Unbelievable?

From rapturous joy to inexplicable terror, angelic encounters to near death experiences, New Testament scholar Dale Allison has researched a wide range of phenomena in his new book 'Encountering Mystery: Religious Experience in a Secular Age'. He tells of his own experiences and explains why they are more common than many people realise, and why skeptics shouldn't dismiss them out of hand. Justin also brings listener questions from atheists and believers.

For Dale's book 'Encountering Mystery': https://www.eerdmans.com/Products/8188/encountering-mystery.aspx

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As the world marks the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Justin Brierley presents a special edition of Unbelievable? speaking to New Testament scholar NT Wright about his memories of the queen when he preached for her as Bishop of Durham. Former chaplain to the queen Gavin Ashenden asks whether the end of her reign marks the end of Christendom in the UK, and Ruth Jackson reflects on the hope that comes with grief.

For Ruth Jackson's article: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/articles/we-mourn-the-queen-but-not-as-those-without-hope/13812.article

To offer prayers and tributes: https://www.premier.org.uk/prayers-of-thanksgiving-for-the-queen/

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Some of the key differences between Catholic and Protestant doctrine were explored in a friendly dialogue in this show from the archives. Roman Catholic Peter D Williams and Protestant pastor David Robertson debated The Pope, Sola Scriptura and justification by faith.

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Katherine Mathieson, director of the Royal Institution and Nick Spencer of Theos discuss the recent report 'Science and Religion: Moving away from the shallow end', which surveyed the British public's attitudes towards science and faith. They explore questions such as: Why does the public believe there is a conflict? How has New Atheism played into the debate? Is science the only way of knowing truth?

For the Theos report: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/research/2022/04/21/science-and-religion-moving-away-from-the-shallow-end

For the Royal Institution: https://www.rigb.org/

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A controversial blog post by Jared Wilson, quoting pastor Doug Wilson on the role of men and women in sex reignited the debate between complementarians and egalitarians.

Our guests on this episode from the archives were:

Rachel Held Evans: popular US author, blogger and speaker who believes the New Testament supports the equality of men and women in the church and in the home (Egalitarian).

Owen Strachan: theology professor at Boyce College, Kentucky who believes the Bible teaches that men and women have equal dignity but different roles in family and church (Complementarian).

UK church blogger Adrian Warnock joined the conversation too as we discussed reactions to the Wilson blog post, how to interpret verses in the Bible about women "submitting" to husbands and "remaining quiet" in church, and more.

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Podcast version:

In the 19th Century John Draper and Andrew White conjured up one of the most successful and enduring myths of the modern world - the supposed historical conflict between science and faith.

Justin explores their story with David Hutchings and James Ungureanu, authors of 'Of Popes and Unicorns: Science, Christianity and how the conflict thesis fooled the world'. They are also joined by Tim O'Neill of the 'History For Atheists' website, a non-believer who has established a reputation for critiquing his own side when they get things wrong.

At the end of the show Justin also speaks to director Christopher Shawn Shaw about the comedy movie 'Church People'.

For a 30% discount on 'Of Popes and Unicorns' use checkout code AAFLYG6: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/of-popes-and-unicorns-9780190053093?

For Tim O'Neill: https://historyforatheists.com/

For the movie 'Church People': https://churchpeoplefilm.com/

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

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We continue to bring you taster episodes of our wide range of Premier Unbelievable podcasts during August. Our newest podcast 'Unapologetic' offers weekly conversations with leading Christian thinkers, apologists and evangelists. In this episode Justin meets former NFL player Derwin L Gray, who founded Transformation Church in South Carolina and is author of the new book 'How To Heal Our Racial Divide'.

Subscribe to the Unapologetic podcast: https://pod.link/1622170986

See episodes at our website: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/shows/unapologetic

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Why doesn't God seem to reveal himself to people who are open and seeking him?

Recorded at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University, atheist Alex O'Connor (aka Cosmic Skeptic) and Christian apologist Lukas Ruegger join Justin discuss the hiddeness of God. OCCA tutor Max Baker-Hytch also joins the discussion for a post-script commentary.

For OCCA: https://www.theocca.org/

For Wycliffe Hall: https://www.wycliffe.ox.ac.uk/

For Cosmic Skeptic: https://www.youtube.com/c/CosmicSkeptic

For Lukas Ruegger: https://www.youtube.com/c/Deflate2020

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

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During August we are profiling some of the other great podcasts from Premier Unbelievable? In this taster episode from the CS Lewis Podcast with Alister McGrath, he opens up 'Surprised By Joy', the autobiography of Lewis' conversion.

Subscribe to the CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545

See episodes at our website: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/shows/cs-lewis

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Author and academic James Mumford recently wrote an article for The New Atlantis magazine about his experience undergoing therapy at a clinic for bipolar disorder and his concerns about its value neutral approach. He engages with psychologist Roger Bretherton, creator of The Character Course, on what role faith can play for those struggling with depression.

For James Mumford: https://www.jamesmumford.co.uk/

For Roger Bretherton: https://www.thecharactercourse.com/

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

• More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com

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