Premier's ‘Big Conversation’ Delves into ‘The Robot Race’ in a Two-Part Series

‘Could AI Ever Replace Humanity?’ & ‘How Should We Flourish in an AI World?’

LONDON, Aug. 30, 2023 – Premier Insight, the Christian media group behind the popular “Unbelievable?” podcast, continues to prompt important discussion among leading thinkers across the belief spectrums in science and religion, with the latest episode of “The Big Conversation,”  releasing Sept. 8 and 22 (Sept 1 and Sept. 15 for subscribers).

Currently in its 5th season, The Big Conversation, hosted by comedian and apologist Andy Kind, features some of the biggest minds in the Christian, atheist and religious world to debate some of the biggest questions of science, faith, philosophy and what it means to be human. Episodes 5 & 6 of this season feature a two-part discussion between AI expert Dr. Nigel Crook and neuroscientist Anil Seth about robotics, the future of artificial intelligence and the subsequent concerns of morality surrounding these advancements.

“The core issue for me is the more human-like [AI systems] get, the more power they have in society, the more we will be tempted to give them agency, and the more that we will effectively put ourselves potentially at risk in doing that,” Dr. Crook explains. “...I do think that there is a risk in losing that distinction between humans, AI and robotics, and that does worry me.”

Crook, a distinguished figure recognized for his innovative contributions to the realm of AI and robotics, focuses extensively on research related to machine learning inspired by biological processes and the domain of social robotics. He serves as the Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at Oxford Brooks University and is the Founding Director at the Institute for Ethical AI. His latest endeavors, stemming from his investigations into AI's limitations in achieving consciousness, revolve around the concept of self-governing ethical robots. In this pursuit, he is examining ways to imbue robots with certain degrees of moral capability.

Also joining this valuable discussion is Dr. Anil Seth, an internationally acclaimed scientist known for his ground-breaking research on cognitive neuroscience. In addition to his role as Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex, Seth’s most recent book, “Being You: A Novel Science of Consciousness,” specifically highlights the enigmatic essence of consciousness, delving into the realms of neuroscience, philosophy and psychology, embarking on a quest to provide insight into the distinctive qualities that make us human. 

“A related danger with systems like that which embed themselves in our lives, is the loss of data privacy,” notes Dr. Seth. “The cost is not made transparent to us. In doing this, we are allowing large companies and governments to learn so much about us to be able to predict what we will do; and when you can predict what somebody does, you can control them.”

This thought-provoking exchange on ethics in AI is sure to leave listeners informed and intrigued to learn more regarding robotics, sentience and the future of humanity relating to cyber-dependency, automation regulation and abuses of power in technology.

In partnership with John Templeton Foundation, the 5th season of The Big Conversation continues to attract audiences across the belief spectrum. Featuring six engaging discussions on science, faith, philosophy and culture, this season offers insight into various disputed worldviews, intricacies and bases of morality surrounding science and religion.

The Big Conversation is a unique video series from Unbelievable?, the flagship apologetics and theology discussion show on Premier Insight.

About Premier Insight

Through its various programs, Premier Insight offers something unique, born from the largest Christian media organization in the U.K. with 25 years of ministry experience in a post-Christian context, combined with a tremendously rich Christian heritage. Premier Insight seeks to be both a connector and a facilitator that unapologetically points to the unchanging truth and insight of God’s Word in a culture in dire need of redemption.  

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 Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge, 214-912-8934
melany@alarryross.com

Premier Insight and Spurgeon’s College London Launch New Series ‘Spurgeon’s Sermons: Official Podcast’

New Podcast Brings the Teachings of Charles Spurgeon to Life Again

LONDON, July 28, 2023 – Together in partnership with Spurgeon’s College London, Premier Insight has released a new podcast series in honor of renowned 19th Century English preacher and college founder, Charles Spurgeon. 

Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Spurgeon (1834-1892) was known for making complex Bible passages and theological ideas accessible to anybody. In 1861, he established the Metropolitan Tabernacle at the Elephant and Castle in London as a large, independent Reformed Baptist church. It was the best attended non-conformist church of its day. The goal of the podcast, “Spurgeon’s Sermons,” is to not only honor Charles Spurgeon and his legacy, but to also encourage and inspire listeners all around the world. 

American pastor Rick Warren hosts each episode, introducing the sermons, which are delivered by the late actor Paul Burbridge. “The teachings of Charles Spurgeon have had a personal impact on my life in a profound way and I’m confident they’ll do the same for others,” Warren said.  “Get ready to be challenged, equipped and guided by Charles Spurgeon who is universally regarded as the greatest English preacher in the history of the Church.”

Dr. Thomas Breimaier, tutor in doctrine and history at Spurgeon’s College London, echoes Warren’s sentiments. “What I think Spurgeon has to offer is timeless, eternal truths, which were transformative for men and women in the middle of the 19th century in London,” he said. “Those same truths are working and active today.”

He adds: “You can put on the podcast and shut your eyes and picture yourself sitting in 19th century London at the Metropolitan Tabernacle and take in the preaching of a man who genuinely changed the theological landscape with the gifts that God gave him.”

The podcast is available on Premier’s website at premier.plus, the home of great Christian audio, as well as via other podcast platforms. It is just one of the many podcasts Premier creates, including “Unbelievable?” and “Ask N.T. Wright Anything.” 

“We’re delighted to be bringing life to the teachings of one of the great Bible teachers of all time,” said Marcus Jones, director of digital at Premier insight. “Spurgeon’s words are as relevant today as they were when they were first spoken, and we believe many people will be blessed by this podcast.”

About Premier Insight
Through its various programs, Premier Insight offers something unique, born from the largest Christian media organization in the U.K. with 25 years of ministry experience in a post-Christian context, combined with a tremendously rich Christian heritage. Premier Insight seeks to be both a connector and a facilitator that unapologetically points to the unchanging truth and insight of God’s Word in a culture in dire need of redemption.  For more information, visit www.premierinsight.org.  

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Media Contact:  
Melany Ethridge
972-267-1111
melany@alarryross.com

New Episode of ‘The Big Conversation’ Debates Concept of the Soul and Indications of an Afterlife

 Guests Discuss Connections between Science and Religion, the Brain in Relation to the Mind and Near-Death Experiences

DALLAS, July 10, 2023 – Premier Insight, the Christian media group behind the popular “Unbelievable?” podcast, continues to stimulate important dialogue among leading thinkers across the belief spectrum, with the latest episode of “The Big Conversation.”

Now in its 5th season, The Big Conversation, freshly hosted by pastor and comedian Andy Kind, features some of the top minds in the Christian, atheist and religious world debating some of the biggest questions of science, faith, philosophy and what it means to be human. Airing July 28 (July 21 for subscribers), the fourth episode of this season features an intriguing discussion between Oxford academics Dr. Sharon Dirckx and Dr. Emily Qureshi-Hurst on the brain, consciousness, advancing science and near-death experiences.

“Many philosophers, atheists and agnostics—as well as theists—argue that actual conscious experiences and brain processes are two very different things, and one does not capture the other, nor is one synonymous with the other,” Dirckx argues. “This is why alternative ways of looking at the mind-brain relationship are needed, because this doesn't capture the ultimate qualia—of what it's like to be you as a person.”

Interestingly, Dirckx was not raised in a religious home; in fact, for most of her upbringing, she knew she wanted to be a scientist. Gleaning academic insight from authors like atheist and British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, Dirckx entered her university studies with a firm view that God did not exist and that being a credible scientist was certainly incompatible with a belief in God. It was only through a series of events that unfolded in her time at university that she began to question her stance. With a new critical perspective, Dirckx began to unravel everything she had once believed to be true. Ultimately, she came to believe that Jesus was the way to salvation—in her early 20s, studying biochemistry. 

