Language of God

What happens when one of the world’s most prominent former atheists becomes a Christian—and claims that faith actually strengthens reason and science? In this episode, Jim Stump sits down with author and public intellectual Ayaan Hirsi Ali to explore her unexpected journey from Islam to atheism, and ultimately to Christianity. Once known for her sharp critiques of religion, Ayaan now describes her Christian faith as something that sharpens her reason and makes her more committed to science. Their conversation focuses on this personal transformation: what she found lacking in her years as an atheist, how she came to see herself as “spiritually bankrupt,” and why she ultimately turned to Christianity in search of meaning, hope, and peace. Along the way, they discuss the relationship between faith and reason, the role of science in a Christian worldview, and whether curiosity itself might be a form of worship. Whatever you make of her broader public voice, this episode offers a chance to hear Ayaan Hirsi Ali tell, in her own words, the story of a life shaped by big questions about truth, morality, and what it means to live well. Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Vesper Tapes, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

What if one of our closest relatives had taken a completely different evolutionary path? In this episode of Language of God, we continue our Cool Creatures series with a journey to Madagascar and also to the Duke Lemur Center, to explore the strange, beautiful, and deeply revealing world of lemurs. These primates split from our own lineage tens of millions of years ago, evolving in isolation into an astonishing diversity of forms. Along the way, we meet scientists who study lemurs in the wild and in conservation settings, uncovering what makes them so unique: female-led societies, rich social bonds expressed through grooming, and a reliance on smell rather than sight to understand their world. But this episode isn’t just about lemurs—it’s about what they reveal. Lemurs help us ask deeper questions about what it means to be human, how evolution unfolds in different directions, and what responsibility we carry for other species. With nearly all lemurs now threatened by habitat loss and human activity, their story is also one of urgency and conservation. From evolutionary history to field research to theology, this episode invites you to see lemurs not just as fascinating creatures, but as mirrors—reflecting both our past and our present. Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Pink Marble, Nick Petrov, Animated Music, Vesper Tapes, Rick Bombino, Zeonium & MS Elyascourtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Elite ultra-runner Sabrina Little has logged national titles and set the American record for the greatest distance run in 24 hours. But for her, the real significance of running isn’t found in podium finishes or record books. It’s found in character. In this conversation, Sabrina reflects on how Christian faith deepens and reshapes the classical tradition of virtue and describes how faith, hope, and love transform the moral life from the inside out. Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Titan Sound, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

The story begins in Brazil at COP30, the United Nations climate summit, where global leaders gather to address climate change. From there, it steps back to ask a deeper question: what kind of problem is climate change, really? Moving from climate science to lived experience, the episode explores why facts and data—while essential—are not enough to motivate belief or action. As stories from vulnerable communities come into focus, climate change emerges not just as a scientific challenge, but as a human one, leaving us unsettled and without easy resolution. About the Series: This two-part series follows a group of Christians from around the world as they gather in Brazil for COP30, the United Nations climate summit. Rather than focusing on policy outcomes or political winners and losers, the series explores what kind of problem climate change really is—and what kind of response it demands. Through science, lived experience, and faith practices, the series asks how Christians might move beyond information and outrage toward resilience, responsibility, and faithful action in a warming world. Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Klimenko Music, Superlegal, Ricky Bombino, Diverse Music, Pink Marble, Cosmo Lawson, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Jim and Colin report from Belém, Brazil and the halls of COP30.

You might think of ferns—if you think of them much at all—as the unassuming and understated members of the plant world. What could they teach us about philosophy or theology or wonder? It turns out quite a lot. When we explore that strange world of fern reproduction and learn about the two life phases of ferns it brings up questions about identity and what it means to be an individual. And the exploration itself becomes a practice of wonder and celebration of the diversity of life God creates. Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Northern Points, Evan MacDonald, Superlegal, Pink Marble, Sarah Chapman, Lost Harmonies, Geoffrey Jerrall, and Klimenko Music, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Our best scientific models make it clear that society needs a big change at a global scale in order to limit irreversible damage—what good can individual actions and attitudes do in the face of this immense problem? Today’s guest, Debra Rienstra, argues that the right relationship with the Earth can actually make all the difference and that new worlds of hope are built in hidden refuges amidst the surrounding devastation. Genuine lament and grief help reorient us toward the beauty and majesty of creation. Only once this groundwork has been laid can we truly repent for what we have done—and begin the work of hope for a better future. Additional Resources: Learn more about Debra's book, Refugia FaithSign up for the Refugia newsletterFind new episodes of Refugia Podcast Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Pink Marble courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc. This episode originally aired on Mar 10, 2022.

