Why new atheism grew old and secular thinkers are considering Christianity again.
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This long-form documentary podcast presented by Justin Brierley, tells the story of why new atheism grew old and secular thinkers are considering Christianity again.
Featuring interviews with secular and Christian thinkers such as Jordan Peterson, Richard Dawkins, Alex O Connor, Louise Perry, Tom Holland, Dave Rubin, NT Wright, Alister Mcgrath, Douglas Murray, Bethel Mcgrew, William Lane Craig, Jana Harmon, Bishop Robert Barron, Jonathan Pageau, Ayaan Hirsi-Ali, Stephen Woodford, Sarah Irving-Stonebraker, Adam Coleman, Lisa Fields, Jon Mccray, Paul Kingsnorth and Francis Spufford, this series accompanies the book 'The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God'.
Could the tide of faith be ready to come in again in our generation?
Eastern Orthodox parishes in the USA have been seeing a remarkable increase in numbers, especially among young men. Justin speaks to converts, priests and journalists about why this ancient church stream is encountering a fresh wave of seekers. Fr Andrew Stephen Damick, John Mark Reynolds, Jonathan Pageau and Rod Dreher explain the attraction of Orthodoxy's ritual and sense of the supernatural. Storyteller Martin Shaw, Gen Z influencer Freya India and 'Apostate Prophet' Ridvan Aydemir, tell thei...
The Notre Dame fire seemed symbolic of Catholicism's decline in France, but surprisingly, a revival is underway, marked by record adult baptisms among youth. This episode investigates this trend, featuring data from France and reports from other European countries and the UK. Guests including Bishop Robert Barron, Tony Wilson, Rusty Reno, Rob Schneider, and Frank Skinner discuss cultural shifts, the appeal of traditional liturgy and the supernatural, and personal conversion journeys in a secular age, highlighting how distinct, confident faith is attracting a new generation.
Is Artificial Intelligence overtaking our culture? Is an AI girlfriend a legitimate relationship? How should Christians respond to the promise and perils of new technology? And what will the dehumanising of society mean for The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God? In this London event Justin Brierley sat down with bio-ethics expert Prof John Wyatt, author of 'The Robot Will See You Now', to talk about AI, Robotics and the future of humanity with Q&A from the live audience. More info, book &a...
When the co-founder of Wikipedia announced his Christian conversion in an online essay, it lit up the internet. Larry Sanger tells Justin Brierley the surprising story of his journey from skeptical philosopher to Christian faith. More info, book & newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/ Support via Patreon for early access to new episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/justinbrierley/membership Support via Tax-deductible (USA) and get the same perks: https://def...
Orthodox thinker and icon carver Jonathan Pageau joins Justin to talk about why the God conversation has been intensifying in recent years. Along with Belle Tindall, they also cover atheism, the resurrection, the Bible and why symbolic patterns underlie our experience of the world. Pageau also gives the backstory to his friendship with Jordan Peterson who has been increasingly challenged to clarify his views on God, Jesus and the resurrection in the past year by atheists such as Richard Dawkins ...
From podcast giants like Joe Rogan to Gen-Z YouTubers like Ryan Trahan, many male influencers are talking about faith in public. Multiple polls are also showing a notable increase in churchgoing among young men in the UK, Europe and the USA. A surprising rebirth in the 'manosphere' seems to be underway. Justin speaks with Anthony Bradley, Glen Scrivener and Sarah Coppin on why young men are returning to faith, and hears from Bible Society researcher Rhiannon McAleer about the current 'Quiet Revi...
In a world where masculinity is often branded 'toxic' and traditional gender roles are in flux, many young men are searching for identity. Some are looking to manosphere influencers like Andrew Tate. Others have been drawn to Jordan Peterson. But an increasing number are trying out church. in the first of 2 documentary episodes, Justin Brierley traces the roots of the modern male identity crisis and the voices competing for their attention online. New York pastor Jon Tyson, Dr Anthony Bradley an...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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:...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
