Undeceptions with John Dickson
Undeceptions Ltd
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Every week on Undeceptions we explore some aspect of life, faith, history, culture, or ethics that is either much misunderstood or mostly forgotten. With the help of people who know what they're talking about, we try to 'undeceive ourselves' and let the truth 'out'.
Епизоде
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187. On Slavery 14.09.2026 1ч 24минWhat in the world do we do about slavery in the Bible?We shouldn’t rush to William Wilberforce and the Christian abolitionists so quickly that we gloss over an uncomfortable fact: Christians really did use the Bible to keep slaves in their place.Secular thinkers defended slavery using science, philosophy, politics, economics, and pragmatism. But there’s no doubt many Christians provided moral cover by quoting passages from the Old Testament that seem to endorse slavery, and passages from the New Testament that, at the very least, seem to put up with it.Professor Esau McCaulley and our friends at International Justice Mission join us for this last Undeceptions episode of the season to try and untangle this tricky topic.FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERECREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed and edited by Mark Hadley. Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership.Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out. -
186. Question Answer XVII 07.09.2026 45минWhat do we do when we discover our so-called ‘Christian heroes’ did abhorrent things? What’s the difference between the soul and the spirit? Where does the idea of being a ‘missionary’ come from? Is the God of the Old Testament just a conglomeration of the gods from other cultures that came before? It’s our seasonal Q&A, and John Dickson is in the hot seat answering your questions. FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERECREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed and edited by Mark Hadley. Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership.Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out. -
185: Dis / Ability 31.08.2026 1ч 16минWe have a troubled relationship with disability. Even the term ‘disability’ is contested.Perhaps disability is something to inspire us. Or something that calls for our compassion. Or simply something to accept and let be.How should we think about disability? Should we be trying to cure it? And what about disability in Heaven?In this episode of Undeceptions, we’re unpacking our assumptions about disability, dignity, suffering and difference—and asking what it means to be fully human.FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERECREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed and edited by Mark Hadley. Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership.Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher. Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out. -
184. Forgive Us 24.08.2026 1ч 18минChristianity has a bit to say about ‘forgiveness’, both on a theological and a sociological level.In short, God forgives us, and Christians are therefore called to extend this forgiveness to those who’ve wronged them.But this raises a lot of questions.What does forgiveness actually mean? How does it work? Does it involve forgetting wrongs? Can you forgive someone who isn't sorry? What about profound abuse and injustice?The Christian emphasis on forgiveness has shaped our civilisation. But does it still make sense?FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERECREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed and edited by Mark Hadley. Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership.Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher. Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out. -
183. With Lennox 17.08.2026 1ч 14минJohn Lennox is one of Christianity’s greatest living “Undeceivers”. His Irish charm, kindness, and general approachability defuse even the most intense debates - and he’s had many intense debates in his lifetime (Dawkins! Hitchens!)Through it all, Lennox has had one great aim … and it’s the aim of our podcast … to uncover the truth and beauty of Christianity in a world that doesn’t know what to make of it.FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERECREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed and edited by Mark Hadley. Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership.Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher. Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out. -
182. Tough Texts 10.08.2026 1ч 1минThe Bible is full of tough texts that can be off-putting to the curious sceptic.But at its best, Christianity stands smiling in the ring of history, science, culture, ethics, and all the rest, and invites anyone to take a swing.Don’t let these tough texts put you off; treat them as an entry point to the Bible and, just maybe, you’ll be surprised by what else you find.FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERECREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed and edited by Mark Hadley. Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership.Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher. Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out. -
Beautiful Maths 03.08.2026 59минAlmost everyone can remember the exact moment they gave up on mathematics.But for those who persist, many don’t just find maths useful; they find it beautiful.Some even go so far as to claim that mathematics is the ‘language of God’.FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERECREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed and edited by Mark Hadley. Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership.Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher. Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Our voice actor today was Yannick Lawry.Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out. -
On Hildegard 27.07.2026 1ч 12минIt’s high time for an episode on the fabulous Hildegard of Bingen.This remarkable 12th-century nun’s work covered a vast amount of ground: she wrote about ecclesiastical history, science, medicine, botany, mineralogy and petrology, zoology and theology, mysticism, music, painting, and monastic architecture.She was also a travelling preacher, visionary, and geopolitical manoeuvrer.She’s now revered as a ‘Doctor of the Church’ - one of only 38 people awarded the title for their profound and lasting impact on Christian teaching.Other Doctors include Augustine of Hippo, Gregory the Great, and the Venerable Bede. So, Hildegard is in good company.FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERE CREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne, directed and edited by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher.Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership. Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains my wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Our voice actors for this episode were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah LoveUndeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com – letting the truth out. -
Spiritual ≠ Religious 20.07.2026 1ч 2минThe West might be becoming less ‘religious’, but according to many it’s becoming a lot more ’spiritual’.In fact, “spiritual but not religious” is described as a “rapidly growing faith group” in America, with as many as 20 per cent of people falling into the category.And yet, there’s nothing new about being spiritual but not religious; it’s been Christianity’s dancing partner – or maybe sparring partner - for thousands of years.FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERE CREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne, directed and edited by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher.Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership. Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains my wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com – letting the truth out. -
