William Lane Craig & Emily Qureshi-Hurst: Is it Time to Rethink God & Salvation? The A vs B theory and why it matters.

I’m joined by Christian philosopher William Lane Craig and atheist theologian Emily Qureshi-Hurst to discuss the question: 'Is Christian theism compatible with our best understanding of the nature of time?'

Craig defends the 'A theory' - that time flows from past, to present, to future. Qureshi-Hurst defends the 'B' theory - that all times exist at once. In a mind-expanding conversation, they discuss the implications of their different views for the nature of God and the doctrine of salvation in Christian faith.

Watch now, or listen on your favourite podcast platform!

WATCH EARLY: Can Christians affirm gay relationships? Matthew Vines & David Bennett

Can Christians affirm gay relationships? Two same-sex attracted Christians join me to discuss why they disagree on sexuality, marriage, celibacy and scripture.

Matthew Vines is the author of 'God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships'. He represents the 'Side A' view that faithful monogamous gay marriage can be affirmed by orthodox Christians.

David Bennett is the author of 'A War Of Loves' and forthcoming books 'Queering the Queer in Contemporary Theology' and 'Beyond Compromise'. He represents the 'Side B' view that heterosexual marriage is God's design for sex, and that LGBT Christians are called to celibacy and friendship.

This episode will release to the public on 17 June, but regular Silver and Gold level supporters can watch it RIGHT NOW!

Interviewed about ‘The Spiritually Open Generation’ on Gen Z Insights Podcast

They’re spiritual but not religious. They’re curious and have big questions. And they’re turning online for spiritual guidance. But given that they often have a “pick and mix” approach to faith, how can we help Gen Zs discover Jesus, the one true God?

In this episode of Gen Z Insights, Peter Dray, author of the IFES report Gen Z Insights for Global Student Ministry, shares his findings on Gen Z’s spiritual openness around the world.

Afterwards, series host Annette Arulrajah, Associate Generation Secretary of IFES, is joined by guests from IFES student movements and beyond (including myself!) to share their perspectives.

Listen now!

Belle Tindall-Riley: Why Manifesting, Crystals, Tarot & Witchcraft reveal our craving for God

Belle has written a book! The co-host of Re-Enchanting joins me and Graham Tomlin to talk about manifesting, witchcraft, nature worship and more as they explore Belle's new book 'The Sacred Ache: A Christian perspective on the search for spirituality in witchcraft, crystals and tarot'.

Reflecting on many interviews with former podcast guests, we explore the positive and negative aspects of re-enchantment in contemporary culture.

Watch now.

Alicia Edmund: Christ, Country & Christian Nationalism

Alicia Edmund is head of public policy for the Evangelical Alliance and leads the advocacy team’s parliamentary engagement. She has worked on a range of issues including: asylum resettlement, refugee integration, poverty relief and religious freedom in the UK and overseas.

Recently Alicia has been deeply involved in conversations on the rise of Christian Nationalism in the UK, helping policy makers and churches understand and engage with the use (and at times misuse) of Christian language and symbols in rallies, protests and politics.

Is there a better way to pursue love of country and Christ? I ask Alicia whether we can re-enchant…. Christian Nationalism.

Watch now.

William Lane Craig reviews our Stephen Meyer vs Phil Halper Debate! (Parts One & Two!)

William Lane Craig, well-known Christian philosopher and advocate of the Kalam Cosmological and Fine-Tuning Arguments, did an intensive review and commentary of our Uncommon Ground debate between Intelligent Design advocate Stephen Meyer and atheist cosmologist Phil Halper. It was released in two parts, which you can listen to below!

Part One: Craig responds to Meyer & Halper on the origin of the universe

Part Two: Craig responds to Meyer & Halper on the fine-tuning of the universe

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.

What is Breakwater Festival?

Breakwater Festival is an annual three‑day Estuary gathering designed to offer a respite from the turbulent tides of online exchange. Inspired by influential thinkers such as Paul Van der Klay, Jonathan Pageau, and John Vervaeke, the Estuary movement has sparked a vibrant, ongoing conversation that fosters honest dialogue, shared meaning‑making, and community building.

FESTIVAL THEME: 
Cross Pollination: Conversing Across Religious Lines

Cross‑pollination plays a pivotal role in increasing the resilience, quality, and yield of crops. At this year’s Breakwater Festival, we explore how this dynamic plays out when beliefs encounter diversity. In an increasingly pluralistic world, how should we approach religious questions across difference?

Guest lineup

Paul Vander Klay, Jared Smith (Heliocentric), Nathan A Jacobs, Justin Brierley, Joe Folley, Elizabeth Oldfield, Glen Scrivener, Bethel McGrew, Nemo the Mormon, Naomi Brehm, Nate Morgan Locke & Elliot Bewick.

—» Get your tickets here «—

Fri 19 June - Kick off event, in conversation with Joe Folley, Nathan Jacobs & Paul Vanderklay

I’ll be hosting the opening evening of the Breakwater Festival, moderating a conversation between Paul Vander Klay, Joe Folley and Nathan Jacobs. An informal ‘pub chat’ with audience Q&A on the topic ‘Is theology the queen of the sciences?’

DETAILS:
Friday, June 19th: 
The Clerkenwell Tavern, 2 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4PX
Gathering and drinks from 5:00pm
Event begins 6.30pm
Pub Chat: ‘Is Theology the Queen of the sciences?’ with audience Q&A
Featuring: Nathan Jacobs, Joseph Folley, Paul Vander Klay & Justin Brierley 

SPEAKERS

Justin Brierley is a writer, speaker and broadcaster, known for hosting conversations between Christians and non-Christians on radio, podcast and video.

Joe Folley is a writer and YouTuber who runs the channel Unsolicited Advice, where he explores ideas drawn from philosophy and related fields. He studied at the University of Cambridge, completing his BA in 2021 and his MPhil in 2022. His academic interests include Epistemic Logic and the Divine Hiddenness Problem, topics that reflect his broader engagement with questions about knowledge, belief, and religion.

Paul Vander Klay is a Christian Reformed pastor, speaker, and online content creator known for his thoughtful engagement with philosophy, theology, and culture. His life and work is dedicated to navigating the fields of faith, meaning, secularism, and the intersection of religion with modern intellectual life

Nathan A. Jacobs, Ph.D., is an artist turned scholar turned writer/producer/director. His newly published book, "Leibniz, Classical Theism, and the Problem of Evil: Why Classical Theism Must Affirm That Our World is the Best of All Possible Worlds" (Routledge Studies in Seventeenth-Century Philosophy), represents his latest scholarly contribution to the field. Jacobs film work includes KILLING POE (2016), BECOMING TRULY HUMAN (2017), and of HOUSE OF DAVID (2025), the $100M Amazon Studios Original biblical epic series.

