The Peter S. Williams Podcast

What is the concept of evolution about? What is the evidence for it? Dawkins claims in his book that although the world looks designed, it really isn't. He argues for this by pointing to what he considers flaws in the design of biological organisms. Thomas tries to defend this view, but the other students are sceptical. Even Douglas, his fellow atheist, is picking apart this argument. Sophie reminds the students to be aware of the different meanings of the word evolution. Hiromi even introduces a new word to the group: devolution. What on Earth is that?

The Question of God Podcast is a fictional, 12-episode podcast featuring students with different views discussing philosophy, science and belief in God. Podcasts hosted by Sophie Minerva, Professor of Philosophy at NLA University College in Norway. All voices performed by A.I. The podcast-series is made by Peter S. Williams and Børge Elliot Bentsen and is adapted from parts of Peter’s book Outgrowing God? A Beginner’s Guide to Richard Dawkins and the God Debate (Cascade 2020). The series is produced and published by BioCosmos in cooperation with Damaris Norge. All rights reserved.

Here is a pdf of recommended resources for each episode

The music composed for the series by Peter S. Williams is available on YouTube & on Soundcloud

How do we recognise design? And how might design relate to evolution? Douglas starts by giving a summary of what Dawkins says about this. Does evidence in the natural world point to design? Douglas and Thomas don't think so, but they back different arguments against the design hypothesis. Hiromi's scepticism against the no design hypothesis is growing. She is interested in biology and brings a lot of information to the discussion, including the concept of irreducible complexity.

The Question of God Podcast is a fictional, 12-episode podcast featuring students with different views discussing philosophy, science and belief in God. Podcasts hosted by Sophie Minerva, Professor of Philosophy at NLA University College in Norway. All voices performed by A.I. The podcast-series is made by Peter S. Williams and Børge Elliot Bentsen and is adapted from parts of Peter’s book Outgrowing God? A Beginner’s Guide to Richard Dawkins and the God Debate (Cascade 2020). The series is produced and published by BioCosmos in cooperation with Damaris Norge. All rights reserved.

Here is a pdf of recommended resources for each episode

The music composed for the series by Peter S. Williams is available on YouTube & on Soundcloud

The topic in this episode is whether science points to atheism or naturalism as the best explanation of the universe. The students touch on the phenomenon of the Big Bang, cosmic fine-tuning, and the idea of a multiverse. Astrid argues that the probability of a life-permitting universe is astronomically low, to put it mildly. What is the difference between a universe coming from nothing and a universe created from nothing? If God created the universe, asks Thomas, where does God come from?

The Question of God Podcast is a fictional, 12-episode podcast featuring students with different views discussing philosophy, science and belief in God. Podcasts hosted by Sophie Minerva, Professor of Philosophy at NLA University College in Norway. All voices performed by A.I. The podcast-series is made by Peter S. Williams and Børge Elliot Bentsen and is adapted from parts of Peter’s book Outgrowing God? A Beginner’s Guide to Richard Dawkins and the God Debate (Cascade 2020). The series is produced and published by BioCosmos in cooperation with Damaris Norge. All rights reserved.

Here is a pdf of recommended resources for each episode

The music composed for the series by Peter S. Williams is available on YouTube & on Soundcloud

The four students and their professor have come to their twelfth and last meeting in the coffee shop discussing Richard Dawkins' book Outgrowing God. The topic this time is Dawkins’ response to cosmic fine-tuning, and whether the claim in his book is correct - has our civilisation really outgrown God? Or have we rather outgrown Dawkins' views? Has atheistic naturalism as a worldview become more questionable in the recent years as science discovers more about the cosmos? Thomas, Astrid, Douglas and Hiromi summarize their views after studying Dawkins' book.

The Question of God Podcast is a fictional, 12-episode podcast featuring students with different views discussing philosophy, science and belief in God. Podcasts hosted by Sophie Minerva, Professor of Philosophy at NLA University College in Norway. All voices performed by A.I. The podcast-series is made by Peter S. Williams and Børge Elliot Bentsen and is adapted from parts of Peter’s book Outgrowing God? A Beginner’s Guide to Richard Dawkins and the God Debate (Cascade 2020). The series is produced and published by BioCosmos in cooperation with Damaris Norge. All rights reserved.

Here is a pdf of recommended resources for each episode

The music composed for the series by Peter S. Williams is available on YouTube & on Soundcloud

When I was studying music A-Level at Portsmouth College in the early 1990s, I composed music for the College drama department’s production of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” This is the overture from my score, performed by computer.

I'm uploading this to replace an mp3 file that wasn't working properly on my website.