What happens when a theologian and an evolutionary biologist walk into a lab together—one asking questions about God through the strange world of microbes, the other studying the tiny ecosystems in our armpits and sourdough starters? In this episode, we hear the answer through the story of Aminah Al-Attas Bradford, a theologian who found herself researching yeast in the ecology lab of Rob Dunn, a biologist known for uncovering the microbial life all around us. Their collaboration leads to surprising questions about dust, microbes, matter, and meaning, and shows what can happen when science and theology meet in the middle in curious, unshielded conversation. Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Babel, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc. Check out Rob's book The Call of the Honeyguide: What Science Tells us About How To Live Well with the Rest of Life

Born out of a cultural moment of growing distrust in science, BioLogos’ Science is Good initiative explores how Christians can be a voice for the goodness of science. The episode connects the three parables of Matthew 25—about wisdom, stewardship, and mercy—with the work of three scientists whose careers exemplify these virtues. Epidemiologist Emily Smith shares how data-driven health work among the global poor reveals a form of wisdom that prepares for the needs of the most vulnerable. Se Kim, a science policy expert, reflects on the gift of scientific aptitude and the importance of investing in people and communities often left out of the scientific enterprise. And Francis Collins tells the story of hepatitis C, a curable disease still claiming lives, and how mercy means doing whatever it takes to bring healing to the “least of these.” Throughout, pastor Jason Miller offers insight into how Jesus’ parables can still form our character—even in our attitudes toward science. Together, their stories serve as a faithful answer to the call: Science is good—and we are invited to live in the light of that truth. Theme song and credits m usic by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Robert Meunier courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

In July of 1925, two significant dramas unfolded on different continents—the Scopes “Monkey” Trial in Tennessee and the censure of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin in France— shaping the enduring conversation between science and faith. On the surface, these 1925 events couldn't be more different – one a public courtroom showdown, the other a hushed ecclesiastical reprimand. Yet, they both tackled the same fundamental question: What happens when new scientific ideas confront traditional beliefs, particularly concerning evolution? Jim Stump—with the help of guests Janet Kellogg Ray and John Haught—reflects on these pivotal moments from a century ago, exploring their lasting impact on the science and faith dialogue, the dangers of false dichotomies, the importance of epistemic humility, and the tension between institutional caution and prophetic imagination.

From the earliest bipedal ancestors to the dawn of spiritual awareness, we delve into the archaeological, anthropological, and theological questions surrounding our shared past. Join us over two episodes as we uncover the blurred lines between ancient hominins and modern humans, and ponder the moments that shaped our anatomy, behavior, and spirit. Building on our journey through the Paleolithic, this second episode explores the profound spiritual developments that occurred as Homo sapiens became the sole surviving species in our genus. We seek to understand the emergence of uniquely human spiritual tendencies and our ongoing relationship with the Divine with some stops at ancient sites in Orkney, Scotland and the American Southwest, to examine the rise of symbolic thought, the earliest cave paintings, and the beginnings of agriculture in the Neolithic period. These sacred landscapes offer tangible glimpses into the spiritual lives of our ancient ancestors. Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Berry Deep, Babel, Vesper Tapes, Immersive Music, Oakvale of Albion & Harpo Marks, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Francis Collins, founder of BioLogos, and Kristine Torjesen, the new President and CEO, are deeply invested in the power of science to do good in the world. Yet, they observe with concern a growing distrust in science within our technologically advanced society. In this conversation, they share profound personal stories of how scientific breakthroughs have brought healing and hope, illustrating how science, when guided by wisdom and compassion, can be a powerful force for human flourishing. They discuss BioLogos's new "Science is Good" initiative, exploring how biblical virtues from Matthew 25 can inform and inspire a gracious and compassionate pursuit of scientific knowledge, ultimately showing the beautiful compatibility of faith and science. Read our Open Letter to People of Faith about Science

Alan Lightman is a theoretical physicist and has always seen the world as a place governed by unbreakable laws. But those laws never did a very good job explaining some of the most important moments of his life, moments when he felt a profound connection to the world. A journey to understand some of those transcendent moments has opened his appreciation to multiple ways of knowing and being in the world. In this conversation he tells some of the stories of the moments that led him on this journey, and discusses the nature of consciousness, the moral responsibility of computers, and models a posture of curiosity and graciousness in conversation. Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Youth Faire and Magnetize Music, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.