—» Get your tickets here «—

SATURDAY 20 AND SUNDAY 21 JUNE SCHEDULE

Saturday, June 20th: 

St Mark’s, Clerkenwell

09:00 AM
Welcome & Introductions

09:30 AM
Uprooted: Stories of Faith Disruption- Panel
Featuring: Elizabeth Oldfield, Nemo the Mormon & Jared Smith

11:00 AM
Seeds or Weed: Is Apologetics Helping or Hurting? - Dialogue
Featuring: Nathan Jacobs, Jared Smith, Bethel McGrew & Elliot Bewick 

12:30 PM
Lunch Break

2:00 PM
Estuary Leadership Panel and Q&A

3:30 PM
Rando's Conversation
Featuring: Paul Van der Klay & Mystery Guest

5:00 PM
Dinner Break

6:30 PM
Tilling the Sacred Ground: Navigating Faith Conversations- Dialogue and Q&A
Featuring: Paul Vander Klay, Jared Smith, Nathan Jacobs & Glen Scrivener

Sunday, June 21st: 

Mercato Mayfair

10:00 AM
Ready Singer One! - Musical Performance

12:00 AM
Lunch Break

St Marylebone Parish Church

2:00 PM
Becoming Truly Human Film Screening
A Nathan Jacobs Film

4:00 PM
Live Speaker Estuary Conversation
Featuring: Paul Vander Klay, Jared Smith, Nemo the Mormon, Bethel McGrew, Naomi Brehm & Nate Morgan Locke 

6:00 PM
Closing Remarks

Lois McLatchie Miller & Ann Furedi: Is abortion immoral? Pro-life vs pro-choice. | Uncommon Ground

Over 250,000 pregnancies are terminated in the UK every year. Is access to abortion a woman's right or the taking of an innocent life?

Pro-life campaigner Lois McLatchie Miller engages Ann Furedi, the former head of BPAS - the UK’s leading abortion provider. They join me to discuss when life begins, bodily rights and baby rights, and why despite their deep disagreements, they have become friends.

Watch now, or listen on your favourite podcast platform!

WATCH EARLY: William Lane Craig & Emily Qureshi-Hurst: Is it Time to Rethink God & Salvation? The A vs B theory and why it matters.

I’m joined by Christian philosopher William Lane Craig and atheist theologian Emily Qureshi-Hurst to discuss the question: 'Is Christian theism compatible with our best understanding of the nature of time?'

Craig defends the 'A theory' - that time flows from past, to present, to future. Qureshi-Hurst defends the 'B' theory - that all times exist at once. In a mind-expanding conversation, they discuss the implications of their different views for the nature of God and the doctrine of salvation in Christian faith.

This episode will release to the public on 2 June, but regular Silver and Gold level supporters can watch it RIGHT NOW!

Join me at Breakwater Festival, June 19-21, in London!

I’ll be speaking at Breakwater Festival, an annual three‑day Estuary gathering designed to offer a respite from the turbulent tides of online exchange! Inspired by influential thinkers such as Paul Van der Klay, Jonathan Pageau, and John Vervaeke, the Estuary movement has sparked a vibrant, ongoing conversation that fosters honest dialogue, shared meaning‑making, and community building. While these conversations have flourished online, Breakwater Festival seeks to bring them into embodied, real‑world contexts by partnering with local Estuary groups to host interactive, in‑person gatherings. In doing so, we aim to create true harbors for meaningful conversation, collective sensemaking, and deep, lasting connection rooted in local communities.

June 19 - 21, London, England. Book now!

Al Gordon: How to ignite your God-given creativity

Al Gordon leads Saint, a thriving church in East London which has been seeing a remarkable upturn of young people gathering for all night prayer and worship in recent years.

Al is the founder of Renaissance - a movement to equip creatives and empower churches to be cathedrals of creativity.

Al's new book 'Spark' is aimed at igniting our God-given creativity.

Belle and I ask him how, in an age of AI, distraction and noise, we re-enchant… creativity and imagination.

Watch now.

Angela Tilby: Does England needs its church?

Angela Tilby is a broadcaster, writer, theological educator and priest in the Church of England, which is the topic of her latest literary offering - 'Good Faith: Why England needs its church'. Angela joins me and Belle for an episode (recorded on the day the Church of England installed a new Archbishop of Canterbury) to discuss whether people have good reason to be disenchanted with some of our oldest institutions and ponder the place for the Church of England in our ever-changing cultural landscape.

Watch now.

William Lane Craig reviews our Stephen Meyer vs Phil Halper Debate! (Part One)

William Lane Craig, well-known Christian philosopher and advocate of the Kalam Cosmological and Fine-Tuning Arguments, does an intensive review and commentary of our Uncommon Ground debate between Intelligent Design advocate Stephen Meyer and atheist cosmologist Phil Halper… and apparently there’s a part two of this review on the way as well!

Listen now on Craig’s Reasonable Faith Podcast

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.

Stephen Meyer & Phil Halper: Does the science of the Universe point to God? | Uncommon Ground

Did the Universe have a 'beginning'? Is the Cosmos 'finely-tuned' for life? And do these phenomena point to God?

Stephen C Meyer, author of 'Return of the God Hypothesis' debates Phil Halper, co-author of 'Battle of the Big Bang' in a lively 3 hour conversation, with me in the moderating chair, for the latest episode of Uncommon Ground!

Watch now, or listen on your favourite podcast platform!

WATCH EARLY: Lois McLatchie Miller & Ann Furedi: Is abortion immoral? Pro-life vs pro-choice.

Over 250,000 pregnancies are terminated in the UK every year. Is access to abortion a woman's right or the taking of an innocent life?

Pro-life campaigner Lois McLatchie Miller engages Ann Furedi, the former head of BPAS - the UK’s leading abortion provider. They join me to discuss when life begins, bodily rights and baby rights, and why despite their deep disagreements, they have become friends.

This episode will release to the public on 18 May, but regular Silver and Gold level supporters can watch it RIGHT NOW!

Join me and John Lennox at Revive 2026 - Friday 8 May, London!

Join me on Friday 8 May, London, at Revive 2026, a CBC UK conference empowering Christians in the media landscape. With special guest Professor John Lennox and other leading Christian voices, this London gathering will inspire and equip believers to share the case for faith across journalism, broadcasting, video and social media.

Book now at cbc.org.uk.

Diplomat Daniel Taub: How the Talmud taught me to negotiate the Arab-Israeli conflict

Daniel Taub is a former diplomat who served as Israel's ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2011 to 2015. He has been a senior negotiator in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and a member of Israel's negotiation team in the Israel-Syrian negotiations.

His new book ‘Beyond Dispute’ draws on the wisdom of the Talmud to rediscover the Jewish art of constructive disagreement. He joins me and Belle to re-enchant… disagreement!

N.T. Wright: Why we need to rethink Heaven, God and the Soul

N.T. (Tom) Wright is Research Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of St Andrews and Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. Having written close to one hundred books, he is, undoubtedly, one of the most trusted and influential teachers of the Christian story in the 21st Century. In this conversation, he joins me and Belle to speak of 'God's Homecoming', arguably one of the most forgotten elements of the Christian worldview.

