Uncommon Ground with Justin Brierley
Uncommon Ground is a podcast hosted by Justin Brierley, a veteran moderator of debate and discussion. Each episode brings together two thinkers with opposing views on topics like science, faith, atheism, philosophy, and culture. Recorded at Yarnton Manor in Oxford, the show aims to foster respectful disagreement and genuine understanding. It features voices from atheism, psychology, science, literature, and theology, diving into life's biggest questions.
Episodes
#9. William Lane Craig & Emily Qureshi-Hurst: Is it Time to Rethink God & Salvation? The A vs B theory and why it matters.
Justin is joined by Christian philosopher William Lane Craig and atheist theologian Emily Qureshi-Hurst to discuss the question: 'Is Christian theism compatible with our best understanding of the nature of time?'Craig defends the 'A-Theory' - that time flows from past, to present, to future. Qureshi-Hurst defends the 'B-Theory' - that all times exist at once. In a mind-expanding conversation, they
#8. Lois McLatchie Miller & Ann Furedi: Is abortion immoral? Pro-life vs pro-choice.
Over 250,000 pregnancies are terminated in the UK every year. Is access to abortion a woman's right or the taking of an innocent life? Pro-life campaigner Lois McLatchie Miller engages Ann Furedi, the former head of BPAS - the UK’s leading abortion provider. They join Justin Brierley to discuss when life begins, bodily rights and baby rights, and why despite their deep disagreements, they have be
#7. Stephen Meyer & Phil Halper: The Big Bang and Fine Tuning. Does the science of the Universe point to God?
Did the Universe have a 'beginning'? Is the Cosmos 'finely-tuned' for life? And do these phenomena point to God?Stephen C Meyer, author of 'Return of the God Hypothesis' debates Phil Halper, co-author of 'Battle of the Big Bang' in a lively 3 hour conversation hosted by Justin Brierley.
Find out more: https://justinbrierley.com/uncommon-ground-podcast/
Get early access and more when you be
#6. Elizabeth Oldfield & James Marriott: Is there meaning to life? And is our secular culture rediscovering it?
Elizabeth Oldfield, host of the Sacred Podcast, and James Marriott, literary critic and Times columnist, join Justin on Uncommon Ground to discuss whether we can find meaning in life without God. Elizabeth tells of her own search for meaning in Christian faith, while James explains why, as an atheist nihilist, he still loves art and literature. They discuss the search for purpose, and signs of a n
#5. Paul Davies & Emily Qureshi-Hurst: Is there purpose in the Universe? Exploring the weirdness of the cosmic and quantum realm.
Is there a purpose to the largest thing of all - The Universe? And does the weird world of the smallest things - Quantum Physics - tell us anything about it?Atheist theologian Emily Qureshi-Hurst believes the evidence points to a purely physical reality. However, astrophysicist Paul Davies says there's a deeper meaning to the 'directionality' of our cosmos. In this mind-expanding conversation, the
#4. Iain McGilchrist & Anil Seth: Minds, brains, consciousness and the God question.
Renowned philosopher Iain McGilchrist and eminent neuroscientist Anil Seth sit down with Justin Brierley to discuss whether consciousness is a product of brain chemistry or points to God. They discuss left and right brain hemispheres, panpsychism, theories of consciousness and how meditation and prayer affect our psychology. Seth also describes his atheist-agnostic worldview, and McGilchrist expla
#3. Jonathan Pageau & Joe Folley: Does art, culture and human experience point to God?
Orthodox thinker Jonathan Pageau and atheist philosopher Joe Folley sit down with Justin Brierley to discuss whether art, culture and human experience point to God.
In a deep and rich conversation ranging across consciousness, science, religion, the incarnation and the resurrection they debate whether a Divine Logos or natural forces explain the reality we all encounter.
Subscribe now to hear
#2. Alex O'Connor & Glen Scrivener: Did Christianity give us our morality? Debating freedom, slavery, equality and the Bible.
Atheist thinker Alex O'Connor goes toe-to-toe with Christian thinker Glen Scrivener on whether Christianity gave us our belief in kindness, equality, freedom and consent.
Across 2.5 hours of intense conversation moderated by Justin Brierley, they debate whether or not hospitals, welfare, charity, emancipation, gender equality, human rights and consent hinge on Christian influence.
Subscribe now
#1. Richard Dawkins & Rowan Williams: God vs Science. What is behind the poetry of reality?
The world's most famous atheist, Richard Dawkins, sits down to talk with the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, in the very first episode of Uncommon Ground, hosted by Justin Brierley.
In a wide-ranging conversation on atheism, faith, poetry, music, meaning, love, complexity, suffering, evolution and survival, they discuss whether God or science makes best sense of 'the poetry of r
Introducing 'Uncommon Ground'
Justin Brierley is back in the moderator's chair hosting conversations between Christians, atheists, skeptics and seekers in this new podcast and video show.
'Uncommon Ground' features leading figures from the world of atheism, psychology, science, culture, literature and theology. Recorded in the beautiful setting of Yarnton Manor, Oxford, they’ll be debating purpose in the universe, meaning in
