Why are poets and storytellers being drawn towards Christ?

Celebrated poet and author Paul Kingsnorth, and mythologist and storyteller Martin Shaw, both had unexpected conversions that have led them to embrace Christian faith.

My conversations with them both on the Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God podcast reveal that their journeys to faith have been intellectual, but also include a remarkable experiential component.

Paul Kingsnorth said:

“I ended up joining a Wiccan coven, but I still had a sense this wasn’t quite right. And then all sorts of strange things started happening to me. I had a dream about Jesus and I wrote it down, it was so very particular.

And then I started to have a sense I was being dragged out of Wicca by something - or someone - and being told not to do this any more. And I felt like I knew who it was. But I didn’t want to think about that…”

Martin Shaw said:

“The fact that I was up there after one hundred and one days. The fact it was the end. I asked for a sign and I received something that I never could have anticipated.

If you bear in mind what I’d been doing for the last 25 years - I’d been a wilderness rites of passage guide, I’d been living in my tent, I’d seen many strange things out in the woods… but nothing out of the sky.“

You can listen early to this bonus episode right now when you become a Silver or Gold level supporter on Patreon.

Discussing Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s conversion

I felt like the thesis of my book The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God was coming true in real time when I saw the announcement by former New Atheist Ayaan Hirsi Ali that she had embraced Christianity.

But her viral article has provoked much debate on whether her conversion is about cultural and civilisational concerns vs a true spiritual experience.

I was glad to be joined for Episode 8 of the podcast by Glen Scrivener and Elizabeth Oldfield to take a closer look at Hirsi Ali’s recent journey. As well as responding to some recent interviews with Ayaan, they also respond to atheist critiques of her conversion story. I hope you find the conversation as helpful and encouraging as I did.

And it’s also available on video!

Suzannah Lipscomb on Re-Enchanting

We recently aired the final episode of Season 2 of the Re-Enchanting podcast.

Belle Tindall and I have spoken to 10 remarkable guests over the course of the Autumn. They included comedian Frank Skinner, convert Molly Worthen, AI expert Ros Picard, and New Testament theologian Esau Mccaulley.

You can subscribe to the podcast, or watch the videos.

My personal highlight of the season was chatting with popular TV historian Suzannah Lipscomb, who has not often spoken of her personal Christian faith but opened up about her own journey with both doubt and trust.

We even recorded an additional bonus conversation to tack on to the end of this episode, in what Susannah described as ‘l’esprit d’escalier’ (and if you don’t know what that means, you’ll find out!)

End Of The Year Request

It’s been a very exciting year for our household, especially with my move into a freelance role creating resources for Think Faith, producing the Re-Enchanting podcast, and launching The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God book and podcast.

I was so glad to also welcome a new full-time member of the Think Faith team on board - Peter Byrom - who is our Operations Manager.

All of this has been a leap of faith for me and my family and I’m truly grateful for all the support that we have received.

We have big plans for 2024, so your support as the end of the year approaches will make a huge difference to us meeting our running costs to continue producing top quality podcasts, videos and resources.

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.

Thank you so much for being part of the journey this year!

Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Justin Brierley