New Atheism proclaimed that science had buried God. However, as new evidence about the surprising origins of the universe and its fine-tuning for life has emerged, perhaps God was waiting for us all along. Justin speaks to scientists and thinkers including Jennifer Wiseman, John Lennox and Stephen Meyer. Peter Byrom also examines whether Richard Dawkins' best-known objection to a 'complex' God really holds water. More info, book & newsletter:...

The New Atheists used science as their trump card against religion. But what if we've been sold a false story about 'science vs faith'? Justin speaks to scientists, historians and thinkers about modern myths, the conflict thesis and the Christians who launched the scientific revolution. Along the way we hear from Peter Atkins, David Hutchings, John Lennox, Tim O'Neill, Sarah Irving-Stonebraker and Jennifer Wiseman. Justin also hears the surprising story of how tech pioneer Ros Picard came to...

Historian Tom Holland, author of 'Dominion', joins Justin Brierley for a public conversation on The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God. They discuss Holland's own intellectual and spiritual journey, including an answered prayer to a health crisis.  But is the renewed interest in the value of faith among secular intellectuals evidence of a turning of the tide of faith? Justin Brierley is optimistic, Holland takes a more sanguine view. The event was hosted by LICC's Paul Woolley and Grace...

The Christian faith began with the strange claim of a crucified and resurrected Messiah. But can 21st Century people believe in such a miracle at 2,000 years distance? Justin speaks with scholars who are part of a surprising rebirth of the historical evidence for the resurrection.  Alongside thinkers such as Jonathan Pageau, Lydia and Tim McGrew, John Dickson, Lisa Fields, NT Wright and Jeremiah J Johnston he hears the story of Cambridge academic James Orr whose own investigation into the...

New Atheism popularised 'Jesus Mythicism' - an online movement denying the existence of Jesus. But in recent years the trend in academia has gone in the opposite direction as research sheds new light on the reliability of the story of Jesus in the Gospels. Justin speaks to thinkers such as John Dickson, NT Wright, Lydia Mcgrew and Peter J Williams about why we can trust the New Testament. He also hears the story of Molly Worthen, a professor of religion, who was recently shaken out of her...

The death of the Bible has been predicted many times, yet today it remains the bestselling book in the world as a new generation of meaning seekers turn back towards its ancient wisdom. Justin examines how thinkers such as Jordan Peterson, Marilynne Robinson and Jonathan Haidt have been rehabilitating the Bible and hears from scholars such as Tim Mackie, NT Wright and Matthew Lynch on why the Bible continues to resonate, even as the New Atheists critique its violent 'conquest'...

Prize-winning author Francis Spufford was an atheist for over 20 years before finding his way back to faith. His book 'Unapologetic: Why, despite everything, Christianity can still make surprising emotional sense' was an unconventional response to New Atheism.  Hollywood screenwriter and bestselling novelist Andrew Klavan, also came to Christian faith as an adult from a secular Jewish background - a story he tells in his book 'The Great Good Thing'.  Justin hears both their conversion...

The early Christian claim that the God-man Jesus had been crucified for the sake of the world was 'foolishness' to the Greco-Roman world. Yet this countercultural belief in a God of sacrificial love ended up reshaping our instincts about human value, equality and compassion. Justin resumes his conversation with Tom Holland alongside other historians and thinkers on how early Christianity contributed to the end of child exposure, the rise of adoption, hospitals and healthcare, and a path...

The 20th Century's sexual revolution led to free love and the modern hookup culture. But some secular intellectuals are now saying we need to return to the values of the 1st Century sexual revolution.  Justin hears from historians and thinkers who identify Christianity as the source of secular human rights, and why feminists such as Louise Perry are re-evaluating the Christian sexual ethics of marriage and monogamy. An Evening with Tom Holland & Justin Brierley, London, 5...

Whether modern westerners realise it or not, their world has been shaped by the Jesus revolution of 2,000 years ago. Popular historian Tom Holland is a notable voice who has been reminding his secular peers of the Christian waters they swim in and why it matters. In this 'third act' of the documentary series Justin charts how the Christian story shaped us. He hears from Tom Holland on why he changed his mind about Christianity alongside thinkers, historians and converts on why atheist...

