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.
And so another series of @theosthinktank.bsky.social's Reading our Times comes to an end, with a great interview with @philipgoff.bsky.social in which we simply ask does the universe have a purpose? After a series covering consciousness, quantum, time & God, what else? tinyurl.com/56t5uymc
Does the universe have a purpose? In conversation with Philip Goff
Podcast Episode · Reading Our Times · 16/12/2025 · 36m
tinyurl.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:02 AM
And so another series of @theosthinktank.bsky.social's Reading our Times comes to an end, with a great interview with @philipgoff.bsky.social in which we simply ask does the universe have a purpose? After a series covering consciousness, quantum, time & God, what else? tinyurl.com/56t5uymc
Frame or picture? What we saw at Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom Carol Service: tinyurl.com/55e2mxpy
Frame or picture? What we saw at Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom Carol Service
Theos Senior Fellow Nick Spencer unpacks what he saw at the “Unite the Kingdom Carol Service” in Whitehall over the weekend.
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December 15, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Frame or picture? What we saw at Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom Carol Service: tinyurl.com/55e2mxpy
I spoke with Michael Little on his Ratio podcast recently on science, religion, Scopes, Dawkins, God, and other such divine matters: tinyurl.com/y6n7uzxu
Nick Spencer on science and god
Nick Spencer is the guest for this episode of Ratio Talks, part of the series On Religion.
tinyurl.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:54 AM
I spoke with Michael Little on his Ratio podcast recently on science, religion, Scopes, Dawkins, God, and other such divine matters: tinyurl.com/y6n7uzxu
I was sorry to hear about the death of John Carey, surely the most penetrating and readable literary critic of the last 50 years. He was a bit of a personal hero of mine & I was delighted to interview him years ago about literature, religion & much else: tinyurl.com/whhpr4xr
John Carey - High Profiles
Nick Spencer’s 2011 conversation with the influential literary critic
tinyurl.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:46 AM
I was sorry to hear about the death of John Carey, surely the most penetrating and readable literary critic of the last 50 years. He was a bit of a personal hero of mine & I was delighted to interview him years ago about literature, religion & much else: tinyurl.com/whhpr4xr
Reposted by Nick Spencer
Hope can feel distant.
Globally, we face conflict, displacement, climate chaos and retreating democracies.
To mark 80 years of @christianaiduk.bsky.social, @nickebs.bsky.social and Bob Kikuyu ask whether there are deeper reasons to be hopeful.
Follow along to find out more 🧵 bit.ly/48GAuYP
Globally, we face conflict, displacement, climate chaos and retreating democracies.
To mark 80 years of @christianaiduk.bsky.social, @nickebs.bsky.social and Bob Kikuyu ask whether there are deeper reasons to be hopeful.
Follow along to find out more 🧵 bit.ly/48GAuYP
A Theology of Hope
To mark 80 years of Christian Aid, Nick Spencer and Bob Kikuyu unpack a Christian theology of hope, and offers it to a world that needs it. 05/12/2025
bit.ly
December 9, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Hope can feel distant.
Globally, we face conflict, displacement, climate chaos and retreating democracies.
To mark 80 years of @christianaiduk.bsky.social, @nickebs.bsky.social and Bob Kikuyu ask whether there are deeper reasons to be hopeful.
Follow along to find out more 🧵 bit.ly/48GAuYP
Globally, we face conflict, displacement, climate chaos and retreating democracies.
To mark 80 years of @christianaiduk.bsky.social, @nickebs.bsky.social and Bob Kikuyu ask whether there are deeper reasons to be hopeful.
Follow along to find out more 🧵 bit.ly/48GAuYP
Nobody could accuse us of shying away from big questions @theosthinktank.bsky.social and especially on this week’s episode of Reading our Times. So, in conversation with philosopher Graham Harman, we have... what is the ultimate nature of reality? shorturl.at/6XuRr
What is the ultimate nature of reality? In conversation with Graham Harman
Podcast Episode · Reading Our Times · 09/12/2025 · 44m
shorturl.at
December 9, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Nobody could accuse us of shying away from big questions @theosthinktank.bsky.social and especially on this week’s episode of Reading our Times. So, in conversation with philosopher Graham Harman, we have... what is the ultimate nature of reality? shorturl.at/6XuRr
Last week we tackled quantum, so this week - obviously - it's consciousness. Tune in to my fascinating @theosthinktank.bsky.social conversation with Susan Greenfield on brain, mind, consciousness & dogs: tinyurl.com/3xa22mme
What is consciousness? In conversation with Baroness Susan Greenfield
Podcast Episode · Reading Our Times · 02/12/2025 · 42m
tinyurl.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Last week we tackled quantum, so this week - obviously - it's consciousness. Tune in to my fascinating @theosthinktank.bsky.social conversation with Susan Greenfield on brain, mind, consciousness & dogs: tinyurl.com/3xa22mme
You don’t understand Quantum Theory. I know. Nor do I. And you think you should, because it’s about to change our world. Indeed. You are in luck today… Lucid, clear, cogent, informed Paul Davies on Quantum 2.0: tinyurl.com/3xtrm35j
What does Quantum Theory mean?
Podcast Episode · Reading Our Times · 25/11/2025 · 41m
tinyurl.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:23 PM
You don’t understand Quantum Theory. I know. Nor do I. And you think you should, because it’s about to change our world. Indeed. You are in luck today… Lucid, clear, cogent, informed Paul Davies on Quantum 2.0: tinyurl.com/3xtrm35j
Michael Symmons Roberts is, imho, one of the very best poets writing today, so the chance to talk to him about time, peace, God, time, and the power of music was too good to miss. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did: shorturl.at/W794k
Can music redeem time? In conversation with Michael Symmons Roberts
Podcast Episode · Reading Our Times · 18/11/2025 · 46m
shorturl.at
November 18, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Michael Symmons Roberts is, imho, one of the very best poets writing today, so the chance to talk to him about time, peace, God, time, and the power of music was too good to miss. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did: shorturl.at/W794k
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
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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
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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
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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