Nick Spencer
@nickebs.bsky.social
Senior Fellow at Theos. Author of Magisteria. Host of Reading our Times.
Christian humanist. Graecophile,Person of the Book. PEW Literary Agents.
Christian humanist. Graecophile,Person of the Book. PEW Literary Agents.
I honestly don’t know who apart from my colleague @hannahmerich.bsky.social could have written our latest @theosthinktank.bsky.social report on RE beyond the classroom. It’s so wide ranging & perceptive. A really important piece of work. Do read, digest and share. tinyurl.com/bde877pe
Beyond the Classroom: Informal Religion and Worldviews Education in the UK
Hannah Rich’s report exploring the places and spaces where people of all ages learn about other faiths outside of the classroom. 13/11/2025
tinyurl.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:03 PM
I honestly don’t know who apart from my colleague @hannahmerich.bsky.social could have written our latest @theosthinktank.bsky.social report on RE beyond the classroom. It’s so wide ranging & perceptive. A really important piece of work. Do read, digest and share. tinyurl.com/bde877pe
What does “transcendence” mean? And how does it relate to "ordinary" human life? Join me in conversation with biographer and philosopher Clare Carlisle here: tinyurl.com/6vkjaztp
What can a life tell us about transcendence?
Podcast Episode · Reading Our Times · 11/11/2025 · 44m
tinyurl.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:57 PM
What does “transcendence” mean? And how does it relate to "ordinary" human life? Join me in conversation with biographer and philosopher Clare Carlisle here: tinyurl.com/6vkjaztp
Reposted by Nick Spencer
Many of the New Atheist arrows fired in the religion wars of 2000s and 2010s hit their target well and hard. The question is, was it the right target?
This week, @nickebs.bsky.social speaks to Gilbert Markus about his book, 'God as nothing'.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/r...
This week, @nickebs.bsky.social speaks to Gilbert Markus about his book, 'God as nothing'.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/r...
November 4, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Many of the New Atheist arrows fired in the religion wars of 2000s and 2010s hit their target well and hard. The question is, was it the right target?
This week, @nickebs.bsky.social speaks to Gilbert Markus about his book, 'God as nothing'.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/r...
This week, @nickebs.bsky.social speaks to Gilbert Markus about his book, 'God as nothing'.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/r...
How can we talk about God, especially if God is "no thing", no part of creation. This is not a new problem. Indeed, it is one that the writers of the Bible and theologians have grappled with for centuries. As we do this week on Reading our Times: tinyurl.com/5ft2z555
Is God nothing? In conversation with Gilbert Markus
Podcast Episode · Reading Our Times · 04/11/2025 · 42m
tinyurl.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:47 PM
How can we talk about God, especially if God is "no thing", no part of creation. This is not a new problem. Indeed, it is one that the writers of the Bible and theologians have grappled with for centuries. As we do this week on Reading our Times: tinyurl.com/5ft2z555
I have written a piece on why we should be very proud to be British. www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2025...
On Nationalism: are you proud of Britain? (You really should be)
As we start our new research project exploring Christian Nationalism, Nick Spencer reflects on the meaning of national pride. 29/10/2025
www.theosthinktank.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 12:38 PM
I have written a piece on why we should be very proud to be British. www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2025...
Reposted by Nick Spencer
What role do genes play in life? Where, if anywhere, does agency reside? How, in effect, does life work?
@nickebs.bsky.social speaks to @philipcball.bsky.social on the brand new series of #ReadingOurTimes
🎧 Tune in here: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/r...
@nickebs.bsky.social speaks to @philipcball.bsky.social on the brand new series of #ReadingOurTimes
🎧 Tune in here: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/r...
October 28, 2025 at 9:24 AM
What role do genes play in life? Where, if anywhere, does agency reside? How, in effect, does life work?
@nickebs.bsky.social speaks to @philipcball.bsky.social on the brand new series of #ReadingOurTimes
🎧 Tune in here: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/r...
