This week's episode is a live debate we hosted recently at The Royal Institution Theatre in London. The topic is 'The Story of Everything' – a discussion between four different belief systems on the existence of God.

William Lane Craig defends traditional theism; Jessica Frazier represents Hinduism; Joseph Folley argues for agnosticism; and Philip Goff defends a God of limited powers.

Long-time listeners will already be familiar with the views of Bill, Jessica, and Philip – and I'm sure you'll agree that Joe is a tremendous feature on this panel.

If you'd like to watch the debate, head over to YouTube and search for Premier Christian Radio Unbelievable. And if you'd like to hear Joe and me discuss the debate the following morning, search for Dr Jack Symes on YouTube.

Thank you to everyone who came along to the event, and thank you, as always, to you wonderful listeners for your support. I hope you enjoy the debate!

This podcast was supported with funding from the John Templeton Foundation, through the Panpsychism and Pan(en)theism Project (59140).

Links

Watch the debate: Premier Christian Radio, Unbelievable?

Watch the analysis: Dr Jack Symes

Welcome to a special Episode 160 – a conversation / debate between Jack Symes and Philip Goff.

Philip Goff and Jack Symes have known each other since 2011, when Philip taught Jack's very first philosophy lecture. In the years since, they've both arrived at views that sit awkwardly between God and atheism – but in very different ways.

Philip defends a God of limited powers and a form of Christianity rooted in Eastern Orthodox theology. Jack argues that God is just the world. In this conversation, they put their views head to head.

They discuss the ontological argument (which Philip loves and Jack accepts begrudgingly), the problem of evil, and Philip's recent mystical experience. They also explore negative religious experiences, panpsychism, whether the self is an illusion, and why neither of them are traditional theists.

This is a conversation between two friends who disagree about almost everything – and enjoy every minute of it.

Links

Philip Goff:

YouTube

Twitter

Website

SubStack

Why? The Purpose of the Universe (book)

Galileo's Error: A New Science of Consciousness (book)

This episode brings together Jack and Rowan Williams, the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury and one of the world's most distinguished theologians.

As they explore the intersection of faith, politics, and ethics, they confront Christian nationalism, the morality of war, the value of animal life, and the nature of God. A sweeping philosophical and theological exchange!

We hope you enjoy the show.

Links

Solidarity: The Work of Recognition, Rowan Williams

Do We Have the Right to Die?, Lady Hale and Rowan Williams