Interviewed by Upside Down People Podcast

Why has belief in God made a surprising comeback in the West? I had the opportunity to talk on the Upside Down People podcast about: Why New Atheism imploded from within and what replaced it; The ONE historical truth that shows our deepest Western values are irreducibly Christian; How to have genuinely good conversations in a polarised, rage-bait world; The surprising intellectual case for Christianity that even secular thinkers can’t ignore; Why “cultural Christianity” without Jesus at the centre is just another form of idolatry.

Watch now

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.

Elizabeth Oldfield & James Marriott: Is there meaning to life?

Elizabeth Oldfield, host of the Sacred Podcast, and James Marriott, literary critic and Times columnist, join me on Uncommon Ground to discuss whether we can find meaning in life without God.

Elizabeth tells of her own search for meaning in Christian faith, while James explains why, as an atheist nihilist, he still loves art and literature. They discuss the search for purpose, and signs of a new interest in faith among young people.

Watch now, or listen on your favourite podcast platform!

WATCH EARLY: Stephen Meyer vs Phil Halper Debate Intelligent Design!

Did the Universe have a 'beginning'? Is the Cosmos 'finely-tuned' for life? And do these phenomena point to God?

Stephen C Meyer, author of 'Return of the God Hypothesis' debates Phil Halper, co-author of 'Battle of the Big Bang' in a lively 3 hour conversation hosted by myself!

This episode will release to the public on 4 May, but regular Silver and Gold level supporters can watch it RIGHT NOW!

Join me and John Lennox at Revive 2026 - Friday 8 May, London!

Join me on Friday 8 May, London, at Revive 2026, a CBC UK conference empowering Christians in the media landscape. With special guest Professor John Lennox and other leading Christian voices, this London gathering will inspire and equip believers to share the case for faith across journalism, broadcasting, video and social media.

Book now at cbc.org.uk.

Malcolm Guite - Poet, priest and storyteller kicks off Re-Enchanting Season 9.

Malcolm Guite is a beloved poet, storyteller, Anglican priest, and academic. He is author of numerous books including the Faith Hope and Poetry, Lifting the Veil: Imagination and the Kingdom of God. As well as his latest offering - his first instalment of a mighty four-volume work - Galahad and the Grail.

It really was only a matter of time until Malcolm found his way into the world of Re-Enchanting.

In this conversation, Malcolm speaks to me and Belle about poetry, beauty, old stories and slow reading. Together, we seek to re-enchant myths and legends.

Review of Iain McGilchrist & Anil Seth Debate

Erik Strandness reviews the Uncommon Ground episode where Iain McGilchrist and Anil Seth debated consciousness and God.

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.

Paul Davies & Emily Qureshi-Hurst: Is there purpose in the Universe? Exploring the weirdness of the cosmic and quantum realm.

Is there a purpose to the largest thing of all - The Universe? And does the weird world of the smallest things - Quantum Physics - tell us anything about it?

Atheist theologian Emily Qureshi-Hurst believes the evidence points to a purely physical reality. However, astrophysicist Paul Davies says there's a deeper meaning to the 'directionality' of our cosmos. In this mind-expanding conversation, they join me to explain the science they agree on... and work out where they differ.

Watch now, or listen on your favourite podcast platform!

WATCH EARLY: Elizabeth Oldfield & James Marriott: Is there meaning to life?

Elizabeth Oldfield, host of the Sacred Podcast, and James Marriott, literary critic and Times columnist, join me on Uncommon Ground to discuss whether we can find meaning in life without God.

Elizabeth tells of her own search for meaning in Christian faith, while James explains why, as an atheist nihilist, he still loves art and literature. They discuss the search for purpose, and signs of a new interest in faith among young people.

This episode will release to the public on 20 April, but regular Silver and Gold level supporters can watch it RIGHT NOW!

‘Quiet Revival’ report withdrawn… but it’s not the end of the rebirth!

Following the withdrawal of The Quiet Revival report by Bible Society, I reflect on lessons that need to be learned. But one flawed report does not mean the ‘rebirth' is a myth - there are many other data points showing a new attitude towards faith is on the rise.

I released my reflections as a video response (and put out the audio on The Surprising Rebirth podcast too) but you can also read my response in article format, complete with citations.

Iain McGilchrist on his Christian faith

Renowned philosopher and psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist opens up about his recent embrace of Christian faith, during his conversation with influential neuroscientist Anil Seth on minds, consciousness and God.

This is a clip from the full conversation, which you can watch on YouTube or listen to on your favourite podcast platform!

Why didn’t the first Christians abolish slavery?

Glen Scrivener (author of 'The Air We Breathe') argues that Christianity paved the way, uniquely, for the abolitionist movement, whereas Alex O'Connor (host of the Within Reason podcast) takes the view that the Bible actively endorses slavery, and that Christians contributed just as forcefully to anti-abolitionism. They clash in this fascinating exchange from the second episode of my new show, Uncommon Ground!

This is a clip from the full conversation, which you can watch on YouTube or listen to on your favourite podcast platform!

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.

The Quiet Revival report has been withdrawn. But rumours of a rebirth are not dead yet

Like many others, I greeted the news of a ‘Quiet Revival’ with enthusiasm when Bible Society published its data in April last year. The report, based on YouGov polling data between 2018 to 2024, contained remarkable statistics about rising church attendance in the UK, especially among 18-24 year olds.

After years of depressing statistics about the decline of churchgoing and religiosity, this felt like a long-awaited good news story for the church. The results of the report were shared far and wide in both Christian circles and mainstream media. 

As the creator of a book and podcast series titled ‘The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God’ the data was especially pertinent to my thesis that we are seeing a renewal of interest in faith in the secular West. It was referenced frequently in our second season of the podcast and our ‘Responding To the Rebirth’ conference. 

However, that data was soon being robustly challenged by both secular campaigners and some religious journalists too. They were concerned  that the opt-in nature of the poll could produce unreliable data. They pointed out that the statistics did not reflect actual attendance numbers reported by church denominations. Likewise, the release of the 2025 British Social Attitudes survey directly contradicted the data - showing a continued decline in church attendance across all age profiles.

The picture was evidently complicated. In my public speaking I chose to caveat any references to the Quiet Revival, with an acknowledgement that the figures were being contested. I also interviewed the most prominent critic of the report, sociologist David Voas, for an edition of my podcast that interrogated the data. You can hear that on Season 2 of The Surprising Rebirth of Belief In God podcast, Episode 30 - Is the Rebirth Real? Debating The Data, Probing the Politics.

Despite the mounting criticism, Bible Society continued to stand by its report. YouGov was a reputable polling company, used and trusted by hundreds of organisations, including secular organisations like Humanists UK. Bible Society had sought and been given repeated reassurances of the quality of the data.

Then came last week’s bombshell. 