Alternatively, Hurst was raised in a home where both religion and science held places of importance. Hurst, having attended church for many of her early years, was fascinated with Christianity as a religion and worldview—she just didn’t believe it to be true. Also influenced in academia by Richard Dawkins, Hurst completely agreed with his atheist worldview, even as she began her university studies in theology—that is until she had the opportunity to question him regarding why he believed theology was not a ‘real discipline,’ to which he couldn’t respond. It was then that Hurst’s black and white worldview in atheism began to dissipate. While she still considers herself to be an atheist, she no longer believes science and religion to be incompatible; in fact, she has devoted her ongoing research to the intersectionality of philosophy, theology and physics.

“There are fundamental limitations to science, and we have to recognize that,” points out Hurst in a midway debate retort. “But just because science can't tell us the nature of the connection between mind and brain, or at least it can't demonstrate that physical processes and mental processes are the same thing—that in and of itself doesn't give you any evidence that that's not the case, either. So, I think...we have to look to philosophy.” 

This verbal ‘spar’ about the human condition of consciousness will certainly leave listeners with deepened critical perspectives on the concept of the soul, life after death and the convergences of science and religion.

In partnership with John Templeton Foundation, the fifth season of The Big Conversation has returned to its beloved studio setting, freed from the constraints of COVID-19 lockdowns, kicked off with a riveting start and continuing to spark thoughtfulness in gripping discussions on science, faith, philosophy and culture.

The Big Conversation is a unique video series from Unbelievable?, the flagship apologetics and theology discussion show on Premier Christian Radio in the UK. Advance media preview links are available, upon request.

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 Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
972-267-1111

New Thought-Provoking Episode of ‘The Big Conversation’ Tackles the Concept of Humanity

Featured guests discuss science and religion and how both contribute to what it means to be human

DALLAS, June 21, 2023 – Premier Insight, the Christian media group behind the popular “Unbelievable?” podcast, continues to stimulate important dialogue among leading thinkers across the belief spectrum, with the latest episode of “The Big Conversation.” 

Now in its fifth season, The Big Conversation, hosted by presenter Andy Kind, features the top minds in the Christian, atheist and religious communities debating the biggest questions of science, faith, philosophy and what it means to be human. Airing July 7 (June 30 for subscribers), the third episode of this season features a riveting discussion between authors Philip Ball and Nick Spencer on humanity, science and religion. 

“Sixty percent of adults in the UK think there's a fundamental tension between science and religion,” Spencer remarks. “Roughly twice as many as think they're compatible, so there's a really pervasive narrative going on there.” 

Spencer is a Senior Fellow at Theos and the author of a number of books, his most recent being “Magisteria, the Entangled Histories of Science and Religion.” He speaks to what it means to be human as described by God and the Bible. 

Philip Ball, on the other hand, is a proclaimed atheist, who speaks from a strict, scientific background, offering differences in opinion about the creation of the universe. “There was, in the 13th century, famously, an argument about whether Aristotle is the ultimate authority on the physical world, or whether the Bible and God is,” Ball shares. “I think that's an older and a persisting tension... ‘who has the right?’ Ultimately, who has the final word on why things are the way they are?” 

"Really, we've got this perceived conflict between science and religion, but it's not really about the cosmos,” host Andy Kind expresses. “It's about humanity, because both of these magisteria [science and religion] have something to say on what it means to be human.”

This conversation will leave listeners with much to ponder regarding the true nature of humanity – whether it comes from science or religion – and if it’s viable that the two perspectives actually are cohesive. An advance preview link is available for media upon request, and Andy Kind is available for interviews to discuss.

In partnership with John Templeton Foundation, the fifth season of The Big Conversation returns to its beloved studio setting, freed from the constraints of COVID-19 lockdowns. It will feature six gripping discussions on science, faith, philosophy, and culture with leading thinkers in their fields.

About The Big Conversation 

The Big Conversation is a video series from Premier Unbelievable? featuring world-class thinkers across the religious and non-religious communities exploring science, faith, philosophy and what it means to be human. The Big Conversation is produced by Premier in partnership with John Templeton Foundation.

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 Media Contact: 

Melany Ethridge 

melany@alarryross.com 

972-267-1111

New Thought-Provoking Episode of ‘The Big Conversation’ Tackles the Sexual Revolution

Featured Guests Discuss Resultant Societal Norms and their Destruction to Relationships, Biology and Culture

DALLAS, March 21, 2023 – Premier Insight, the Christian media group behind the popular “Unbelievable?” podcast, continues to stimulate important dialogue among leading thinkers across the belief spectrum, with the latest episode of “The Big Conversation.”

Now in its fifth season, The Big Conversation, hosted by ‘Unbelievable?’ presenter Justin Brierley, features the top minds in the Christian, atheist and religious communities debating the biggest questions of science, faith, philosophy and what it means to be human. Airing April 14 (April 7 for subscribers), the second episode of this season features a riveting discussion between authors Louise Perry and Rod Dreher on Christianity and the sexual revolution.

“Looking at the gap between what I was experiencing doing frontline work and what I had been taught as feminist theory...shook my faith in feminist theory,” Perry remarks. “We seem to have just abandoned any effort to control men, and to constrain male sexuality—which has to be constrained.”

Perry, coming from a ‘secular, liberal urban upbringing’ and a conventional education and career in feminist journalism, explains how her perspective radically transformed when she began to personally witness the many real-world setbacks women inevitably now experience as a result of progressivism and the sexual revolution. In the process of coming to terms with her unique conclusion, she was compelled to write her book, The Case Against the Sexual Revolution, a thought-provoking piece of literature exposing the distortion of 'sex-positive' feminism and its astronomically damaging effects on society.

“As you say so powerfully in this book, the whole sexual revolution has been a boon for caddish men,” Dreher adds, concurring with Perry. “It’s justified by contemporary liberal feminists as being something beneficial for women, but in fact, those who have benefitted the most are the ones who have the most contempt for women.”

This revolutionary exchange is sure to leave listeners more well-informed regarding true feminine empowerment, masculine empowerment and whether it’s viable that the two actually are cohesive. 

In partnership with John Templeton Foundation, the fifth season of The Big Conversation returns to its beloved studio setting, freed from the constraints of COVID-19 lockdowns. It will feature six gripping discussions on science, faith, philosophy, and culture—including two events recorded in front of a live audience.

About The Big Conversation

The Big Conversation is a video series from Premier Unbelievable? featuring world-class thinkers across the religious and non-religious communities exploring science, faith, philosophy and what it means to be human. The Big Conversation is produced by Premier in partnership with John Templeton Foundation.

Premier’s ‘Big Conversation’ Season 5 Begins April 7, Featuring First Episode: ‘Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?’

Christian Theologian and Renowned Historian Spark Hot-Topic Debate on the  Validity of Resurrection Accounts

LONDON, March 2, 2023 – Premier Unbelievable?’s popular “The Big Conversation” series kicks off its 5th season, welcoming scholars Bart Ehrman and Justin Bass to the debate table, featuring their discourse on the evidence of whether or not Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead.

In this gripping discussion led by Premier Unbelievable? host and Apologetics Director Justin Brierley, agnostic New Testament historian Bart Ehman challenged Christian New Testament scholar Justin Bass on his belief that the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is the best explanation of both Scripture and history. After having been previously acquainted with one another in a separate public debate on the topic of whether the ‘historical’ Jesus had claimed to be divine, both authors brought significant arguments back to the table for this meaty conversation.

In addition to the subject of biblical witness accounts, the two also disputed the concepts of miracles, physics and proclaimed testimonies from within other religions. This ongoing, heated debate covered the important areas of discussion revolving around the resurrection, an ongoing historical debate that continues to spark the interests of millions globally today. 

When it came to Ehrmans’ argument that Christians are only one of multiple religions that claim to have eye-witness accounts of supernatural encounters, Bass retorted with the argument that Jesus’ witnesses saw him “risen from the dead.” He further explained that the Jesus these individuals saw was not a spirit (as other religions claim), but rather, a man.

