Can we use science to ascertain whether prayer works?  Data from a series of prayer experiments is part of the evidence that US atheist scientist Victor Stenger uses to build the case against God in his best-selling book "God: The failed hypothesis".

David Bartholomew is a Christian and Emeritus Professor of Statistics at the London School of Economics.  He has written a paper contesting Stenger's use of data to disprove God as invalid.

They debate the issues on whether we can detect or disprove God using scientific methods.

For Victor Stenger see http://www.colorado.edu/philosophy/vstenger/VWeb/Media.html

For David Bartholomew see http://www.djbartholomew.com/

For the Science and Christian Belief Journal his paper will be published in http://www.scienceandchristianbelief.org

For more Christian/non Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast  http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy

Unbelievable? 26 Jun 2010 - "Is God a Failed hypothesis - philosophically?" Atheist US physicist Victor Stenger vs. Prof of Sociology Steve Fuller

Unbelievable? 14 Mar 2009 - Fine Tuning of the Universe - is it evidence of God? Nicholas Beale vs Julian Baggini

To join the discussion visit the "Unbelievable?" Group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Dr Adam Bradford believes he has discovered a significant new insight into Jesus Christ.  In "The Jesus Discovery" he explains why he believes that Jesus was not an unschooled peasant preacher, as many depict him.  Instead, he claims that Jesus came from a middle class family and would have been schooled in Jerusalem's top school of Rabbis.  This, he says, explains how the religious authorities treated him before and after his trial.

Is there evidence for this view, and what difference would it make if it were true?

New Testament Scholar David Instone-Brewer debates the evidence with Adam.

For "The Jesus Discovery" website http://www.thejesusdiscovery.com/

To order the book http://www.templehouse-publishing.com/books.htm

For David Instone-Brewer see http://www.tyndale.cam.ac.uk/index.php?page=david-instone-brewer

For his work on divorce & remarriage see http://www.instonebrewer.com/divorceremarriage/

For more Christian theological debates visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 13 Feb 2010 - "What did Jesus really say about Divorce and remarriage?" - David Instone-Brewer debates Andrew Cornes

Unbelievable? 18 Oct 2008 - Why Should I believe in Jesus? Ex-Christian Norman Hansen vs. Amy Orr-Ewing of the Zacharias Trust

Join the discussion at the Unbelievable? group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

The Bible is often criticised for either supporting or not condemning the institution of slavery.  So how should we treat portions of Scripture in both the Old and New Testaments that relate to slavery?  Why does the Old Testament contain laws regarding the treatment of slaves? Does Paul condemn or affirm the institution?

Bob Price is a former US church minister whose doubts about the Bible led him to ultimately reject evangelical Christian faith.  He says that the Bible is a book that reflects the time it was written in.  Slavery was acceptable and the early Christians regrettably followed suit, and did not challenge the prevailing status quo.

David Instone-Brewer is a New Testament Scholar at Tyndale House, Cambridge.  He says that, in its cultural context, the Bible goes as far as it can towards an anti-slavery message and that Christians have been at the forefront of anti-slavery movements.

For Bob Price see  http://www.robertmprice.mindvendor.com/

For David Instone-Brewer see http://www.tyndale.cam.ac.uk/index.php?page=david-instone-brewer

For his Visual Sermons see http://www.visualsermons.co.uk/

For more Christian/non-Christian debates visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 20 Feb 2010 - "Is Christianity Good for us?" US atheist Michael Shermer debates Scottish apologist David Robertson

Unbelievable? 2 May 2009 -"Did Jesus Exist?" - Apologist JP Holding & Atheist Ken Humphreys debate.

Join the discussion at the Unbelievable? group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

This second show addresses whether the church is homophobic in its attitude towards gay people.  Would a gay person feel welcome at an evangelical church?  Should practising gays be allowed to become church members or receive communion?  Has the church focussed on the gay issue to the exclusion of all other sins?

Mike Dark of the organisation "Accepting Evangelicals" is a gay Christian in a same sex relationship.  He says he experienced rejection and homophobia in his church when he "came out" as gay, but has since found a church where same sex relationships are welcomed.

John Richardson (who blogs as the Ugley Vicar) is part of the conservative-evangelical Anglican group Reform.  He believes there is a line to be drawn when it comes to the church condoning same sex activity among its members.