Tracks from a tape recording of my college band, Utopia, playing at the 1993 leaver's Day celebrations at Portsmouth VI Form College. I play flute, keyboards and tambourine, alongside Laura on vocals, David on piano and saxophone, Paul on lead guitar, and my flute teacher’s husband Mark on drums:

1) Untitled composition based on a riff by Ozryc Tentacles

2) Cover of "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" by Pink Floyd

3) Cover of "Mercedes Benz" by Janis Joplin and Bob Neuwirth 

4) Cover of "Stairway to Heaven" Led Zeppelin

5) Cover of by "Goodbye Cruel World" by Pink Floyd

For additional info, see my "Musical Autobiography" at https://www.peterswilliams.com/composing/

I'm uploading this here to link it to my website as a replacement for an mp3 file that's not working properly.

Presentation at the European Leadership Forum in May 2025 in Poland, on "Archaeological Evidence and Jesus."

Audio from an introductory video, made in March 2025, for the course module "Practical Apologetics for a Christian Way of life" at NLA University College, Norway.

Selected resources:

Craig, William Lane & Walter Sinnott-Armstrong. God?: A Debate between a Christian and an Atheist (Point/Counterpoint). OUP, 2003.

Murray, Michael J. Ed. Reason for the Hope Within. Eerdmans, 1998.

Plantinga, Alvin & Michael Tooley. Knowledge of God (Great Debates in Philosophy): 9. Wiley-Blackwell, 2008.

Inwagen, Peter van. God, Knowledge and Mystery: Essays in Philosophical Theology. Cornell, 1995.

Audio from an introductory video, made in March 2025, for the course module "Practical Apologetics for a Christian Way of life" at NLA University College, Norway.

Selected resources:

Parrish, Stephen E. Atheism? A Critical Analysis. Wipf & Stock, 2019.

Plantinga, Alvin. God, Freedom, and Evil (Eerdmans, 1989) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58f36d7c1e5b6cb8c0d88151/t/5b819b372b6a282494d6a96e/1535220574762/Plantinga+-+God%2C+Freedom%2C+and+Evil+.pdf

Audio from an introductory video, made in February 2025, for the course module "Practical Apologetics for a Christian Way of life" at NLA University College, Norway.

Selected resources:

Geisler, Norman L. Christian Apologetics. Second edition. Baker Academic, 2013.

Habermas, Gary R. On the Resurrection: Volumes 1-4. B&H Publishing, 2024-2025.

Habermas, Gary R., Antony Flew & Terry L. Miethe. Did Jesus Rise From the Dead? The Resurrection Debate. Wipf & Stock, 2003.

Vermes, Geza, The Resurrection. Penguin, 2008.

Williams, Peter S. Getting at Jesus: A Comprehensive Critique of Neo-Atheist Nonsense about the Jesus of History. Wipf and Stock, 2019.

Audio from an introductory video, made in February 2025, for the course module "Practical Apologetics for a Christian Way of life" at NLA University College, Norway.

Selected resources:

Geivett, R. Douglas, and Gary R. Habermas ed.’s. In Defence of Miracles: A Comprehensive Case for God’s Action in History. Apollos, 1997.

Larmer, Robert A. The Legitimacy of Miracle. Lexington, 2014.

Lewis, C.S. Miracles. Collins, 2016.

Williams, Peter S. Getting at Jesus: A Comprehensive Critique of Neo-Atheist Nonsense about the Jesus of History. Wipf and Stock, 2019.

Audio from an introductory video, made in February 2025, for the course module "Practical Apologetics for a Christian Way of life" at NLA University College, Norway.

Selected resources:

Craig, William Lane. On Guard For Students: A Thinker's Guide to the Christian Faith. David C. Cook, 2015.

Kreeft, Peter. Between Heaven And Hell: A Dialogue Somewhere Beyond Death With John F. Kennedy, C.S. Lewis & Aldous Huxley. Expanded Edition. IVP, 2008.

Williams, Peter S. Getting at Jesus: A Comprehensive Critique of Neo-Atheist Nonsense about the Jesus of History. Wipf and Stock, 2019.

Audio from an introductory video, made in February 2025, for the course module "Practical Apologetics for a Christian Way of life" at NLA University College, Norway.

Selected resources:

Plantinga, Alvin. “Two Dozen (Or So) Arguments for God” https://appearedtoblogly.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/plantinga-alvin-22two-dozen-or-so-theistic-arguments221.pdf

Beck, W. David. Does God Exist? A History of Answers to the Question. IVP Academic, 2021.

Evans, C. Stephen. Natural Signs and Knowledge of God: A New Look at Theistic Arguments. Oxford University Press, 2010.

Meyer, Stephen C. The Return of the God Hypothesis. HarperCollins, 2021.

