Unbelievable?

Jesus was a healer, but what do we believe about healing and how it operates? Spiritual healer David Cunnigham is not a Christian - he says that Divine energy is channelled when he heals people. John Ryeland runs the Christian Healing Mission and says that Jesus is responsible for the physical healing that takes place there. Guests contribute with stories of healing on both sides of the discussion.

To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable.

As the world marks Darwin's bicentenary, Nick Spencer of Christian thinktank Theos and author of the book "Darwin & God" explains where Darwin actually stood in relation to belief in God. Although Darwin lost his Christian faith he was never an atheist. Atheist biologist Robert Stovold argues that Darwin's "Big Idea" paves the way to atheism. Denis Alexander of the Faraday Institute also contributes arguing that belief in God and Evolution are complementary.

Order " Darwin and God" (SPCK) by Nick Spencer

For more christian/non-Christian debate visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast

If you enjoyed this programme you may also want to listen to:

29 Nov 2008 - Creation or Evolution - Do we have to choose?

21 Jun 2008 - Keith Ward on "The Big Questions in Science and Religion": Why Christians CAN believe in evolution.

To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable.

"The Atheist's Bible" (Duckworth & Co) has been a bestseller in the USA. It brings together a mass of quotes from atheists, agnostics and more. Its compiler Joan Konner speaks to Justin Brierley about why she put it together and her own thoughts on atheism. She interacts with Christian apologist Peter Williams whose own book "The Sceptic's Guide to Atheism" (Paternoster) has just been published.

Joan and Peter debate whether atheism has some fundamental faith assumptions of its own, as Peter argues that atheistic naturalism is a self-defeating notion. Joan argues that Christianity is arrogant in its exclusive claims.

For Joan Konner see: http://joanwkonner.com/

For Peter Williams see: http://www.arn.org/authors/williams.html

Check out the "Unbelievable?" web page to listen to more programmes and get the podcast www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable

For more Christian/atheist interactions check out - 25 Aug 2007 "Deluded by Dawkins?"; 3 Nov 2007 "The New Atheism"; 26 Jan 2008 "Do we need God to be good?"

To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable.

Justin is joined for the seond time by New Testament scholars Michael F Bird And James G Crossley.  Their book "How Did Christianity begin? A believer and non-believer examine the evidence" gives rival accounts of the cause of Christianity and its beliefs.  This week they debate whether Paul believed Jesus was God and whether we can trust the Gospel portrayals of him.

Order the book at www.premier.org.uk/shopping

For Bird see http://euangelizomai.blogspot.com/

For Crossley see http://earliestchristianhistory.blogspot.com/

To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable.

Timothy Keller started Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York in 1989. It now attracts several thousand members to worship every week. His book "The Reason for God" answers the questions he is commonly asked by sceptical New Yorkers. He engages with Atheist Norman Bacrac editor of the "Ethical Record" - a Humanist publication. They debate whether Christianity's exclusive claims are arrogant, and whether people alone can be the best judge of what is right and wrong.

For Tim Keller see www.redeemer.com and www.thereasonforgod.com

Order "The Reason for God" at www.premier.org.uk/shopping

You can hear more Christian/Non Christian debates at www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable and subscribe to the podcast

If you enjoyed this progamme you may want to listen to

Unbelievable? 27 Dec 2008 -

Unbelievable? 26 Jan 2008 - 

Discuss this debate at the Premier Community www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Are atheists guilty of misunderstanding morality and the Bible? 

David Robertson is a Free Church Minister in Scotland and author of the best selling book "The Dawkins letters - Challenging atheist myths".  He meets "atheist blogger" Adrian Hayter again to discuss the "myths" of Godless morality, the cruel Old Testament God and the Immoral Bible.

Read Richard Morgan's testimony here (mentioned during feedback at the start of the programme)

To buy "The Dawkins Letters" go to www.premier.org.uk/shopping

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

For Adrian Hayter see: http://atheistblogger.com/

For more Christian and non-Christian discussion visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable and get the podcast

You may also be interested in the following programmes:

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

Unbelievable? 5 Apr 2008 Why I became an atheist - John W Loftus in discussion with Peter May

To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable.

Church minister David Robertson authored a series of Open Letters to Richard Dawkins after the publication of "The God Delusion" that sought to expose the flaws in his argument and the "atheist myths" that he was guilty of. Those missives became a book called "The Dawkins Letters: Challenging atheist myths" and has propelled David into the spotlight as he addresses sceptical audiences on whether Christian belief makes sense.

He debates with student Adrian Hayter also known as the "atheist blogger" online. Adrian disagrees with David's conclusions.

They debate "the myth of Atheist rationality and tolerance" & "the myth of the inherent evil of religion" Tune in next week for round 2...

To buy "The Dawkins Letters" go to www.premier.org.uk/shopping

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

For Adrian Hayter see: http://atheistblogger.com/

For more Christian and non-Christian discussion visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable and get the podcast

You may be interested to hear the Show of 27 Dec 08 - "Bits & Bobs end of year special" featuring David Robertson

Join the discussion at the Premier Community

Justin Brierley adresses the controversial children's blockbuster "The Golden Compass" that was released at cinemas this week. Some groups claim that it is atheist propaganda aimed at misrepresenting Christianity to children.  Justin is joined by Jason Gardner of the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity and Andrew Copson of the British Humanist Association.

To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable.

Premier is inviting Christians to sign the "I am a Christian" declaration at www.iamachristian.org.uk and stand up for their Christian faith. It's in response to the fact that over 100,000 have downloaded the National Secular Society's "Debaptism" certificate, renouncing childhood baptismal vows.

There have been a number of stories that suggest Christians are being restricted form being open about their Christian faith in the public arena, and now the National Secular Society is urging that hospital chaplains should not be funded by the NHS.

Premier's CEO Peter Kerridge explains why he believes the campaign will encourage Christian to be bold in their faith. Terry Sanderson of the National Secular Society explains why they want to take Christian influence out of the public sphere, while Andrea Williams of Christian Concern for Our Nation explains why she believes the rights of Christians are being challenged.

Sign the declaration at www.iamachristian.org.uk

For Terry Sanderson see www.secularism.org.uk

For Andrea Williams see www.ccfon.org

For more Christian/non-Christian debates visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast

If you enjoyed this programme you may want to listen to

Unbelievable? 2 Aug 2008 - Faith & School - do they mix? Jan Ainsworth & Andrew Copson debate.

Join the discussion at the Premier Community