Undeceptions with John Dickson
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Every week on Undeceptions we’ll explore some aspect of life, faith, history, culture, or ethics that is either much misunderstood or mostly forgotten. With the help of people who know what they’re talking about, we’ll be trying to ‘undeceive ourselves’ and let the truth ‘out’.
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4 days ago
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine capital, Constantinople, was famously fortified with an impenetrable three-wall network, which preserved it from foreign conquest for centuries. But the Byzantine Empire doesn’t have to be impenetrable to us, today.
This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book Five Views on Christ in the Old Testament, edited by Brian J. Tabb and Andrew M. King.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Writer and researcher: Alasdair Belling
Online Librarian: Siobhan McGuiness
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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Nov 27, 2022
Time Matters
This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book Bully Pulpit by Michael J. Kruger.
How we think about time, the value we give to the three parts of time (past, present, and future) really matters. And our special guest reckons it’s part of what makes for the good life.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Writer and researcher: Alasdair Belling
Online Librarian: Siobhan McGuiness
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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Nov 20, 2022
On Animals
We’re talking all things animals in this episode, starting with why God would create a world that seems to embed animal suffering into the fabric of things. And we’ll get to some practical questions too: do animals go to heaven? Is it OK to keep pets? And, should we all, actually, be vegetarian?
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Nov 13, 2022
Lewis' Oxford
This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's Master Lecture series by Russ Ramsey, Rembrandt is in the Wind. Click here to get 50% off your first 3 months subscription with the code UNDECEPTIONS50.
Since their publication between 1950 and 1956, the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis have sold more than 100-million copies in 47 languages.
And despite their dated references and sometimes controversial worldviews, they continue to sell over a million copies a year.
They’ve also inspired theatre performances, radio plays, television series, and three major films that earned a healthy one and a half billion US dollars.
So it’s understandable that many people know of C.S. Lewis only as a fantastically successful children’s author, unaware that he is also the author of a huge collection of books commending and defending the Christian faith, Mere Christianity, Miracles, The Screwtape Letters, and so on.
Narnia is wonderful. But it’s a pity people don’t know more about the man, his career, and his famous town–all of which form the backdrop for the incredible fantasy world he created for millions of readers.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Writer and researcher: Alasdair Belling
Online Librarian: Siobhan McGuiness
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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Nov 6, 2022
Really Old? Single
From John Dickson: While we’re working hard on our next Season of Undeceptions, I’ve asked the Rev Dr George Athas to have a chat to you about how we can be sure our old stuff - artefacts we’ve found from thousands of years ago - is actually old. George is Director of Research, Old Testament and Hebrew at Moore Theological College in Sydney. We spoke to him at length for our super popular episode called ‘Between Testaments’, so go check that out if you haven’t heard it already. It’s one of my favourites. George has done a huge amount of research on the Tel Dan Inscription, a fragmentary stele that dates to the 9th Century BC. It’s considered the most important - and controversial - inscription found in Israel in recent years. And George wrote the first book about it. So, over to him.
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Oct 30, 2022
In Christ single
One of the surprises when we turn the pages of the New Testament is how little the word “Christian” actually comes up. Given this is the book for Christians you’d expect it to be littered with the words “Christian” and “Christianity.”
But the word “Christian” only comes three times, whereas the language of being “in Christ” comes up over 200 times. It’s pretty much everywhere.
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Sep 4, 2022
Critical Theory
The basic aim of ‘critical theory’ is to make visible the hidden structures of a culture, so as to critique society and then, in the best forms of critical theory, bring about improvements. Our guest today reckons the Bible has its own way of exposing the flaws of our culture–and, of course, pointing to the Good. The Bible, in other words, has a critical theory of its own.
This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book Five Views of Christ in the Old Testament, edited by Brian J. Tabb and Andrew M. King.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Online Librarian: Siobhan McGuiness
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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Aug 28, 2022
Question Answer VII
It's our seasonal Q&A episode and there are actually quite a few curly questions about the future of the universe, heaven, as well as plenty of other questions about a bewildering range of topics, some of which push John to the edge of what he knows–perhaps beyond!
This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics for Everyone, Volume 1 - The Doctrine of the Word of God: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners and Pros, by Marty Folsom.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Librarian: Siobhan McGuiness
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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Aug 21, 2022
Scientific Imagination
It may just be that science is an imaginative, creative, and emotive enterprise, just as it is obviously a rational, mathematical, evidence-based discipline. Which, to John Dickson's mind - and that of our expert guest - makes perfect sense. After all, the Creator is an artist and logician in one!
This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible's Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture by Christopher Watkin.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Librarian: Siobhan McGuiness
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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Aug 14, 2022
Bookish Religion?
We take a closer look at 15 words that are often misunderstood, or sometimes forgotten. And my guest today reckons these words communicate the heart and soul of the New Testament, of the Christian faith, of God himself.
This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic’s new book Bright Hope for Tomorrow by Chris Davis.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Librarian: Siobhan McGuiness
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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Aug 7, 2022
Against Euthanasia
This episode, we’re laying out the best arguments for and against legalising euthanasia and asking: What view of the human person should a good society embody in its laws?
This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book Seasons of Sorrow by Tim Challies.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Librarian: Siobhan McGuiness
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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Jul 31, 2022
Global Christianity
The death of religion was the conventional wisdom in the social sciences during most of the twentieth century. Turns out, they were wrong. Religion is not dead. It’s still here. Actually, it’s growing.
This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book The Lost Letters to the Twelve Prophets by John Goldingay.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Librarian: Siobhan McGuiness
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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Jul 24, 2022
Medieval Science
The period 500 to 1500 - the Middle Ages - was anything but dark. In fact, it was one of the most lively periods in world history.
This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book The Beauty Chasers by Timothy Willard.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Librarian: Siobhan McGuiness
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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Jul 17, 2022
On Buddhism
Buddhism probably takes the prize today for World’s Most Lovable Religion. But is this widespread appreciation of Buddhism matched by widespread understanding?
This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book 15 New Testament Words of Life by Nijay Gupta.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Librarian: Siobhan McGuiness
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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Jul 10, 2022
The Flood
This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan’s new book Global Christianity: A Guide to the World’s Largest Religion from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe by Gina Zurlo.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Librarian: Siobhan McGuiness
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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Jul 3, 2022
Emotional Intelligence
This episode was sponsored by Zondervan Academic's book Bully Pulpit by Michael J. Kruger.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Librarian: Siobhan McGuiness
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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Jun 16, 2022
Ben's Song
The song 'Christmas Time' was written by John's mate Ben Shaw, with some help from John himself. We recorded Ben’s beautiful guitar parts just 4 weeks before he died of cancer.
Ben was on this podcast a couple of times in his last months, so we hope regular listeners think of him as their friend, too.
He died a year ago today, June 17. And we’re releasing the song in his memory – it was one of his last big wishes that we take this song, which he and John had performed many times over the years but had never recorded, and rework it with a full band and release it. That’s what we’ve done.
You’ll hear the entire song at the end. In the meantime, we sat down with our long-time music producer Colin Benvenuto (and his guitar) and Ben’s wife Karen, a backing vocalist in the song, and we chatted about … well, Ben … and how the song came together.
If you want to see a little more, we’ve produced a video montage for the song over at undeceptions.com/christmastime.
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May 22, 2022
The Artist
This episode was sponsored by Zondervan’s new book The Beauty Chasers by Timothy Willard.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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May 15, 2022
Trans Gender
This episode was sponsored by Zondervan's new book Religious Freedom in a Secular Age by Michael F. Bird.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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May 8, 2022
Question Answer VI
This episode was sponsored by Zondervan's new book Typology-Understanding the Bible's Promise-Shaped Patterns: How Old Testament Expectations are Fulfilled in Christ by James M. Hamilton Jr.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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May 1, 2022
On Suffering
This episode is sponsored by Zondervan's new book Malestrom: How Jesus Dismantles Patriarchy and Redefines Manhood by Carolyn Custis James
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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Apr 24, 2022
The Vikings II
This episode is sponsored by Zondervan's new book The Sexual Reformation by Aimee Byrd.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
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Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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Apr 17, 2022
The Vikings I
We're launching our longboats on to the seas of myth and popular culture… and discovering over two in-depth episodes what we can actually say with some confidence about the Vikings - their origins, exploits, culture, religion and - perhaps the best-kept Viking secret - their eventual decision (and it was their decision!) to become Christians.
This episode is sponsored by Zondervan's new book Four Views of Heaven edited by Michael Wittmer.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Copyrig…
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Apr 10, 2022
Kingdom Come
What happens beyond death is one of those areas—like the idea of a Rapture prior to a Second Coming—where myths have crept into popular Christian thought which have little connection either with the Bible or with what the church has taught throughout the centuries.
The modern myth is: When Christians die, their bodies decay once and for all, while their spirits (whatever they are) go eternally into God’s presence in heaven.
The Bible’s claim is: When Christians die, they rest safe in God’s presence, until they are bodily raised to life to enjoy forever a new creation.
This episode is sponsored by Zondervan's new book Recovering Our Sanity: How the Fear of God Conquers the Fears that Divide Us by Michael Horton.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
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Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeception…
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Apr 7, 2022
Introducing: Small Wonders with Laurel Moffatt
The Joshua Tree National Park in California is a good starting place for Laurel Moffatt's reflection on our struggles to see the light.
The park is full of interesting characters as well as a compelling number of stars - most of which are invisible to the outside world. Because of the amount of artificial light we use each night, more than a third of people can no longer see the Milky Way.
But the brightness of the light in deep darkness can show us how faint, how small, how very weak and narrow our own attempts at lighting our own way are.
LINKS
* Paul Bogard, The End of Night: Searching for Natural Darkness in an Age of Artificial Light.
* Emily Dickinson, “I saw no Way – The Heavens were stitched –” Fr633 (1863) J378
* Fabio Falchi, et al. “The new world atlas of artificial night sky brightness”, Science Advances, 10 Jun 2016, Vol 2, Issue 6
WHAT IS SMALL WONDERS?