A Flawed Survey

Bible Society announced they were withdrawing the Quiet Revival report, having recently discovered that YouGov “failed to activate key quality control technologies that protect the sample from a wide range of errors and this undermines the reliability of the results.” It appears that the survey had been contaminated by bogus respondents.

Arguably, the organisation wiping the most egg from their face in all of this is YouGov who ran the survey. CEO Stephan Shakespeare has apologised personally, stating they take full responsibility for the flawed data and outputs and saying, “We would like to stress that Bible Society has at all times accurately and responsibly reported the data we supplied to them.”

Nevertheless, this moment is an important wake up call. A reminder that we should all be very wary of putting our faith in any survey or poll, especially when they align with our deepest desires. Confirmation bias - our propensity to ‘count the wins’ and ‘ignore the misses’ runs deep in human nature. As a Christian I’ve been guilty of it, as are people on the other side of the aisle.

In fairness, since the error emerged, Bible Society have owned up quickly to what went wrong, and will no doubt think carefully about how they publicise any future research. For the moment, a dose of humility and introspection is in order, and perhaps an opportunity to build some bridges with critics whose concerns turned out to be fully justified.

Over 75% of non-Christian students would accept an invitation to church if asked, according to research carried out by Fusion.

But Something Is Happening

However, the danger with a U-turn of this magnitude is that it can also lead to errors in the opposite direction. Humanists UK, freshly vindicated by the reversal, state on their website: “We need to be absolutely clear: there is no revival of Christianity in Britain.”

That statement is true. However, it doesn’t do justice to the actual picture of what’s happening both here and in Europe. Perhaps ‘Revival’ isn’t the word we should ever have used for what’s happening… but the word ‘rebirth’ still feels appropriate. 

The same day that the Bible Society’s report was retracted, Le Figaro, one of France’s leading newspapers, published a full page article on the continuing growth of demand for adult baptism. For the past two years the famously secular country has seen the largest number of adult converts to Catholicism in living memory. This year’s Easter vigil is expected to set a fresh record as over 20,000 people enter the church.

But France is not an outlier. Spain is reporting a similar trend. Something unexpected is also happening in Scandinavian countries. Sweden has seen a notable rise in confirmations offsetting church decline, while Norway, Finland and Denmark are all reporting an uptick of interest, especially among young men.

Likewise, many Orthodox parishes around Europe are dealing with a boom in young catechumens, while a survey by Fusion, a UK Christian campus ministry, found that over 75% of non-Christian students would accept an invitation to church if asked.

In the UK, the Catholic diocese of Westminster is about to see its largest intake of new converts for 15 years and other parts of the country are recording similarly spikes of people being prepared for baptism or confirmation. The Baptist church in the UK is reporting significantly higher numbers of baptisms and youth attendance, while registration on Alpha courses, an introduction to the Christian faith run by many churches across the UK, has also risen sharply in the past few years.

Commercial metrics tell the same story. Christian music streaming on Spotify has surged in recent years and, against an otherwise stagnant book market, UK Bible sales are at an historic high, rising from £2.69million to over £6.3million between 2019-2025.

Now let me be clear. None of these figures or trends amount to a ‘revival’. But they are reliable data points and they indicate that something is happening. 

How that plays out in future church attendance statistics remains to be seen. At this point, my best guess is that any new converts are not yet fully offsetting the number of older religious people who are dying or have fallen away for church going. That means the church may still be shrinking, but that the decline itself may be slowing. 

This is underscored by figures from the Church of England. The Covid lockdowns of 2020-21 decimated churchgoing. Since then, there have been 3 years of overall growth, but attendance hasn’t yet reached pre-Covid figures.

However, this is about more than just numerical figures. 

The season 2 finale of The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God Podcast interrogated the data behind the Quiet Revival report, and explored the current religious and political vibe shift.

A Religious And Political Vibe Shift

A ‘vibe shift’ is a difficult thing to quantify, but there’s been an undoubted change in the way people are talking about faith in public in the past few years. It’s perhaps best captured by the list of influential converts that have been popping up in recent years. 

To mention just a handful: In 2024 the historian Niall Ferguson was baptised and confirmed, along with his wife Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a former New Atheist activist. Historian and podcast host Tom Holland is now a regular churchgoer, and his best-selling book ‘Dominion’ has been reminding a secular culture about its Christian roots. Journalist and female rights activist Louise Perry now describes herself as a Christian. Sociologist Charles Murray recently announced his conversion. Joe Rogan says he’s going to church. Even Prince William, after years of speculation about whether the future head of the Church England actually believes, has confirmed a ‘quiet faith’.

It won’t escape notice that many of the afore-mentioned personalities lean conservative (or at least anti-woke) in their outlook. There’s no doubt that some of the new interest in traditional faith is a backlash to the overreach of progressive ideologies in our culture. Likewise, it’s no secret that the religious vibe shift is overlapping with a wider political vibe shift. The result is sometimes dubbed Christian Nationalism. 

At the softer end it manifests in voices such as Danny Kruger, whose Parliamentary speech on the dangers of losing the Christian culture of the UK went viral last summer. At the sharp end it results in Christian slogans and symbols bedecking flags at anti-immigration rallies. Tommy Robinson is also one of the new converts to Christianity.

However, whenever Christianity gets into bed with politics (of the left or right) it’s a breeding ground for disaster. In my opinion, being co-opted by cynical political actors would be a far greater catastrophe for the church than a flawed report based on faulty data.

Searching For A Better Story

Nevertheless, we shouldn’t be surprised when tumultuous times create a messy picture. Religious renewals of the past have always been bred of cultural disruptions and mixed motives. Whether or not we approve of St-George-cross-flag-waving-crowds (who are arguably responding to a lot of other people waving other flags in recent years), the common thread is that people are searching for identity. 

The default secular humanism on offer in our culture has manifestly failed to deliver on its promises. We are being atomised by technologies that are programmed to polarise us. AI is proving to be a dangerous substitute for real human relationships, while the endless variety of identities and ideologies promoted by social media has created a generation of disillusioned, distracted and depressed young people. And it’s leading many of them to look for a better story.

That’s why, as I’ve met with vicars, church ministers and youth leaders over the past three years, I’ve kept hearing the same thing: “We are encountering an unprecedented spiritual hunger among the the new seekers turning up at our doors”. In the process I’ve also met an unusual number of once-committed atheists who have come to faith in unusual circumstances.

Let me be clear - these stories are all anecdotal, they don’t come attached to any dataset. And if a Christian revival ever truly gets underway, we won’t need a spreadsheet to tell us - it’ll be obvious. So lets be careful with the word ‘revival’, regardless of whether we attach it to a qualifier such as ‘quiet’. Humble pie needs to be consumed and lessons need to be learned. But its not the end of the story. 

The withdrawal of the Quiet Revival report this past week has felt like bad news for many - but remember, so did Good Friday, until the morning of Easter Sunday came along. With that in mind, let’s not make the mistake of thinking that nothing whatsoever is happening. 

