Unbelievable?

Did Christianity build the modern West?
From human rights and equality to science, secularism and democracy, many thinkers now argue that Christianity lies behind much of what modern Western societies value most. Popular historian Tom Holland helped revive this debate with his bestselling book Dominion, but how far can the argument really go?
In this episode of Unbelievable?, John Nelson is joined by Mike Jones of Inspiring Philosophy and writer Matt Whitley to explore whether Christianity is truly the foundation of the modern West.
Are ideas such as human rights, individual freedom and care for the vulnerable uniquely Christian? Did Christianity help create the conditions for modern science? And if Western values emerged from Christian roots, does that tell us anything about whether Christianity itself is true?
This week we discuss slavery, secularism, the rise of modern identity politics, Jordan Peterson, Douglas Murray, Tom Holland's influence, and whether a post-Christian society can retain the values it inherited from Christianity.

Matt Whiteley writes a Substack https://thisisleisfullofnoises.substack.com/
Mike Jones https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5qDet6sa6rODi7t6wfpg8g

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In this wide-ranging episode of Unbelievable? The Interview, host Luke Martin speaks with Christian apologist, author and Islam specialist Dr Andy Bannister about the big questions shaping our cultural moment. Andy reflects on the renewed curiosity about Christianity among young people, why questions of meaning and beauty may now be more compelling than classic debates about God’s existence, and how Christians can speak into a culture marked by anxiety and uncertainty. He also explores the growth of Islam in the UK, religious freedom and free speech, and how Christians should respond with both clarity and compassion. Finally, Luke and Andy turn to artificial intelligence, asking what AI reveals about consciousness, the soul, human uniqueness and what it means to be made in the image of God.

Andy is the Director of Solas: https://www.solas-cpc.org/about/andy-bannister/

For Luke Martin: follow on X https://x.com/luke_s_martin

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What happens when a philosopher loses faith in God — and then unexpectedly finds it again?
In this deeply personal and philosophical episode of Unbelievable?, host John Nelson sits down with philosophers Dr Shaun Stevenson and Dr Joshua Sijuwade to explore belief, doubt, suffering and the search for meaning.

Shaun shares how he moved from Christianity into atheism after wrestling with judgmental church experiences, the problem of evil, and the terrifying possibility that loved ones might be eternally separated from God. Years later, however, he found himself drawn back toward Christianity through fatherhood, suffering, philosophy and a renewed understanding of grace.

Joshua tells his own powerful story of dramatic Christian conversion after a profound spiritual experience at age 19, before explaining why philosophy still provides intellectual grounds for belief in God despite the reality of suffering.

For Shaun Stevenson
https://www.mmu.ac.uk/staff/profile/dr-shaun-stevenson

For Joshua Sijuwade
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/philosophy/joshua-sijuwade

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What does evolution mean for Christian faith? In this episode of Unbelievable?, John Nelson hosts a thoughtful dialogue between molecular biologist Dr Denis Alexander and returning guest Ed Atkinson on one of the deepest questions in science and theology. Can evolution be reconciled with the character of God, or do millions of years of suffering count against belief? Denis argues that evolution can fit within a Christian vision of creation, purpose and resurrection. At the same time, Ed presses the moral problem of suffering, questioning whether such a costly process is compatible with a loving God. Along the way, they discuss free will, the fall, the image of God, human uniqueness, morality, and whether meaning depends on ultimate purpose - a rich and honest conversation at the intersection of evolution, suffering, and faith.

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As Oxford mathematician and Christian apologist John Lennox prepares to appear on The Diary of a CEO, he joins Luke Martin on Unbelievable to reflect on his extraordinary life and the questions that have shaped a generation. From Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and Peter Singer to Alex O’Connor, AI, social media, suffering, marriage and Christian hope, Lennox looks back on the rise and fall of New Atheism and the renewed cultural interest in Christianity. He explains why thinkers such as Tom Holland and Iain McGilchrist are helping people reconsider the Christian story, why he finally decided to write his autobiography, My Story, and why today’s deepest questions have shifted from “science versus faith” to meaning, purpose, identity and the sacred. In this wide-ranging conversation, Lennox reflects on a lifetime of engaging sceptics with truth and grace, and argues that Christianity still makes sense in 2026.

If you’d like a copy of My Story, listeners can get 25% off with the code MYSTORY25 at checkout.
In the UK and internationally, visit spckpublishing.co.uk/my-story - SPCK Publishing’s My Story page - and enter MYSTORY25 for 25% off.
For listeners in the USA, visit indiepubs.com or go directly to Indie Pubs’ My Story page and use the same code, MYSTORY25, to receive 25% off at checkout.

Buy John Lennox’s new autobiography, My Story: https://amzn.to/4fnv3Dh

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👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡
🎧 Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast at  www.premier.plus/unbelievable 🎙️
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