Nash, Ronald H. Worldviews in Conflict: Choosing Christianity in the World of Ideas. Zondervan, 1992.

Goetz, Stewart & Charles Taliaferro. Naturalism (Interventions) Eerdmans, 2008.

Williams, Peter S. An Informed Cosmos: Essays On Intelligent Design Theory. Wipf and Stock, 2023.

Williams, Peter S. A Universe From Someone: Essays on Natural Theology. Wipf & Stock, 2022.

Williams, Peter S. A Faithful Guide to Philosophy: A Christian Introduction to the Love of Wisdom. Wipf and Stock, 2019.

Audio from an introductory video, made in February 2025, for the course module "Practical Apologetics for a Christian Way of life" at NLA University College, Norway.

Selected resources:

Aquinas, Thomas. “The Five Ways” from Summa Theologica, www.faculty.umb.edu/adam_beresford/courses/phil_100_11/reading_five_ways.pdf

Beck, W. David. Does God Exist? A History of Answers to the Question. IVP Academic, 2021.

Copleston, F.C. Aquinas: An Introduction to the Life and Work of the Great Medieval Thinker. Penguin, 1991.

Meyer, Stephen C. The Return of the God Hypothesis. HarperCollins, 2021.

Taylor, A.E. Does God Exist? Collins, 1961.

Williams, Peter S. A Universe From Someone: Essays on Natural Theology. Wipf & Stock, 2022.

Williams, Peter S. A Faithful Guide to Philosophy: A Christian Introduction to the Love of Wisdom. Wipf and Stock, 2019.

Audio from an introductory video, made in February 2025, for the course module "Practical Apologetics for a Christian Way of life" at NLA University College, Norway.

Selected resources:

Austin, M. W. Humility: Rediscovering the Way of Love and Life in Christ. Eerdmans, 2024.

Bannister, Andy. How to Talk about Jesus without Looking like an Idiot: A Panic-Free Guide to Having Natural Conversations about Your Faith. IVP, 2023.

Edwards, Dennis R. Humility Illuminated: The biblical path back to christian character. IVP Academic, 2023.

Fujimura, Makoto. Culture Care: Reconnecting with Beauty for Our Common Life. IVP, 2017.

Gould, Paul M. Cultural Apologetics: Renewing the Christian Voice, Conscience, and Imagination in a Disenchanted World. Zondervan, 2019.

Koukl, Gregory. Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions. Updated & Expanded, 10th Anniversary Edition. Zondervan, 2019.

McGrath, Alister. Mere Discipleship: On Growing in Wisdom and Hope. SPCK, 2018.

Moreland, J.P. Love Your God With All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul. NavPress, 1997.

Pinnock, Clark & Robert C. Brow. Unbounded Love: A Good News Theology for the 21st Century. Wipf and Stock, 2000.

Williams, Peter S. Behold the Man: Essays on the Historical Jesus. Wipf and Stock, 2024.

Williams, Peter S. Apologetics in 3D: Essays in Apologetics and Spirituality. Wipf & Stock, 2021.

Audio from an introductory video, made in February 2025, for the course module "Practical Apologetics for a Christian Way of life" at NLA University College, Norway.

Selected resources:

Williams, Peter S. Apologetics in 3D: Essays in Apologetics and Spirituality. Wipf & Stock, 2021.

Williams, Peter S. A Faithful Guide to Philosophy: A Christian Introduction to the Love of Wisdom. Wipf and Stock, 2019.

J.S. Bach 'The Goldberg Variations' [Glenn Gould] (1955) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwas_7H5KUs&list=PLQhh3qcwVEWjsZn4xCHUv7UcJljMo-GBr&index=5

Bach - St Matthew Passion BWV 244 - Van Veldhoven | Netherlands Bach Society https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwVW1ttVhuQ&list=PLQhh3qcwVEWjsZn4xCHUv7UcJljMo-GBr&index=17

Audio from an introductory video, made in February 2025, for the course module "Practical Apologetics for a Christian Way of life" at NLA University College, Norway.

Selected resources:

Williams, Peter S. “Christian Spirituality at the Cutting Edge of Contemporary Culture” (2024) http://podcast.peterswilliams.com/e/christian-spirituality-at-the-cutting-edge-of-culture/

Brierley, Justin. The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again. Tyndale Elevate, 2023.

Williams, Peter S. Behold the Man: Essays on the Historical Jesus. Wipf and Stock, 2024.

Lecture on the nature of Christian leadership, given at English L'Abri on 7th Feb 2025.

Lecture delivered at the Veritas Conference, held in October 2024, at BIG Bible College in Grimstad, Norway.

Lecture delivered in October 2024 for students of the 'Youthwork in Apologetic Perspective' course at NLA University College in Kristiansand, Norway.