The clarity the desert brings. Hurricanes and hard relationships. Finding reason in the middle…
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Apr 3, 2022
With Keller
Tim Keller is the founding pastor of New York’s Redeemer Presbyterian Church and the author of several New York times best-selling books.
It's also fair probably fair to say that he is something of a Christian prophet for our secularizing 21st century.
This is a chat with one of our world’s most trusted ‘undeceivers’. Whether you believe or doubt, we're sure what you’re about to hear will bring fresh clarity about the Christian faith in doubting times.
This episode was sponsored by Zondervan’s new book Good News of Our Limits by Sean McGever.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by…
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Mar 31, 2022
Become an Undeceiver
This season, we’re launching Undeceptions Plus which offers exclusive bonus content to members - who we’re calling our ‘Undeceivers’. For a small monthly fee - just AU$5 a month - you can unlock uncut interviews, extra question and answer sessions, and peeks behind our creative process as we put the shows together. Don’t worry – all our regular episodes will remain free and available for everyone. But in becoming an Undeceiver, you’re really helping us to keep the show sustainable and thriving. We’d love to have you with us. It’s really easy, so head to undeceptions.com/plus for more.
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Mar 27, 2022
Science Wars
This episode was sponsored by Zondervan’s new book Religious Freedom in a Secular Age by Michael F. Bird.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Social Media by Sophie Hawkshaw
Administration by Lyndie Leviston
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2022
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Mar 20, 2022
Emperor Constantine
This episode was sponsored by Zondervan's new book Rembrandt is in the Wind by Russ Ramsey.
For the full show notes for this episode head to Undeceptions.com.
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Mar 13, 2022
No Coward single
Greg Sheridan is one of Australia's most influential foreign affairs analysts, as well as an acclaimed author. In short, he's not afraid of sharing an opinion.
He and John Dickson take a stroll through his latest book, Christians: The urgent case for Jesus in our world, and take a close look at the key elements of the faith.
Greg bravely shares how he thinks the Christian faith makes perfect sense to the rational mind.
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Feb 27, 2022
Transforming Tales single
Undeceptions is proud to announce that the popular podcast, With All Due Respect, is joining the network as of today.
To mark the occasion hosts Megan Powell du Toit and Michael Jensen have crafted a single about the power of storytelling to transform lives.
You can find out more about their awesome show over at The WADR Project website.
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Feb 13, 2022
Life's Variations single
It's our first season in the run down to Season 6 of Undeceptions, and John Dickson asks friend of the show Laurel Moffatt to share some uncommon wisdom earned from teaching her daughter music during the COVID lockdown.
Laurell tells us how listening to Bach's Goldberg Variations - the way they chop and change but still stay the same - has given her a new way of viewing life during a pandemic.
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Feb 6, 2022
The Log In Our Eye
John Dickson's Bullies and Saints is a super-podcast providing excerpts of the book by the same name - a no-holds-barred look at the best and worst of church history.
In this final episode of the Bullies And Saints super-series, John Dickson reflects on Jesus' instruction to His disciples to look at the log in their own eyes before reflecting on others' shortcomings and asks whether this might equally apply to those outside the church
Click here to buy a copy of Bullies and Saints, or here to own the entire audiobook.
And for even more on the history of Christianity, and how well the church is mirroring the message that Jesus handed on, head over to the Undeceptions website.
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Jan 30, 2022
The Not-So-Dark Ages
John Dickson's Bullies and Saints is a super-podcast providing excerpts of the book by the same name - a no-holds-barred look at the best and worst of church history.
In this episode, John up-ends a four-hundred-year-old fallacy that has been promoted since the Enlightenment: the Christian faith is a brake on scientific and literary progress. The Dark Ages - were they really that dark?
Click here to buy a copy of Bullies and Saints, or here to own the entire audiobook.
And for even more on the history of Christianity, and how well the church is mirroring the message that Jesus handed on, head over to the Undeceptions website.
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Jan 23, 2022
Knights of Christ
John Dickson's Bullies and Saints is a super-podcast providing excerpts of the book by the same name - a no-holds-barred look at the best and worst of church history.
In this edition, John Dickson introduces us to two characters that display all that’s been good and bad about the followers of Jesus - Ebolus the crossbowman and Bernard of Clairvaux.
Click here to buy a copy of Bullies and Saints, or here to own the entire audiobook.
And for even more on the history of Christianity, and how well the church is mirroring the message that Jesus handed on, head over to the Undeceptions website.
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Jan 16, 2022
Christian Jihad
John Dickson's Bullies and Saints is a super-podcast providing excerpts of the book by the same name - a no-holds-barred look at the best and worst of church history.
In this edition, John investigates the accusation that Christianity is a faith that was propagated by the sword rather than peace. Are Christians guilty of their own jihad?
Click here to buy a copy of Bullies and Saints, or here to own the entire audiobook.
And for even more on the history of Christianity, and how well the church is mirroring the message that Jesus handed on, head over to the Undeceptions website.
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Jan 9, 2022
The Birth of Charity
John Dickson's Bullies and Saints is a super-podcast providing excerpts of the book by the same name - a no-holds-barred look at the best and worst of church history.
In this episode, John Dickson gives us an insight into the invention of charity, and just how revolutionary the Christian call to love one another proved for the ancient world.
Click here to buy a copy of Bullies and Saints, or here to own the entire audiobook.
And for even more on the history of Christianity, and how well the church is mirroring the message that Jesus handed on, head over to the Undeceptions website.
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Jan 2, 2022
Good Losers
John Dickson's Bullies and Saints is a super-podcast providing excerpts of the book by the same name - a no-holds-barred look at the best and worst of church history.
In this edition, John uncovers the character of the earliest Christians, how it contrasted with the world around them, and how ‘in tune’ it was with the beautiful melody that Jesus set them to sing.
Click here to buy a copy of Bullies and Saints, or here to own the entire audiobook.
And for even more on the history of Christianity, and how well the church is mirroring the message that Jesus handed on, head over to the Undeceptions website.
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Dec 26, 2021
Peter The Hermit
John Dickson's Bullies and Saints is a super-podcast providing excerpts of the book by the same name - a no-holds-barred look at the best and worst of church history.
In this episode, John Dickson takes us to the Crusades and introduces one of the most infamous crusaders of all: Peter the Hermit, a fire and brimstone Christian if ever there was one.
Click here to buy a copy of Bullies and Saints, or here to own the entire audiobook.
And for even more on the history of Christianity, and how well the church is mirroring the message that Jesus handed on, head over to the Undeceptions website.
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Dec 19, 2021
Resting Well
This episode was sponsored by Zondervan’s new book Ethics Beyond Rules, by Keith D Stanglin.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2021
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Dec 12, 2021
The Refugee
This episode was sponsored by Zondervan’s new book ‘Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth’ by Thaddeus J Williams.
Visit undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2021
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Dec 8, 2021
Christmas Star single
Dr. Chris Forbes brings his expertise in the Greco-Roman world to bear on why historians believe the story of the three magi and the star over a stable might actually be based in fact.
Join John Dickson as these two historical boffins discuss astrological formations, ancient king-makers and a reasonable explanation for an interstellar night light in Bethlehem.
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Dec 5, 2021
Question Answer V
This episode was sponsored by Zondervan's new book Urban Apologetics by Eric Mason.
Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.
Follow the show on Twitter and Instagram
Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com
Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.
Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band.
Hosted by John Dickson
Produced by Kaley Payne
Directed by Mark Hadley
Audio Editing by Richard Hamwi
Copyright Undeceptions Ltd 2021
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Nov 28, 2021
Jesus Philosopher
The cliche is: ‘faith’ is the antithesis of knowledge … of wisdom.
And therefore “Christian philosophy” is an oxymoron, right?
Our guests today, though are professional philosophers and they reckon that, while Christians could do with a healthy dose of philosophy, so could sceptics. We all need to think deeply about what we believe, and why we believe it.
And if you think – as atheists like Sam Harris and many others do – that scepticism or atheism doesn’t involve any mere ‘beliefs’, well, you probably especially need to think this stuff through.
This episode is sponsored by Zondervan’s 10th Anniversary edition of Seven Days that Divide the World by John Lennox.
For the full show notes, go to undeceptions.com.
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Nov 21, 2021
Paulos Apostolos
This episode was sponsored by Zondervan's new book Believing Philosophy by Dolores G. Morris.
OUR GUESTS
Douglas J. Moo is a New Testament scholar who, after teaching for more than twenty years at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois, has served as Blanchard Professor of New Testament at the Wheaton College Graduate School since 2000. His latest book is A Theology of Paul and His Letters.
Lynn H. Cohick is an American New Testament scholar and author. Since January 2021 she has been Provost, Academic Dean and Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary.
For the full (and often rather extensive) show notes, head to Undeceptions.com.
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Nov 14, 2021
Just War
This episode is sponsored by Zondervan's new book Person of Interest: Why Jesus still matters in a world that rejects the Bible by J. Warner Wallace.
Meet Our Guests
* Nigel Biggar: Regius Professor of Moral & Pastoral Theology, and Director of the McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics, & Public Life, University of Oxford.
* Andrew Hastie: Australian Federal Member for Canning and Assistant Minister for Defence. Former Officer, Australian Defence Force.
* Mike Bird was one of our 'phone a friend' guests for this episode. He wrote The Story of God commentary for the Book of Romans for Zondervan and is a lecturer at Ridley College.
* Jarrod McKenna was another of our lovely 'phone a friend' guests for this episode. He is an advocate for non-violence direct action.
For our full show notes and links to everything we mention in this episode, go to undeceptions.com.
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Nov 7, 2021
Between Testaments
This episode is sponsored by Zondervan's new book Why is there suffering? by Bethany Sollereder.
Download the transcript for this episode here.
Meet our Guest
The Rev Dr George Athas
George is Director of Research and Lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew at Moore Theological College in Sydney.