Martin Hallett is the former director of The True Freedom Trust.  As a Christian of homosexual orientation he chooses to remain celibate, believing the Bible does not condone same sex activity.  But he says the church is often guilty of homophobia too.

For Mike Dark see http://www.acceptingevangelicals.org/

For John Richardson see http://ugleyvicar.blogspot.com/ or http://www.reform.org.uk/

For Martin Hallett see http://www.truefreedomtrust.co.uk/

For more Christian theological debates visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 22 Aug 2009 - "Does religion make people unhappy?" - Christian Apologist Tom Price & Atheist Barry Duke

Unbelievable? 18 Apr 2009 - Peter Kerridge, Terry Sanderson and Andrea Williams - "I am A Christian" - are Christians being marginalised in society?

Join the debate at the Unbelievable? group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Evangelical Christians hold that sexual relations outside of marriage are against Biblical mandate and have negative moral and social consequences.

In modern society, as marriage becomes less common and most people are sexually active from their teens, is this belief outmoded and irrelevant?

Sue Meyer describes herself as an "Atheist freethinking feminist".  She claims that Christian marriage has historically been used as a way of subjugating women.  She says that the modern climate where people are at liberty to have sex with who they want, when they want is a welcome change.

Faith Forster is one of the founders of the Ichthus Christian Fellowship network of churches in the UK.  She says that the Biblical principle of keeping sex within the marriage bond is given for the good of both individuals and society.

For Faith Forster visit http://www.ichthus.org.uk/

You can hear more Christian/non-Christian debate at http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or via itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 19 Jan 2008 Abortion - pro-life vs. pro-choice.

Unbelievable? 30 Jun 2007 - Are evangelical Christians too exclusive?

Join the discussion at the Unbelievable? group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

In response to listener requests Justin hosts two shows dealing with Homosexuality and Christian faith.

This first show addresses the main scriptural passages that relate to homosexuality.  Are the prohibitions against same sex acts in the Old Testament relevant to today?  What is the correct interpretation of the apostle Paul's writing on "homosexual offenders" in Romans, Corinthians and elsewhere?  Were Jonathan and King David gay lovers?

Mike Dark of the organisation "Accepting Evangelicals" is a gay Christian in a same sex relationship.  He believes that Old and New Testament prohibitions on homosexuality need to be understood in light of their cultural context and that they do not preclude faithful, loving same sex relationships today.

John Richardson (who blogs as the Ugley Vicar) is part of the conservative-evangelical Anglican group Reform.  He believes the remit of scripture clearly stands against all forms of homosexual behaviour.

Jeremy Marks of the gay affirming Christian support organisation "Courage UK" explains why they had a radical change of mind on same sex relationships in 2000.

For Mike Dark see http://www.acceptingevangelicals.org/

For John Richardson see http://ugleyvicar.blogspot.com/ or http://www.reform.org.uk/

For Jeremy Marks see http://www.courage.org.uk/

For more Christian theological debates visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or via Itunes

If you enjoyed today's programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 24 Apr 2010 - "Grill a Christian" show - four atheists challenge David Robertson with their objections to faith

Unbelievable? 13 Feb 2010 - "What did Jesus really say about Divorce and remarriage?" - David Instone-Brewer debates Andrew Cornes

Join the discussion at the Unbelievable? group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Peter Hitchens is a writer and regular columnist for the Mail on Sunday.  Unlike his atheist brother Christopher, Peter is a committed Christian having himself been an atheist in younger years.

His new book "The Rage Against God" challenges the anti-theism of his brother and the 'new atheism', taking as its starting point a debate they both took part in two years ago.

He debates with atheist Adam Rutherford, a scientific broadcaster and writer, on whether society can function without a God-given moral compass at its centre.  They cover issues such as faith, secularism, the church, atheist states and abortion in this wide ranging discussion.

You can buy "The Rage against God" at http://premier.org.uk/shop

For Peter Hitchens' Blog see http://hitchensblog.mailonsunday.co.uk/

For Adam Rutherford see http://adamrutherford.com/

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or Get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy

Unbelievable? 4 Jul 2009 - Peter Hitchens & Ibrahim Mogra debate "Is Islam or Christianity the best future for Britain?"

