With the completion of our first season of Uncommon Ground, which saw 1 million views on YouTube and thousands more downloads on podcast, let’s look back on all 10 episodes (and stay tuned for a special 11th instalment coming very soon…!)
Have you missed any of the episodes below? Catch up now!
The season kicked off with the world’s most famous atheist biologist Richard Dawkins engaging with former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, who set the gold standard (thus far) for the “steel-manning” exercise which has become a hallmark of Uncommon Ground!
Next, our most-watched episode of the season: atheist podcaster and influencer Alex O’Connor engaged Christian author and evangelist Glen Scrivener in a barnstorming debate about whether or not the West owes its morality to Christianity!
Christian icon-carver and thinker Jonathan Pageau engaged atheist philosopher Joe Folley in an intensive dialogue about whether or not the patterning of reality points to God! They dove deep in this one!
My personal favourite of the season! Renowned philosopher Iain McGilchrist and eminent neuroscientist Anil Seth discuss whether consciousness is a product of brain chemistry or points to God.
The first of two appearances by atheist theologian and philosopher Emily Qureshi-Hurst, in which she engages eminent physicist Paul Davies on the question of whether or not the quantum realm points to a universe with a divine purpose.
Elizabeth Oldfield, host of the Sacred Podcast, and James Marriott, literary critic and Times columnist, joined me to discuss whether we can find meaning in life without God. James seemed to be increasingly owning the label of ‘Nihilist’ as the conversation progressed!
The most epic debate of the season, at 3 hours long! Does the origin of the universe, and the fine-tuning of the initial conditions of the universe point to an intelligent designer behind the cosmos, as argued by Stephen Meyer, or is it all “just normal physics” in the words of Phil Halper? Their conversation got intense!
Pro-life campaigner Lois McLatchie Miller engaged Ann Furedi, the former head of BPAS - the UK’s leading abortion provider. They discussed when life begins, bodily rights and baby rights, and why despite their deep disagreements, they have become friends.
After having her baby, Emily Qureshu-Hurst returned to engage the world’s foremost Christian philosopher William Lane Craig, on the question of whether or not Christian belief is compatible with our best understanding of the nature of time! This was a mind-stretching “A theory” vs “B theory” debate, with historical scientists such as Newton, Einstein and Lorentz caught in the middle!
And in our final episode of the season, we addressed this question: Can Christians affirm gay relationships? Two same-sex attracted Christians, Matthew Vines and David Bennett, joined me to discuss why they disagree on sexuality, marriage, celibacy and scripture.
With Nick Spencer and Bart Ehrman
We’re currently filming Season 2! Just this week we’ve recorded a great conversation between Theos author Nick Spencer and agnostic historian Bart Ehrman!
There’s more to be recorded… BUT I can’t do it without your help!
Your financial support will enable me to finish recording and producing this upcoming season of Uncommon Ground, and to continue making more!
With Joe Folley and John Lennox
If you’re not already a regular supporter, giving at “Silver Level” will even give you special two-week early access to Uncommon Ground episodes when Season 2 comes out, as well as The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God podcast season 3! “Gold level” will, additionally, also get you free signed copies of both my books, and access to a weekly supporter catch up call with me!
“I'm so glad that Justin 'is back' after he left Unbelievable. He is a fantastic moderator and elevates his guests. This format is such a breath of fresh air compared to the usual debate format. Since it's an exchange of ideas, everyone wins!”
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