If you turn up at your local church this Easter (or any Sunday this coming year) you might just be surprised at the number of ‘rebirth’ stories you encounter among those who have chosen to take a second look at Christianity. 

Thanks for reading… and Happy Easter!

Justin Brierley

Watch this article on video 👇

Watch my video essay responding to the Quiet Revival withdrawal. Look out for more coverage of this issue when The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God podcast returns for a 3rd season later this year.

Religion Media Centre panel discussion on Quiet Revival withdrawal

This week I took part in a panel discussion on the withdrawal of the Quiet Revival research, featuring Paul Williams of Bible Society and critics of the research including David Voas and Tim Wyatt.

Help me produce more Think Faith content by supporting…

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.

Iain McGilchrist & Anil Seth: Minds, brains, consciousness and the God question.

Renowned philosopher Iain McGilchrist and eminent neuroscientist Anil Seth sit down with me to discuss whether consciousness is a product of brain chemistry or points to God.

They discuss left and right brain hemispheres, panpsychism, theories of consciousness and how meditation and prayer affect our psychology. Seth also describes his atheist-agnostic worldview, and McGilchrist explains his recent embrace of Christian faith.

Watch now, or listen on your favourite podcast platform!

WATCH EARLY: Paul Davies & Emily Qureshi-Hurst: Is there purpose in the Universe? Exploring the weirdness of the cosmic and quantum realm.

Is there a purpose to the largest thing of all - The Universe? And does the weird world of the smallest things - Quantum Physics - tell us anything about it?

Atheist theologian Emily Qureshi-Hurst believes the evidence points to a purely physical reality. However, astrophysicist Paul Davies says there's a deeper meaning to the 'directionality' of our cosmos. In this mind-expanding conversation, they join me to explain the science they agree on... and work out where they differ.

This episode will release to the public on 6 April, but regular Silver and Gold level supporters can watch it RIGHT NOW!

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.

Jonathan Pageau & Joe Folley: Does art, culture and human experience point to God?

Orthodox thinker Jonathan Pageau and atheist philosopher Joe Folley sit down with me to discuss whether art, culture and human experience point to God.

In a deep and rich conversation ranging across consciousness, science, religion, the incarnation and the resurrection, they debate whether a Divine Logos or natural forces explain the reality we all encounter.

Watch now, or listen on your favourite podcast platform!

WATCH EARLY: Iain McGilchrist & Anil Seth: Minds, brains, consciousness and the God question.

Renowned philosopher Iain McGilchrist and eminent neuroscientist Anil Seth sit down with me to discuss whether consciousness is a product of brain chemistry or points to God.

They discuss left and right brain hemispheres, panpsychism, theories of consciousness and how meditation and prayer affect our psychology. Seth also describes his atheist-agnostic worldview, and McGilchrist explains his recent embrace of Christian faith.

This episode will release to the public on 23 March, but regular Silver and Gold level supporters can watch it RIGHT NOW!

Swedish podcast interview: the surprising global return of Christianity

Christianity is making a comeback – but not in the way we expected.

In this episode of VOX POPULI, I was interviewed about the unexpected Christian resurgence in the Western world. What happens when secular intellectuals begin to reassess the significance of faith? Are there parallels between Scandinavia and the British Isles? And how do we prevent faith from being co-opted for political purposes?

A thoughtful conversation about faith, culture, and the future in a post-secular age.

Watch on YouTube!

The Air We Breathe or Christian Hot Air?

Erik Strandness reviews the Uncommon Ground episode where Glen Scrivener and Alex O’Connor debated the role of Christianity in shaping the West’s morality.

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.

Alex O'Connor & Glen Scrivener - Did Christianity give us our morality? Debating freedom, slavery, equality and the Bible.

This was a barnstormer to moderate, and at the time of writing this newsletter, this episode has surpassed 45,000 views in less than 24 hours!

Atheist thinker Alex O'Connor goes toe-to-toe with Christian thinker Glen Scrivener on whether Christianity gave us our belief in kindness, equality, freedom and consent.

Across 2.5 hours of intense conversation, they debate whether or not hospitals, welfare, charity, emancipation, gender equality, human rights and consent hinge on Christian influence.

Watch now, or listen on your favourite podcast platform!

WATCH EARLY: Jonathan Pageau & Joe Folley: Does art, culture and human experience point to God?

Orthodox thinker Jonathan Pageau and atheist philosopher Joe Folley sit down with me to discuss whether art, culture and human experience point to God.

In a deep and rich conversation ranging across consciousness, science, religion, the incarnation and the resurrection they debate whether a Divine Logos or natural forces explain the reality we all encounter.

This episode will release to the public on 9 March, but regular Silver and Gold level supporters can watch it RIGHT NOW!

Is there evidence for Jesus? | Tom Holland & Peter J. Williams

Tom Holland, co-host of The Rest is History, and Peter J. Williams, principal of Tyndale House, participated in a conversation hosted by Pillar and Step - and which I had the privilege of moderating - on the evidence for Jesus' life, death, and resurrection!

Watch on YouTube!

‘The Quiet Revival of Christianity’ interview

In this premiere episode of Socrates Dialogues with Mary Harrington, I joined her to explore the shifting terrain of the New Atheist movement and the surprising cracks forming in its once-confident certainties. Drawing on years of conversations and cultural observation, I examined the “quiet revival”—a renewed openness to faith, meaning, and transcendence emerging beneath the surface of our secular age.

Watch on YouTube!

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.

When Richard met Rowan…

My new faith discussion show, bringing together guests with opposing views on God, atheism, science, art and culture, has launched on YouTube and Podcast.

The first episode of Uncommon Ground sees atheist biologist Richard Dawkins, author of ‘The God Delusion’, sit down with Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, to debate ‘God & Science: Which makes best sense of the poetry of reality?’

The two thinkers last met for two contentious debates at Oxford and Cambridge Universities over a decade ago. This time however, their conversation began very differently. Uncommon Ground seeks to encourage mutual understanding by asking each guest to attempt to summarise their opponent's view as charitably as possible, before the discussion proceeds.

Watch now, or listen on your favourite podcast platform!

Dr Williams summarised Richard Dawkins’ perspective on God and science saying, “Science provides a system of explanation that is elegant and coherent… Religion (wrongly, in your view) introduces an extra level that spoils it. The poetry of reality is undermined if we have to bring in something else from outside the system to make full sense of it. Why not let it be itself?”

Prof Dawkins responded: “Absolutely spot on. That is exactly what I feel. Thank you very much for putting it much better than I could put it!”

When invited to summarise Rowan Williams’ perspective, Dawkins confessed that he was ‘baffled’ by the former Archbishop’s belief in God, saying, “A very common thing that theologians do is to make no easy distinction between what is true and what is allegorical.”

Their conversation went on to cover questions of evolution, survival, meaning and consciousness. 

A key part of their discussion concerned Dawkins’ objection that God is an unsatisfactory explanation for the Universe. The scientist insisted that a supernatural being who can ‘listen to all the prayers of all the people in the world’ cannot be ‘simple’ but is a ‘complex’ explanation which in turn needs to be explained. 