“How many ancient Christian writings do we have, by somebody who says in those writings, that he saw Jesus?” Ehrman asks. “...the claim was not, oh, the Messiah has been raised from the dead. The claim was we have seen Jesus. And that claim is not unprecedented, we have lots and lots, thousands and millions of people claim to see someone who is dead who’s alive now. So that’s not evidence. The appearance is evidence.”

As “The Big Conversation” season 5 gets under way, Brierley expresses eager anticipation about the upcoming guests and the substantial discussions they will be bringing to the debate table, expectant for this to be the best season yet. In addition to Ehrman and Bass, the second episode of the season features journalist Louise Perry and author Rod Dreher in their weighty discussion on the sexual revolution. 

“I’m excited for these conversations—those topics that people are often debating or questioning in their own hearts and minds, and yet, are often left undiscussed,” Brierley said. “That is the point here at Premier Apologetics—to address these questions in an entertaining, clarifying and encouraging way for our viewers.” 

The new season of “The Big Conversation” publicly launches April 7 (March 31 for Unbelievable? subscribers), featuring fresh episodes of leading researchers across the atheist and religious spectrum in high quality video debates and discussions.

“The Big Conversation” video series from Unbelievable? features world-class thinkers across the religious and atheist community discussing faith, science and what it means to be human. Unbelievable? has amassed millions of followers throughout the world, most notably in the UK, U.S., Canada and Australia.  The series is produced by Premier Christian Media in partnership with the John Templeton Foundation.  

Premier NexGen Launches US Website to Resource Younger Generations and Parents

LONDON, November 9, 2022 – Premier NexGen, a U.K.-based online hub providing support and reassurance to anyone invested in the faith of the next generation, is making its resources available to U.S. audiences, as well, recognizing parents in both nations have the same fears and needs when it comes to their children’s spiritual growth. Premier NexGen creates resources, researches topics and collects information in one place for both parents and young people themselves to find up-to-date insights on the issues they face.

For parents wondering how to answer tough questions from their children or wanting to protect their children from harmful content, Premier NexGen provides reviews of popular movies, TV series and computer games as well as articles on topical issues looking at education, relationships, family, health, culture and technology. There is also help to guide parents whose children may be struggling with anxiety or depression or are worried about troubling stories covered in the daily news cycle.

“We are keen to have our content reach the parents and younger generations in the United States. We have resources that are needed all over the globe,” said Premier NexGen editor Andy Peck. “Whether you’re working with youth at church, or you nurture the next generation as a parent, grandparent, carer or guardian, you can mine our resources to find the answers that you need, when you need them. 

The site shares a help section to guide readers in an issue that their child may be struggling with, articles on a variety of faith and wellbeing topics, including anxiety and self-esteem, and parenting stories, reflecting the ups and downs of daily life with reassurance that real life isn’t an Instagram reel. In addition, Premier NexGen features a section for answers to awkward questions, where children often pipe up with tricky questions such as, “Why did God put the snake in the garden?” or “Will my pet go to heaven?” Premier NexGen features contributions from experts in their fields to help readers and parents provide a satisfactory response.

In addition to parenting resources, NexGen Pro – a premium subscriber version – is dedicated to children’s and youth ministry workers and helps readers share Christian truths, unpack Bible stories and provoke discussion for young people as they navigate life. The website aims for all of its resources to be relevant, digestible and user-friendly. They’re tailored to different ages and genders and presented in dynamic, multi-media formats to make them as accessible as possible.

Premier has a long history of investing in youth. In fact, developing the faith of the next generation was one of Premier’s objectives at its inception. Over the years, Premier NexGen created programs on the company’s U.K.-based radio stations that speak directly to young people, later publishing magazines for both youth and children’s workers. Through Premier NexGen, the ministry is evolving to better serve today’s young people and build the faith of the next generation.

For more information, visit www.premiernexgen.com, and for youth and children’s ministry resources, see https://www.premiernexgen.com/nexgenpro. 

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Media Contact:

Melany Ethridge

214-912-8934

melany@alarryross.com

Premier Insight to Host ‘Falling from Grace: Addressing Power, Leadership and Abuse in the Church’

Live, online event to openly discuss the complex and difficult questions facing the evangelical church in the aftermath of scandal

DALLAS, Aug. 22, 2022 — Premier Insight, the Christian media group behind the popular “Unbelievable?” podcast, announces “Falling from Grace: Addressing Power, Leadership and Abuse in the Church,” a free, online event to explore how the body of Christ should respond to misuse of authority in the Church.

In recent years, a series of leadership scandals has rocked the evangelical church. Celebrity pastors with large platforms have been exposed at a rapid rate for their moral failures, leaving a trail of abuse survivors in their wake.

Posthumous revelations of sexual abuse by Ravi Zacharias led to the collapse of RZIM. Prominent Hillsong leaders Carl Lentz and Brian Houston stepped down following allegations of inappropriate behavior. The full story of the rise and fall of Mark Driscoll's Mars Hill church has been heard around the world.

What does this reckoning mean for the megachurch ministry model? How do we ensure the voices of survivors are heard? What must the church do to repent and be transformed?

The church should be a sanctuary, a refuge and a place of healing. But for many, it has become the source of their pain and wounds, and often at the hands of the church’s leaders.

This free online Unbelievable? Live event, hosted by theology and apologetics editor and host of the “Unbelievable?” podcast Justin Brierley on September 13, features a distinguished panel of speakers with time for audience Q&A.

“The fallout and heartache of these scandals is deep and wide,” shares Brierley. “The most overlooked people in these scenarios are those who have been hurt and betrayed, which includes not only the victims, but the church communities who now must reconcile their faith with the circumstances. This free online event is an opportunity to address the issue directly and discuss where we go from here as followers of Christ.”

Event Details:

Tuesday, September 13, 2022, via Zoom

8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. UK | 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EDT | 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. PDT

Speakers include:

·      President of Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, Amy Orr-Ewing

·      Attorney and Advocate for abuse survivors, Rachael Denhollander

·      Presenter and Producer of The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill podcast, Mike Cosper

·      Psychologist and Trauma Specialist, Diane Langberg

Ticket Information:

The event is free; however, registration is required to participate. Visit unbelievable.live for more information. The event is being sponsored by Thirtyone:eight, the leading independent Christian safeguarding charity.

About Premier Insight

Through its various programs, Premier Insight offers something unique, born from the largest Christian media organization in the U.K. with 25 years of ministry experience in a post-Christian context, combined with a tremendously rich Christian heritage. Premier Insight seeks to be both a connector and a facilitator that unapologetically points to the unchanging truth and insight of God’s Word in a culture in dire need of redemption.  For more information, visit www.premierinsight.org.  

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Mikhaila Peterson Speaks on How Her Family’s Faith Has Impacted Her Father, Jordan Peterson, on Premier’s ‘The Big Conversation’

Mikhaila Peterson and Jon McCray walk through their journeys of faith for the next generation on Episode 6 of the video series

LONDON, July 25, 2022 – In a live recording, Mikhaila Peterson and Jon McCray (host of Whaddo You Meme?) joined Justin Brierley on “The Big Conversation” to discuss if young people are ready to find meaning in religion again. The episode, which will be the sixth and final video of the series, will air on July 29 to wrap up season 4.

Mikhaila Peterson is daughter of renowned author and psychologist Jordan Peterson and has established her own significant YouTube and podcast following. She recently revealed she had found God through a series of spiritual experiences. Jon McCray runs the popular YouTube channel ‘Whaddo You Meme?’, responding to atheism and engaging popular culture.

As Millennials with a large Gen Z audience, Peterson and McCray discussed their journeys of faith and the search for meaning and spirituality among the digitally connected next generation. Peterson spoke in great detail about how her mother’s faith through a terminal illness diagnosis played a major role in her transition from lifelong agnosticism to devout Christianity this past year. 