Featured Music
Michael Levyis a composer for the lyre. His music is a blend of some original ancient melodies and some of his own creations. His arrangements for solo lyre are based on reconstructions of some of the incredibly rare, actual surviving written music of antiquity. We played two of these reconstructions in our episode, with permission: Ma Tovu and Kandel's Hora. You can find out more about Michael's work, and listen to more of his music at ancientlyre.com.
Yamma Ensemble is an Israeli world music group who have a beautiful love of the Hebrew language and ancient instruments. We played parts of their live recordings of Psalm 104 (see below) and also a track featuring the ancient S…
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Oct 31, 2021
Outer Space
Some would say that an ancient faith like Christianity won’t survive outer space -- especially as we explore further than we ever have before.
This episode is sponsored by Zondervan's new book 'The Theology of Paul and His Letters' by Douglas J Moo.
For the full show notes, with links to everything we mention in this episode, go to undeceptions.com.
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Oct 24, 2021
On Friendship
Download the transcript for this episode here.
COMPETITION!
We’re celebrating our 500,000th download this month - half a million! And so, with the help of our major sponsor, Zondervan, we are giving away a book pack of five of Zondervan’s newest titles. We’ll throw in a copy of my new book Bullies and Saints AND an Undeceptions T-Shirt.
To WIN, all you have to do is leave us a review on Apple Podcasts (what used to be called iTunes), take a pic of the review and send it to us. Producer Kaley will pick the best-written review on October 25 (and I mean ‘best-written’ not necessarily most glowing). So be quick, you’ve got two weeks!
LINKS
* Meet our guests:
* Sam Allberry, author and pastor.
* Ronald Sharp, author of Norton Book of Friendship
* Read Sam Allberry's book Seven Myths about Singleness and find his other books here.
* Here are the links to all the studies we referenced in this episode:
*
*
* Death of a close friend: Short and long-term impac…
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Oct 17, 2021
Chinese Jesus
Download the transcript for this episode here.
COMPETITION!
We’re celebrating our 500,000th download this month - half a million! And so, with the help of our major sponsor, Zondervan, we are giving away a book pack of five of Zondervan’s newest titles. We’ll throw in a copy of my new book Bullies and Saints AND an Undeceptions T-Shirt.
To WIN, all you have to do is leave us a review on Apple Podcasts (what used to be called iTunes), take a pic of the review and send it to us. Producer Kaley will pick the best-written review on October 25 (and I mean ‘best-written’ not necessarily most glowing). So be quick, you’ve got two weeks!
LINKS
* Get to know our guest, Professor Xi Lian.
* Read Professor Lian's book, Blood Letters: The untold story of Lin Zhao, a martyr in Mao's China.
* You might also like to seek out Professor Lian's other relevant books Redeemed by Fire: The rise of popular Christianity in modern China and also The Conversion of Missionaries: Liberalism…
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Oct 10, 2021
Good Life
COMPETITION!
We’re celebrating our 500,000th download this month - half a million! And so, with the help of our major sponsor, Zondervan, we are giving away a book pack of five of Zondervan’s newest titles. We’ll throw in a copy of my new book Bullies and Saints AND an Undeceptions T-Shirt.
To WIN, all you have to do is leave us a review on Apple Podcasts (what used to be called iTunes), take a pic of the review and send it to Producer Kaley at kaley@undeceptions.com. We'll pick the best-written review on October 25 (and I mean ‘best-written’ not necessarily most glowing). So be quick, you’ve got two weeks!
LINKS
* Read the CNN report about the happiest country in the world for 2021.
* Watch the full report from VICE News on whether Finland is actually that happy. This one's from 2019 - Finland has been the happiest country in the world for four years running.
* Read a little more from 20th Century philosopher Bertrand Russell on the conquest of happiness from B…
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Oct 3, 2021
Outback Christ
This Henry Lawson poem, though written in the Australian outback in the 19th Century, still captures what a lot of people see as wrong with Christianity and what they wish it was like.
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Sep 26, 2021
Afghan Refugee
Shabnam Safa was just 15 years old when she arrived in Australia as a refugee. As a young child, her family had fled war-torn Afghanistan to a refugee camp on the border of Pakistan where she grew up listening to stories of the terror of life under the Taliban. She spoke to John Dickson about her distress about the Taliban retaking control of Afghanistan and her fears for her home country.
As so many of us watch from our lounge rooms, is there anything we can actually do to help those fleeing danger?
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Sep 19, 2021
Intersectional Jesus
Author and highly sought-after speaker Sam Allberry talks us through 'intersectionality' and ponders the wisdom and boundaries of this way of bestowing moral authority.
"Just as those who stand at an intersection can see in more directions than those who don't, so too - according to this thinking - those at the intersection of multiple minority and victim groups have more insight to bring to society."
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Sep 10, 2021
Nine Eleven Single
Today is the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a series of coordinated terrorist strikes in the US that killed almost 3000 people and changed the world forever.
Our guest for this single, Hans Kunnen, was one of several Australians in New York that day and has told his story many times over the last 20 years. But what struck us about his story was not how close he was to the action, or how he described the flames, the smoke, the hurtling bodies.
It is how he talks about the kindness of a stranger - the hope amidst the chaos of what was the most traumatic day of his life.
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Sep 6, 2021
The Terror Single
On the anniversary of the France's Reign of Terror, John asks where we got the idea that three centuries of the Spanish Inquisition represented the height of human cruelty.
In any objective history of human violence it would hardly rate a mention, especially when it stands alongside the terrors of the French Revolution.
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Aug 15, 2021
Pro Life
** We’re talking about abortion in this episode, and occasionally we mention sexual abuse and violence. Nothing graphic, we promise. But some listeners may find what follows distressing. Be safe. **
We're weighing up the arguments of the Pro Choice and Pro Life movements. Perhaps we can convince you that the case against abortion - the pro-life case - isn’t as dumb and mean as it's often portrayed to be, and nor does it depend on religious dogma.
This episode is sponsored by Zondervan's new book The Global Church: The First Eight Centuries by Donald Fairbairn.
LINKS
* Read Judith Jarvis Johnson's groundbreaking article about abortion, where she offered the violinist thought experiment as a way to illustrate bodily autonomy: A Defense of Abortion by Judith Jarvis Thomson, Philosophy and Public Affairs, Vol. 1, No. 1. (Autumn, 1971), pp 47-66.
* Get to know our guest, Professor Margaret Somerville.
* Read Somerville's book that first introduced her to John, The Ethical Can…
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Aug 8, 2021
Ask Anything IV
It's this season's Q&A episode, where listeners get a chance to ask John Dickson their burning questions.
This episode is sponsored by Seven Things I Wish Christians Knew About the Bible by Michael F Bird, a new book published by Zondervan.
QUESTIONS
* Is all “music” at its best good or beautiful and at worst simply neutral; or can some “music” be “bad”, “evil” or “ungodly”? (Check out our two episodes on music from Season 3: Creation's Music and Discordant Religion).
* Are there dangers in pop music we might steer our children away from for example?
* Regarding the 7 Deadly Sins: what's their origin and their accuracy in terms of Jesus' teaching and Christian living?
* If I have a conversation with a person who is sceptical of Christianity about the issue of race, I know they're going to bring up times when God ordered the wiping out of a city or a whole race (like when Israel wiped out the Amalekites in the book of 1 Samuel) as evidence that the Bibl…
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Aug 1, 2021
Everyday Sacred
Just when you imagine Christians are all so heavenly minded they’re of no earthly use … the Bible itself brings us back to the earth. That’s where the action is. In fact, the final great scene of the Bible doesn’t have us all floating up to heaven. It has heaven coming down to earth.
Down … to … earth. There’s a lot in that phrase.
As far as religions go, Christianity is arguably the most down-to-earth perspective you could imagine.
LINKS
* Winnie The Pooh loves honey in the books and every movie he's in, but particularly the 2011 version we quoted from.
* This episode is sponsored by Zondervan's new book, Becoming All Things by Michelle Ami Reyes
* Meet our guests for this episode:
* Andrew Wilson, London pastor and author of a new book called God Of All Things: Rediscovering the Sacred in an Everyday World
* Tish Harrison Warren, Anglican priest and author of Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life
* Read Psalm 19, which begins "The…
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Jul 25, 2021
The Exodus
The parting of the red sea is legendary today … and most people treat it as just that … legend.
Like many things in the Bible, the exodus from Egypt (recorded in the book Old Testament book of Exodus) is looked on with great scepticism by secular scholars - and some Christian scholars even.
It’s understandable.
The existence of Moses, mighty prophet and prince of Egypt. The ten plagues that devastated that ancient civilisation. The blood of the passover lamb protecting the houses of Israel from the plagues. And, of course, the deliverance of the people of Israel en mass from the slavery in Egypt.
They all lack direct historical evidence outside the Bible.
So it’s just made up, right?
Well, sort of … not really!
LINKS
* This episode is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book ‘God of All Things’ by Andrew Wilson.
* Meet our guest, James Hoffmeier, Professor of Old Testament and Near Eastern Archaeology at Trinity International University, Divinity School (Dee…
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Jul 18, 2021
Christian Revolution
We all know Christianity thrives on ignorance, sunk us all into the dark ages, and has resisted human rights and equality for most of its 1500 year reign.
What have the Christians ever done for us?
Our guest today - who says he’s not a believing Christian - reckons many of us have things completely back to front. It’s Christianity, he insists, that gave us many of the secular humanitarian ideals we hold so dear.
LINKS
* This episode was sponsored by Zondervan's new book Person of Interest: Why Jesus still matters in a world that rejects the Bible by J Warner Wallace
* Meet our guest, Tom Holland
* Read Holland's latest book, Dominion: The making of the Western Mind
* Or check out his YouTube channel, where you can watch one of the documentaries he made with the BBC on Islam
* Here's a 5 minute primer on stoicism from Ted-Ed. Want more? Here's a good place to start to learn more about Stoicism.
