The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God with Justin Brierley

Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers are Considering Christianity Again
At one time ‘new atheism’ was a force to be reckoned with. Books by skeptics such as Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens were bestsellers. But today new atheism has grown old. Why did it fizzle out? And how has the conversation on God changed?
Podcast host Justin Brierley has decades of experience hosting high-profile conversations between Christians and skeptics. In his new book, The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God, he explains why the tide has turned on new atheism and a new generation of secular thinkers such as Jordan Peterson, Tom Holland, and Douglas Murray are taking God seriously again.
Likewise, Justin tells the stories of a number of thinking adults who have been surprised to find themselves converting to Christianity as the atheist story of reality has worn threadbare. Could this be a sign that 21st century people are ready to believe in God again?
Even as the West continues to become increasingly post-Christian, the religious instinct has never really gone away. Yet, as a ‘meaning crisis’ looms, how much longer can the individualistic stories we are now telling ourselves last? Perhaps we are ready to see the Christian story reborn in our culture.
Justin Brierley is a UK broadcaster, writer, and speaker who hosted the Unbelievable? show and Ask NT Wright Anything podcast for many years. He currently hosts the Re-Enchanting podcast and a newly launched documentary podcast series The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God.
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[@Derek316]

What a great presentation!

[@danatowne5498]

I love Justin. I think he and others are kind of pointing to the mustard tree that grew out of the mustard Seed saying, "Well look at that, would you.." Having said that, I disagree with him about evolution. I would have loved to see him talk to Denis Noble about honest challenges to Dawkins' views on "Unbelievable?", even though Noble is not coming from a theistic view of the subject at all he is coming from an honest one with serious implications for blind materialism and "emergent" life. I just think this is going to be a major concern for the underpinnings of the materialistic view in the future and those who utilize apologetics and , well - "reason" in presenting the Christian worldview should be prepared for that. Maybe just my hobby horse, but I don't think so.

[@DK-tk1nu]

Great lecture. It begs the question, though: "What _is_ the good news of Christianity?" Although various Christians answer differently, most answers are some variant of the idea that humans are oriented towards sin, but that Jesus's death and resurrection means that our sins are forgiven and "eternal life" awaits us. Some might say "provided that some condition, X is fulfilled" (X being, belief in Jesus, or living a moral life, or accepting a certain creed or whatever). Some might talk about divine retribution if condition X is not met. I humbly predict that a Christian rebirth will not occur if Christianity is marketed in these terms - ie if salvation (however understood) is marketed as an end in itself. Rather, the good news of Christianity is that God _needs_ me and God _calls_ me to carry out God's work in the world and to collaborate with others in building it into a place fit for God's children. Christianity thereby brings meaning / telos to my life. It is indeed a counterpoint to nihilism.

[@stevenhogg1708]

Absolutely! I write as somebody who understood that 'pitch' for Christianity for years and, although I signed up for it, could see deep contradictions at its heart. The 'restoration of relationship with God and vocation in creation' is much more 'rounded' and also relevant for what people face today. A future escape 'if you are good' is exactly the misrepresentation that would lend credence to Marx's statement that 'religion is the opium of the people'.

[@DK-tk1nu]

@@stevenhogg1708 Thanks for your comment. Nice to find a kindred spirit. It sounds as if we could have a very fruitful discussion on these matters.

[@danatowne5498]

I get where you were coming from here (lol, sorry - I know, old comment, but a thoughtful one). However, I disagree that Christianity IS "marketing" anything. Christianity is what it is... and the evidence that God WANTS you is that you were bought out of this chaos at a VERY high price. The consequences of that are what they are, but that is what makes it a reality and not just a concept. From an old geezer who loves concepts - just sayin' :)

[@dancingdan1994]

Thank you to god for making me an atheist

[@reynoldhayes517]

Wonderful lecture. However, a little dancing around finding God. Let the scripture speak. Christ is the only way.