 “My mom got this rare cancer and there is minimal to no research on it. The death rate was 100% and she was told she had eight months or less to live,” Peterson said. “My mom was in the hospital being fed through a tube and claimed she’d be better by my parents’ anniversary in mid-August. We thought it was the morphine talking, but by their anniversary she recovered, and nobody understood how or why––but my mom said it was God.”

 Peterson went on to talk about the stressors she endured with not only her mother battling cancer, but also her father being in and out of the hospital for two years with multiple misdiagnoses and frustrations of him becoming sicker. Peterson was going through a divorce at the time when she relocated to Austin where she met her now husband, who has had a significant role in her faith, as he has helped her grow closer to God. In addition to her mother’s faith influencing her own, Peterson also opened up about how her conversion and her mother’s faith have influenced her father.

“I think that the change that he saw in my mom really impacted him because her personality changed in a positive way and the change was dramatic. She has become more patient, happier and she is nicer,” said Peterson. “He prays before he eats. I do think this has made him more likely to believe in God, but I am not sure where he stands right now. When I share the experiences I have with God, he believes me and doesn’t try to ‘logic’ it out.”

McCray spoke about following in Jesus’ footsteps by sharing his faith through his YouTube Channel. “I think we take the model of Jesus in the sense that He always met people where they were at,” said McCray. “That’s what I try to do on my channel to be able to communicate the gospel in a way my audience can understand and appreciate.”

These topics and live answers to viewer questions are all included in the final episode of “The Big Conversation” season 4, which will be available Friday, July 29. This popular video series from Premier Unbelievable? features world-class thinkers across the religious and atheist communities discussing faith, science and what it means to be human. Premier Unbelievable? has amassed millions of followers throughout the world, most notably in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. The series is produced by Premier Christian Radio in partnership with the John Templeton Foundation.

The new season launched May 20, with new episodes releasing every 2 weeks. 

●      May 20 – Episode 1: Richard Dawkins & Francis Collins: Biology, Belief and Covid  

●      June 3 – Episode 2: Rowan Williams & Paul Kingsnorth: Conversion, Culture, and the Cross  

●      June 17 – Episode 3: Iain McGilchrist & Sharon Dirckx: Is there a Master Behind our Minds? (from live event filmed at Unbelievable? The Conference in May)

●      July 1 – Episode 4: Graham Oppy & Guillaume Bignon: Rationality, Religious Experience and the Case for God  

●      July 15 – Episode 5: Lord Martin Rees & John Wyatt: Robots, Transhumanism and Life Beyond Earth  

●      July 29 – Episode 6: Mikhaila Peterson & Jon McCray: Are Millennials & Gen Z ready to believe in God? (from live online event held on July 12)

For more information and to view episode 6 on July 29, visit www.thebigconversation.show.  

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Editor’s Note: A preview link for media is available upon request.

Experts Ponder the Future of Technology and the Ramifications of Humanoid Computers

Lord Martin Rees and Dr. John Wyatt Consider ‘Robots, Transhumanism and Life Beyond Earth’ on Episode 5 of ‘The Big Conversation’

LONDON, July 12, 2022 – As technology continues to develop and expand into every aspect of daily life, it has become difficult to imagine a future without it. But the possibilities of this future have grown to include robotic employees and companions, space habitation and other alien concepts previously known only in science fiction. Some theories even include prospective aliens themselves.

To address these trending topics, Lord Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal and author of “On the Future,” joins bioethicist and host of “Matters of Life and Death,” Dr. John Wyatt, in episode 5 of “The Big Conversation,” releasing Friday, July 15.

While the discussion stemmed from a general outlook on science and technology, it naturally raised questions about humanity in the process: “What does it mean to be a human being?” “How do we understand our humanity in the face of ever-increasing technology?” “What kind of society do we want to build for the future?” In an honest conversation, Wyatt, who is a Christian, and Rees, who is skeptical about believing in a particular religion, attempted to address these questions in a thoughtful and open dialogue.

Considering the implications technology can have on the future, both Wyatt and Rees agreed that developments in artificial intelligence (AI) are significant. “This century is the first when one species, namely human species, can determine the entire planet’s fate,” said Rees. “Because there are more of us; we’re more empowered by technology – which is advancing fast.”

While Wyatt and Rees admitted that technology is advancing quickly, both believe there are some limitations which robots will never be able to overcome. Illustrating a robot’s capabilities, Rees said, “What they do is they understand words – how words link together, syntax, etc., and the latest ones are therefore able to produce a whole paragraph of what looks like normal English prose... It doesn’t mean that the machine has any concept of the real things behind those words; it just knows how to string together words.”

Though robots might never be able to hold an emotional or conscious thought, both experts fear that humans will eventually be deceived by the outward behaviors produced in innovative technology.

“The fascinating thing is that the very first reaching out to the world of a newborn baby is in terms of relations... It actually is looking for human faces and responding in a relational way,” said Wyatt. “We’re hardwired—to coin a phrase—to anthropomorphize; in other words, to see a human resemblance and respond to it as though it was human.”

This human instinct to “anthropomorphize” could lead to romantic relations with robots, an overreliance on AI and an idealization of the fantasy realm instead of one’s current reality. It could even redefine the human standard for love.

“Sherry Turkle, who’s a very thoughtful commentator on all this, has written, ‘The problem will not be will we come to love our robots. The question will be: what will love mean?’” said Wyatt. “In other words, it’s that redefinition of relationships, and in particular, a kind of transactional relationship.”

 Throughout the episode, Wyatt and Rees engage the question whether further development and exploration should continue or come to an end. This discussion then resulted in a debate about the meaning of life. Regardless of disagreements and the potential offered in future exploration, both Wyatt and Rees think that it’s reasonable to restrict advancement.

“I think the question we’re going to have to ask is ‘are we satisfied?,’” Wyatt said.

“The Big Conversation” season 4 launched May 20 with a debate between renowned atheist Richard Dawkins and former NIH Director Francis Collins. The second episode featured former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams in a discussion with author Paul Kingsnorth about the idea of spiritual conversion, which released June 3. Episode 3 launched June 17, featuring Iain McGilchrist and Sharon Dirckx as they explored brain science and God, and the fourth episode premiered July 1 with atheist Graham Oppy and Christian convert Guillaume Bignon who examined the rationality behind religion.

Episode 5 will be available July 15 at www.thebigconversation.show.

For a millennial perspective, the final episode featuring popular podcast hosts Mikhaila Peterson and Jon McCray on the topic, “Are Millennials and Gen Z Ready to Believe in God?” will release July 19.

“The Big Conversation” video series from Premier Unbelievable? features world-class thinkers across the religious and atheist communities discussing faith, science and what it means to be human. Premier Unbelievable? has amassed millions of followers throughout the world, most notably in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. The series is produced by Premier Christian Radio in partnership with the John Templeton Foundation.

For more information, visit www.thebigconversation.show.

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The Big Conversation Explores ‘What Evidence Would It Take for an Atheist to Convert?’

Confirmed Atheist Graham Oppy and Christian Convert Guillaume Bignon Debate ‘Rationality, Religious Experience and the Case for God’ July 1

LONDON, June 28, 2022 – While both Australian Graham Oppy and Frenchman Guillaume Bignon are known as philosophers with a specialization in religion, they come at it from very different perspectives. Perhaps most surprising is a point on which they both agree – it isn’t irrational to hold Christian beliefs, as they discuss in “The Big Conversation” episode 4, releasing Friday, July 1.

A former atheist, Bignon came around to belief in Christianity through a series of extraordinary coincidences that set him on an intellectual journey to find the God of the Bible, which eventually transcended his idea that he needed scientific proof.

“I naively expected that if I was going to know that God existed, then I would need to have scientific proof of that – I expected knowledge to come from science, and I thought also that to know that God exists you needed to be absolutely certain,” he said, adding that for him, “It was a mix of the intellectual reasons, the barriers falling down, being challenged with the historical data about the New Testament, and the overall grand story with those improbable experiences that together, made for an explosive conversion story.”