* Watch the trailer for HBO's award-winning series, Rome. Be warned... i…
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Jul 11, 2021
The best of Remembering Women
John Dickson is taking a bit of a break to grieve the passing of his friend, Ben Shaw. So, in the interim, Producer Kaley and Director Mark have decided to choose their favourite Undeceptions episodes to drop into your podcast feed for two weeks.
Week number two is brought to you by Director Mark. He has chosen to re-share the Remembering Women episode. John visits Dr. Lynne Cohick to chat about how early Christians valued and celebrated women in the first centuries of the church.
Director Mark recommends it because unveils a side of feminine history he'd missed, gets us outdoors again in the middle of an Australian lockdown, and includes a whole gamut of contributions, including Producer Kaley's favourite music.
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Jul 4, 2021
The best of Old Papers
John Dickson is taking a bit of a break to grieve the passing of his friend, Ben Shaw. So, in the interim, Producer Kaley and Director Mark have decided to choose their favourite Undeceptions episodes to drop into your podcast feed in the next two weeks.
Producer Kaley's favourite is the very first episode of Undeceptions, called ‘Old Papers’. It harks back to a time when we were allowed to travel overseas, and John visited the University of Michigan’s Papyrology department to get his hands on some of the earliest manuscripts we have for the New Testament.
Producer Kaley reckons it’s what Undeceptions does best: it’s historical, it’s hands-on and it laid the groundwork for what this podcast wants to sound like - friendly and factual, with a little nerdy excitement thrown in.
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Jun 27, 2021
Facing Death Single
Ben Shaw and John Dickson were friends since childhood, became Christians together in their teens, formed a rock and roll band in their 20s, and went on to study theology and minister in the fields God opened up to them.
The death of Ben Shaw has provided John with an opportunity to reflect on the sort of book his best friend felt was worth using his last months to write, and the spiritual lessons he has learned from decades of standing beside him.
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Jun 20, 2021
Unhealthy Anger Single
John Dickson invites solicitor and social commentator Stephanie Kate Judd to offer an opinion on the sexism that simultaneously abuses and silences women.
Outrage, she says, is an appropriate response to significant wrongdoing, but unchecked rage can corrode the very hearts that feel that injustice most keenly.
Instead, Stephanie suggests a way in which we can confront a problem but still keep our anger healthy.
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Jun 13, 2021
Teenage Jesus
Jesus was once a teenage boy, right? Was he a rascal? Who did he hang out with? Was he considered the ancient equivalent of a jock, a cool kid, a nerd, or something else?
And how on earth did he get through the normal teenage years of angst and still be … the perfect incarnation of God?
There’s a bit of speculation about teenage Jesus. And we promise to cover all the evidence for it in this episode.
LINKS
* This episode is brought to you by Zondervan's new Bible commentary on the Gospel of Mark
* More about 10 Things I Hate About You, which you heard at the beginning of this episode.
* Check out the Infancy of Thomas, an apocryphal document that purports to narrate episodes from Jesus’ youth from the age of five up until his twelfth year.
* Get to know our guest, Dr Chris Forbes.
* Listen to Canon Fodder, from Season 3 of Undeceptions, which also features Dr Forbes. It's all about how the Bible was put together and why which books were chosen as scripture and some b…
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Jun 6, 2021
Big Porn
For every voice decrying the evils of pornography, there’s another that says it’s healthy, part of our freedom of expression, “sex positive”! So, which is it?
LINKS
* This epidoe of Undeceptions is brought to you by Zondervan’s new commentary on the book of Exodus by Christopher Wright.
* Meet our guest, Melinda Tankard Reist, and find out more about the Collective Shout Movement that she founded.
* Meet our other guests, Professor William Struthers and Simon Camilleri
* Read more on the protest of the 70,000 Korean women who held banners shouting 'My life is not your porn' in 2018 after a spike in the number of spycams found in female bathrooms.
* Read the New York Times explosive investigative report 'The Children of Pornhub', published in December 2020.
* In response to the NYT report, Mastercard and Visa withdrew their cooperation with Pornhub later that month.
* Read Melinda Tankard Reist's book, Big Porn Inc: Exposing the Harms of the Global Porn Indust…
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May 30, 2021
God's War II
This is the second part of our two-part series on the Crusades. For Part One, click here.
A brutal slaughter at the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem marked the end of the first crusade. The Crusaders had recaptured Jerusalem and the Holy Lands. They had regained control and care of The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, probably medieval Christianity’s most sacred site, built over what was believed to be Jesus’ empty tomb.
Their job was done and most of the crusaders packed up and went home, bolstered in their belief that God had been with them and seized their victory. Job done!
So, why the need for a 2nd Crusade? Or a 3rd, 4th or 5th for that matter?
LINKS
* This episode is brought to you by Zondervan's new book Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History by John Dickson. There's plenty more on the Crusades that we couldn't fit into this episode.
* Meet our distinguished guest, Professor Christopher Tyerman and check out his magnum opus, God's War:…
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May 23, 2021
God's War I
This is the first of a two part episode on The Crusades.
Over nine hundred years after the launch of the first Crusade, world leaders are still invoking their memory to explain ongoing conflict. But how plausible is that?
Chances are, whether you're a Christian or a skeptic, what you think you know about the Crusades is wrong. Or so says our guest for this episode.
What were the Crusades? How did they start? What did they achieve? Why did they stop?
And does their shadow really fall over modern tensions between the West and Muslim lands?
LINKS
* Get John Dickson's new book Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History, published by our sponsor Zondervan. It's got a heap more on the Crusades than we could fit into this episode.
* Meet our distinguished guest, Professor Christopher Tyerman.
* Check out Tyerman's magnum opus, God's War: A New History of the Crusades. He has a written a bunch more, too.
* Watch the full news segment from France…
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May 16, 2021
Religious Freedom
LINKS
* Get to know our guest Professor Robert Wilken
* This episode is sponsored by Zondervan's new book, The Problem of Jesus by Mark Clark
* Read Robert Wilken's latest book Liberty in the Things of God: The Christian Origins of Religious Freedom
* More on the Edict of Milan, in which Constantine declared: “Freedom and full liberty has been granted in accordance with the peace of our times to exercise free choice in worshipping as each one has seen fit. This has been done by us so that nothing may seem to be taken away from anyone’s honour or from any religion whatsoever.”
* More on Roger Williams
* Find out more about Thomas Jefferson and religious freedom.
* Our 'Phone a Friend' guest this episode was Tim Wilson, an Australian Liberal MP and former Human Rights Commissioner. Watch a talk Tim gave on religious freedom to the Centre For Independent Studies here.
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May 9, 2021
Guilty Conscience
Guilt is a big topic - there is so much to say. Like the feeling of guilt itself, it is layered.
We deal with guilt on an individual level and on a societal one.
“Guilt is a religious problem which interests theologians, a social problem which interests sociologists and a psychological problem which interests psychologists,” wrote psychotherapist and theologian, Paul Tournier, in his book Guilt and Grace.
People sometimes speak of ‘religious guilt’ or ‘Catholic guilt’ and it’s almost always used negatively. The assumption is that if you are religious, you are dealing with much more guilt than the regular person, and certainly more than is healthy!
But maybe guilt is actually good?
And maybe religion - Christianity in particular - is the maestro of listening to, directing, and silencing the guilt we experience in our lives.
LINKS
* About that record... the first was already dead: angler -- read more about Clive White's trout confession.
* This episode is brought…
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May 2, 2021
Mental Health
Perhaps you’ve heard it before - religion is bad for your mental health. It triggers feelings of guilt, self-loathing and bigotry.
But, actually, there are many ways in which the opposite is true. Karen Pang's story is testament to that, which you'll hear in this episode.
There’s also a growing body of research - authoritative, real-life, peer-reviewed research - that reports a significant benefit to wellbeing if you are religious.
That’s right. You are more healthy if you are religious.
Do you need help?
* If you're in Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
* In the UK? Call The Samaritans on 116 123.
* If you're in the US, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255
LINKS
* This episode is brought to you by Zondervan Academic's book, Three Views on Chrisitanity and Science with contributions from Alister McGrath, Bruce L Gordon and Michael Ruse.
* Meet our guest, Karen Pang
* Meet our guest, Professor Tyler VanderWeele
* Meet out guest, L…
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Apr 25, 2021
Unknown Soldier Single
It is the day after ANZAC Day, that occasion when Australians and New Zealanders commemorate those who died in the defence of our country.
At a time like this, it is worth considering the inscription bourne by many military tombstones across the world - 'Unknown Soldier - Known Unto God'.
This is not just a way of saying, "We don't know who he is; I guess God does." It has a profound meaning about the peculiar way in which God knows His creatures.
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Apr 18, 2021
The Troubles Single
Critics of Christianity have often pointed to The Troubles in Northern Ireland as proof that, "Religion ruins everything."
But how accurate is the statement? How accurate is it to even label The Troubles a religious conflict?
John Dickson shares a chapter of his upcoming book, Bullies And Saints, on how the Troubles got started and how Christianity helped to bring them to an end.
Click here to order a copy of John Dickson's Bullies and Saints.
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Apr 11, 2021
Western Fundamentalism Single
Gordon Menzies advised the federal government on the deregulation of the Australian dollar, underlining his credentials when it came to liberalism.
However, his new book titled 'Western Fundamentalism' suggests a more conservative way of seeing the world.
He tells John Dickson, though, that a Christian is capable of rejecting definitions of both left and right to forge a distinctly different path.
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Apr 4, 2021
American Soul Single
Dr. Laurel Moffatt rejoins the Undeceptions team to consider the state of the American soul.
Researchers have revealed that this nation of the bold and the free is now united more by the things that its citizens hate than those they love.
Is there any way out of this emotional and moral quagmire? Dr. Moffatt thinks so.
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Mar 28, 2021
Still Cancer Single
How do you face the rapidly approaching end of a battle with cancer?
In Series 2, Episode 13 of Undeceptions, John Dickson met up with his friend Ben Shaw to discuss his recent diagnosis of that dreaded disease.
