In Our Time Archive: Religion

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the medieval philosopher, John Wyclif, and his later followers, the Lollards. Wyclif disputed the traditional teachings of the Catholic Church and his ideas were condemned as heretical and his supporters persecuted. Dubbed the ‘morning star of the Reformation’ Wyclif was also the first person to translate the Bible fully into English. Melvyn is joined by Sir Anthony Kenny, philosopher and former Master of Balliol College, Oxford; Anne Hudson, Emeritus Professor of Medieval English at the University of Oxford; and Rob Lutton, Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Nottingham.

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the origins and early development of Islamic law. With Professor Hugh Kennedy, Professor Robert Gleave and Professor Mona Siddiqui.

Melvyn Bragg discusses The Pelagian Controversy. With Caroline Humfress, Martin Palmer and John Milbank.

The Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse section of the Sanskrit epic the Mahabharata, is one of the most revered texts of Hinduism. Written in around 200 BC, it narrates a conversation between Krishna, an incarnation of the deity, and the Pandava prince Arjuna. It has been described as a concise summary of Hindu theology, a short work which offers advice on how to live one's life. The Gita is also a philosophical work of great richness and influence. First translated into English in the 18th century, it was quickly taken up in the West. With: Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad Professor of Comparative Religion and Philosophy at Lancaster University, Julius Lipner, Professor of Hinduism and the Comparative Study of Religion and Fellow of Clare Hall at the University of Cambridge, and Jessica Frazier, Research Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and Lecturer in Religious Studies at Regent's College, London Producer: Thomas Morris.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life, times and legacy of the great Jewish medieval philsopher, Maimonides. Also known as Rambam, Maimonides was a philosopher, theologian, lawyer and physician whose works are still influential today. Melvyn is joined by John Haldane, Professor of Philosophy at the University of St Andrews; Sarah Stroumsa, Alice and Jack Ormut Professor of Arabic Studies and currently Rector at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; and Peter Adamson, Professor of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy at King’s College London.

Melvyn Bragg discusses one of the most important books of the Reformation, Foxe's 'Book of Martyrs' that recounts the horrific deaths of hundreds of martyrs put to death in the reign of Mary I. Melvyn is joined by Diarmaid MacCulloch, Professor of the History of the Church at Oxford University; Justin Champion, Professor of the History of Early Modern Ideas at Royal Holloway, University of London; and Elizabeth Evenden, Lecturer in Book History at Brunel University.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James. With Jonathan Rée, John Haldane and Gwen Griffith-Dickson.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas of John Calvin and their impact. With Diarmaid MacCulloch, Susan Hardman Moore and Justin Champion.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss St Thomas Aquinas. With Martin Palmer, John Haldane and Annabel Brett.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the origins of the split between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims, with Hugh Kennedy, Amira Bennison and Robert Gleave.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the influence of St Paul on the early Christian church. With John Haldane, Helen Bond and John Barclay.

Melvyn Bragg and guests explore the history of miracles. Guests include Martin Palmer, Justin Champion and Janet Soskice.

Melvyn Bragg discusses the Nicene Creed which established the Divinity of Christ. With Martin Palmer, Andrew Louth and Caroline Humfress.

Melvyn Bragg discusses the ideas of William Ockham including Ockham's Razor. With Anthony Kenny, Marilyn Adams and Richard Cross.

Melvyn Bragg discusses the 7th century abbess, St Hilda. With guests Sarah Foot, Rosemary Cramp and John Blair.