Orla and Ava. Having become a Christian at university in Canterbury, he’s spent the last 10 years working in student ministry both in England and across the island of Ireland.

Today's PEP Talk comes from a former Muslim who encountered Jesus in a powerful way. He gives us important reminders of the cost that can come from following Jesus - losing family, job and country. Whilst his journey to faith is full of passion and joy, it is also a great reminder to appreciate our freedoms and blessings in the West. How can we then use these freedoms to reach Muslims and support those who convert, often at great personal cost?

John Ghanim is a passionate Christian influencer, evangelist, and full-time missionary. After leaving Islam in 2014 and spending three years as an agnostic, his life was transformed at the end of 2017 when he encountered Jesus. Called to be an evangelist, John now dedicates his life to sharing Christ with all nations. With a background in business administration from his time in Yemen, he uses his experience and unwavering faith to inspire and equip believers worldwide. Follow him on social media here.

At Solas, we love learning about (and working with!) others who share our passion for equipping Christians for evangelism. Today Steve and Gavin discover how Share Jesus International is working with churches to help unlock their outreach potential, through resources like their Prompt Cards and Sharing Jesus course.

Andy Frost has been the Director of Share Jesus International since 2008 leading scores of projects ranging from London’s Pentecost Festival to national tours. He presently heads up the London Mission Collective; works with Care for the Family on the Kitchen Table Project and Gather on church unity and mission. Over the years he has worked with a variety of organisations including More than Gold, Big Book Media and C3 Global. He is a Methodist Local Preacher: has an MA in Applied Theology and has authored a number of books and presented the Jesus Series. He is married to Jo and has two daughters.

If you encounter apathy when sharing the gospel, it could stem from a worldview that sees faith as irrelevant in a world ruled and explained by science. Research in the area of intelligent design can be a great tool in breaking down those barriers within a scientific mindset. On PEP Talk today, Steve and Gavin learn more about how we as Christians can connect with those who think this way. 

For an introduction to Intelligent Design, check out this video from Stephen Meyer or Cosmic Chemistry by John Lennox.

Alistair McKitterick is Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader of the MA in Practical Theology and Ministry at the London School of Theology.  He has a particular interest in the science and faith debate, with his doctoral research on the effectiveness of teaching science to Evangelical theology students.  Before lecturing in theology, Alistair studied physics and taught mathematics and science in Zimbabwe in an Elim Pentecostal mission.  He is married to Emily and has four grown up children. 

In the UK today, an increasing number of our colleagues and neighbours come from Muslim backgrounds. Although there are issues arising from the clash of Islamic theology and Western values, how can we interact constructively and lovingly with Muslims we meet? Today on PEP Talk we look at the challenge of Islam and the opportunities for sharing the gospel with those who follow it.

Tim Dieppe is Head of Public Policy at  Christian Concern with a specialist interest in Islam. He regularly writes and comments in the media on Islamic affairs and is passionate about encouraging Christians to respond with confidence to the growing influence of Islam in the UK. Tim holds a degree from Oxford University and an MA in theology from  Westminster  Theological Centre. He co-authored Questions to Ask Your Muslim Friends with Beth Peltola.  He is also the author of The Challenge of Islam published this year by Wilberforce Publications, which seeks to equip and inform Christians how best to respond to the rise of Islam in Britain.

Down through the ages, the Christian message has been shared via new technology, from Gutenberg's Bible to TikTok. But with recent advancements in AI, what would it look like to share the gospel with a chatbot? Today on PEP Talk, Andy and Gavin find out about one project to explore the possibilities and challenges.

Try it out now at apologist.ai or try bots focussing on Islamic or scientific backgrounds.

Jake Carlson is the founder of The Apologist Project, a nonprofit that develops conversational AIs for Christian apologetics and evangelism. Jake grew up as a missionary kid in China, where he first became interested in apologetics and Christian worldview study. He has over 25 years experience in software product development, leading product and engineering teams in both small startups and Big Tech companies. Jake founded The Apologist Project two years ago to develop digital products to further the Kingdom. The Apologist Project recently won 1st place at the Indigitous #HACK event — as well as 2nd place in challenge at the Gloo AI & the Church hackathon — for its work developing a Muslim-serving chatbot.