Why did Jesus have to die? Why did it have to be such a violent death? And what on earth does the death of Jesus on a cross such a long time ago have to do with us today? This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptions Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com 
 Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out. Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.  Hosted by John Dickson Produced by Kaley Payne  Directed by Mark Hadley  Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Writer and researcher: Alasdair Belling Online Librarian: Siobhan McGuiness 
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The Crucifixion

Every week on Undeceptions we’ll explore some aspect of life, faith, history, culture, or ethics that is either much misunderstood or mostly forgotten. With the help of people who know what they’re talking about, we’ll be trying to ‘undeceive ourselves’ and let the truth ‘out’.

Religion & Spirituality

Other

Spirituality

Christianity

Buddhism

Hinduism

Judaism

Islam

If Christianity is one big conspiracy, we wouldn't find so many mistakes and inconsistencies in the Gospels! Surely if the faith was one big lie, the Gospels would have some uniformity to them, united to deceive readers. Well, that's one side of the argument. Others might point to the Gospel contradictions as proof the entire thing is made up. So, why are there contradictions in the Gospels? Does this undermine their credibility?

Gospel Contradictions

You can make a pretty good case that the Gospels are the four most influential - and controversial - books of all time. But who were the authors? How do we know who wrote them? And why was it that these four books were selected, and not others? 

Jesus' Biography

In this special Undeceptions Single, Stan Grant shares his reflections on God and suffering in the wake of the Bondi Junction attacks that occurred on April 13 in Sydney, Australia.

SINGLE: Bondi Junction

From the mid-1990s to the 2010s, 'New Atheism' dominated the intellectual space. A virulent, attacking form of godless evangelism, it saw people like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens top best-seller lists, and draw huge crowds to their lectures. Justin Brierley was in the middle of it all as New Atheism rose - and then collapsed. In its wake, Justin says he is seeing a new openness to theism - but where that might lead is anyone's guess.

Christianity's Comeback

Theology: It's a dry term that conjures images of old academics writing dusty books that will never be read.  However, this couldn't be further from the truth. The study of theology is the study of who we are as humans, and how we can make sense of both God and the complexities of the world. So, who are the theologians we should all know about?

The Crucifixion

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