While Oppy is still an atheist, as a student of many different religions, he sees belief as a very rational experience for a wide variety of adherents. “I never thought that being a religious believer – being a Christian or being some other kind; being a Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, whatever – was irrational or crazy or anything like that,” he said, acknowledging that this sets him apart from many other atheists, including Bignon himself in his pre-belief days.

Based on Bignon’s story of several unexplainable “coincidences” that led to his conversion, the conversation then turned to whether that sort of experience is in itself evidence for God or necessary for one to believe. Again, the two were in agreement, with Oppy adding: “I’m inclined to think that you don’t need the experiential foundation in order for it to be rational for you to be a Christian; the kind of considerations that you might put together as a purely intellectual case, it seems like that can be enough.”

 Oppy and Bignon spoke to  whether there might be some supernatural, experiential type of event or a new argument that would be enough to make a confirmed atheist such as Oppy believe. But in the end, he admits he and most other atheists just don’t see the world from that kind of perspective.

 “To shift me from being atheist to agnostic, say, what would that take? I really just think that we’re not very good at thinking about those kinds of things,” he said. “We just kind of don’t have a very good capacity for answering those questions. Though I do think, given how old I am – and how much time I’ve spent looking at the arguments – it's unlikely that an argument’s going to come along.”

 Throughout the episode, Bignon gets more specific about some of the experiences that led him to embrace faith, including coming to an understanding of why Jesus had to die. Other parts of the conversation explore the diversity of religious experience and their many different interpretations, with Bignon defending what sets Christianity apart from other faiths. “But from a naturalist point of view, that’s kind of going to look like special pleading,” Oppy contends. “Because you have this nice uniform account of everybody else, except for yourself. And then the naturalist says, ‘we’ll just extend it to you as well.’”

 Justin Brierley, host of “The Big Conversation” and Director of Apologetics and Theology for Premier Unbelievable?, expects listeners will enjoy this episode for both the topics covered and the friendliness of the discussion. “Graham’s respect for Guillaume’s belief was apparent, as was Guillaume’s concern for Graham’s spiritual condition,” he said. “I was encouraged by the conversation and I know others will be, as well.”

 “The Big Conversation” season 4 launched May 20 with a debate between renowned atheist Richard Dawkins and former NIH Director Francis Collins. The second episode featured former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams in a discussion with author Paul Kingsnorth about the idea of spiritual conversion, which released June 3. Episode 3 launched June 17, featuring Iain McGilchrist and Sharon Dirckx as they explored brain science and God.

 Episode 4 will be available July 1 at www.thebigconversation.show.

 Future guests include cosmologist and astrophysicist Lord Martin Rees, and physician and author John Wyatt who currently serves as senior researcher at the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion at Cambridge. For a millennial perspective, the season includes a live presentation by popular podcast hosts Mikhaila Peterson and Jon McCray on the topic, “Are Millennials and Gen Z Ready to Believe in God?” at 3 p.m. EDT July 12.

“The Big Conversation” video series from Premier Unbelievable? features world-class thinkers across the religious and atheist communities discussing faith, science and what it means to be human. Premier Unbelievable? has amassed millions of followers throughout the world, most notably in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. The series is produced by Premier Christian Radio in partnership with the John Templeton Foundation.

For more information, visit www.thebigconversation.show. A preview link for media is available upon request.

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Renowned Brain Psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist Defends God, Says Atheist Views of Consciousness ‘Wholly Incoherent’

McGilchrist and Neuroscientist Sharon Dirckx Discuss ‘Is there a Master behind our Mind?’ on Episode 3 of ‘The Big Conversation’

LONDON, June 14, 2022 – Dr. Iain McGilchrist and Dr. Sharon Dirckx discuss what both experience and science teach us about the mind/brain connection and what that can tell us about the big questions of life in episode three of “The Big Conversation,” a video podcast series from Premier Unbelievable?, produced in partnership with the John Templeton Foundation.

Available this Friday, June 17, this episode’s conversation attempts to answer the question, “Is there a master behind our mind?”

McGilchrist is perhaps most famous for his book “The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World.” In this episode of “The Big Conversation,” he explains why he believes that consciousness is a phenomenon that points to God, presenting a surprising critique of atheist perspectives of philosophers such as Daniel Dennett’s view that the concept of consciousness comes from a purely scientific material phenomenon.

“It’s a very basic and well-known point that not everything that matters is matter,” McGilchrist said. “Love: where do you measure that? The meaning of music: in what lab is he going to find that? I think [Dennett’s] position is wholly incoherent; he says that consciousness is an illusion. I would point out that for it to be an illusion there would have to be a consciousness to be ‘illuded.’”

Sharon Dirckx (a speaker, author and adjunct lecturer at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics) agrees from her study of the brain that “we can be clear, from what science tells us, it gets us to a connection between the ‘mind’ and the ’brain,’ but it doesn’t speak to the nature of that connection.”

Critiquing atheists who bring their naturalistic worldview to their science, she said, “We need to be clear on when we make that leap from science and inference, and into worldview and philosophy,”.

A good portion of the rest of their conversation is spent discussing belief in the supernatural and the nature of God as a divine source for meaning, purpose and consciousness.

“If you ask people in this country… ‘do you follow a religion?’ – I think about 11% or 12% say yes,” McGilchrist said. “But if you ask people, ‘do you think there is more to the Cosmos than is contained within the reductionist materialist position?’ – about 95% of them say yes. Everywhere I go, I find that young people are very receptive to these ideas.”

When the topic of a conscious experience after death arose, McGilchrist admitted that accounts of near-death experiences are hinting at something beyond couldn’t be denied. Dirckx went a step further.

“If we are more than just our brains and if there is indeed a life to come, then we can make sense of that – that kind of data fits with the idea that there will be consciousness,” Dirckx said. She maintained that at the heart of the Christian faith, that idea would be embodied into reality.

“This episode presents a fascinating dialogue between Iain and Sharon, dealing with some really meaty topics in a way that was quite understandable, with great moments of humor, as well,” said Justin Brierley, host of The Big Conversation and Director of Apologetics and Theology for Premier Unbelievable?. “I always enjoy these conversations, especially when our guests show such great respect for one another, finding areas of agreement while clarifying their areas of disagreement, which I think is of enormous benefit to our audiences. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series!”

 “The Big Conversation” season launched May 20 with a debate between renowned atheist Richard Dawkins and former NIH Director Francis Collins. The second episode featured former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams in a discussion with author Paul Kingsnorth about the idea of spiritual conversion, which released June 3.

 Future guests include leading atheist philosopher Graham Oppy and his French counterpart, Guillaume Bignon (who is now a Christian), cosmologist and astrophysicist Lord Martin Rees, and physician and author John Wyatt who currently serves as senior researcher at the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion at Cambridge. For a millennial perspective, the season includes a live presentation by popular podcast hosts Mikhaila Peterson and Jon McCray on the topic, “Are Millennials and Gen Z Ready to Believe in God?” at 3 p.m. EDT July 12. Advance preview links of each episode are available for media upon request.

“The Big Conversation” video series from Premier Unbelievable? features world-class thinkers across the religious and atheist communities discussing faith, science and what it means to be human. Premier Unbelievable? has amassed millions of followers throughout the world, most notably in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. The series is produced by Premier Christian Radio in partnership with the John Templeton Foundation.

For more information, visit www.thebigconversation.show. A preview link for media is available upon request.

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Former Archbishop of Canterbury and a novelist converted from Wicca ask, “Are we ready to believe in God?” on latest episode of “The Big Conversation”

Dr. Rowan Williams and Paul Kingsnorth discuss conversion, culture and what’s missing in Western Christianity

LONDON, MAY 23, 2022 – The latest episode in the popular video podcast series “The Big Conversation” from Premier “Unbelievable?” – now in its fourth season – brings together theologian Dr. Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, with poet and novelist Paul Kingsnorth, for a heartfelt discussion on conversion and Western culture. The driving question between the two guests was “Are we ready to believe in God again?”

