Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Many regular watchers of the Unbelievable podcast do not realise they are not subscribed, please take a moment to check, thank you!! Agnostic Philosopher Joe Schmid vs Christian theologian Dan Paterson on Why isn’t God more obvious? In this episode of Premier Unbelievable, host John Nelson introduces the argument from divine hiddenness, with a surprising revelation from Joe Schmid. Watch Dan Paterson (Questioning Christianity) and Joe Schmid (Princeton doctoral researcher and YouTuber at Majesty of Reason) on what to make of the evidential weight of silence.
00:00 If God Loves You… Why Hide?
02:56 The “One Non-Believer” Argument
04:12 Dan: “This Is a Real Problem”
08:54 Joe’s Stronger Evidential Case
12:40 “I Shot Up Flares… and Heard Nothing”
17:26 4 Hiddenness Facts Favouring Naturalism
21:39 Can God Have Good Reasons to Stay Hidden?
33:37 Thailand vs Saudi Arabia: Demographics Problem
41:26 Auschwitz + Inclusivism: Who Gets Saved?
47:53 Divine Silence, Tragedy… and the Cross
If a perfectly loving God exists, why are there sincere seekers who still can’t believe, and why does God sometimes feel silent in suffering? They unpack J.L. Schellenberg’s formulation, debate deductive vs evidential versions, and explore whether cultural demographics, religious diversity, and tragedy point towards naturalism or theism. Dan argues Christianity has ancient resources for hiddenness; Joe presses the evidential weight of silence. Listen for Pascal, conscience, and the cross, and share where you land in the comments. And ICUMI ...since this was recorded Joe Schmid has converted to Chrsitianity - watch his latest video here youtu.be/-C-FiSqfKi8?si=_q17IwSCApKlpPkN
Check out Dan Paterson's videos and more from Questioning Christianity here questioningchristianity.com/watch-and-read
Or Joe Schmid's YouTube Channel josephschmid.com
SOCIAL LINKS
Twitter: twitter.com/unbelievablefe
Facebook: / facebook.com/premierunbelievable
Instagram: / instagram.com/premierunbelievable
Tik Tok: / tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable
👉 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes—absolutely free! Join now at premierunbelievable.com 🎉📢
• Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://www.premier.plus/unbelievable
• More shows, free eBook & newsletter: premierunbelievable.com
• For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live
• For online learning: premierunbelievable.com/training
• Support us in the USA: premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow
• Support us in the rest of the world: premierunbelievable.com/donate
Many regular watchers of the Unbelievable podcast do not realise they are not subscribed, please take a moment to check, thank you!! Agnostic Philosopher Joe Schmid vs Christian theologian Dan Paterson on Why isn’t God more obvious? In this episode of Premier Unbelievable, host John Nelson introduces the argument from divine hiddenness, with a surprising revelation from Joe Schmid. Watch Dan Paterson (Questioning Christianity) and Joe Schmid (Princeton doctoral researcher and YouTuber at Majesty of Reason) on what to make of the evidential weight of silence.
00:00 If God Loves You… Why Hide?
02:56 The “One Non-Believer” Argument
04:12 Dan: “This Is a Real Problem”
08:54 Joe’s Stronger Evidential Case
12:40 “I Shot Up Flares… and Heard Nothing”
17:26 4 Hiddenness Facts Favouring Naturalism
21:39 Can God Have Good Reasons to Stay Hidden?
33:37 Thailand vs Saudi Arabia: Demographics Problem
41:26 Auschwitz + Inclusivism: Who Gets Saved?
47:53 Divine Silence, Tragedy… and the Cross
If a perfectly loving God exists, why are there sincere seekers who still can’t believe, and why does God sometimes feel silent in suffering? They unpack J.L. Schellenberg’s formulation, debate deductive vs evidential versions, and explore whether cultural demographics, religious diversity, and tragedy point towards naturalism or theism. Dan argues Christianity has ancient resources for hiddenness; Joe presses the evidential weight of silence. Listen for Pascal, conscience, and the cross, and share where you land in the comments. And ICUMI ...since this was recorded Joe Schmid has converted to Chrsitianity - watch his latest video here youtu.be/-C-FiSqfKi8?si=_q17IwSCApKlpPkN
Check out Dan Paterson's videos and more from Questioning Christianity here questioningchristianity.com/watch-and-read
Or Joe Schmid's YouTube Channel josephschmid.com
SOCIAL LINKS
Twitter: twitter.com/unbelievablefe
Facebook: / facebook.com/premierunbelievable
Instagram: / instagram.com/premierunbelievable
Tik Tok: / tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable
👉 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes—absolutely free! Join now at premierunbelievable.com 🎉📢
• Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://www.premier.plus/unbelievable
• More shows, free eBook & newsletter: premierunbelievable.com
• For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live
• For online learning: premierunbelievable.com/training
• Support us in the USA: premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow
• Support us in the rest of the world: premierunbelievable.com/donate