The It's Cancer episode raised serious questions about what place pain has in a world created by a good God.
Now, in the run-up to Easter, John returns to ask Ben if the call to face cancer has brought on new spiritual insights.
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Jan 10, 2021
Racist Church
Some would argue that Christianity itself is racist. Given the sweep of history, this is a charge that has to be confronted.
So we’re going to speak to a couple of people who, despite all the things the church has done wrong -- and continues to do wrong -- and despite all the things the church should be doing but just isn’t - still see Christ as Lord. They are still part of the church. They still think Christianity is beautiful, even if parts of the church are not.
You as listeners - whether you believe or not - are going to have to be the judges here.
This is not an episode in which I feel competent to lecture anyone.
I don’t know what it’s like to be a minority. That’s why we’re speaking to people today who do know.
LINKS
* Meet our guest, Jemar Tisby
* Read his latest book, How to fight racism
* Read Jemar’s other book The Colour of Compromise: the truth about the American Church’s complicity in racism
* Check out The Witness
*…
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Jan 3, 2021
100 Pages
Perhaps you’re sceptical, perhaps you’re just undecided - our challenge for you for 2021 is: read at least 100 pages of the Bible.
This book has shaped much of our world. It would be great to think that you’ve got your head around at least 100 pages, as an adult, with all your grownup questions activated.
Yes, the Bible is weird. It’s got wars, bizarre laws, talking snakes, perhaps even a unicorn or two, slavery, misogyny, and much more. But there is way to read this stuff, and there’s a way not to.
And we reckon today’s guest can help us with both, and make 2021 TO ETOS TES BIBLOU, the year of the Bible.
This episode is brought to you by Zondervan Academic’s new book How to Fight Racism by Jemar Tisby.
LINKS
* Meet our guest Dan Kimball
* And get his new book How NOT to read the Bible: Making Sense of the Anti-Women, Anti-Science, Pro-Violence, Pro-Slavery and Other Crazy Sounding Parts of Scripture
* Read more of the Finder survey that explored how many Ame…
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Dec 27, 2020
Ask Anything III
You may not feel ready to experience heaven or hell quite yet but Undeceptions listeners certainly had a lot of questions about it! In this season’s Q&A episode, John Dickson attempts to answer at least some of the questions you’ve thrown at us this year.
This episode is brought to you by Zondervan Academic’s How NOT to read the Bible by Dan Kimball
LINKS
* What Dreams May Come trailer
* The Good Place, TV show: how points are scored in life
* The Rebel, by Albert Camus
QUESTIONS
* Is the punishment of Hell proportional to our acts on Earth?
* Are there levels of Heaven?
* Why do we know so little about Heaven?
* What are we to think of God who is always present, even in the face of evil and abuse?
* Why is it considered Good News, if so many who don’t believe will end up in Hell?
* Do we lose our free will in heaven?
* Are demons real?
* Should Christians eat meat?
* Is there any benefit in reading the Apocrypha?
* Even if I believed in God, why…
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Dec 20, 2020
World's End
Christianity has plenty to say about the future and what the end of the world might look like -- though some think it says a lot more than others.
Christians have, in fact, been accused of being obsessed with end times, so much so that they stop caring about the world they’re in right now. And sometimes that’s true.
But apocalyptic Christians aren’t the only ones dwelling on all this. Plenty of us are more interested than ever - especially this year! - in how the world will end. The stories we tell ourselves in culture are becoming increasingly apocalyptic.
Why is that?
This episode is brought to you by our season sponsor Zondervan Academic, publishers of the Collected Essays of N.T. Wright.
LINKS
* Have a read through The Book of Revelation.
* Watch Australia’s Secretary for Home Affairs, Michael Pezzullo’s, full speech on ‘Securing Australia’ here.
* Get to know our guest, Alissa Wilkinson from Vox
* And read Alissa’s book How to Survive the Apocalypse…
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Dec 13, 2020
Danger: Proselytising
Proselytise: to convert or attempt to convert (someone) from one religion, belief, or opinion to another.
Why are Christians such god-botherers? Is it possible to share your belief system with someone who doesn’t accept without being a jerk?
Many people today would have you believe that there is no context in which proselytising could be considered a good thing.
This episode is supported by Zondervan's MasterLecture Series.
LINKS
* Find out more about our guest, Dr Sam Chan
* And check out his latest book, How to talk about Jesus (without being THAT guy)
* And here's a rather extensive review of Sam’s book here.
* Sam's book Evangelism in a Skeptical World: How to Make the Unbelievable News About Jesus More Believable won Christianity Today's Book of the Year in evangelism and apologetics.
* PS -- How to Talk about Jesus (without being THAT guy) is the popular-level version of the more textbook-style Evangelism in a Skeptical World.
* Sam quo…
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Dec 6, 2020
Homo Deus
Transhumanism is the transformation of the human condition through sophisticated technologies that modify our physiology and intellect.
This episode, we continue our conversation about Artificial Intelligence with Professor John Lennox, and Dr.s Vicky Lorrimar and Grenville Kent.
This episode is brought to you by series sponsor Zondervan Academic, publishers of How to talk about Jesus without being THAT guy by Sam Chan.
LINKS
* Meet Professor John Lennox
* Get Professor Lennox’s book 2084: Artificial intelligence and the future of humanity
* Say hi to episode guests Dr Grenville Kent and Dr Vicky Lorrimar
* Watch this primer on ‘Transhumanism’ from BBC Ideas.
* Read The Age of Spiritual Machines by Ray Kurzweil (Lennox called him one of the most insightful people on this topic last episode)
* Watch this Ted Talk on how close we are to be able to ‘upload our minds’
* This is the article on The Washington Post in which Elon Musk talks about AI as summoning the…
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Nov 29, 2020
Artificial Intelligence
"I'm all for technology being used in a good sense. I often say to people, AI is like a knife, a very sharp knife. You can use it to operate with, or you can use it to kill people." -- Professor John Lennox
Artificial Intelligence is the buzz phrase of the 21st century.
For some, it’s a welcome step into a future that promises all manner of good. For others, AI is damaging at best and, at worst, a step towards our own destruction.
This episode, with the help of the great John Lennox, we ask the question: is Artificial Intelligence an under-estimated threat… or the saviour we’ve been waiting for?
This episode is brought to you by series sponsor Zondervan Academic, publishers of Telling a better story: how to talk about God in a skeptical age by Josh Chatraw.
LINKS
* Meet Professor John Lennox
* Get Professor Lennox’s book 2084: Artificial intelligence and the future of humanity
* Read more about how China is using surveillance technology to keep tabs on its citizens…
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Nov 22, 2020
Canon Fodder
How did the New Testament actually come together? Some have argued that is a “chaotically cobbled-together anthology of disjointed documents” that has been revised and ‘improved’ over centuries.
Others have argued it is a deeply political document, created to quell rebellions and placate a growing and agitated movement.
Millions of people put their trust in the New Testament. It’s time to get to the bottom of how it was created.
This episode of Undeceptions is brought to you by Zondervan Academic, publishers of 2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity by John Lennox.
LINKS
* Producer Kaley is actually the one who likes Survivor. She thinks you should watch it, too.
* Richard Dawkin’s quote about the Bible being a cobbled-together anthology was from The God Delusion.
* If you really have to, you can read The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown or watch the movie.
* But then listen to this 5-part series with John Dickson on Hope 103.2FM (Sydney Christian…
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Nov 15, 2020
Childish God
For years, people have argued that our minds’ natural default position is non-belief. Left to ourselves, we would never grow up thinking about God.
Religion is, therefore, an imposition on the susceptible minds of children. Some have suggested that teaching kids about God comes close to a form of brain washing.
Our guest for this episode, Justin Barrett, says that is actually getting harder to argue.
Research from the last 20 years indicates that thoughts about God aren’t by-products of American or Western culture. It’s not indoctrination. These thoughts are natural.
Believing that someone - not something - governs the world comes as easily to kids as curiosity, imagination and play.
Special thanks to Zondervan Academic, our show sponsor, publishers of How NOT to read the Bible, by Dan Kimball.
LINKS
* Find out more about our guest Professor Justin L Barrett.
* Get Professor Barrett’s book, Born Believers: The Science of Children’s Religious Belief
* More on Lud…
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Nov 8, 2020
Discordant Religion
In Episode 28 (Creation's Music) we spoke with Jeremy Begbie and Kirsty Beilharz about how music can point us to God. But what if it's music we just don't like? What about music that's genuinely bad. Or dissonant. What is the purpose of that type of music? Can music that's really hard to listen to still point us to the divine?
Special thanks to Zondervan Academic, our show sponsor, publishers of How to Talk about Jesus (without being that guy) by Sam Chan.
LINKS:
* Find out more about our guest Professor Dr Jeremy Begbie here.
* Find out more about our guest Professor Dr Kirsty Beilharz here.
* Seek out Jeremy Begbie's book Theology, Music and Time.
* Get your hands on Kirsty Beilharz's book Music Remembers Me: Connection and Wellbeing in Dementia.
* Listen to 20th century composer Arnold Schoenberg's works on Spotify. Jeremy Begbie talks about Schoenberg and his creation of new methods of musical composition involving atonality.
* Kirsty talks about 20th century compose…
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Nov 1, 2020
Creation's Music
What is music and what is it about music that stirs the human soul?
Is it just a series of sound waves producing neurological responses … or could music be - as so many ancients believed - a signal from God?
Join us for this episode as we take a look at the enduring love affair between music and the human heart.
Special thanks to Zondervan Academic, our show sponsor, publishers of Evangelical Theology by Michael F Bird.
LINKS:
* Find out more about our guest Professor Dr Jeremy Begbie here.
* Find out more about our guest Professor Dr Kirsty Beilharz here.
* Check out this interview Professor Begbie did with Christianity Today in 2018, about Christian artists and their need for a firm grounding in Scripture.
* Read more about the conundrum of consciousness here.
* Seek out Jeremy Begbie's book Theology, Music and Time.