Williams responded: “The word ‘simple’ works in more than one way. It’s meant to push back against the idea that God could be a ’compound’ of some kind or the result of any process. God simply is the ‘Actus Purus’ - the activation of Divine Life.”

Despite their disagreements, Williams and Dawkins bonded over their love of poetry. Williams, himself a published poet, spoke of the way poetry points to a ‘resonance’ and ‘connectedness’. “What is immediately in front of me is not the whole story”. Meanwhile, Dawkins admitted that he is often ‘moved to tears’ by the works of Shakespeare and WB Yeats, saying, “I find myself unable to read great poetry aloud because I choke up. But I can’t explain what that is.

Filmed on location at Yarnton Manor, a 16th Century manor house near Oxford, Uncommon Ground will see significant philosophers, scientists, theologians, authors and activists debate meaning, purpose, and the deepest questions of human existence. 

The first 10-episode Season will also feature conversations between:

• Alex O’Connor & Glen Scrivener - ‘Did Christianity give us our morality?’

• Jonathan Pageau & Joe Folley - ‘Does art, culture and human experience point to God?’

• Iain McGilchrist & Anil Seth - ‘Minds, brains and consciousness’

• Elizabeth Oldfield & James Marriott - ‘Is there a purpose to life?’

• Emily Qureshi-Hurst & Paul Davies - ‘Is there a purpose to the Universe?’

• Stephen C Meyer & Phil Halper - ‘Cosmology and the case for God’

• Philip Pullman & Francis Spufford - ‘Literature, imagination and religion’

• Ann Furedi & Lois Mclatchie - ‘The case for and against abortion’

• William Lane Craig & Emily Qureshi-Hurst ‘God, time and eternity’

Online culture is full of algorithmically-driven echo chambers. We desperately need better conversations. I’m thrilled to return to moderating discussions between thinkers of opposing views, debating the most important questions of existence.

But Uncommon Ground is much more than just a debate. We want our guests to ‘connect before they correct’, by truly understanding each other’s positions. I’ve discovered it’s a very effective way of creating conversations that open up space for genuine empathy and curiosity. And that’s some thing we desperately need right now.

Make sure you subscribe to the Podcast or watch the new show via our YouTube channel. Or get access to new shows up to 2 weeks early when you become a supporter 👇

WATCH EARLY: Alex O'Connor & Glen Scrivener:
Did Christianity give us our morality?

Atheist thinker Alex O'Connor goes toe-to-toe with Christian thinker Glen Scrivener on whether Christianity gave us our belief in kindness, equality, freedom and consent.

Across 2.5 hours of intense conversation they debate whether or not hospitals, welfare, charity, emancipation, gender equality, human rights and consent hinge on Christian influence.

This episode will release to the public on 23 February, but regular Silver and Gold level supporters can watch it RIGHT NOW!

Best wishes!

Justin Brierley

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.

Richard Dawkins & Rowan Williams: God vs Science. What is behind the poetry of reality?

The world's most famous atheist, Richard Dawkins, sits down to talk with the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams in the very first episode of Uncommon Ground, which I have the privilege of hosting!

In a wide-ranging conversation on atheism, faith, poetry, music, meaning, love, complexity, suffering, evolution and survival they discuss whether God or science makes best sense of 'the poetry of reality'.

Watch now, or listen on your favourite podcast platform!

WATCH EARLY: Alex O'Connor & Glen Scrivener:
Did Christianity give us our morality?

Atheist thinker Alex O'Connor goes toe-to-toe with Christian thinker Glen Scrivener on whether Christianity gave us our belief in kindness, equality, freedom and consent.

Across 2.5 hours of intense conversation they debate whether or not hospitals, welfare, charity, emancipation, gender equality, human rights and consent hinge on Christian influence.

This episode will release to the public on 23 February, but regular Silver and Gold level supporters can watch it RIGHT NOW!

Best wishes!

Justin Brierley

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.

Get my new show, Uncommon Ground, EARLY!

Featuring many of the biggest thinkers across the atheist and Christian spectrum, this show sees me return to the moderating seat, hosting conversations between guests of different perspectives on science, faith, atheism, philosophy, Christianity, culture, and God. All in the beautiful setting of historic Yarnton Manor, Oxford. Watch our promotional video to find out more!

Instead of adding to the noise of the culture wars, Uncommon Ground creates space to disagree well—aiming to establish curiosity, clarity, and genuine understanding across the polarities that can divide us…

…and you can watch this first episode right now, 2 weeks early!

Episode 1: Richard Dawkins & Rowan Williams in conversation

The world's most famous atheist, Richard Dawkins, sits down to talk with the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams in the very first episode of Uncommon Ground.

In a wide-ranging conversation on atheism, faith, poetry, music, meaning, love, complexity, suffering, evolution and survival they discuss whether God or science makes best sense of 'the poetry of reality'.

With Richard Dawkins and Rowan Williams after recording their conversation for Uncommon Ground!

This episode will release to the public on 10 February, but regular Silver and Gold level supporters get access to episodes 2 weeks early, which means you can watch it right now!

Best wishes!

Justin Brierley

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.

Happy New Year!

I hope your January has gotten off to a good start.

Here at Think Faith we are already busy producing episodes of our forthcoming video podcast 'Uncommon Ground'. More details about the new show are coming in the next newsletter!

Coming soon…!

By the way, thanks to all those who sent appreciation for the finale of Season 2 of The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God.

And huge thanks also to those who responded to our end-of-year giving campaign. It means we are in a really strong place to continue bringing you Thinking Faith in 2026.

PS If you'd like to add your support (which will get you early access to our new show 2 weeks from today)... the link is here. 👇

The Great Reversal on Science & God: Stephen Meyer & Michel-Yves Bolloré

Many saw scientific discoveries of the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries as casting doubt on the existence of God. But a 'Great Reversal' has happened in the 20th Century according to bestselling book 'God: The Science, The Evidence'.

I host a conversation between Philosopher of Science Dr Stephen C Meyer, author of 'Return Of The God Hypothesis' and Michel-Yves Bollore, co-author of 'God: The Science, The Evidence'. Watch now on YouTube!

“The Church in History” Apologetics Canada Conference 2026 - Join me!

Knowing how to navigate the highs and lows of the church in history can be complicated, but it is far from impossible! Join me on January 30 & 31 for the Apologetics Canada Conference in Burnaby, BC, as we seek to provide satisfying answers to curious questions and present a compelling case for the impact of the church in history — whether that's in the first or the twenty-first century. Book here!

Listen to Season 2 of The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God!

Season 2 of The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God has reached its finale!

30 episodes, 46 hours listening time!

Want to start from the beginning? Listen now on your favourite podcast platform!

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.

Happy New Year!

2025 has been a blessed year for my work through Think Faith:

• 'The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God' podcast continued to tell the story of the way faith is returning to the West, with almost 2 million downloads since launch.