@nickebs.bsky.social speaks to @philipcball.bsky.social on the brand new series of #ReadingOurTimes
🎧 Tune in here: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/r...
A new series of Reading our Times starts today, with an opening episode on How life works with the brilliant science writer @philipcball.bsky.social All my interviewees are perceptive - ofc - but this one was esp. so. The book really is illuminating. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...
Reading Our Times
Philosophy Podcast · Updated weekly · Reading Our Times is the podcast that explores the books and the ideas that are shaping us today. It is hosted by Nick Spencer, Senior Fellow at the think tank, T...
podcasts.apple.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:52 PM
A new series of Reading our Times starts today, with an opening episode on How life works with the brilliant science writer @philipcball.bsky.social All my interviewees are perceptive - ofc - but this one was esp. so. The book really is illuminating. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...
The new series of Reading our Times gets metaphysical, drops next week, with episodes on life, quantum, transcendence, reality, God, consciousness, music and time with (among others) Philip Ball, Paul Davies, Susan Greenfield and Michael Symmons Roberts: tinyurl.com/dmhm5ktz
Trailer: Series 11 of Reading Our Times
Podcast Episode · Reading Our Times · Trailer · 2m
tinyurl.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:43 AM
The new series of Reading our Times gets metaphysical, drops next week, with episodes on life, quantum, transcendence, reality, God, consciousness, music and time with (among others) Philip Ball, Paul Davies, Susan Greenfield and Michael Symmons Roberts: tinyurl.com/dmhm5ktz
Exciting news from @theosthinktank.bsky.social : www.theosthinktank.co.uk/research/202...
Christianity, nationhood and the rise of Christian Nationalism
Theos are starting a new two–year project researching the global rise of Christian Nationalism. 16/10/2025
www.theosthinktank.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Exciting news from @theosthinktank.bsky.social : www.theosthinktank.co.uk/research/202...
“a fresh and illuminating way of thinking about science and religion … [and] a very welcome addition to the science-and-religion literature” – Lovely review of our latest book on science and religion in @churchtimes.bsky.social : tinyurl.com/58ntes4e
Book review: The Landscapes of Science and Religion: What are we disagreeing about? by Nick Spencer and Hannah Waite
Peter Jordan considers an effort to pinpoint the faith-v.-science debate
tinyurl.com
October 10, 2025 at 10:15 AM
“a fresh and illuminating way of thinking about science and religion … [and] a very welcome addition to the science-and-religion literature” – Lovely review of our latest book on science and religion in @churchtimes.bsky.social : tinyurl.com/58ntes4e
"Flags absorb meaning from the people who do things with them." www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
Analysis: What do flags mean? It depends. . .
They do not signify a single set of values, writes Nick Spencer
www.churchtimes.co.uk
October 6, 2025 at 2:44 PM
"Flags absorb meaning from the people who do things with them." www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
Reposted by Nick Spencer
"The empire history wars that have flared up so viciously of late, are about the future as much as the past" 💬
In his latest longread, @nickebs.bsky.social takes a deep dive into imperial history and today’s "empire wars."
🔗 Read it here
www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2025...
In his latest longread, @nickebs.bsky.social takes a deep dive into imperial history and today’s "empire wars."
🔗 Read it here
www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2025...
The Empire Wars
Recent years have seen ferocious battles about ‘empire’: statues toppled, books cancelled, scholars infuriated, insults hurled. What is going on and, more importantly, why? What is it about our cultur...
www.theosthinktank.co.uk
August 20, 2025 at 1:43 PM
"The empire history wars that have flared up so viciously of late, are about the future as much as the past" 💬
In his latest longread, @nickebs.bsky.social takes a deep dive into imperial history and today’s "empire wars."
🔗 Read it here
www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2025...
In his latest longread, @nickebs.bsky.social takes a deep dive into imperial history and today’s "empire wars."
🔗 Read it here
www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2025...
