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Religion & Spirituality

The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God

Justin Brierley

Why new atheism grew old and secular thinkers are considering Christianity again.

Get early access to new episodes and bonus content when you become a supporter.


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?

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  • 20 episodes
  • Updated April 2

Episodes20

Newest first
  • April 2 · 12 min

    Bonus Ep: The 'Quiet Revival' has been withdrawn... but the Rebirth isn't dead!

    The UK Bible Society have withdrawn their widely-publicised 'Quiet Revival' report after it emerged that the survey, conducted by YouGov, was contaminated by bogus respondents. In this bonus episode Justin responds to the news, asks what lessons can be learned, and looks at a variety of other data that still point to the fact a 'rebirth' is underway. Look out for a deep dive on this story in Season 3 of The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief in God podcast, coming later in the year. Watch this episode on video: https://youtu.be/LkOZ3u_URJ4 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://defendersmedia.com/portfolio/justin-brierley/ Give a one-off gift via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brierleyjustin Buy the book or get a signed copy: https://justinbrierley.com/the-surprising-rebirth-of-belief-in-god/ Got feedback? Share it with us by emailing: feedback@think.faith Ep 30 show notes: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/season-2-episode-30-is-the-rebirth-real Also, check out our show ‘Uncommon Ground’ for discussion and debates: https://justinbrierley.com/uncommon-ground-podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • January 27 · 5 min

    'Uncommon Ground' - Richard Dawkins, Rowan Williams, Alex O Connor & more. A sneak peek of our brand new show

    While you're waiting for Season 3 of Surprising Rebirth to drop... how about listening to Justin's brand new show? He's back in the moderator's chair hosting conversations between Christians, atheists, skeptics and seekers in this new podcast and video show. 'Uncommon Ground' features leading figures from the world of atheism, psychology, science, culture, literature and theology. Recorded in the beautiful setting of Yarnton Manor, Oxford, they’ll be debating purpose in the universe, meaning in

  • Dec 30, 2025 · 2 hr 21 min

    S2 E30. Is The Rebirth Real? Debating the Data, Probing the Politics

    In this Season 2 finale, Justin asks: 'What's next for the Surprising Rebirth?' When the podcast series launched in 2023, many were skeptical of a 'Surprising Rebirth'. However, two years later, some say statistical evidence is pointing towards a 'Quiet Revival'. But there has been pushback too... Justin interrogates the data, hearing objections and responses from sociologist David Voas and Bible Society researcher Rhiannon McAleer. Peter Dray of IFES charts Gen Z spirituality, while podcas

  • Dec 16, 2025 · 1 hr 19 min

    S2 E29. Responding To The Rebirth: Highlights from the London Conference

    'Responding To The Rebirth' - Justin Brierley and Glen Scrivener were joined by speakers Elizabeth Oldfield, Bishop Mike Royal, Prof John Lennox, Dai Woolridge, Rhiannon McAleer, Al Gordon, Rev Daniel French and Sarah Yardley. Justin present highlights from the London conference, including, talks, videos, panel conversations and audience Q&A.

  • Dec 2, 2025 · 1 hr 48 min

    S2 E28. Keep Christianity Weird: Why the supernatural is back in church

    Online trends such as 'WitchTok', the psychedelic boom and interest in the occult, are evidence of our continuing fascination with the supernatural. However, encounters with these 'dark enchantments' are also turning many towards a Christian faith that is open to the 'weird'. In this documentary episode Justin Brierley speaks to Malcolm Duncan, Anna Morgan and Andy Crook about the growth of pentecostal and charismatic churches that practise prophecy, deliverance and healing. Tom Holland and Jam

  • Nov 18, 2025 · 1 hr 22 min

    S2 E27. John Lennox: Engaging atheism & following Christ

    Prof John Lennox joins Justin to talk about his life and legacy - finding faith during 'The Troubles' in Northern Ireland, his academic life at Cambridge and Oxford University, speaking in the USSR and debating the 'new atheists' such as Richard Dawkins & Christopher Hitchens. John also shares candidly about being sustained by his faith in the midst of health challenges for his wife Sally.

  • Nov 4, 2025 · 1 hr 37 min

    S2 E26. Grief, Hope... and Teddy Bears: Simon Thomas, Julie Tatchell & Amanda Middleditch. Big Church Festival Pt 2

    TV sports presenter Simon Thomas joins Justin on The Big Church Festival podcast stage to share his love of football and faith. He also talks about the death of his wife Gemma and how faith in Christ helped him put the pieces of his life back together. In part 2 Justin is joined by the 'Teddy Bear Ladies' - Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch - stars of the BBC 'Repair Shop' show. They share their love of crafting and how mending treasured toys reflects their own adult journeys to Christian

  • Oct 21, 2025 · 2 hr 24 min

    S2 E25. Live from Big Church Festival: Lauren Windle, Ben Sixsmith, Martin Shaw, Andy Wolfe & Andrew Ollerton.

    The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God was part of this summer's Big Church Festival. In the first of two festival specials, Justin shares 3 live interviews from the 'Podcast Stage'. Author Lauren Windle and agnostic journalist Ben Sixsmith share their stories of addiction recovery and searching for God. Mythologist Martin Shaw tells his miraculous conversion story and continuing quest for 'Wild Christianity'. Andy Wolfe and Andrew Ollerton explore the rise in Bible interest among Gen Z.