• We've had over 1.5 million views of our videos on our YouTube channel.

• We've continued to partner with Seen & Unseen across 3 new seasons of the 'Re-Enchanting' podcast.

• I published a new book - 'Why I'm Still A Christian: After two decade of conversations with skeptics and atheists - the reason I believe'.

• My work has been featured in The Times newspaper, Christianity Today magazine and elsewhere, and I've been able to contribute interviews to BBC Radio 4, Spectator TV, LBC and numerous other podcast and media outlets.

• I've spoken at events across the UK, Europe and the USA. In November we put on a major London conference with Speak Life - Responding To The Rebirth.

• In the process I've had the privilege of reaching hundreds of thousands of people with Thinking Faith.

But there is SO much more to come...

In 2026 we will be launching a brand new discussion show 'Uncommon Ground'.

Featuring many of the biggest thinkers across the atheist and Christian spectrum, this show will see me back in the moderating seat, hosting conversations between those of different perspectives.

Glen Scrivener and Alex O’Connor debate the role of Christianity in shaping the West.

Filmed in the beautiful setting of Yarnton Manor, Oxford, we'll be discussing science, faith, atheism, history, philosophy, ethics, meaning and the deepest questions of existence.

These conversations are aimed at reaching across the divide of our polarised echo chambers - something I believe our culture desperately needs right now.

I'm so looking forward to seeing these shows go public. Look out for more details in January!

With Richard Dawkins and Rowan Williams after recording their conversation for Uncommon Ground!

But... as our work expands, so does the cost of producing good quality resources that encourage both believers and skeptics to engage a thinking faith.

So.... as 2025 comes to and end, and 2026 begins... would you be willing to help me continue to produce podcast, videos, events and resources that reach people with thinking faith?

You can support my work by becoming a monthly supporter via Patreon, or via Tax-deductible giving from the USA. Or you can give a one-off gift via PayPal.

The link to support is here:

P.S. A big thank-you to everyone who has been listening, watching and engaging with the work of Think Faith this past year. Your prayers and encouragement also make a huge difference to our work!

Best wishes for 2026!

Justin Brierley

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.

Episode 30 - Is The Rebirth Real? Debating the Data, Probing the Politics

In this Season 2 finale, I ask: '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... I interrogate 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 podcaster Elizabeth Oldfield and journalist James Marriott discuss the rise of 'Full Fat Faith' converts.

Australian church leader Mark Sayers and British MP Danny Kruger also tackle the vexed question of whether far right politics is co-opting Christianity as the search for a better story continues.

Listen now on your favourite podcast platform!

Year-End Appeal - Help us to reach more people in 2026!

As the end of the year approaches I’d be so grateful if you would consider supporting my work with a financial gift.

It's been an amazing past year - we’ve produced a second 30-episode season of The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God, 3 seasons of the Re-Enchanting podcast, as well as growing our video channel and engaging in numerous live events.

In the process I've reached hundreds of thousands of people through podcast, video and speaking engagements.

But as our work expands so does that cost of producing good quality resources that encourage both believers and skeptics to engage a thinking faith.

You can support my work by becoming monthly supporter via Patreon, or via Tax-deductible giving from the USA. Or you can give a one-off gift via PayPal.

Every gift will make a great difference to our work continuing strong in 2026… including an exciting new show launching in the new year - more details to follow!

For now if you can help please do head towards our giving page.

With many thanks

Justin

Get Access to the Full ‘Responding to the Rebirth’ Conference Videos!

You can now purchase all the recordings from November’s Responding to the Rebirth conference, at: rebirthconference.net

Want to watch some clips first? Watch the compilation on our YouTube channel!

Hosting Tom Holland & Peter J Williams on 15 January 2026, London!

For over two thousand years, the story of Jesus has shaped cultures, inspired faith, and sparked debate. But how much of what we know is rooted in historical evidence, and how much is tradition or belief?

Award-winning historian and broadcaster Tom Holland is joined by Dr Peter J. Williams, Principal of Tyndale House - a world-renowned centre for biblical research, as they explore the history of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Listen as these two historians with differing perspectives, discuss their commonalities and differences in approach to the evidence… and I have the huge privilege of hosting this discussion!

His-Story: Fantasy, Facts or Faith? with Tom Holland and Dr Peter J. Williams, will take place on 15 January 2026, at All Souls Langham Place, London, in the UK.

AJ Sherrill: Re-Enchanting Christmas!

AJ Sherrill pastors St Peter's Church in Charleston, South Carolina. He is the author of ‘Rediscovering Christmas: Surprising insights into the story you thought you knew’. He joins me and Belle to re-enchant… Christmas!

Watch now!

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.

Episode 29 - Responding To The Rebirth: Highlights from the London Conference

'Responding To The Rebirth' - Glen Scrivener and I were joined by speakers Elizabeth Oldfield, Bishop Mike Royal, Prof John Lennox, Dai Woolridge, Rhiannon McAleer, Al Gordon, Rev Daniel French and Sarah Yardley.

I present highlights from the London conference, including, talks, videos, panel conversations and audience Q&A.

Listen now on your favourite podcast platform!

Year-End Appeal - Help us to reach more people in 2026!

As the end of the year approaches I’d be so grateful if you would consider supporting my work with a financial gift.

It's been an amazing past year - we’ve produced a second 30-episode season of The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God, 3 seasons of the Re-Enchanting podcast, as well as growing our video channel and engaging in numerous live events.

In the process I've reached hundreds of thousands of people through podcast, video and speaking engagements.

But as our work expands so does that cost of producing good quality resources that encourage both believers and skeptics to engage a thinking faith.

You can support my work by becoming monthly supporter via Patreon, or via Tax-deductible giving from the USA. Or you can give a one-off gift via PayPal.

Every gift will make a great difference to our work continuing strong in 2026… including an exciting new show launching in the new year - more details to follow!

For now if you can help please do head towards our giving page.

With many thanks

Justin

LISTEN EARLY! Episode 30 - Is The Rebirth Real? Debating the Data, Probing the Politics

In this Season 2 finale, I ask: '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... I interrogate 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 podcaster Elizabeth Oldfield and journalist James Marriott discuss the rise of 'Full Fat Faith' converts.

Australian church leader Mark Sayers and British MP Danny Kruger also tackle the vexed question of whether far right politics is co-opting Christianity as the search for a better story continues.

You can listen to the episode right now - two weeks early - as a monthly silver or gold level supporter via Patreon or US Tax-Deductible Giving.

Watch clips from Responding to the Rebirth Conference!

You can also watch some of the conference footage in this first of two compilation videos! Purchase the full conference videos at: rebirthconference.net

Watch clips compilation now!

Molly Worthen: America's history of charismatic leaders

Molly Worthen is an academic and journalist who has spent much of her career chronicling the history of religion in the USA. Two years ago she joined me and Belle for Re-Enchanting, to talk about her own unlikely journey to faith as an adult convert to Christianity.

