Unbelievable?

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

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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:

🎧 Generative Ai: second contact, avoiding the fate of Nokia, hacking the human operating system, and the resiliency of Western democracy Matters of Life and Death Podcast

📺 Can Science tell us what it means to be human? Philip Ball and Nick Spencer on The Big Conversation

📺 Are we just our brains? Sharon Dirckx and Emily Qureshi-Hurst on Unbelievable? Podcast

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

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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

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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:

🎧 Toxic social media and how to navigate the mucky business of politics -- Matters of Life and Death Podcast

📺 Should Christians play politics? Mike Bird vs Stephen Wolfe

📺 Should faith and politics mix? with Peter Wehner and Jonathan Rausch

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

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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.

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The question of the historicity of Jesus' resurrection has been repeatedly investigated, probed, and discussed. This week on Unbelievable we will add to the debate by asking ‘Did it really happen – the Resurrection of Jesus?’ dissecting the narratives of Jesus’ death and Resurrection. We’ve got two eminent scholars – who are good friends but with diametrically opposed beliefs on the authenticity of this pivotal event that forms the basis for the Christian worldview. 

 

Dr. Mike Licona, a New Testament scholar, an expert on the intricate details of events surrounding the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ in first century Palestine, examines their historical reliability.  Dr. Larry Shapiro a sceptic on such matters, challenges these assertions and offers alternative explanations that he believes are more plausible.  

The show also tackles reconciling discrepancies in the Resurrection accounts - does that strengthen or weaken the arguments that these events happened?   

And even if the historical reliability of ancient texts is established, can we apply these texts to 21st century life from a philosophical perspective? Dr. Mike Licona presents the evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus. If the Resurrection happened, and Jesus conquered death for all who put their trust in Him it’s a question we cannot not ignore.  

Prof. Larry Shapiro

Lawrence Shapiro is the Berent Enç Professor of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin — Madison.

Website: https://lshapiro911.wixsite.com/mysite

PhilPeople Profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/lawrence-shapiro

https://philosophy.wisc.edu/staff/shapiro-lawrence/

Mike Licona:

Mike Licona is Professor of New Testament Studies at Houston Christian University and President of Risen Jesus, Inc.

X: @DrMikeLicona

Facebook: @DrMikeLicona

Youtube: @MikeLiconaOfficial

Instagram: @drmikelicona

Tik Tok: @mikelicona3

Books to Mention:

The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach (IVP Academic)

Jesus, Contradicted: Why the Gospels tell the same story differently (Zondervan Academic, coming out May 28)

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In this Classic Replay of Unbelievable? Podcast, we delve into the fascinating journey of Leah Libresco, once a prominent atheist blogger who made headlines by converting to Catholicism. Her story gained attention across both religious and secular spheres, including a feature on CNN.

Leah sits down with Hemant Mehta, widely known as the Friendly Atheist, for a topical discussion about the moral arguments that played a pivotal role in her conversion journey. Hemant quizzes Leah on her decision to embrace Catholicism, providing listeners with an insightful exchange that explores the intricacies of faith, reason, and personal conviction.

Listeners also get the chance to participate as Leah and Hemant field questions, offering deeper insights into Leah's faith journey and the broader dynamics of faith and atheism.

For Leah Libresco visit: leahlibresco.com

For Hemant Mehta visit: friendlyatheist.com

This episode originally aired on: 23 June 2014

• Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101

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With crucial elections happening in the UK and USA this year Unbelievable is diving back the debate into politics and faith with some paradigm shifting thinkers and theologians. Strap in for this mini-series starting with Michael F. Bird (Deputy Principal & New Testament scholar at Ridley College, Australia) and Stephen Wolfe (author of ‘The Case for Christian Nationalism’). These two come to vastly different conclusions about how faith and politics should mix. Stephen Wolfe makes a startling case for Christian nationalism. How can followers of Jesus be part of the solution bringing divided communities together asks Michael Bird, co-author with Tom “NT” Wright of ‘Jesus and the Powers?’  What are the boundaries of our personal beliefs?  How can we achieve the goods we wish to see in society?  In the coming weeks we will also hear from New Testament scholar Tom ‘NT’ Wright, Preston Sprinkle author of ‘Exiles: The church in the shadow of empire’ and ex-White House and presidential staffer Michael Wear

Michael F. Bird

Twitter: @mbird12

Blog: https://michaelfbird.substack.com

Channel: Early Christian History link to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC21I7qYVHPsOzL9ujxiRWZA

Books: Amazon link to https://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Michael-F-Bird/s?rh=n%3A266239%2Cp_27%3AMichael+F.+Bird

Stephen Wolfe

@PerfInjust

https://www.amazon.com/Case-Christian-Nationalism-Stephen-Wolfe/dp/1957905336/ref=sr_1_1?crid=388EY0PP8LI3E&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.q0DTFRuTT7yLGpKD_qahRIM2K4gPy1eBZYUeKmL3I1uvZdOg8RN6LmgihVjxX6kzWASFAbo-519nQPCKERYm3QFzXDDb798NLEjphu4ee68.2OMMP0WgNhTuN7CWzsT4c9PPKJv-lKaouXcoFlYt_TQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+case+for+christian+nationalism+stephen+wolfe&qid=1711052839&sprefix=The+case+for+christian+nationl%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-1

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In this replay we bring together Christian Philosopher & Theologian Keith Ward and atheist Professor of Philosophy from King's College London, David Papinaeu to unpack the question "Is our mind more than matter"? Ward believes that the brain is accompanied by an immaterial mind, while Papinaeu believes the brain and the mind to be one in the same - with nothing immaterial about it. What do you think?

This episode originally aired on: 14 Jan 2012

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Top apologist, Biola professor, and author Dr. Sean McDowell guest hosts Unbelievable on the topic, 'Does God truly love everyone?'. Most Christians would say yes. At the heart of Christianity is a declaration that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son to make salvation possible for every single person. But there are very strongly held views across the spectrum about what happens when we die? What about those who have never heard? Is there a chance to acknowledge and accept God postmortem and spend eternity with him? How do we affirm the idea of God’s love for all and the idea held dear by some that Christ died for the elect. Andrew Hronich endeavors to synthesize the many strands of orthodox doctrine into a single telos: ultimate reconciliation. He is a current master's student at Princeton Theological Seminary and an associate apologist, and the author of a new book "Once Loved Always Loved: The Logic of Apokatastasis". Opposite him and arguing for the logic of damnation is Prof. Jerry Walls, Professor of Philosophy and Scholar in Residence at Houston Christian University and author of some twenty books including “Hell: The Logic of Damnation”.  

For Prof. Sean McDowell, Ph.D.

TWITTER: @sean_mcdowell

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@SeanMcDowell

www.seanmcdowell.org

For Andrew Hronich

https://www.instagram.com/amhronich/

https://www.amazon.com/Once-Loved-Always-Logic-Apokatastasis-ebook/dp/B0C5YSKWYW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=H3VLCEI3VZT3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.f2dn02jEU87zCpQGwS72c1YXMpfS6vgYovAcB6pumD45GxzWvHzLrdSVUu1-LyMo.tUu-v49VlDX1Kg0ZzP0D57mqiuOlUHI1rwUlDh8oQFo&dib_tag=se&keywords=Hronich&qid=1710504006&sprefix=hronich%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-1

For Prof. Jerry Walls

https://hc.edu/contact/jerry-walls/

For more discussion between Christians and non-Christians visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable

• Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101

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