Justin has a special announcement on the impact the show has been making and about a new release schedule for The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God in 2024. Justin Brierley & Tom Holland event, 5th March 2024 in London: https://licc.org.uk/events/the-surprising-rebirth-of-belief-in-god-an-evening-with-tom-holland-justin-brierley/ More info, book & newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/ Support via Patreon for early access to new episodes:...

Why are poets and storytellers being drawn towards Christ? In this bonus episode Justin speaks to two adult converts to Christianity whose stories overlap in remarkable ways. Celebrated poet and author Paul Kingsnorth, and mythologist and storyteller Martin Shaw, both had unexpected conversions that have led them into the Orthodox church. Justin Brierley & Tom Holland event, 5th March 2024 in London:...

Ayaan Hirsi Ali recently announced her conversion to Christianity. The Somali-born ex-Muslim was one of the key voices of New Atheism in the mid 2000s but created a big stir when she published an article titled 'Why I am a now a Christian'. In this bonus episode Justin speaks to Elizabeth Oldfield and Glen Scrivener about Hirsi Ali's story, hearing clips from her interviews and responses from critics who claim her embrace of Christianity is politically motivated rather than a spiritual...

As New Atheists turned their attention to battling the quasi-religions of 'woke' ideology in academia and culture, so a new generation of secular thinkers have begun a new conversation on God. Justin Brierley charts the changes wrought by the culture wars and introduces some key thinkers who are asking whether we can live without the Christian story. They include: Tom Holland, Douglas Murray, Louise Perry, Mary Harrington, Bret Weinstein, Jonathan Haidt and Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Justin Brierley...

Why is a mental health crisis sweeping the West? In a world where we can choose to be whatever we want to be, is this also an identity crisis? Justin hears from thinkers, psychologists and converts on The Meaning Crisis engulfing our culture and whether the Christian story could be poised to answer it. Justin Brierley & Tom Holland event, 5th March 2024 in London: https://licc.org.uk/events/the-surprising-rebirth-of-belief-in-god-an-evening-with-tom-holland-justin-brierley/ More info,...

Jordan Peterson rose to fame in 2018 as a secular psychologist pointing his large audience back to the Bible. Is he a 'gateway drug' for Christianity? And what does he actually believe about God? Justin hears from thinkers, converts and the man himself about why so many have flocked to his message. More info, book & newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/ Support via Patreon for early access to new episodes: https://www.patreon.com/justinbrierley/membership Support...

A bonus episode of full conversation with popular atheist YouTuber Alex O Connor (aka Cosmic Skeptic). He talks to Justin about his own changing relationship with new atheism, and why he is rethinking some of his early takes on Christianity. The documentary format resumes next week. More info, book & newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/ Support via Patreon for early access to new episodes: https://www.patreon.com/justinbrierley/membership Support via PayPal:...

New Atheism sought to demolish belief in God. Ironically, it led to a revival in Christian apologetics and even the conversion of a number of atheists. Justin Brierley speaks to thinkers, skeptics and converts who have reconsidered their approach to faith and are grateful that Richard Dawkins opened up the God question for them. More info, book & newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/ Support via Patreon for early access to new episodes:...

How did an incident in an elevator spark the downfall of New Atheism? Justin Brierley hears from those inside and outside the movement on the sexual scandals and controversies that led to feminists, LGBT and trans activists clashing with New Atheist leaders and advocating instead for 'Atheism +'. More info, book & newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/ Support via Patreon for early access to new episodes: https://www.patreon.com/justinbrierley/membership Support...

New Atheism was an aggressive and very popular form of atheism that emerged in the mid-2000s led by the '4 horsemen' - Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and Daniel Dennett. Speaking to a range of experts and commentators Justin Brierley charts the rise of New Atheism and hears from those who began to question the direction of the movement. More info, book & newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/ Support via Patreon for early access to new episodes:...

In this introductory trailer, Justin Brierley introduces a new long-form documentary podcast 'The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God', telling 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, Douglas Murray, Alister McGrath, NT Wright, William Lane Craig, Jana Harmon, Bishop Robert Barron, Paul...