* Want to start listening to St Matthew Passion but don't know where to start? Check out this helpful guide from NPR (America's National Public Radio)…
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Oct 25, 2020
Good Earth
Whether you’re a believer or doubter in Christianity, this episode is really more about whether you’re a ‘believer’ or ‘doubter’ in climate change … and the things that often lie behind such beliefs (hint: faith is just one factor!)
But, if you listen to Katharine, climate change shouldn’t be about belief anymore. It’s real. It’s happening. The question now is, what can we do about it?
Special thanks to Zondervan Academic, our show sponsor, publishers of How To Fight Racism by Jemar Tisby.
LINKS
* Meet Katharine Hayhoe over on her website.
* Watch Katharine’s 2018 TedTalk (along with the 3.6 million other people!)
* Check out Rolling Stone magazine’s conversation with Katharine
* And also ... the New York Times profile of Katharine
* Read the press release from the United Nations, announcing it has named Katharine Hayhoe a UN Champion of the Earth
* Here's the Pew Research from 2015 that found only a third of white evangelical protestants believ…
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Oct 18, 2020
Bible Mistakes
In the first episode of our third season, we're taking a close look at the New Testament - the second part of the Bible. Many scholars have pointed out historical inaccuracies in the gospels, or inconsistencies between the gospels that would surely call into question their reliability as sources for the historical Jesus. Some have suggested that the gospels weren't actually written by who we think they were written by. Or claim that many of the letters written by Paul that appear in the Bible weren't penned by Paul at all.
Professor Craig Blomberg has spent a lifetime digging around these 'Bible mistakes'. And he's not convinced that they are, in fact, mistakes.
LINKS
* For more on Professor Craig Blomberg, check out his website.
* And while you're clicking, have a look at Undeceptions.com for all sorts of cool stuff related to undeceiving the world.
* Special thanks to Zondervan Academic, our show sponsor, publishers of the Collected Essays of N.T. Wright.
* Read more about…
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Oct 13, 2020
Introducing Season 3 of Undeceptions
We're back with a new season of Undeceptions. Join us as we chase down facts and explore the best arguments, to explode some of the myths about history, science, psychology, and the good life … and how it all relates to the Christian faith.
This season, we're talking climate change, public health, why belief in God is natural, how music points to the divine, mistakes in the Bible, and … the end of the world.
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Oct 4, 2020
Tax Free Single
John Dickson takes a deep dive into the murky world of church finances to discover the pagan ruler responsible for granting Christian congregations their special financial privileges.
When the most powerful man in the world becomes a believer, things are definitely going to change.
But what did this ruler actually have in mind when he gifted churches and clergy their tax free status? Press play to find out.
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Sep 27, 2020
Confederate Statues Single
Dr. Laurel Moffatt makes a return to Undeceptions with a single aimed at making us consider the level of our indifference.
The Black Lives Matter campaign has focussed America's attention on statues that commemorate the great military leaders and politicians of the slave-supporting Confederacy.
Should these symbols be taken down and our values rebuilt? Or would that leave a greater human failure still standing?
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Sep 20, 2020
Indigenous Slaves Single
Matt Andrews makes a guest appearance on Undeceptions, tackling the thorny topic of slavery in Australia.
Have Aboriginals been enslaved at various times in Australia's history? Certainly. Was that the intention of its British leaders? Certainly not.
There are two key things to undeceived of here, but you'l have to click play to find out what they are.
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Sep 13, 2020
Medieval Manumission Single
Eligius of Noyon was a French jewellery smith of uncommon talent who counted royal families and the highest nobility amongst his clients. As a young man, his success allowed him to dress so exorbitantly, his sense of luxury made it into the history books.
However when Eligius' attention turned from kingly clients to the Kingdom of God, an incredible transformation took place. He became so concerned for the slaves around him, that his finery became the means for setting them free.
In this fourth single on the hidden Christian history of slavery, John Dickson shares how Eligius impoverished himself so that others might know the grace of God.
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Sep 6, 2020
Freeing Slaves Single
St. Augustine was the Bishop of Hippo and the leader of the Christian church in a city that had become a hub in the ancient world's slave trade.
He led his followers in an ambitious buy-back program for those captured by unscrupulous traders. But when church funds failed, these meek and mild believers didn't hold back from carrying out dangerous slave raids.
Join John Dickson as he takes us through a first hand account of what early Christians risked to save less fortunate men and women.
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Aug 30, 2020
First Abolitionist Single
The fourth century bishop, Gregory of Nyssa, led the charge on ending slavery centuries before modern champions like William Wilberforce and Frederick Douglass ever stepped on to the stage.
His arguments regarding the value of human beings would fuel abolitionists and civil rights movements fifteen hundred years after he was dead.
If only we'd listened sooner.
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Aug 16, 2020
Swing Low Single
John Dickson delves into the history of the abolition of slavery in the 19th century and discovers its deep roots in Christian theology.
His investigations reveal secular claims that Christianity was a leading cause of slavery are without foundation. In fact, the campaign for freedom arose from a distinctly Christian world view that had existed for well over a thousand years.
Yet the church could clearly have done a lot more, a lot sooner.
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Jul 26, 2020
Paddling Through Single
Dr. Laurel Moffatt is a writer and researcher based in Sydney, and a special guest for our Undeceptions 'Single' this week.
On a recent kayaking trip, she discovered a connection between our desperate need for 'places of safety' during this pandemic, and international statistics that show a growing desire to communicate with the Almighty.
Leveraging the wisdom of Augustine, she shares how prayer can become your safest place.
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Jun 25, 2020
Eternal Adieu Single
A remarkable event occurred on this day at 11:30am, 25 June, 1788. The 21 year old convict, Samuel Peyton, entered into eternity courtesy of the hangman's noose.
But unlike many of his convict comrades who suffered a similar fate, Peyton left behind a testament to his belief that, even in death, he was “firmly relying on the merits of a Blessed Redeemer.”
Listen in for one of the most heartfelt stories of repentance Australia's colonial history has to offer, as well as a pointer to a Christian hope that still holds true today.
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May 31, 2020
LGBTI Christian
Rachel Gilson says she grew up knowing two things instinctively: she was romantically attracted to women and Christians were NOT ok with that.
Smart, sophisticated, with a love for big ideas not small minds … Rachel Gilson sounds like she’s the poster girl for that common critique of Christianity - that it’s unhelpful and unhealthy for those with lesbian, gay, or bisexual orientations. But that is not her story.
Rachel discovered that it was possible to walk a round that led between her same-sex attraction and a love of God. Her conclusions, including her life choices will surprise you.
Yet Rachel’s quest to understand God and His opinion of her desires provide one of the most provocative, interesting and inspiring stories Undeceptions has had privilege to present.
LINKS
* For more on Rachel Gilson, check out her web site.
* And while you're clicking, have a look at the Undeceptions web site for all sorts of cool stuff related to undeceiving the world
* Special thank…
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May 24, 2020
Ask Anything II
The end of the second season of Undeceptions is drawing night, so it's time to start unpacking all of the questions we've collected.
This episode John Dickson tackles everything from is the Old Testament History to is the New Testament a re-write of Jesus' real perspective?
If you enjoy listening to hosts squirm, you'll love season's two's Undeceptions Q and A.
LINKS
* Both atheistic evolutionists and literalistic creationists want you to read Genesis the same way, but is there a different take on the foundational book of the Bible? John asks Professor C. John Collins, Professor of Old Testament at Covenant Theological Seminary, in the Undeceptions episode Six Days.
* Undeceptions brings to life the forgotten women of the early church so we can learn just how significant the fairer sex were for the spread of the Gospel with international expert Dr. Lynn Cohick in our episode Remembering Women.
* Studies continue to show that most people have a fairly positive view of the foun…
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May 17, 2020
Remembering Women
This episode, we’ll be zooming in on the early Christian women, for whom we have good evidence, and who had a profound impact on the church and its teaching in their time.
Our guide is Dr. Lynn Cohick, who's written books on the topic, including Christian Women in the Patristic World: Their Influence, Authority, and Legacy in the Second through the Fifth Centuries (co-authored with Amy Brown Hughes) and Women in the World of the Earliest Christians.
She paints a vivid picture for us of what life in ancient Rome might have been like for the first women to hear the gospel.
LINKS
* For more on Dr. Lynn Cohick, check out her web site.
* And while you're clicking, have a look at the Undeceptions web site for all sorts of cool stuff related to undeceiving the world
* Special thanks to Zondervan Academic, our show sponsor
* A special just for Undeceptions listeners! Get free access to Zondervan Academic's Master Lectures for 14 days, and then save 25% for the next 6 months. Just…
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May 10, 2020
Post Christian
Greg Sheridan cut his teeth at the legendary news magazine, The Bulletin, before moving on to the national daily newspaper, The Australian, where he’s been the foreign editor since 1982.
John catches up to talk to him about Christianity's struggles in Australia and why, of all times, he would choose to out himself as a believer.
However, Greg is not so glum on the future and underlines that because the faith is beholden to no particular political party it has the ability to reinvent itself that is more inline with its roots.
LINKS
* For more on Greg Sheridan, check out his web page at The Australian
* Check out the Undeceptions web site for all sorts of cool stuff related to undeceiving the world
* Special thanks to Zondervan Academic, our show sponsor
* A special just for Undeceptions listeners! Get free access to Zondervan Academic's Master Lectures for 14 days, and then save 25% for the next 6 months. Just type in the code UNDECEPTIONS at the check-out.
* Ridley Col…
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May 3, 2020
Miraculous Physics
Ian Hutchinson is Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Plasma Science and Fusion Center.
Among many, many other things he wrote the standard monograph on measuring plasmas, Principles of Plasma Diagnostics. That's right, he literally wrote the book on plasmas.
He’s also a fellow of the American Physical Society, a fellow of the Institute of Physics, and of the American Scientific Affiliation.
And… he believes in miracles - healing, resurrection, all of it.
Find out why.
