Justin Brierley reports from the ARC conference in London where over 4,000 secular and religious attendees met to hear about the renewal of civilisation from speakers such as Jordan Peterson, Douglas Murray, Jonathan Pageau and Ayaan Hirsi Ali. But in the era of Trump 2.0, is the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship co-opting Christianity for conservative political purposes? Justin interviews Christian speakers Bishop Robert Barron, Miriam Cates and Johannes Hartl on what ARC is. He also hears f...
Apr 15, 2025•2 hr 45 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Agnostic philosopher Philip Goff has been on a 'surprising rebirth' journey recently. After announcing his embrace of a 'slightly heretical' form of Christianity, he says he has come to believe in a God of limited power. Renowned Christian philosopher William Lane Craig engages Goff in a conversation on the universe, suffering and Christian faith, as they debate whether a 'limited' God makes sense of science, philosophy and the resurrection. After hosting the conversation, Justin Brierley is joi...
Apr 08, 2025•2 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Is the tide of faith coming back in on our post-Christian culture? Justin Brierley speaks on why the search to make sense of human existence, human value and human purpose are pointing many people back towards God. This talk recaps Justin's 'Surprising Rebirth' thesis. Recorded at First Baptist Church Garland, Dallas in 2024, along with Q&A from the audience. More info, book & newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/ Support via Patreon for early access to new episodes and bonus...
Apr 01, 2025•2 hr 32 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Former 'new atheist' Ayaan Hirsi Ali shocked the world when she announced her conversion to Christianity in 2023. Hirsi Ali recently spoke with Dr James Orr for a Trinity Forum Cambridge event about her new faith, her concerns about radicalisation at top Universities, and the need to educate young people about Christianity. Hirsi Ali's story has become a significant milestone in the 'Surprising Rebirth' phenomenon. But does Ayaan see a similar rebirth among her peers? And how does she respond to...
Mar 25, 2025•2 hr•Season 2Ep. 3
The ARC conference in London saw thousands of conservative influencers and politicians networking with like-minded Christians. Is it further evidence that the 'surprising rebirth' is right wing? In part 2 of the show, Justin Brierley continues to explore the question of whether the new interest in Christianity is being co-opted for political purposes. Journalist Heather Tomlinson, writer Paul Kingsnorth and podcast host Elizabeth Oldfield all offer their perspective on whether the rebirth is rig...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Season 2Ep. 2
A 'vibe shift' is underway. Trump's re-election and the gains of populist parties internationally have reinvigorated the right wing. So is the 'surprising rebirth' in religious circles just the manifestation of the new political vibe? In the opening episode of Season 2, Justin Brierley responds to a key objection to his thesis (first posed by Alex O'Connor) as he examines the rise of popular right wing politics in secular and religious circles. Journalist Heather Tomlinson explains her own spiri...
Mar 11, 2025•2 hr 30 min•Season 2Ep. 1
If the 'Sea Of Faith' is coming in again, how can the church lean in to the 'Surprising Rebirth' phenomenon? In this Season 1 finale, Justin presents three ways to welcome the tide, drawing on lessons from the Jesus Revolution and the imaginative work of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien. Justin speaks to secular and Christian thinkers such as Tom Holland, Douglas Murray and Carol Tomlin about 'Keeping Christianity Weird'. Elizabeth Oldfield, Jo Frost and Glen Scrivener on a church community that counter...
Oct 01, 2024•2 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 30
A series of high-profile scandals have rocked the evangelical church. Politicisation and Christian nationalism are on the rise. How can the the church recover from abuse and leadership failures in order to meet the rising tide of meaning seekers? Justin relives an infamous interview with Mark Driscoll, and hears from Mike Cosper, Karen Swallow Prior, John Dickson, Phil Cooke, Rasool Berry, Esau McCaulley and other leaders seeking to move beyond celebrity, power and politics. More info, book & ne...
Sep 17, 2024•2 hr 48 min•Season 1Ep. 29
The next generation is remarkably open to spirituality according to recent data. Could the 'Asbury Awakening' be evidence of a renewal bubbling up among Gen Z? Justin speaks to pastors, thinkers, statisticians and Gen Z leaders who have noticed a surprising surge of interest in faith, alongside stories of unusual growth in Catholic, Orthodox and evangelical churches. Rob Bethell also tells his story of surprising rebirth after walking into church for the first time. More info, book & newsletter:...
Sep 03, 2024•2 hr 53 min•Season 1Ep. 28
After falling for a Christian woman while on vacation, atheist Guillaume Bignon set out to disprove her faith. However, his investigation turned up evidence that he could not easily dismiss. Then, when God 'reactivated' his conscience... everything changed. In this bonus episode, Justin speaks to Guillaume Bignon author of 'Confessions of a French Atheist: How God Hijacked My Quest to Disprove the Christian Faith'. Glen Scrivener also tells Justin about the 321 Course. Justin's Autumn speaking d...
