Unbelievable?

What if the money you give to charity could save far more lives simply by being spent differently? With household budgets under pressure, is giving away 10% of your income a moral obligation or an unreasonable demand? John Nelson is joined by Princeton philosopher Matthew Adelstein and JD Bauman, co-author of All the Lives You Can Change, to explore effective altruism, a movement committed to using evidence to do the most good. They tackle whether Jesus would endorse effective altruism, whether saving souls should take priority over saving lives, and why Matthew believes insect suffering may outweigh human suffering. An extraordinary conversation about money, morality, faith and what we owe to people we've never met.

What happens to Christian faith when you experience depression, encounter abuse of power in the Church or find parts of the Bible deeply troubling? Mark Meynell joins Luke Martin for a wide-ranging and unusually candid conversation about Christianity in the real world. Mark discusses his experience of depression and ministry, the unexpected role of music and art in sustaining faith, and why beauty itself raises profound questions about God. He also explores the crisis of trust created by church scandals and spiritual abuse, arguing that many people now ask “Am I safe?” before they ever ask “Is Christianity true?” Finally, Luke presses Mark on one of Scripture’s hardest questions: slavery in the New Testament, Paul’s letter to Philemon and why the Bible does not simply say slavery is wrong.

What if Christians have misunderstood what Jesus really came to do? Did Jesus come to take us to heaven—or to transform the world? Why would an all-powerful God reveal himself through suffering rather than strength? In this special live edition of Unbelievable?, John Nelson joins leading New Testament scholar N.T. Wright to challenge familiar assumptions about Jesus, explore the surprising message of Isaiah and discuss Wright’s new book, Into the Heart of Isaiah. A thought-provoking conversation about faith, power, suffering and hope. SOCIAL LINKS Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable 👉 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes—absolutely free! Join now at www.premierunbelievable.com 🎉📢 • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

Is Halloween harmless fun, or are Christians right to fear what lies behind it? As Halloween approaches, we revisit one of Unbelievable?’s most chilling debates. Baptist minister and horror enthusiast Peter Laws, author of The Frighteners, goes head-to-head with Michael Cummins, a pastor with decades of experience in deliverance ministry. Can horror films actually lead people towards Christianity? Are Ouija boards, ghost hunting and Halloween celebrations spiritually dangerous? And what should we make of extraordinary claims of demonic possession and exorcism? With unsettling personal stories, sharply contrasting views and surprising common ground, Unbelievable explores our fascination with fear, death and the supernatural. A Halloween Classic that might just change how you see the darkness. Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable 👉 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes—absolutely free! Join now at www.premierunbelievable.com 🎉📢 • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://www.premier.plus/unbelievable • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate

What if hell isn't eternal torment? And what if Christians have misunderstood what Jesus actually taught? Christian thinker and Questioning Christianity host Dan Paterson joins John Nelson for a searching conversation about three of Christianity's most difficult questions: hell, divine hiddenness and the problem of evil. Dan explains why he changed his mind about eternal conscious punishment, explores whether everyone could ultimately be saved, and asks why a loving God sometimes seems absent from those who genuinely seek him. From C.S. Lewis and the teachings of Jesus to the suffering of innocent children and animals, this conversation confronts the deepest objections to Christian faith without avoiding the difficult answers. Can we still trust that God is good? SOCIAL LINKS Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable 👉 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes—absolutely free! Join now at www.premierunbelievable.com 🎉📢 • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

In a culture of outrage, division and cancel culture, Dr Amy Orr-Ewing believes forgiveness may be one of the most radical ideas we have. But what happens when forgiveness is used to silence victims, excuse abuse or avoid justice? Joining Luke Martin on Unbelievable? The Interview, the bestselling author and public theologian discusses her new book, Forgiveness: Reclaiming Its Power in a Culture of Outrage and Fear. From the extraordinary story of a mother who forgave her daughter's murderer to the hardest questions about suffering, biblical violence and whether we can really trust the Gospels, Amy makes a compelling case for taking Christianity seriously. And as Gen Z rediscovers faith, could Christianity offer something our increasingly divided culture desperately needs? In this conversation: Can forgiveness be harmful?Should we forgive someone who never apologises?Does Christianity let abusers off the hook?Why does a loving God allow suffering?Did God command violence in the Old Testament?Can we trust the Bible and the eyewitness accounts of Jesus?Why are young people becoming interested in Christianity again? Dr Amy Orr-Ewing's new book: Forgiveness: Reclaiming Its Power in a Culture of Outrage and Fear. Hosted by Luke Martin for Premier Unbelievable? Subscribe for thoughtful conversations exploring Christianity, faith, doubt and life's biggest questions. #AmyOrrEwing #Forgiveness #Christianity #UnbelievablePodcast SOCIAL LINKS Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable 👉 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes—absolutely free! Join now at www.premierunbelievable.com 🎉📢 • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://www.premier.plus/unbelievable • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate

What happens to those who never believe in Jesus? Could everyone eventually be saved — even after death? Dan Paterson and Matt Whiteley join John Nelson to explore Christian universalism, eternal judgment and whether salvation is possible without explicit faith in Christ. A thoughtful debate about the Bible, the justice of God and the ultimate fate of those we love. Subscribe & Support 👉 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 🎙️ 🔗 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes - absolutely free! Join now at www.premierunbelievable.com 📢 Follow usInstagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Facebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable X: Premier Unbelievable? (@UnbelievableFE)

The birth narratives of Jesus contain some of the most famous stories in Christianity: the virgin birth, angels and shepherds, the Magi, the star of Bethlehem and Herod’s massacre of the innocents. But did Matthew and Luke actually intend their readers to believe these events happened? Dr Caleb Friedeman joins John Nelson to challenge a widespread assumption in historical Jesus scholarship: that the infancy narratives can largely be sidelined because they belong more to the world of legend and theological storytelling than history. Drawing on his new book, Gospel Birth Narratives and Historiography: Reopening a Closed Case, Friedeman compares Matthew and Luke with ancient biographers including Plutarch, Suetonius and Philo. He argues that supposedly “legendary” ancient birth stories often show clear signs of historical intent — including the use and evaluation of sources — and asks whether scholars have been applying the wrong assumptions to the Gospels. But historical intent doesn’t automatically mean historical accuracy. So what about the difficult questions? Did Luke get the census of Quirinius wrong? Is there any evidence for Herod’s massacre of the innocents? Did Luke really get his information from Mary? And can the apparently different birth stories in Matthew and Luke actually be reconciled? Can we take the Christmas story seriously as history? SOCIAL LINKS Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://www.premier.plus/unbelievable • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate

Pat Allerton joins Luke Martin to explore the growing openness to Christianity, the search for meaning and why faith may be returning to the cultural conversation. From science and the resurrection to anxiety, healing and his own dramatic conversion, Pat makes the case for why Christianity still speaks to a searching generation. SOCIAL LINKS Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable 👉 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes—absolutely free! Join now at www.premierunbelievable.com 🎉📢 • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://www.premier.plus/unbelievable • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate

Has Christian apologetics become too focused on winning? Mary Jo Sharp joins John Nelson to confront the darker side of defending the faith: pride, outrage, confirmation bias and the temptation to treat people as arguments to defeat. What if apologetics is meant to transform the Christian too? A conversation about truth, humility, suffering and one uncomfortable question: Does Christianity just make us right, or should it make us good? Subscribe & Support 👉 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 🎙️ 🔗 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes - absolutely free! Join now at www.premierunbelievable.com 📢 Follow us Instagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Facebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable X: Premier Unbelievable? (@UnbelievableFE)