In this week’s Season 1 finale, we ask: if the ‘Sea Of Faith’ is coming in again, how can the church lean on the ‘Surprising Rebirth’ phenomenon? I present three ways to welcome the tide, drawing on lessons from the Jesus Revolution and the imaginative work of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien.

I speak 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 counters cancel culture. And Nick Cave, Michael Ward and Holly Ordway explain why imagination, storytelling, mystery and music can help today's seekers find their way to Christ.

Hours of extra video interview material now available!

My podcast The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God will return in January 2025, so what’s to be done in the meantime?

Well, we’re releasing over 10 hours of special bonus video editions of full interviews I conducted during the making of season 1. My many conversations were in-depth and fascinating, yet so many of them only ended up being included as short extracts in the documentary. So, here they are, in their entirety to be enjoyed as complete episodes in their own right!

We will be releasing them gradually on YouTube between late October and the end of 2024, but if you support my work financially on Silver, Gold, or Platinum level, you can watch all of them right now!

This week’s interview highlight: What do Stephen Fry, Bertrand Russell, and the late US senator Arlen Specter all have in common? They were deceived by nineteenth century fake news about the “conflict” between science and religion - which alarmingly remains in wide circulation to this day! I spoke to two experts, physicist David Hutchings and historian James Ungureanu, about how this widespread misinformation began and how to counter it (featuring clips and examples of what to be on our guard against!)

You can watch now when you become a Silver or Gold Patreon supporter, or get early access via Tax-deductible giving (USA).

The Fall of New Atheism

Where have all the atheists gone? I discussed how the shine wore off New Atheism, with Steve Brown of Key Life Network. We also discussed my book The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God: Why New Atheism Grew Old And Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again. Listen / watch here.

The Big Change Among Atheist Intellectuals

I also joined Jonathan Wilson of Ziwani to explore why so many prominent atheists are rejecting secular materialism, and re-evaluating the merits of the Christian faith. We discussed how many of these secular elites are reassessing the perceived triumph of science over religion, as well as the fallacy that Western values such as human rights stem from the Greco-Roman world. Listen here.

Meet the “Precocious Atheist” Still Pining for a Misplaced Faith - my article in Christianity Today

My review of Donna Freitas’s spiritual autobiography Wishful Thinking: How I Lost My Faith and Why I Want to Find It in Christianity Today (CT). Her work stands in the tradition of the “dark-night-of-the-soul” memoir. But unlike mystics such as St. John of the Cross, who found their way through dark times into the light of faith, Freitas is unsure whether she ever believed in God to begin with. Read my review here (you’ll need to create a free CT account to access the full article).

Your support helps me to reach more people

I’ve received many encouraging messages about the Surprising Rebirth Podcast in the past month, including this one:

I can only create this podcast with the support of listeners, so if you feel able please do become a supporter!

Here are a few ways you can support:

1. Become a regular Patreon Supporter.

   Silver supporters get early access to new episodes and bonus content. Gold supporters also receive signed copies of my books and monthly catch ups with me.

2. Support via Paypal

   A great way to make a one-off gift - thank you!

3. Tax-deductible giving from the USA

   If you’d like to give in this way, we are partnering with Defenders Media to make this possible. Just follow the link.

Best wishes from me and the Think Faith team!
Justin Brierley.