Aug 20, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Psychedelics are back in vogue as influencers promote hallucinogens as a gateway to spiritual enlightenment. The boom in mind-expanding drugs even seems to be opening up some people to the possibility of God. But what are the dangers of taking shortcuts to the transcendent? Justin hears from those arguing for and against the psychedelic resurgence including Mikhaila Peterson, Alan Noble, Alex O'Connor, Shawn Ryan, Iain McGilchrist and Phil Cotnoir. Ashley Lande explains why her search for enligh...
Aug 06, 2024•2 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Why did atheist neuroscientist Christoph Koch recently lose a 25-year-old bet on consciousness? Why is 'panpsychism' in fashion? And could the latest research on the brain be pointing us back towards God? Justin speaks to scientists and philosophers such as Sharon Dirckx and Philip Goff on the surprising turn away from atheist materialism. Ex-atheist Jennifer Fulwiler shares her story of realising love must be more than brain chemistry and influential thinker Iain McGilchrist reveals how a new u...
Jul 23, 2024•2 hr 50 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Justin engages with atheist youtuber Alex O'Connor in a live audience conversation in Edinburgh, hosted by Patrick Brown of Trinity Forum Europe. They discuss Justin's 'Surprising Rebirth' thesis and whether the Bible is the foundation of Western morality. Alex also surprises the audience by reciting a CS Lewis poem from memory. For Justin's speaking dates in the USA & UK: https://justinbrierley.beehiiv.com/p/2024-summer-speaking-dates For the video of this debate: https://youtu.be/1aGDjOA9sJ4?s...
Jul 09, 2024•2 hr 58 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Do we have free will? Many leading atheist voices say 'no'. Determinism has become a popular philosophy, but has contributed to a meta-crisis and a mental health crisis. Hearing from thinkers such as Alan Noble, Elizabeth Oldfield and Iain McGilchrist, Justin asks whether the passing of influential philosopher Daniel Dennett may herald a new openness to God, as seekers such as Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Russell Brand emerge from the 'meaning crisis'. Tech pioneer Jordan Hall also tells his story of fin...
Jun 25, 2024•2 hr 49 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Justin was recently invited to the UnHerd Club in London to defend the thesis of The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God. In this bonus episode he shares the conversation he had with atheist thinker Alex O’Connor and Christian thinker Elizabeth Oldfield as well as audience Q&A. The event was hosted by UnHerd presenter Freddie Sayers. More info, book & newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/ Support via Patreon for early access to new episodes: https://www.patreon.com/justinbrie...
Jun 11, 2024•2 hr 33 min•Season 1Ep. 22
The last few years have been a rollercoaster ride of fame, controversy, serious illness and surprising faith for Tammy and Jordan Peterson. In this extended interview Tammy talks to Justin Brierley about her miraculous recovery from terminal cancer, her recent conversion to Catholicism and the growing interest in faith she is witnessing though the work of her well-known psychologist husband. More info, book & newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/ Support via Patreon for early...
Jun 04, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Why did Antony Flew, one of the world's leading atheists, announce in 2004 that he believes in God? Why did atheist philosopher Thomas Nagel's 2012 book 'Mind And Cosmos' get him labelled as a heretic by his peers? Justin Brierley explores why the discovery of the DNA code, the search for the origin of life, the complexity of the cell, and the mathematical order of the universe are leading many scientists to speak of agency, purpose, and a 'Logos' behind life. He also hears from dissident thinke...
May 28, 2024•2 hr 46 min•Season 1Ep. 20
New Atheism proclaimed that science had buried God. However, as new evidence about the surprising origins of the universe and its fine-tuning for life has emerged, perhaps God was waiting for us all along. Justin speaks to scientists and thinkers including Jennifer Wiseman, John Lennox and Stephen Meyer. Peter Byrom also examines whether Richard Dawkins' best-known objection to a 'complex' God really holds water. More info, book & newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/ Support...
May 14, 2024•2 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 19
The New Atheists used science as their trump card against religion. But what if we've been sold a false story about 'science vs faith'? Justin speaks to scientists, historians and thinkers about modern myths, the conflict thesis and the Christians who launched the scientific revolution. Along the way we hear from Peter Atkins, David Hutchings, John Lennox, Tim O'Neill, Sarah Irving-Stonebraker and Jennifer Wiseman. Justin also hears the surprising story of how tech pioneer Ros Picard came to fai...
Apr 30, 2024•2 hr 42 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Historian Tom Holland, author of 'Dominion', joins Justin Brierley for a public conversation on The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God. They discuss Holland's own intellectual and spiritual journey, including an answered prayer to a health crisis. But is the renewed interest in the value of faith among secular intellectuals evidence of a turning of the tide of faith? Justin Brierley is optimistic, Holland takes a more sanguine view. The event was hosted by LICC's Paul Woolley and Grace Fielding...