“There was an intense apocalyptic smell in the air, and writer after writer claimed they were living at the end of history.” I have written a long read on empires and history ending, then and now. Enjoy. www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2025...
The Empire Wars
Recent years have seen ferocious battles about ‘empire’: statues toppled, books cancelled, scholars infuriated, insults hurled. What is going on and, more importantly, why? What is it about our cultur...
www.theosthinktank.co.uk
September 1, 2025 at 3:39 PM
“There was an intense apocalyptic smell in the air, and writer after writer claimed they were living at the end of history.” I have written a long read on empires and history ending, then and now. Enjoy. www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2025...
If you're interested in the Future of the West cf this series of Reading our Times which explores its "contours" - choice, growth, democracy, sex, Christianity & with @samirpuri.bsky.social @lucyaash.bsky.social @richarddouglas.bsky.social Jonathan Sumption, Diarmaid Macculloch tinyurl.com/5677vdbf
Reading Our Times
Philosophy Podcast · Updated weekly · Reading Our Times is the podcast that explores the books and the ideas that are shaping us today. It is hosted by Nick Spencer, Senior Fellow at the think tank, T...
tinyurl.com
July 22, 2025 at 4:35 PM
If you're interested in the Future of the West cf this series of Reading our Times which explores its "contours" - choice, growth, democracy, sex, Christianity & with @samirpuri.bsky.social @lucyaash.bsky.social @richarddouglas.bsky.social Jonathan Sumption, Diarmaid Macculloch tinyurl.com/5677vdbf
"We're already well aware of the risks and challenges that we face in our own kind of own persons. Having a child means opening yourself up to that vulnerability in the life of another person." What are children for? tinyurl.com/37n7wrj7
What are children for? In conversation with Anastasia Berg
Podcast Episode · Reading Our Times · 07/15/2025 · 45m
tinyurl.com
July 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
"We're already well aware of the risks and challenges that we face in our own kind of own persons. Having a child means opening yourself up to that vulnerability in the life of another person." What are children for? tinyurl.com/37n7wrj7
Why are we having so few children? Ah, now there's a question. In conversation with Anastasia Berg on her @oneworldbooks.bsky.social book What are children for? tinyurl.com/37n7wrj7
What are children for? In conversation with Anastasia Berg
Podcast Episode · Reading Our Times · 07/15/2025 · 45m
tinyurl.com
July 15, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Why are we having so few children? Ah, now there's a question. In conversation with Anastasia Berg on her @oneworldbooks.bsky.social book What are children for? tinyurl.com/37n7wrj7
"I'm not trying to say that choice is a bad thing at all. Choice is vital to our independence. That said, it isn't necessarily the solution to everything and some of our collective needs require us sometimes to decide that choice isn't our highest value." tinyurl.com/r323xt4b
How have we come to deify choice? In conversation with Sophia Rosenfeld
Podcast Episode · Reading Our Times · 08/07/2025 · 51m
tinyurl.com
July 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
"I'm not trying to say that choice is a bad thing at all. Choice is vital to our independence. That said, it isn't necessarily the solution to everything and some of our collective needs require us sometimes to decide that choice isn't our highest value." tinyurl.com/r323xt4b
"Our sense of ourselves as free, and what that means, has evolved over time. I think humans do seek freedom in some form, but what they mean by that can be very different in different times and places." Analysing freedom and choice on... tinyurl.com/r323xt4b
How have we come to deify choice? In conversation with Sophia Rosenfeld
Podcast Episode · Reading Our Times · 08/07/2025 · 51m
tinyurl.com
July 10, 2025 at 2:27 PM
"Our sense of ourselves as free, and what that means, has evolved over time. I think humans do seek freedom in some form, but what they mean by that can be very different in different times and places." Analysing freedom and choice on... tinyurl.com/r323xt4b