LINKS
* For more on Professor Ian Hutchinson, check out his web site.
* Check out his book, Can A Scientist Believe In Miracles? by Ian Hutchinson
* And while you're clicking, have a look at the Undeceptions web site for all sorts of cool stuff related to undeceiving the world
* Special thanks to Zondervan Academic, our show sponsor
* Ridley College, where John lectures in Public Christianity
* You can click here to sign up for the With All Due Re…
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Apr 26, 2020
Scientific Theology
It’s a popular misconception. If science is your guiding light, you’re going to see the world a particular way. And if you hold to religion well, you’re going to imagine the world a particular way. At least that’s how it seems.
But Alister McGrath is the Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University, and he makes a pretty convincing case that, while science and religion are fundamentally different, they remain complementary.
So what does Alister do with the all the objections scientists throw at him? Play them back with a perfectly straight British bat. Tune in and tally the score for yourself!
LINKS
* For more on Dr. Alister McGrath, check out his web site.
* Check out the Undeceptions web site for all sorts of cool stuff related to undeceiving the world
* Special thanks to Zondervan Academic, our show sponsor
* A special just for Undeceptions listeners! Get free access to Zondervan Academic's Master Lectures for 14 days, and then save 25% for the next 6 m…
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Apr 19, 2020
Confronting Christianity
Dr. Rebecca McLaughlin is a learned, feisty academic who's not afraid to confront the challenge that this two thousand year old faith has run its course.
Claims of institutionalised homophobia, that religion is bad for us, and scare tactics surrounding the teaching of Hell - they all surface in this episode.
Faced with the most challenging questions of the day, Dr. McLaughlin offers a spirited defence of Christianity that John Dickson thinks amounts to the best answer to troubling questions since Tim Keller's Reasons For God.
LINKS
* For more on Dr. Rebecca McLaughlin, check out her web site.
* Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard questions for the World's Largest Religion, by Dr. Rebecca McLaughlin
* Check out the Undeceptions web site for all sorts of cool stuff related to undeceiving the world
* Special thanks to Zondervan Academic, our show sponsor
* A special just for Undeceptions listeners! Get free access to Zondervan Academic's Master Lectures for 14 days, and then…
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Apr 12, 2020
Hindu Priest
What do you do if you devote your entire life to one religion, then slowly realise you belong somewhere else?
This episode isn’t an exploration of a forgotten piece of history, a tricky topic, or an ethical dilemma, but a story, plain and simple about a search for personal peace, which is just what our anxious world needs right now.
Rahil Patel was one of the Hindu world's leading evangelists, who spent decades establishing temples all over Europe and Russia, until one day he woke up to discover that his heart belonged to someone else.
LINKS
* Rahil Patel's web site
* Found By Love: A Hindu Priest Encounters Jesus Christ, by Rahil Patel
* Check out the Undeceptions web site for all sorts of cool stuff related to undeceiving the world
* Special thanks to Zondervan Academic, our show sponsor
* A special just for Undeceptions listeners! Get free access to Zondervan Academic's Master Lectures for 14 days, and then save 25% for the next 6 months. Just type in the code UNDEC…
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Apr 5, 2020
Easter Myths
It’s Easter, and billions of people pause to contemplate the death and resurrection of Jesus. Alongside them are plenty of folks who look at Christ quite differently.
Studies continue to show that most people have a fairly positive view of the founder of Christianity. But that’s a long way from accepting that there’s any history - let alone relevance - in the alleged events of Easter.
We had a lot of fun looking at the Christmas Story through the lens of history. We thought it would be good to do the same for Easter. Bring on all of your questions about the historical authenticity of this central Christian celebration, and listen to what happens when they collide with the evidence of history.
LINKS
* Check out the Undeceptions web site for all sorts of cool stuff related to undeceiving the world
* Special thanks to Zondervan Academic, our show sponsor
* A special just for Undeceptions listeners! Get free access to Zondervan Academic's Master Lectures for 14 days, and th…
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Apr 1, 2020
Pandemic Exposure Single
In ancient Carthage, those who faced the Cyprian Plague discovered that there were two sets of symptoms to contend with: those that afflicted the outer body, and those that afflicted the inner person.
COVID-19 is having a similar effect. It is turning out to be not just a physical trial but a moral test.
The pandemic is revealing the best and the worst of our characters. The former we can celebrate together. Our faults, though, are also worth our contemplation.
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Mar 29, 2020
She Persuades
If you’re preparing yourself for an assault on conservative Christian doctrine regarding women in church leadership, or different approaches to women teaching … you’re going to be disappointed.
This is an episode about a more fundamental ‘deception’ the western world seems to hold: that Christianity places no value on the contribution of women, or offers them any pride of place.
However, Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing is the Joint Director of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and the counter to that claim.
She is an academic, world-traveller, social media queen, and born persuader who is gaining significant influence in Britain and Europe as she advocates for the Gospel.
LINKS
* Special thanks to Zondervan Academic, our show sponsor
* Find out more about Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries
* The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics
* A special just for Undeceptions listeners! Get free access to Zondervan Academic's Master Lectures for 14…
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Mar 25, 2020
Pandemic Equality Single
Church leaders and impassioned Christians want to suggest that the Bible promises a special deliverance from COVID-19 for those who put their faith in the Son of God. However John Dickson resurrects the wisdom of an ancient bishop who also faced a massive plague to give us a different perspective.
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Mar 22, 2020
Six Days
Last season we brought you John Lennox, talking about the compatibility of faith and a scientific mind, and Ard Louis discussing the evidence for a rational universe … but we sidestepped one obvious debate.
Creation versus evolution - 6 days versus 13.8 billion years - young earthers vs. ancient universe-ers.
It’s a pretty hot argument in the minds of some believers and non-believers alike. Sometimes both sides think there’s only one way to take Genesis, and that’s at face value.
This episode, though, we talk to Professor C. John Collins, Professor of Old Testament at Covenant Theological Seminary, who suggests there's another way that honours both the message and the intellect.
LINKS
* Find out more about C. John 'Jack' Collins at Covenant Theological Seminary.
* Reading Genesis Well: Navigating History, Poetry, Science, and Truth in Genesis 1-11, by C. John Collins
* How To Follow Jesus, by Craig Springer
* Zondervan Academic
* A special just for Undeceptions…
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Mar 18, 2020
Pandemic Love Single
Simply taking care of yourself and those closest to you might seem enough - even the most important thing - at this time of international concern. But John Dickson picks out the story of a wealthy, ancient woman to suggest another way. Rome's Fabiola powerfully demonstrated the level of sympathy that hearts changed by Christ can hope to rise to.
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Mar 15, 2020
It's Cancer
In this episode we’re delving into that frightening world.
According to the World Health Organization, cancer is the second leading cause of death internationally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million fatalities in 2018 - that’s 1 in 6 deaths. Cancer is an undiscriminating disease. It can appear in almost any part of the body, and any age group. Each year, 300,000 cases of cancer are diagnosed in children alone. And the costs for those who can pay for treatments and preventative measures are staggering - cancer costs the world economy 1.16 trillion US dollars a year.
But cancer isn’t just a medical battleground, it’s a spiritual one as well. Through the ages, myriad human voices have cried out, “My God, why!?" How do people who reckon there is some kind of good God in the world - which surveys say is most human beings - cope with cancer in the world? Meet Ben Shaw and his wife Karen who heard those two words in the title, and the epic faith journey they travelled togethe…
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Mar 10, 2020
It's almost here!
The return of Undeceptions for 2020, kicking off with God and cancer, a better way of reading Genesis, woman leading the charge in explaining Christianity, Easter myths exploded and proof the faith you grow up with isn't the final word on what you believe. Plus much, much more! Let the Undeceptions begin... Monday, March 16.
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Feb 2, 2020
First Church Service Single
It's February 4, and the anniversary of Australia's first church service. But this wasn't a morality lesson from the chaplain to the prison colony. The Rev. Richard Johnson had something much more significant on his mind.
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Jan 25, 2020
Australia Day Single
On the day we commemorate the history and character of our nation, it may be worth considering how we build healthy, respectful lamenting into our national celebrations.
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Dec 22, 2019
Christmas Single
This Christmas, as you rightly enjoy the good things God's given you and share them with your nearest and dearest, spare a moment to consider how your generosity might spread further afield.
Links that might prove helpful:
* World Vision
* International Justice Mission
* Anglican Aid
* Open Doors Australia
* Tear Australia
* Save The Children
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Dec 3, 2019
BONUS Undeceptions Theme
Thanks for being great supporters of the first season of Undeceptions! We hope you enjoy this little gift from us, and have a happy Christmas with your loved ones and the God who made this all possible.
Yours in all truth,
John, Kaley, Bella and Mark
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Dec 1, 2019
First Noel
Jesus was born in a manger, right? But what does that mean exactly? And how about that inn? Or the star hovering over the stable? How does history address our most cherished images of the birth of the King of Kings? And what did The Life Of Brian get right? Join John as he undeceives us about everything that can and can't be said about the birth of Jesus.
Thanks to our season sponsor – Selah – for all your travel needs, whether you’re a doubter or a believer. Find out more at myselah.com.au.
Links related to this episode:
* Read John's Nativity Naivete for an account of how the 'Quirinius problem' is resolved by historians, as well as many other common misconceptions about supposed historical problems in the Christmas story.
* For a more general summary of the historical truths of the Christmas story, there's Truth In The Story Of Christmas
* For those wanting to dig deeper into the historical evidence for Jesus' existence, John also wrote this reply to an assertion that…
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Nov 24, 2019
Ask Anything
Each week of our first season of Undeceptions, we've asked you to tell us some of the things you'd like to be 'undeceived' about. This episode John Dickson tackles the top questions sent in, covering everything from questions raised by our various guests to crackers you've come up with on your own.
Press play to hear more about whether Islam actually invented science, why historians still reject the idea of a resurrection, and what the difference is between New Testament and Old Testament Miracles. Plus West Wing references and Jesus own 'top questions' to ask!