  • Oct 14, 2025 · 1 hr 33 min

    S2 E24. The Charlie Kirk Moment: Nijay Gupta & Bethel McGrew

    Hundreds of thousands attended Charlie Kirk's memorial service. Are we seeing a Kirk-inspired Christian revival or a rallying cry for Christian nationalism? Theologian Nijay Gupta and Christian writer Bethel McGrew join Justin Brierley to debate their different perspectives on the Charlie Kirk moment and his controversial statements on race and minorities.

  • Sep 30, 2025 · 1 hr 46 min

    S2 E23. Iran's Christian Revival: David Yeghnazar & guests

    In 1979 there were around 500 Christian converts in Iran. Today they number over 1 million. Despite intense persecution, Iran has the fastest growing church in the world. So why is Iran experiencing such a rebirth? Justin speaks to David Yeghnazar of ELAM, a ministry that supports the church in Iran, about why so many Muslims are turning to Christ. Farshid and Magda also share their stories of imprisonment and oppression, while holding on to an unshakeable hope.

  • Sep 23, 2025 · 2 hr 2 min

    S2 E22. Engaging Islam: Controversy, Confrontation & Conversion

    When Hatun Tash, a Christian evangelist to Muslims, was stabbed at Speakers Corner in London, it was a public reminder of the tensions that have arisen with the growth of Islam in the West. Justin Brierley examines the attraction of Islam to young converts and meets a new wave of Christian evangelists seeking to convert Muslims through confrontational tactics. Justin hears from evangelists such as Jay Smith and Vocab Malone, Muslim academic Saqib Sheikh, and converts including Hatun Tash and

  • Sep 16, 2025 · 1 hr 20 min

    S2 E21. The New Evangelists: Jon McCray, Ruslan KD & Street Hymns

    Gen Z are increasingly open to faith, and a new breed of evangelist is reaching them. Justin speaks to 3 content creators reaching young people through social media, YouTube and hip-hop music. Jon McCray (aka 'WhaddoYouMeme') and Ruslan KD share why so many online influencers are talking about Christianity, while hip-hop artist Street Hymns shares how 'battle rapping' allows him to share the gospel in urban spaces.

  • Sep 9, 2025 · 2 hr 2 min

    S2 E20. Are Gen Z Women Ready to Believe? Freya India, Lamorna Ash & Anna Morgan

    Are young women being left behind in the 'Surprising Rebirth'? Justin speaks to two Gen Z women who are embracing Christian faith from different ends of the political spectrum. Freya India, author of the substack GIRLS talks about the pressures facing young women, and why she has been drawn to faith. Lamorna Ash, author of 'Don't Forget We're Here Forever', talks about her 2-year road trip exploring different forms of Christian belief. US church leader Anna Morgan also joins the show to expla

  • Aug 26, 2025 · 1 hr 36 min

    S2 E19. The Rise Of The Lapsed Atheists

    When high-profile food critic and journalist Giles Coren revealed he had begun attending church as a 'lapsed atheist' he joined an increasing number of people now using that label to describe themselves. Justin Brierley investigates why other public figures like Konstantin Kisin, Louise Perry, Niall Ferguson, James Lindsay and Carl Benjamin are trying out church as 'lapsed atheists'. He also hears from a new breed of thinking atheists - Alex O Connor (aka Cosmic Skeptic) and Joe Folley (aka U

  • Aug 12, 2025 · 1 hr 26 min

    S2 E18. Bishop Barron & NT Wright In Conversation: The Bible, Ordo Amoris & sharing Communion

    Two of the most influential bishops from the Anglican and Catholic church - NT Wright and Robert Barron - met for the first time in a live conversation chaired by Justin Brierley. Among many topics they discuss signs of a rebirth, re-engaging the Bible, JD Vance’s 'Ordo Amoris' controversy and whether Catholics and Protestants can share communion. Recorded in front of a live audience at the Word On Fire Conference, London.

  • Jul 29, 2025 · 1 hr 16 min

    S2 E17. NT Wright: Acts, miracles and the rebirth of today’s church

    NT Wright is Senior Research fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University, the former Bishop of Durham and a prolific author. Justin talks to Tom about his most recent book 'The Challenge of Acts'. How does the rise of the early church under the the Roman Empire - often through miracles, signs and wonders - speak to our post-Christian west and the modern search for meaning? Their conversation includes a deep dive into Paul’s famous stand off with the philosophers of Athens in Acts 17. What does t

  • Jul 15, 2025 · 1 hr 42 min

    S2 E16. The Rebirth In Music: Why God is back in the charts

    Chart-topping bands, musicians and rappers are increasingly singing about God. Why? In this documentary episode Justin Brierley revisits the religious awakening of music stars such as Bob Dylan, Alice Cooper, Cliff Richard and U2 as veteran music journalist Steve Turner explains how faith influenced their music. Justin also speaks to TGC editor Brett McCracken about the current religious revival in rock and rap from musicians such as Stormzy, Mumford & Sons, Nick Cave and Coldplay. But there

  • Jul 1, 2025 · 1 hr 29 min

    S2 E15. Does the future have a church? Theos panel live in London

    In a secular age, many have predicted the death of the church in the West. But with evidence of a 'Quiet Revival' in the UK, where are the new signs of life in the church? Justin Brierley recently joined a panel of journalists and church leaders to discuss the future of the church, with Nick Spencer of Theos chairing the conversation.

  • Jun 3, 2025 · 1 hr 32 min

    S2 E13. The Orthodox Boom: New converts to an ancient faith

    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