In the pre-recorded conversation led by Premier Unbelievable?’s host and Theology and Apologetics Director Justin Brierley, the two shared musings on their deeply personal experiences of converting to Christianity. The episode launches June 3.

Kingsnorth shared his spiritual journey from atheism, to Buddhism, and even to Wicca before finding Orthodox Christianity. His early involvement with the environmentalist movement also played an unexpected role in pushing him toward later adopting Christianity.

“The environmental activism I got involved in was secondary to the sense of the sacredness of nature that I had,” Kingsnorth said. “There’s a sense that something sacrilegious is being done to the living world of which you’re a part.”

Kingsnorth then drifted to the Wiccan worship of nature, joining a coven of witches for a time. He described the feeling of getting “dragged out” of the coven and Wicca as he searched for the divine.

“I was having very strange experiences,” Kingsnorth said. “I was having dreams, meeting Christians every five minutes, getting emails from Christians. I used to run a writing school, and suddenly had vicars writing me asking to read their sermons and give them feedback... I felt like I was being hunted by Jesus... I had to give into it and see where it took me.”  

Dr. Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, commented that while his own faith did not contain much of a conversion (having grown up in a Christian family), he did experience an active, vital, and intelligent church environment with a clergy that challenged him in his youth to realize that philosophy had a serious place in orthodoxy.

“It was a sense of the complete integration of thinking and worshiping... It wasn’t that you found yourself swept up in ecstatic worship and had to find some sort of justification for it,” Dr. Williams said of the Orthodox tradition. “Worship was a way of thinking, and thinking was a way of worship.”

Dr. Williams and Kingsnorth discussed their mutual attraction to orthodox Christianity and its cultural relevance.

"It seems to me that Christianity properly understood tells you that there is no such thing as dead matter,” Dr. Williams said. “It’s all carrying the energy of God in some way. So creation around you, within you – the creation that you are, the creation that you are part of – is all God-acting, God-loving, God-inviting, here and now.”
This discussion of conversion and Western culture brought some deeper topics into the arena. How does rationality fit into defending faith and interacting with atheists over the “mysteries” of faith? How does a Christian grapple with the frequent political stance that the church is an oppressive institution in society?

“We’ve so almost accepted the terms of an argument that says that religion is out to diminish your humanity,” Dr. Williams said. “And that’s utterly the opposite of the truth.”

Kingsnorth agreed, saying, “We can’t deny the realities of some of the things that have happened, the abuses of power and the rest of it. But the actual way of faith is enormously freeing. It was a shock to me, having grown up with these assumptions that the church just wants to take stuff away from you and control you.”

As “The Big Conversation” season 4 gets under way, Justin Brierley has expressed excitement about the upcoming guests and topics, believing this will be the best series yet. Future guests include psychiatrist Dr. Iain McGilchrist, renowned apologist Dr. Sharon Dirckx, leading atheist philosopher Graham Oppy, and for a millennial perspective, popular podcaster Mikhaila Peterson. They will discuss ideas ranging from faith and brain science to philosophy, conversion and the future.

“I look forward to recording these conversations and sharing them with a worldwide audience, for both the insight we’ll receive into some of the most well-known thinkers of our time, as well as how it sharpens our own approach to discussions in which our ideas may be questioned,” Brierley said. “That is the point of much of our programming here at Premier Unbelievable?, but we also hope that it is as entertaining and encouraging as it is edifying for our listeners.”

The new season launched May 20 featuring a debate between former NIH director Francis Collins and famed atheist Richard Dawkins. Episode 3 of “The Big Conversation,” featuring Dr. McGilchrist and Dr. Dirckx on the topic “Is there a Master behind our Minds?” was recorded live at the recent Unbelievable? Live Conference on May 14 and will launch June 17. Advance review links of each episode are available for media upon request.

“The Big Conversation” video series from Premier Unbelievable? features world-class thinkers across the religious and atheist communities discussing faith, science and what it means to be human. Premier Unbelievable? has amassed millions of followers throughout the world, most notably in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. The series is produced by Premier Christian Radio in partnership with the John Templeton Foundation.

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Premier Unbelievable? Conference 2022 Features Leading Thinkers Live from the British Library in London, May 14

Theme ‘God Unmuted’ to help believers share faith with confidence in a divided culture

DALLAS, April 27, 2022 – Premier Insight, the Christian media group behind the popular “Unbelievable?” podcast, announces the Unbelievable? Conference 2022 on Saturday, May 14, with speakers such as Alister McGrath, Joseph D’Souza, Phil Vischer and Skye Jethani sharing their thoughts on how Christians can speak into our confused and divided culture with grace and truth. The conference will also serve as the global launch for the brand new Premier Unbelievable? apologetics ministry, helping Christians to communicate their faith and skeptics to explore it.

“There is so much hostility to Christian belief in society today that it’s easy to put God on mute in our conversations with others,” says Justin Brierley, host of the “Unbelievable?” podcast and Theology and Apologetics editor for its parent platform, Premier Insight. “Concern about how to answer hard questions on whether we can ‘prove’ this or that claim from the Bible, or what our stance is on the latest cultural flashpoint, can mean it’s easier just to ‘not go there.’”

The conference will explore topics such as:

• Why Christ alone can win the culture wars

• How do I share Jesus in a confused and divided world?

• How to transform our culture and not be consumed by it

• Is there a master behind our minds?

Each session will include a featured speaker, discussion panels and live Q&A. Attendees are invited to participate in-person or online. The final session will be a live recording of “The Big Conversation” Season 4, episode 3, hosted in partnership with John Templeton Foundation featuring leading psychiatrist and philosopher Dr. Iain McGilchrist, author of the influential book “The Master and his Emissary,” in conversation with Christian neuroscientist Dr. Sharon Dirckx as they discuss brain science, consciousness and God.

Tickets are either $99 for in person or simply pay what you wish for online, available at unbelievable.live/us-in-person-payment. The conference gets under way at 2 p.m. BST/9 a.m. EDT with the final session scheduled for 8 p.m. BST/3 p.m. EDT.

The conference will also debut the new Premier Unbelievable? multi-media ministry that exists to help skeptics explore faith and Christians to understand, defend and share their faith with confidence. It brings together leading podcasts in addition to “Unbelievable?,” such as “Ask N.T. Wright Anything,” “C.S. Lewis with Alister McGrath,” and “Matters of Life and Death.” Other resources will include written articles and research on top apologetics topics, along with links to additional conferences and events. 

“It is my prayer that Premier’s Unbelievable? Conference 2022 and our new Premier Unbelievable? ministry and website will promote unity among believers around the world as they learn how to engage in civil and respectful dialogue around the difficult and controversial issues of the day,” shares Peter Kerridge, CEO of Premier Insight. “We hope these resources will help Christians learn how to be a confident voice and faithful witness to Christ during these uncertain and divided times.”

About Premier Insight

Through its various programs, Premier Insight offers something unique, born from the largest Christian media organization in the U.K. with 25 years of ministry experience in a post-Christian context, combined with a tremendously rich Christian heritage. Premier Insight seeks to be both a connector and a facilitator that unapologetically points to the unchanging truth and insight of God’s Word in a culture in dire need of redemption.  Premier Unbelievable? is an award-winning world-renowned podcast and video series which has been equipping Christians to share their faith for over 15 years and today is downloaded over 5-million times each year. The Premier Unbelievable? annual conference has been running for over 10 years, building on many years of actively engaging in the faith debate in our culture. For more information, visit premierinsight.org.

