Episode 16 - 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 I revisit 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.

I also speak 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 are pitfalls to being a celebrity music convert. Jon McCray (Whaddo You Meme), KD Ruslan and Nick Brewer share thoughts on the case of Kanye and the conflicted world of rap stars singing about faith.

X-Factor contestant Talia Dean also shares her story of recently leaving the secular music industry after discovering something much bigger... God.

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WATCH EARLY! 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.

I talked 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?

Our conversation includes a deep dive into Paul’s famous stand off with the philosophers of Athens in Acts 17. What does the famous sermon on Mars Hill have to say to a church seeking to speak to a world that is often hostile to Christian faith?

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Ross Douthat: Why it makes sense to believe

Ross Douthat is a columnist for the New York Times and the author of 'Believe: Why everyone should be religious'. He joins Belle and Justin to talk about why religion is good for us, and to give some pointers for how the average agnostic may be able to find their way to faith. Watch or listen on your favourite podcast platform!

Donna Freitas: A Catholic atheist in search of God

Donna Freitas is a scholar, teacher, writer, and author of fiction and non-fiction for both adults and teenagers. Her most recent book ‘Wishful Thinking: How I lost my faith and why I want to find it’ is a spiritual memoir of her Catholic upbringing and adult search for God.

Belle and I talked to Donna about losing and seeking faith. Watch or listen on your favourite podcast platform!

Book your place at the ‘Responding to the Rebirth Conference’! 22 Nov 2025, London

Presented by Speak Life and Think Faith, ‘Responding to the Rebirth’ is a one-day conference where I’ll be joined by leading Christian thinkers including the wonderful John Lennox, Mike Royal, Elizabeth Oldfield, Paul Kingsnorth, and Glen Scrivener.

We’ll be gathering with others from across the country to celebrate what God is doing in this moment of surprising rebirth. Come and be inspired to meet this quiet revival with Spirit-filled clarity and hope: Saturday 22 November 2025 at All Souls Langham Place, London.

Book your place now: rebirthconference.net

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