Thanks to our season sponsor - Selah - for all your travel needs, whether you're a doubter or a believer. Find out more at myselah.com.au.
Links related to this episode:
Curiosity aroused by others' questions? Easy links to...
*
* Episode 1 - Old Papers, with Brendan Haug
* Episode 2 - Football Free, with the Greenbay Packers
* Episode 6 - Rational Universe, with Ard Louis
* Episode 7 - Gospel Truth, with Pete…
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Nov 17, 2019
Historical Jesus
This episode, we've put John Dickson in the hot seat to talk about his new book: Is Jesus History. Anita Savage is our guest host, and she grills John on one of the greatest questions out there: did Jesus really exist?
Thanks to our season sponsor - Selah - for all your travel needs, whether you're a doubter or a believer. Find out more at myselah.com.au.
Links related to this episode:
* Get John Dickson's latest book Is Jesus History?
* Read more about the supposed 'lost tomb of Jesus' in this CNN report. And watch James Cameron's documentary here.
* Read more about the 'lost gospel of Judas' from the National Geographic Society.
* Jeffrey Archer's fiction book, The Gospel According to Judas
* After The Da Vinci Code, John Dickson wrote several articles responding to some of the conspiracies theories that surrounded the book and the life of Jesus. Here's one of them on The Secret Gospels.
* Read the article from Time Magazine listing Jesus as the most influential perso…
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Nov 10, 2019
Dominus illuminatio
When Sarah first arrived at Cambridge on a scholarship, and then later took a job at Oxford, she thought Christians were anti-intellectual.
And perhaps that’s what we’ve come to expect. Smart people have no time - no headspace - for God. They know too much. They think too deeply for the ‘shallows’ of theology.
This episode, we’re talking with people who’ve witnessed the opposite. Universities like Oxford and Cambridge are melting pots, where people can find their beliefs - or unbelief - turned upside down, just like Sarah.
Thanks to our season sponsor - Selah - for all your travel needs, whether you're a doubter or a believer. Find out more at myselah.com.au.
Links related to this episode:
* Read more of Sarah's conversion to Christianity during her studies here.
* Check out Vaughan Robert's ministry at St Ebbe's in Oxford.
* Read Peter Harrison's The Fall of Man and the Foundations of Science
* Find out more about philosopher Peter Singer
* John Dickson's…
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Nov 3, 2019
The full Teresa Morgan interview
In episode 4 of Season 1 of Undeceptions, John spoke with Professor Teresa Morgan about the ethic of love at the heart of the New Testament. It sounds like ‘common sense’ to many today – it’s what any rational person would think about the good life.
But it certainly wasn’t ‘rational’ in the Roman world, and it hasn’t been for most of world history. Listen to the full interview with Professor Morgan, a Fellow and tutor at Oriel College in Oxford University in this special bonus episode. You'll get more insight on how radically Christianity changed the moral values of the ancient world … and how we continue to see the results today.
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Oct 28, 2019
The full John Lennox interview
Head to undeceptions.com to listen to Episode 3, 'God Science' with John Lennox.
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Oct 20, 2019
Cybersex trafficking
CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains content that may be distressing for some listeners. The episode deals with the online sexual exploitation of children and is confronting and often disturbing. If you need to talk to someone, support is available:
1800RESPECT: In Australia, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800 737 732.
Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 anytime for confidential telephone crisis support.
This episode of Undeceptions was a difficult one for us to make. But we believe it's an important one. It's a myth that there's no such thing as slavery in modern times. And just as Christians were at the forefront of anti-slavery work way back in the 5th century, and again in the 19th century, we’ll be speaking to today’s heroes, continuing that tradition, fighting for the absolute end of slavery in their lifetime.
We've worked with International Justice Mission - the largest anti-slavery organisation in the world - to bring…
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Oct 13, 2019
Gospel truth
In episode 7 we ask: can we really trust the Gospels in the Bible? And how do the gospels - considered our best evidence for the existence of Jesus - stack up against the evidence for other historical figures of the day?
John Dickson chats with Dr Peter Williams, the author of Can We Trust the Gospels? about how solid our sources for Jesus really are. Many would say they're not as solid as, say, sources for the Emperor Tiberius, the second Roman emperor who reigned from 14 AD to 37 AD during the time it is said that Jesus lived. But Dr Williams may just change your mind...
The necklace that John wears around his neck: a coin from the reign of Emperor Tiberius.
Thanks to our season sponsor - Selah - for all your travel needs, whether you're a doubter or a believer. Find out more at myselah.com.au.
Links related to this episode:
* Get Dr Peter Williams' book Can We Trust the Gospels? here.
* Check out the full Twitter thread of Peter's satirical attempt to discredit Emperor Tibe…
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Oct 6, 2019
Rational universe
Professor Ard Louis is one of the world's leading theoretical physicists. He sat down with John Dickson to talk about why he fervently believes that we don't need to prove God exists.
Ard is serious in his quest to have a coherent system that makes some sense of the world. It’s what he gets out of bed to discover every day. And he's not afraid that the more he discovers, the less he'll need God. Quite the opposite:
"Science is one of the parts of the world that actually increases the likelihood of God being there," he says.
Thanks to our season sponsor - Selah - for all your travel needs, whether you're a doubter or a believer. Find out more at myselah.com.au.
Links related to this episode:
* Watch the Why Are We Here documentary that Ard Louis helped create.
* Check out Morgan Freeman's documentary series The Story of God. He interviews Ard Louis in the episode called 'Proof of God'.
* Read Simon Conway Morris' book Life's Solution: Inevitable Humans in a Lonely Universe…
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Sep 30, 2019
Social capital
Andrew Leigh thinks Australia is disconnected, and he’s written a book about it. In Disconnected, Andrew spends a whole chapter outlining why the decline of religion is making social cohesion worse, and the benefits to society of having more religious believers.
"I just had a cracking conversation with Australia’s ‘social capital’ expert Dr Andrew Leigh, the Member for Fenner and Shadow Assistant Minister for Charities. We explored the sad decline of community connectedness in Australia, the remarkable effect church attendance has on volunteering and philanthropy in this country (for secular as well as religious causes), the logic of seeing ‘advancing religion’ as a genuine charitable cause, and the importance of street parties for your neighbourhood!" -- John Dickson
To be clear, Andrew says in his book that he’s an atheist. That made John Dickson want to speak to him more.
While Andrew can’t sign on to the churches’ theological views, he can see the good that re…
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Sep 23, 2019
Moral classics
The ethic of love at the heart of the New Testament sounds like ‘common sense’ to many today - it’s what any rational person would think about the good life.
But it certainly wasn’t ‘rational’ in the Roman world, and it hasn’t been for most of world history.
In episode four of Undeceptions, John Dickson speaks with Teresa Morgan, a professor of Graeco-Roman History at Oriel College, Oxford University about what life was like for the average person living on the outskirts of Rome at the time of Jesus. What did they believe and what shaped their ideas of the 'good life'. And how did the arrival of Jesus change everything?
Links related to this episode:
* Check out Professor Morgan's books Roman Faith and Christian Faith: Pistis and Fides in the Early Roman Empire and Early Churches (2015) and Popular Morality in the Early Roman Empire (2007)
* Professor Morgan was in Australia earlier at University of New England to give the Keynote Lecture at the 2019 ASCS (Austral…
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Sep 16, 2019
God science
We're talking to John Dickson's "favourite Northern Irishman", and one of Christianity's greatest "undeceivers". That's right, it's John Lennox.
John Dickson sits down for tea in the gardens of Green Templeton College with renowned 'undeceiver' John Lennox.
In his new book, 'Can science explain everything', Lennox addresses one of the greatest deceptions of our age: Science explains everything, so there's no need for religion.
We sit down in the gardens of Green Templeton College to quiz him about science, God and how in the world thinking Christians deal with those pesky things called miracles.
Links related to this episode:
* Find out more about John Lennox.
* Get Lennox's book, Can Science Explain Everything?
* Here's an interesting article from 2018 in Physics Today wrestling with Newton's hypotheses non fingo and why so much of research is driven by hypothesis today.
* Watch John Dickson and Lawrence Krauss on the 2013 episode of ABC's Q&A.
* Watch The God Delusion…
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Sep 9, 2019
Old papers
Thousands of scraps of paper that have been buried in the sands of Egypt for over two millennia are now stored in museums and universities all around the world.
These little scraps - often no bigger than your mobile phone - provide a powerful window into ancient life - its troubles, its personalities and its ethics.
One of the most important of these pieces of paper - or papyrus - is 86 pages of the letters of the Apostle Paul, the author of much of the New Testament of the Christian Bible.
These 86 pages are known as P.46, and they are among the most precious artefacts of ancient history.
In our first episode, we got to play with them.
We speak with Dr Brendan Haug, from the University of Michigan's Papyrology department, and the home of some of the letters of Paul known as P46.
One of the biggest myths about the Bible is that it's been changed throughout history, like a kind of Chinese whispers. What we see in our Bibles today is nothing like the original.
Artefacts like P46 g…
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Sep 9, 2019
Football free
Us Aussies tend to mock players who thank the Almighty for their victories on the field.
But when John Dickson was invited to speak to the Green Bay Packers - a professional American football team in the NFL - on humility, he was suddenly thrust into an alternate reality. Religion was everywhere in the NFL. Chapel services, team chaplains, prayers before the games, prayers after the games. What's that all about?
Are we right to be cynical about the displays of faith we see in our sportspeople today? Are they deceiving us - and themselves - about whether God really cares for football ... or baseball ... or cricket?
This week, John speaks with members of his favourite team - the Green Bay Packers - about how they navigate their faith in God with their love of the game.I like to say God really doesn’t care who wins or loses… God tends to care what you’re doing with the talents that you’ve been given -- Pepper Burruss
Links related to this episode:
* Become a Green Bay Packe…
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Aug 29, 2019
Introducing Undeceptions
Coming soon, a new podcast series from author and historian John Dickson. Prepare to be undeceived.
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