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Human Genome Project Leader Francis Collins Debates Atheist Richard Dawkins to Launch Premier Unbelievable?’s ‘The Big Conversation’ Season 4

Famed atheist thanks Christian geneticist for his care of mutual friend Christopher Hitchens in debate on God, the Universe and morality

LONDON, April 20, 2022 – “The Big Conversation,” a popular video podcast series from Premier Unbelievable?, kicks off its fourth season with a bang, bringing respected scientist Francis Collins, Ph.D., together with noted atheist Richard Dawkins in his first substantial debate in 10 years with a Christian academic on the existence of God.

In a remarkably cordial pre-recorded conversation led by Premier Unbelievable? host and Theology and Apologetics Director Justin Brierley, the two expressed respect for the others’ perspectives and reminisced about their mutual friend, the late Christopher Hitchens. Dawkins was especially appreciative of Collins’ care for Hitchens during his health decline, despite their disparate beliefs about God and the afterlife.

“I was aware, Francis, of what you were doing for him... on behalf of people, as it were, on my side of the aisle, I’m really grateful to you for what you were doing,” Dawkins said.

Because of the warm rapport between the two, Dawkins made several concessions that many listeners might find surprising. He admitted that he comes to the debate with materialistic presuppositions, and that God would have to be a mind if he exists. In addition, as the discussion moved toward the argument from the “fine-tuning” of the universe to support life, Dawkins said “if somebody were going to convince me of the need for a God, it would be there.” However, he was quick to point out that he was still most definitely not a convert.

In addition to scientific topics related to COVID-19 and viruses, the two also discussed perspectives on meaning and morality, which rank consistently among the top 10 topics most requested by “Unbelievable?” audiences. It was also one of the most hotly debated issues of the conversation.

When it came to Collins’ belief that humans’ inherent morality and altruism is evidence for God, Dawkins countered this by offering an atheistic alternative based upon the idea of evolutionary “misfirings,” raising a strong response from Collins.

“It bothers me that one would basically discount the most noble acts of human radical altruism as a misfiring of some evolutionary mechanism that’s gone awry,” Collins said. “When I look around me and see what has happened with COVID… I mean, look at those people who are working in an ICU – nurses, doctors, other folks – giving of themselves as best they can to try to save lives, and exposing themselves to becoming ill and dying. That is an incredibly noble set of actions and to dismiss that – that bothers me.”

As “The Big Conversation” season 4 gets under way, Brierley expressed excitement about the upcoming guests and topics, believing this will be the best series yet. In addition to Collins and Dawkins, future guests include psychiatrist Dr. Iain McGilchrist, renowned apologist Dr. Sharon Dirckx, novelist Paul Kingsnorth, former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams, leading atheist philosopher Graham Oppy, and for a millennial perspective, popular podcaster Mikhaila Peterson. They will discuss ideas ranging from faith and brain science to philosophy, conversion and the future.

“I look forward to recording these conversations and sharing them with a worldwide audience, for both the insight we’ll receive into some of the most well-known thinkers of our time, as well as how it sharpens our own approach to discussions in which our ideas may be questioned,” Brierley said. “That is the point of much of our programming here at Premier Unbelievable?, but we also hope that it is as entertaining and encouraging as it is edifying for our listeners.”

The new season launches May 20, following the “Unbelievable? Live” conference on May 14 at the British Library in London, where theologians and thinkers such as Dr. Alister McGrath, Dr. Joseph D’Souza, Lisa Fields, Skye Jethani and Phil Vischer speak to the conference theme, “God Unmuted.”  Episode 3 of “The Big Conversation,” featuring Dr. McGilchrist and Dr. Dirckx on the topic “Is there a Master behind our Minds?” will be recorded in front of a live audience at 8 p.m. BST/3 p.m. EDT.

“The Big Conversation” video series from Premier Unbelievable? features world-class thinkers across the religious and atheist communities discussing faith, science and what it means to be human. Premier Unbelievable? has amassed millions of followers throughout the world, most notably in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.  The series is produced by Premier Christian Radio in partnership with the John Templeton Foundation.   A transcript or preview link of the first episode, featuring Richard Dawkins and Francis Collins, is available for media upon request.

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Theological Understanding of Digital Ministry Necessary for the Church of the Future

With 50-70% of churches committed to continuing online services, leaders need to be equipped to minister to congregants they may never see in person

DALLAS, Oct. 29, 2021 – With studies showing that churches throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe will continue to conduct ministry online post-COVID-19, the Christian media ministry Premier Insight has partnered with Spurgeon’s College in the U.K. to create a digital theology master’s degree to equip leaders for this task.  For those segments of the audience for whom online church has become their preferred method of spiritual growth and connectivity, pastors need training in areas such as administering the sacraments online and encouraging discipleship in settings beyond weekly sermon delivery.

“The world beyond the COVID pandemic will be a different place for the global Church. It will be a place where people will gather around the scriptures, share fellowship with one another, and worship God both in church buildings and online,” said Pete Phillips, Ph.D., director of Premier’s Center for Digital Theology. “A hybrid model offers greater access for those new to the church and for those who cannot get to onsite worship for whatever reasons, and it requires the Church to go through its own digital transformation – training up worship pastors, preachers and discipleship leaders for a networked society.”

Barna shares in its recent State of the Church Report that 7 in 10 church-going adults (70%) agree that churches should use digital resources to reach and engage their neighborhoods, and that 63% believe churches should use digital resources for spiritual formation and discipleship. As such, Barna recommends that staff be trained and dedicated to that role of engaging digital users and reorienting online churchgoers from being solely content consumers to active participants: “The digital space requires a unique level of intentionality to engage users and still cultivate personal connections.”

Part of that training revolves around the idea of administering the sacraments virtually, such as exploring at-home communion, “Zoom” baptisms, and options such as chat rooms to take the place of in-person greeting time or “passing the peace,” Barna suggests.

With half of churchgoers still using the internet as a substitute for physical church since the pandemic, according to Barna, it’s clear that hybrid church models must expand their online offerings to include discipleship and spiritual growth resources like small groups, Bible studies and times of prayer, beyond merely streaming worship services. This also makes it possible for the full Body of Christ to participate, whereas before, elderly shut-ins or individuals with disabilities may have been excluded from all of these practices.

A church study out of Scotland actually showed substantially greater church participation and community involvement once these congregations began providing online worship and other content. With the Church of Scotland reporting as much as 430% growth as a result, it’s no wonder that 92% of these churches will continue offering some form of weekly online worship.

With most churches not expecting to reach pre-COVID attendance levels for some time, there has been a learning curve for pastors in figuring out how to handle those who have engaged with their message or mission outside of their facility, according to author and leadership expert Carey Nieuwhof. “Moving forward,” he writes, “many church leaders will realize that people who are engaging virtually will count just as much as those who are attending in a facility.”

This all highlights the need for Premier’s Centre for Digital Theology. Its Master’s in Digital Theology is the first degree of its kind across the world, offering a unique opportunity for theological reflection on digital culture and its impact on contemporary religious practice. The program prepares men and women for ministry and mission in a digital age. The degree can be taken online, onsite in London, or in a hybrid mode, both full-time over 2 years or part-time over 4. Topics explored during the course include:

• How we think theologically about digital culture and how we might apply digital methodologies to our theological thinking

• How key theological themes are impacted by serious engagement with digitality – what do we mean by incarnation in a digital world; how do we live ethically amidst digital technology?

• How religious practice adapts within a dominant digital culture, and what the boundaries to that adaptation are

For more information about the digital theology course, see www.digital-theology.org.

About Premier Insight
Through its various programs, Premier Insight offers something unique, born from the largest Christian media organization in the U.K. with 25 years of ministry experience in a post-Christian context, combined with a tremendously rich Christian heritage. Premier Insight seeks to be both a connector and a facilitator that unapologetically points to the unchanging truth and insight of God’s Word in a culture in dire need of redemption.

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Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934

Premier Christianity Magazine to Launch in the U.S.