Apr 16, 2024•2 hr 53 min•Season 1Ep. 17
The Christian faith began with the strange claim of a crucified and resurrected Messiah. But can 21st Century people believe in such a miracle at 2,000 years distance? Justin speaks with scholars who are part of a surprising rebirth of the historical evidence for the resurrection. Alongside thinkers such as Jonathan Pageau, Lydia and Tim McGrew, John Dickson, Lisa Fields, NT Wright and Jeremiah J Johnston he hears the story of Cambridge academic James Orr whose own investigation into the histori...
Apr 02, 2024•2 hr 45 min•Season 1Ep. 16
New Atheism popularised 'Jesus Mythicism' - an online movement denying the existence of Jesus. But in recent years the trend in academia has gone in the opposite direction as research sheds new light on the reliability of the story of Jesus in the Gospels. Justin speaks to thinkers such as John Dickson, NT Wright, Lydia Mcgrew and Peter J Williams about why we can trust the New Testament. He also hears the story of Molly Worthen, a professor of religion, who was recently shaken out of her agnost...
Mar 19, 2024•2 hr 40 min•Season 1Ep. 15
The death of the Bible has been predicted many times, yet today it remains the bestselling book in the world as a new generation of meaning seekers turn back towards its ancient wisdom. Justin examines how thinkers such as Jordan Peterson, Marilynne Robinson and Jonathan Haidt have been rehabilitating the Bible and hears from scholars such as Tim Mackie, NT Wright and Matthew Lynch on why the Bible continues to resonate, even as the New Atheists critique its violent 'conquest' passages. More inf...
Mar 05, 2024•2 hr 55 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Prize-winning author Francis Spufford was an atheist for over 20 years before finding his way back to faith. His book 'Unapologetic: Why, despite everything, Christianity can still make surprising emotional sense' was an unconventional response to New Atheism. Hollywood screenwriter and bestselling novelist Andrew Klavan, also came to Christian faith as an adult from a secular Jewish background - a story he tells in his book 'The Great Good Thing'. Justin hears both their conversion stories in t...
Feb 20, 2024•2 hr 36 min•Season 1Ep. 13
The early Christian claim that the God-man Jesus had been crucified for the sake of the world was 'foolishness' to the Greco-Roman world. Yet this countercultural belief in a God of sacrificial love ended up reshaping our instincts about human value, equality and compassion. Justin resumes his conversation with Tom Holland alongside other historians and thinkers on how early Christianity contributed to the end of child exposure, the rise of adoption, hospitals and healthcare, and a path towards ...
Feb 06, 2024•2 hr 40 min•Season 1Ep. 12
The 20th Century's sexual revolution led to free love and the modern hookup culture. But some secular intellectuals are now saying we need to return to the values of the 1st Century sexual revolution. Justin hears from historians and thinkers who identify Christianity as the source of secular human rights, and why feminists such as Louise Perry are re-evaluating the Christian sexual ethics of marriage and monogamy. More info, book & newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/ Suppo...
Jan 23, 2024•2 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Whether modern westerners realise it or not, their world has been shaped by the Jesus revolution of 2,000 years ago. Popular historian Tom Holland is a notable voice who has been reminding his secular peers of the Christian waters they swim in and why it matters. In this 'third act' of the documentary series Justin charts how the Christian story shaped us. He hears from Tom Holland on why he changed his mind about Christianity alongside thinkers, historians and converts on why atheist accounts o...
Jan 09, 2024•2 hr 33 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Why are poets and storytellers being drawn towards Christ? In this bonus episode Justin speaks to two adult converts to Christianity whose stories overlap in remarkable ways. Celebrated poet and author Paul Kingsnorth, and mythologist and storyteller Martin Shaw, both had unexpected conversions that have led them into the Orthodox church. More info, book & newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/ Support via Patreon for early access to new episodes: https://www.patreon.com/justi...
Dec 26, 2023•2 hr 31 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Ayaan Hirsi Ali recently announced her conversion to Christianity. The Somali-born ex-Muslim was one of the key voices of New Atheism in the mid 2000s but created a big stir when she published an article titled 'Why I am a now a Christian'. In this bonus episode Justin speaks to Elizabeth Oldfield and Glen Scrivener about Hirsi Ali's story, hearing clips from her interviews and responses from critics who claim her embrace of Christianity is politically motivated rather than a spiritual conversio...
Dec 19, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 8
As New Atheists turned their attention to battling the quasi-religions of 'woke' ideology in academia and culture, so a new generation of secular thinkers have begun a new conversation on God. Justin Brierley charts the changes wrought by the culture wars and introduces some key thinkers who are asking whether we can live without the Christian story. They include: Tom Holland, Douglas Murray, Louise Perry, Mary Harrington, Bret Weinstein, Jonathan Haidt and Ayaan Hirsi Ali. More info, book & new...
Dec 12, 2023•2 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 7