Unbelievable? 19 Sep 2009 - "Would Europe be better off as an atheistic or Christian society?" David Robertson, Ed Turner & Richard Morgan

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

"The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ" is the latest book from the pen of prominent atheist author Philip Pullman.  It re-imagines the story of Jesus as the story of two twins - one called Jesus, the other Christ.  It is the twin Christ who writes the history of Jesus, turning him into the God-man of the Gospels. 

Philip Pullman joins Justin Brierley to discuss whether we should believe the Biblical stories of Jesus as historical fact or whether myth and invention are inevitable in the 2000 year old Gospel accounts.

Christian journalist Martin Saunders engages Pullman on his view of the Church and his scepticism of the miraculous while Bible Scholar Anthony McRoy challenges Pullman's view that the Gospels are the product of the mythologising and interpretation of its historical core.  He particularly takes issue with Pullman's recasting of the resurrection as a fabricated trick to create the foundation of the future church.

For "The book of Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ" see http://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Jesus-Scoundrel-Christ-Myths/dp/1847678254

For a further debate between Philip Pullman and Rt Revd Lord Richard Harries courtesy of English Pen go to http://www.premierradio.org.uk/shows/saturday/unbelievable/features.aspx

For Philip Pullman see http://www.philip-pullman.com/

Martin Saunders is a contributor to Christianity Magazine and reviews the book in their June edition http://www.christianitymagazine.co.uk/

For Anthony McRoy on the historical Jesus see http://www.bethinking.org/bible-jesus/introductory/debunking-channel-4s-conspiracy-theory.htm

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 3 Jan 2009 Bart Ehrman & Peter Williams - "Misquoting Jesus: Do we have the original writings of the New Testament?"

Unbelievable? 29 Aug 2009 - and the Eyewitnesses part 1 : Richard Bauckham and James Crossley

Unbelievable? 6 Sep 2008 Christianity on trial pt 1: Can I trust the Bible? Atheist lawyer Ed Turner vs Theologian Andy Bannister

Jon the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Test of Faith is an initiative aimed at showing that Christian faith and good science are perfectly compatible.  As the Tour reaches london on 19th May we ask "Do we need God, now that we have science?"

Denis Alexander is a biologist from the Faraday Insititute in Cambridge.  As a Christian he believes that his science coheres with and supports his faith.  Stephen Law of the Royal Institute of Philosophy believes that science together with philosophy can be used to refute the existence of God.

They discuss Evolution, the problem of evil,  the God of the Gaps, the cosmological and fine tuning arguments for the existence of God and more besides.

For Test of Faith and the London Tour (Wed 19th May, 7.30pm at The London Institute of Contemporary Christianity) visit http://www.testoffaith.com

For Stephen Law visit http://stephenlaw.blogspot.com/

For Denis Alexander visit http://graphite.st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk/faraday/

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme then you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 27 Jun 2009 - "Is Christian faith at odds with science?" Atheist biologist PZ Myers & Christian biologist Denis Alexander

Unbelievable? 10 Jan 2009  Ehrman & Richard Swinburne - "God's Problem: does the Bible fail to answer the problem of suffering?"

Unbelievable? 29 Nov 2008 - Creation or Evolution - do we have to choose? Denis Alexander & Stephen Lloyd debate

Join the discussion at the "Unbelievable?" group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

We mix things up a bit this week with a different format.  Four atheist listeners of the show get their chance to air their objections to Christian faith.  Taking their questions and criticisms is Church pastor David Robertson, author of "The Dawkins Letters".

Martyn Frame asks "Would the Universe look different without God?".  Trevor asks "What about Old Testament Laws that we find offensive?".  Alex Bryce probes David on the Moral argument for God.  David Moser questions whether the problem of suffering has been properly thought through by Christians.

The debate will continue online at the 'Unbelievable?' group of the Premier Community as each atheist posts up their questions and David responds.  Join in at http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

For David Robertson see http://www.stpeters-dundee.org.uk

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme then you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 20 Feb 2010 - "Is Christianity Good for us?" US atheist Michael Shermer debates Scottish apologist David Robertson

Unbelievable? 13 Jun 2009 - The Moral Argument For God - Atheist Paul Orton & Christian David Robertson