Publisher Hopes to Promote International Unity among Believers Across the Globe through Inspiring Stories

DALLAS, July 26, 2021 – Premier Insight, born from the largest Christian media organization in the United Kingdom, is launching its most recent platform, Premier Christianity Magazine, expanding its content to reach audiences in the United States. 

Premier Christianity Magazine serves a general Christian audience and consists of impactful stories, faith-focused celebrity interviews and other content to equip and empower readers to live as confident Christians.

 “I am thrilled for Premier Christianity Magazine to launch in the United States,” said Peter Kerridge, Chief Executive Officer of Premier Insight. “Extending Premier Christianity’s reach to encourage American audiences is exciting, and we hope that it will promote unity among believers around the world as we understand our common experience and commission to share the Gospel in a post-Christian world.”

July’s cover story highlights an encouraging and uplifting conversation with international speaker, author and activist Christine Caine. In the September magazine, musician and actress Jennifer Hudson will be featured in a profile where she talks about her life, faith and about playing the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, in the new film, Respect. In addition, the issue will include “Immerse” by best-selling author Phillip Yancy which looks at how Christians can best engage with scripture and “Transgenderism” by Peter Lynas from the Evangelical Alliance which discusses how gender and sexuality are increasingly being viewed as fluid and how believers should interact with love, compassion and a clear understanding of biblical teaching.

“Stories featured in the magazine are uplifting and inspire hope during a time when we all could use some encouragement,” said Editor Sam Hailes. “We are thankful for the opportunity to include features that appeal to a new audience and look forward to seeing the impact this magazine can have in the U.S.”

The magazine’s regular monthly offerings include stories from within the evangelical church culture with a Christian perspective on news and world events alongside testimonial and feature articles. The editors also review the latest books covering theology, testimony, church life and practice and highlight a new podcast each month, in addition to sharing top songs on their playlists.

To learn more about Premier Christianity Magazine visit, https://www.premierchristianity.com/.

About Premier Insight
Through its various programs, Premier Insight offers something unique, born from the largest Christian media organization in the U.K. with 25 years of ministry experience in a post-Christian context, combined with a tremendously rich Christian heritage. Premier Insight seeks to be both a connector and a facilitator that unapologetically points to the unchanging truth and insight of God’s Word in a culture in dire need of redemption.

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Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934

Online Newsroom:
https://alarryross.com/premier-insight

Hybrid Church Charter Launched By Premier Insight

Initiative Advocates for Importance of Intertwining Digital and Physical Church

DALLAS, July 22, 2021 – Premier Insight, born from the largest Christian media organization in the United Kingdom, is rolling out its latest project, the Hybrid Church Charter, which outlines a set of principles serving to guide churches in establishing a healthy hybrid model. It seeks to ensure equality and accessibility regardless of how people choose or are able to participate in their corporate church experience.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced churches to move to an online forum in order to keep individuals safe and healthy while also normalizing virtual congregational engagement.  As restrictions have lifted and case numbers diminish, churches are returning to buildings and in-person services. However, populations remain who would prefer to join online -- those who are especially vulnerable, those who have disabilities or physical limitations, and those for whom large crowds pose other challenges. Through the charter, Premier Insight hopes to encourage the global Church in the importance of retaining a hybrid church model.

“Church is not only for those who can physically attend,” said Peter Kerridge, Premier Insight CEO. “We can not limit God to the confines of a building -- His people are the Church. Our God is outside of time and space, and when we get caught in thinking the only way to worship Him is inside of a building, we lose sight of what the Church is and cut off access to many of His people.”

A few of the principles the charter seeks to establish are:

• Enabling digital participation at church meetings, events and conferences;

• Ensuring that the Church both onsite and online provides safe places to explore faith and engage through effective safeguarding procedures;

• Engaging in digital outreach, providing evangelism and discipleship opportunities to those that connect online; and

• Empowering those with creative, digital and spiritual gifts to become leaders in the church’s digital ministry.

“Theology should, in fact, influence our digital engagement as we extend messages, traditions and community to the people we can’t connect with physically,” said Pete Phillips, Premier Insight Digital Theologian. “For many churches, their largest audience is no longer inside of the building and this is a crucial fact to note when thinking about the future of the Church. We want to reach as many people as possible and that will not happen without the hybrid model.”

Premier is also sponsoring the first of its kind Master’s degree in Digital Theology at Spurgeon’s College, London, England. The program offers students the opportunity to enter theological reflection on digital culture and how it impacts contemporary religious practice, especially within the context of Christianity.

"If you're looking for the future of church, it's hybrid,” said Carey Nieuwhof, Canadian Blogger and Podcaster. “Everyone you want to reach is online and when the church fuses in person ministry with digital ministry, we can reach more people than ever."

Churches can join the charter free of charge to demonstrate a commitment to accessibility, inclusion and digital outreach. To learn more and download a pdf of the charter, visit https://www.premierdigital.info/charter.

About Premier Insight
Through its various programs, Premier Insight offers something unique, born from the largest Christian media organization in the U.K. with 25 years of ministry experience in a post-Christian context, combined with a tremendously rich Christian heritage. Premier Insight seeks to be both a connector and a facilitator that unapologetically points to the unchanging truth and insight of God’s Word in a culture in dire need of redemption.

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Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934 

Online Newsroom:
https://alarryross.com/premier-insight

Premier Christian News to Launch in the U.S.

Global Perspective Encourages Readers to ‘Pray the News’

DALLAS, July 19, 2021 – Premier Insight, born from the largest Christian media organization in the United Kingdom, is launching its latest platform, Premier Christian News, in the United States.

Presented from a global perspective, which is often missing in the U.S. – based news coverage, Premier Christian News drives conversations in the areas of faith and culture. In addition, it invites readers to join in prayer over important news and cultural issues, posting suggested prayers at the end of most articles – a widely popular feature in the U.K.

“Premier Insight brings a fresh voice amidst a chaotic media landscape and a culture that is desperate for hope,” said Premier Insight CEO Peter Kerridge. “By emphasizing our ‘pray the news’ feature, we want to inspire American Christians to look beyond the headlines and the partisan agendas in many mainstream news sources, to focus on the biblical, Kingdom perspective.”

With a mission to empower its audiences to live out and share their faith so as to impact culture and draw people to the Word of God, Premier Insight launches this American-based news branch to provide a deeper understanding of what might be driving many news stories – especially internationally.

“By providing insight in our news stories as to why people or governments are behaving the way they are, we can better inform readers how they can pray for the individuals or nations involved,” said Premier Insight News Director Marcus Jones. “As Christians, that also enables us to be more empathetic toward the pain and frustration exhibited in the circumstances or events covered in news reports, and less polarized in our opinions.”

Additional Premier properties accessible in the U.S. via podcast format include: “Unbelievable?,” hosted by Justin Brierley; “The C.S. Lewis Podcast;” “Ask NT Wright Anything;” “The Bible for Today with John Stott;” and “The Big Conversation.” Premier Insight strives to provide North American audiences  with programming that invites honest discussion and welcomes opposing viewpoints to empower listeners to live as confident Christians.

“We are excited to share our apologetics content with the American audience, which we think can benefit from hearing engaging conversations about important topics related to life, faith, science and origins, conducted with civility and kindness,” said Premier Insight’s Theology and Apologetics Editor Justin Brierley. “With the intention to openly discuss different opinions between Christians and non-believers, we show that conversations matter and we can all learn something in the process.”

Premier Christian News is accessible at www.PremierChristian.news and Premier Insight programming is available via www.premierinsight.org. To learn more about Premier Insight, visit www.alarryross.com/premier-insight.

About Premier Insight
Through its various programs, Premier Insight offers something unique, born from the largest Christian media organization in the U.K. with 25 years of ministry experience in a post-Christian context, combined with a tremendously rich Christian heritage. Premier Insight seeks to be both a connector and a facilitator that unapologetically points to the unchanging truth and insight of God’s Word in a culture in dire need of redemption.

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Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934

Online Newsroom:
https://alarryross.com/premier-insight