Adult Conversion vs Leaving the Faith: What’s More Meaningful? Matthew Su & Nathan Ormond | Schools Debate Special
Is it more meaningful to convert to Christianity as an adult—or to leave it behind after growing up in the faith? In this special schools debate, host Sam McKee is joined by Matthew Su, a Christian convert and Cambridge PhD candidate, and Nathan Ormond, ex-Christian and YouTuber at Digital Gnosis. With big questions from teenage students, the episode dives into belief, deconstruction, and what it really means to be intellectually honest about faith.
A raw and thoughtful exchange for anyone navigating belief, doubt, or somewhere in between.
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57:03
Classic: An ex-atheist faces off with an ex-Christian
Holly Ordway is the Cardinal Francis George Professor of Faith and Culture at the Word on Fire Institute and a Visiting Professor of Apologetics at Houston Christian University. She holds a PhD in English and serves as a subject editor for the Journal of Inklings Studies. A regular guest on The CS Lewis Podcast, Holly has a deep passion for exploring the intersection of faith and culture.
In 2016, she engaged in a fascinating conversation with Vanessa James, a musician who was once a committed Christian but later became an atheist. Their discussion explores the complexities of faith, the pros and cons of atheism and Christianity, and our shared search for meaning, beauty, and truth. This dialogue offers a compelling look into both women’s journeys and the challenges they faced in their quests for understanding.
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59:43
Is the natural world evidence of design, or the result of random processes? Rachel G Jordan vs Michael Shermer hosted by Andy Kind
In this episode of Premier Unbelievable? comedian and host Andy Kind welcomes marine biologist and Christian author Rachel G. Jordan, author of If the Ocean has a Soul, and sceptic science-historian Dr Michael Shermer, founder of Skeptic Magazine and author of The Moral Arc, for a dynamic conversation exploring whether nature reveals divine purpose or reflects impersonal forces.
Drawing on Rachel’s book If the Ocean Has a Soul, today's guests tackle questions on the nature of the soul, biblical interpretation of creation and evolution, and what counts as truth in science and faith. From coral reefs to cosmic entropy, they wrestle with suffering, beauty, and the possibility of redemption through opposing worldviews.
They explore awe, the hero’s journey, the implications of the gospel, and the call to care for creation. Can awe lead to belief? Does randomness rule the universe?
Buy Rachel Jordan's If the Ocean has a soul https://amzn.to/4mnzuPx
Buy Michael's book Conspiracy Why the Rational Buy the Irrational https://amzn.to/3SfPk0R
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1:11:42
Classic: Is War ever justified? Just War, Darwinism and Christianity | Michael Ruse vs Nigel Biggar.
In 2025, as the world is devastated by continuing wars, many are simultaneously commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Returning to this edition of Unbelievable, recorded as marks of Remembrance took place across the world to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1 in 2018, Justin Brierley discussed just war theory, Darwinism and Christianity with atheist guest Prof Michael Ruse and Christian Prof Nigel Biggar.
Michel Ruse is Professor of Philosophy of Science at Florida State University. Nigel Biggar is Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology at the University of Oxford. Ruse’s book ‘The Problem of War’ critiques Biggar’s work on just war theory, 'In Defence of War’.
Further reading
‘In Defence of War’ by Nigel Biggar: https://amzn.to/3SbPxCk
For ‘The Problem of War’ by Michael Ruse: https://amzn.to/4k0JegS
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1:01:25
Do humans have the right to engineer life? Prof. Keith Fox v Dr. Sam McKee
Should we be tampering with the genetic code of life? What are the ethical and theological implications of engineering artificial organisms?
This episode of Unbelievable? explores the cutting-edge world of synthetic biology - from designing artificial microbes to help us live on Mars, to the deeper philosophical and ethical questions about humanity “playing God.”
Joining the conversation are Dr Sam McKee, a philosopher of science and cancer researcher, and Prof Keith Fox, Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Southampton. They draw their lines in the sand - but not in the same place.
Unpack the moral, spiritual, and existential dilemmas raised by synthetic life in this thought-provoking episode. Your mind will be stretched - Roger Bolton says his was, while hosting the show.
Does our ability to engineer life challenge traditional religious beliefs, or can it align with a theological vision of human creativity?
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