178. Against Ambition 13.07.2026 58минHigh performers - athletes, business professionals, artists, and the like - inspire and motivate us. They give us benchmarks to strive for and show us what sort of life we might lead if we were the “greatest of all time” in a given field.But is striving to be the “greatest” actually good for us? Or does it do more harm than good?FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERE'CREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne, directed and edited by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher.Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership. Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains my wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com – letting the truth out. -
SINGLE: Good Missionary? 26.06.2026 30минAfrica is home to over 1.5 billion people and some of the fastest-growing economies in the world, but it still faces vast challenges.Thousands of missionaries have moved to Africa and made it their life’s work to help bring about change.John speaks with one of them.CREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher.Sophie Hawkshaw is on socials and membership. Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains my wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com – letting the truth out. -
REWIND: Just War 22.06.2026 36минWar is a horror – so how has Christianity, in its classical tradition, approached the human reality of war? Can it ever be justified on spiritual grounds?We looked at these questions in episode 55, ‘Just War’, back in 2021 - and given recent events, we thought now was a good time to revisit that episode. -
177. Wes Huff 27.04.2026 1ч 7минWes Huff has made the historical case for Christianity to an audience of millions on some of the biggest podcasts in the world, including the Joe Rogan Experience and Diary of a CEO. It’s fair to say he’s having a bit of a moment.But is all this big-name podcast interest in Christianity evidence of something deeper? Is Christianity itself having more than just a moment?FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERECREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher. Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains my wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Peter Kozushko is our North American representative. Editing by Richard Hamwi. Our voice actor today was Yannick Lawry. Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible. Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out. -
176. Question Answer XVI 20.04.2026 46минIs it ok for a Christian to enjoy secular music? Why did Jesus have to get baptised? And how does the church’s teaching on money compare to what the Bible actually teaches about it? It’s Q&A time again at Undeceptions!FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERECREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher. Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains my wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Peter Kozushko is our North American representative. Editing by Richard Hamwi. Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry, Producer Kaley, and Director Mark. Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible. Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out. -
175. Literary Bible 13.04.2026 1ч 5минThe Oxford English Dictionary describes the Bible as a “library,” not a single work.But this library has been the most sold book in the world for millennia!So should we call this ultimate best-seller “literature”?There are many ways to read the Bible. But reading it as literature may help us see something easily missed: the Bible isn’t just a collection of texts any more than a symphony is just a collection of notes.The literary approach asks a simple question: how might the Bible’s story work on us?FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERECREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher. Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains my wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Peter Kozushko is our North American representative. Editing by Richard Hamwi. Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love. Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible. Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out. -
174. God's Image 06.04.2026 1ч 14минThe Universal Declaration of Human Rights reads: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood”.This seems obvious to us today, but many people throughout history didn’t believe in these ideals.Many would wonder how it could be that every human being, regardless of capacity or usefulness, could be considered equally valuable.Truth be told, it's hard to find the logic behind the Universal Declaration of Human Rights anywhere in historical literature … apart from the Bible.FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - CLICK HERECREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher. Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains my wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Peter Kozushko is our North American representative. Editing by Richard Hamwi. Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love. Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible. Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out. -
173. Good Friday 30.03.2026 49минIt’s hard to get a clear picture of the historical Jesus without projecting cultural tropes onto Him.Jesus - perhaps more than anyone in history - is often co-opted to fit either personal or political agendas.So this Easter, we’re trying to untangle the cultural Jesus from the real historical Jesus - by zeroing in on his famous last few days.CREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher.Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Peter Kozushko is our North American representative and a point of contact for church pastors interested in engaging with our work here at Undeceptions. Editing by Richard Hamwi.Our voice actorS today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love. Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible. Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out. -
172. Reading Classics 23.03.2026 1ч 7минThere’s a certain collection of Greek and Roman writings - from roughly 800 BC to AD 200 - which, apart from the Bible, has shaped the Western world more than any other intellectual tradition.Today, we call them the Classics.Many are familiar with the names behind these ancient texts: Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Livy … the list goes on.But just because these works have a legacy doesn’t mean that people today actually like them.For starters, they’re hard work. Mark Twain once described a Classic as “something that everybody wants to have read, and nobody wants to read”.Others dislike the very concept of the Classics because they privilege the writings of (presumably) white men over other rich, non-Western traditions.But like it or not, the Classics still matter in their own right today - especially if you’re interested in Christianity.FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - click hereCREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher.Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Peter Kozushko is our North American representative and a point of contact for church pastors interested in engaging with our work here at Undeceptions. Editing by Richard Hamwi.Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love. Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible. Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out. -
First Hymn US / UK Release 18.03.2026 4минThe First Hymn is coming to the big screens on both sides of the Atlantic!Find tickets here. -
171. Without God 16.03.2026 1ч 10минThe cultural hangovers of Christianity are well attested.Recently, people who were once describing themselves as ‘New Atheists’ have gone as far as to call themselves ‘Cultural Christians’, due to the prevalence of Christian thought in modern ethics.But what if the great dream of the New Atheists eventually succeeded?What would a world where God was actually dead look like?FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - click here.CREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher.Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Peter Kozushko is our North American representative and a point of contact for church pastors interested in engaging with our work here at Undeceptions. Editing by Richard Hamwi.Our voice actor today was Dakotah Love. Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible. Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out.
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