Choice, choice, choice. Everything is choice. These days, to deny someone freedom of choice is almost to deny them their humanity. Where did this come from? Me in conversation with Sophia Rosenfeld on The Age of Choice: tinyurl.com/r323xt4b
How have we come to deify choice? In conversation with Sophia Rosenfeld
Podcast Episode · Reading Our Times · 08/07/2025 · 51m
tinyurl.com
July 8, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Choice, choice, choice. Everything is choice. These days, to deny someone freedom of choice is almost to deny them their humanity. Where did this come from? Me in conversation with Sophia Rosenfeld on The Age of Choice: tinyurl.com/r323xt4b
"There's a knowledge you derive from a test tube, when everything else is just wishy washy nonsense, on the one hand. But on the other there's a postmodernist approach… Western truth, white truth, male truth, my truth… this is a pretty slippery slope." tinyurl.com/y9kbcfrc
Would it matter if Christianity were eclipsed? In conversation with Rupert Shortt
Podcast Episode · Reading Our Times · 01/07/2025 · 39m
tinyurl.com
July 7, 2025 at 2:05 PM
"There's a knowledge you derive from a test tube, when everything else is just wishy washy nonsense, on the one hand. But on the other there's a postmodernist approach… Western truth, white truth, male truth, my truth… this is a pretty slippery slope." tinyurl.com/y9kbcfrc
"For all the immense flaws of Western civilization, many of the goods that we take for granted - individualism, parliamentary democracy, belief in human equality, science itself - these derive from Christian culture." tinyurl.com/y9kbcfrc
Would it matter if Christianity were eclipsed? In conversation with Rupert Shortt
Podcast Episode · Reading Our Times · 01/07/2025 · 39m
tinyurl.com
July 4, 2025 at 10:42 AM
"For all the immense flaws of Western civilization, many of the goods that we take for granted - individualism, parliamentary democracy, belief in human equality, science itself - these derive from Christian culture." tinyurl.com/y9kbcfrc
It's one thing to say that Christianity has a richer account of the human person than secular alternatives. But that prompts an inevitable response from the sceptic who might say, “ultimately the comfort that it offers is spurious because atheism is true.” tinyurl.com/yw69cfnk
Would it matter if Christianity were eclipsed? In conversation with Rupert Shortt
Podcast Episode · Reading Our Times · 01/07/2025 · 39m
tinyurl.com
July 3, 2025 at 9:28 AM
It's one thing to say that Christianity has a richer account of the human person than secular alternatives. But that prompts an inevitable response from the sceptic who might say, “ultimately the comfort that it offers is spurious because atheism is true.” tinyurl.com/yw69cfnk
"He rang me up and said, 'Rupert I'm a lifelong agnostic. I can't speak to any of the philosophy or theology in your book. The point is that Richard is wrong about the science let alone the theology.'" I speak to Rupert Shortt on science, religion & Richard Dawkins tinyurl.com/yw69cfnk
Would it matter if Christianity were eclipsed? In conversation with Rupert Shortt
Podcast Episode · Reading Our Times · 01/07/2025 · 39m
tinyurl.com
July 2, 2025 at 9:39 AM
"He rang me up and said, 'Rupert I'm a lifelong agnostic. I can't speak to any of the philosophy or theology in your book. The point is that Richard is wrong about the science let alone the theology.'" I speak to Rupert Shortt on science, religion & Richard Dawkins tinyurl.com/yw69cfnk
If you are interested in what the discovery of alien life would mean for humanity - and how could you not be? - please join me tomorrow for an on-line talk with the Scientific and Medical Network. Details here: tinyurl.com/2tbd2dkc
Dr Nick Spencer – Science, Religion and Alien Life - Scientific and Medical Network
The prospect of intelligent alien life has always been seen as vaguely challenging to humanity, and especially to religious belief. Quite apart from any
tinyurl.com
July 1, 2025 at 1:23 PM
If you are interested in what the discovery of alien life would mean for humanity - and how could you not be? - please join me tomorrow for an on-line talk with the Scientific and Medical Network. Details here: tinyurl.com/2tbd2dkc