She returns to talk about her new book ‘Spellbound’ - charting America’s love affair with charismatic leaders in religion and politics. Today we attempt to re-enchant… ‘Charisma’.

Watch now!

Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin: Why she's nobody's victim

Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin MBE is Bishop of Dover and Bishop in Canterbury. An utter trailblazer: she is the Church of England’s first black female bishop, was the first female Chaplain to the Speaker to the House of Commons and a Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II. She is also the author of her autobiography – The Girl from Montego Bay – in which she shares her story with raw and unflinching honesty.

Watch now!

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.

Episode 28 - 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 I speak 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 James Drain also recount their unexpected miracle stories.

But not all miracles look the same. Following the devastating loss of his daughter Natasha, Nadim Ednan-Laperouse tells the story of the supernatural encounters that led him to faith in Christ.

Listen now!

LISTEN EARLY! Episode 29 - Responding To The Rebirth: Highlights from the London Conference

'Responding To The Rebirth' - Glen Scrivener and I were joined by speakers Elizabeth Oldfield, Bishop Mike Royal, Prof John Lennox, Dai Woolridge, Rhiannon McAleer, Al Gordon, Rev Daniel French and Sarah Yardley.

I present highlights from the London conference, including, talks, videos, panel conversations and audience Q&A.

You can listen to the episode right now - two weeks early - as a monthly silver or gold level supporter via Patreon or US Tax-Deductible Giving.

Danny Kruger MP Explains Viral Parliamentary Speech on Christian Faith

MP Danny Kruger's viral speech on the Christian foundations of Britain was delivered to an empty parliament. Kruger tells me why his speech resonated with so many, but also shares his concerns about the rise of far right Christian nationalism in the UK.

Watch now!

Andrew Ollerton: Why does God allow slavery and warfare in scripture?

Andrew Ollerton is a theologian and pastor who works with the Bible Society and developed The Bible Course. His latest publication is ‘God’s Book: An Honest Look at the Bible's 7 Toughest Topics’. A significant rise in Bible sales has been reported in the past year… as people apparently seek re-enchantment through the story of Scripture, what sort of questions will they encounter along the way? And can Andrew help to make sense of them? He joins me and Belle to re-enchant... the Bible’s embarrassing bits.

Watch now!

NYC pastor Rich Villodas: Why we need to learn the art of waiting at Advent

Rich Villodas is the Brooklyn-born lead pastor of New Life Fellowship in New York City. He is the author of several books including the award winning 'Deeply Formed Life'.

He joins me and Belle to talk about his new book 'Waiting For Jesus - An Advent Invitation to Prayer and Renewal'.

Watch now!

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.

Episode 27 - John Lennox: Engaging Atheism, Defending Faith

John Lennox is Emeritus Professor of Mathematics and Philosophy of Science at the University of Oxford.

John joins me to talk about his life and legacy - finding faith during 'The Troubles' in Northern Ireland, his life in academia, speaking in the USSR and debating the 'new atheists' such as Richard Dawkins & Christopher Hitchens.

Watch or listen now!

LISTEN EARLY! Episode 28 - 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 I speak 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 James Drain also recount their unexpected miracle stories.

But not all miracles look the same. Following the devastating loss of his daughter Natasha, Nadim Ednan-Laperouse tells the story of the supernatural encounters that led him to faith in Christ.

You can listen to the interview right now - two weeks early - as a monthly silver or gold level supporter via Patreon or US Tax-Deductible Giving.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Full interview with Jon McCray (aka WhaddoYouMeme??)

Exclusive content for supporters. My full-length interview with online apologist and YouTuber Jon McCray (aka "WhaddoYouMeme??" on how the landscape of debates over God and Christian faith has changed since the time of the New Atheists.

You can watch right now, as a monthly silver or gold level supporter via Patreon or US Tax-Deductible Giving.

Re-Enchanting is back for Season 8: Watch Ashley Lande’s story of God & Psychedelics!

Ashley Lande is an artist and author whose book ’The Thing That Would Make Everything Okay Forever’ tells her story of using psychedelics as a search for re-enchantment, and her path to faith in Christ as she began to encounter the dark side of trips and transcendent experiences. She talks to Belle and I about her journey, in this first episode of a brand new eighth season of the Re-Enchanting podcast for Seen & Unseen!

Watch now!

My interview on Beyond the Happy Clappy podcast!

“Beyond the Happy Clappy” is a podcast about the past, present and future of charismatic renewal, and they interviewed me about my thesis, and where the Spirit is in “The Quiet Revival”. Listen on apple podcasts.

Book to join online: RESPONDING TO THE REBIRTH CONFERENCE, London, UK - Sat 22 Nov

A very special day long event I'll be co-hosting with Glen Scrivener of Speak Life at All Souls Church, London, THIS WEEKEND! Gathered with hundreds of Christians we'll be exploring the new opportunities for mission as 'the tide turns'.

In-person tickets are sold out, but you can book in to watch the livestream!

http://rebirthconference.net/

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.

Episode 26 - Grief, Hope... and Teddy Bears: Simon Thomas, Julie Tatchell & Amanda Middleditch. Big Church Festival Pt 2

TV sports presenter Simon Thomas joins me 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 I’m 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 faith.

Visit the episode page on my website to listen to the full episode, and watch the Simon Thomas interview video!

WATCH / LISTEN EARLY! Episode 27 - John Lennox: Engaging Atheism, Defending Faith

John Lennox is Emeritus Professor of Mathematics and Philosophy of Science at the University of Oxford.

John joins me to talk about his life and legacy - finding faith during 'The Troubles' in Northern Ireland, his life in academia, speaking in the USSR and debating the 'new atheists' such as Richard Dawkins & Christopher Hitchens.

You can watch (or listen to) the interview right now - two weeks early - as a monthly silver or gold level supporter via Patreon or US Tax-Deductible Giving.

Speaking about The Surprising Rebirth, at Spanish River Church

During my recent tour of the USA, I had the privilege of speaking at the culmination of the Spanish River Church planting summit, about The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God. You can watch my presentation from 27 mins into the video of their World Impact Sunday service.

Join me at the NATIONAL YOUTH MINISTRY WEEKEND, Birmingham, UK - Sat 15 Nov

I'll be giving a keynote address at Youthscape’s annual gathering of youth and children’s workers, taking place 14-16 Nov in Birmingham.

 https://www.youthscape.co.uk/nymw/home

Book to join online: RESPONDING TO THE REBIRTH CONFERENCE, London, UK - Sat 22 Nov

A very special day long event I'll be co-hosting with Glen Scrivener of Speak Life at All Souls Church, London. Special guests include Prof John Lennox, Paul Kingsnorth and Elizabeth Oldfield. Gathered with hundreds of Christians we'll be exploring the new opportunities for mission as 'the tide turns'.

In-person tickets are sold out, but you can book in to watch the livestream!

http://rebirthconference.net/

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.