Unbelievable

Bart Ehrman is the US author of the bestselling book "Misquoting Jesus" (In the UK "Whose word is it?").  He calls into question the authority of the New Testament as scribal changes over time have changed the documents.  So can we trust the scripture? Bible scholar Peter Williams believes in the reliability of the New Testament and that Bart's prognosis is far too pessimistic. To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable. Join the discussion on the Premier Community www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable.

Bart Ehrman lost his faith altogether when he confronted the problem of how a loving, powerful God can allow suffering.  In his new book "God's Problem" he states that the Bible contains different and unconvincing explanations to the issue. Richard Swinburne is a reknowned Christian philosopher.  He answers Bart's objections with arguments from his own book "Providence and the Problem of Evil". To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable. Join the discussion on the Premier Community www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable.

Canon Michael Sayward believes that the Virgin Conception is an attested historical fact, and an essential doctrine for Christian belief. Unitarian minister Sarah Tinker believes it to be a "beautiful myth" that should not be taken literally. They debate and we hear listener phone calls, response to the last few weeks of programming as well as tackling the "Jesus is a plagiarism of Pagan Gods" argument. Get involved in the discussion at: www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable/forum/topics/virgin-birth-fact-or-fiction For more defense of the Christmas story see the show of 22 Dec 07 To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable. Join the discussion on the Premier Community www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable.

A treat for the end of the year as Justin plays some exclusive content accumulated in the past year.  NT Wright is among contributors to a feature answering common ojections to the resurrection of Jesus; New York Pastor Tim Keller on his book "The Reason for God"; and David Robertson author of "The Dawkins Letters".  Happy new year! To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable. Join the discussion on the Premier Community www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable.

Denis Alexander is the author of "Creation or Evolution - do we have to choose?" - his answer is "no".  Denis believes Darwin's theory is perfectly compatible with belief in the creator God of the Bible.  Stephen Lloyd of Biblical Creation Ministries disagrees - he says that the Gospel itself depends on the Adam and Eve story being literally true. Buy "Creation or Evolution- do we have to choose?" at www.premier.org.uk/shopping For Theistic Evolution visit www.cis.org.uk For Creationism visit www.biblicalcreationministries.org.uk If you enjoyed this programme you can find similar topics in our archive - 30 Aug 08; 21 Jun 08; 16 Feb 08; 13 Oct 08 To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable. Join the discussion on the Premier Community www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable.

Does God have a continuing special convenant relationship with Jewish people?  Should Christians be especially concerned for Israel?  Two Christians with very different views tackle this week's subject.  Revd Stephen Sizer has written extensively against "Christian Zionism", whereas Geoffrey Smith believes God still has a special relationship with Israel. What do you think? Have your say on this discussion on Premier Community For Stephen Sizer see www.stephensizer.com or www.christianzionism.org For Geoffrey Smith see www.cfi.org.uk For Unbelievable discussions between Christians and Jews see 24 May 08 & 04 Aug 07 To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable. Join the discussion on the Premier Community www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable.

Stand up comedian Robin Ince is hosting "A rational celebration of Christmas".  Ricky Gervais and Richard Dawkins are among many other atheists on the bill.  Comedy writer and Christian James Cary discusses with Robin whether Christianity and belief in God is irrational.. and there's plenty of jokes along the way..  To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable. Join the discussion on the Premier Community www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable.

What do Pagans believe?  We find out from Mike Stygal of the Pagan Federation in London. What approach should Christian take when it come to sharing faith and understanding the way pagans see the world?  Nick Stead and Steve Hollinghusrst regularly engage with Pagans at New Age Fairs. For Nick Stead and the London City Mission see www.lcm.org.uk For the Pagan Federation London see www.pflondon.org For the Church Army see www.churcharmy.org.uk   To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable. Join the discussion on the Premier Community www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable.

Atheist Professor Richard Dawkins and Christian Professor John Lennox recently met in Oxford to debate whether Science has buried God.  The discussion was sponsored by The Fixed Point Foundation.  Justin Brierley was there, taking interviews with them both and those who watched.  He presents a review of the debate with the interviews. To order the DVD visit www.fixed-point.org For John Lennox's book "God's Undertaker - has science buried God?" visit www.premier.org.uk/shop To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable. Join the discussion on the Premier Community www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable.

Christian apologist James White believes that the God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit is present in the pages of the Bible.  Muslim Abdullah Al Andalusi believes that a Trinitarian God is a contradiction in terms.  They debate whether it makes sense and whether the Bible supports it. For James White see www.aomin.org For Abdullah see www.youtube.com/mujtahid2006 To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable. Join the discussion on the Premier Community www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable.

Norman Hansen lost his faith partly because of coming to doubt the historical reliability of the Bible and Jesus.  Amy Orr-Ewing spends her time defending the Bible around the world -she says belief in Jesus is perfectly rational. For more info on Amy's ministry www.zactrust.org To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable. Join the discussion on the Premier Community www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable.

Atheist Ed Turner, in common with the new atheists, believes that religion is bad for the world because of the conflict it causes across the world.  Historian and Christian Meic Pearse who wrote the bestseller "Why the rest hates the West" says that a proper understanding of history shows the opposite - that secular regimes are bad for the world. Order Meic's new book "The Gods of War" at www.premier.org.uk/shop   To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable. Join the discussion on the Premier Community www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable.

Atheists are funding a campaign that will see London buses bearing the poster "There is probably no god.  Now stop worrying and get on with your life".  Its the brainchild of Ariane Sherine and has been backed by Richard Dawkins.  We discuss the campaign, whether there really is no God and what it means for morality if there isn't. To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable. Join the discussion on the Premier Community www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable.

The Alpha Course has become the most successful evangelistic course around the world.  Atheist Michael Marsden went on the course at Holy Trinity Brompton - he didn't become a Christian and explains why.  Church pastor Nigel Desborough defends the course and its value. Book mention - Timothy Keller - "The Reason For God".  Pub. Hodder & Stoughton To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable. Join the discussion on the Premier Community www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable.

In what could be a radio first, "Unbelievable?" links up with "The Infidel Guy" show and talks to its atheist host Reginald Finley.  They debate the question:  "Which makes more sense: Atheism or Christianity?". See the Infidel Guy's website at www.infidelguy.com To hear more discussions between Christians and non-Christians go to www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable. Join the discussion on the Premier Community www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable.