Historian Tom Holland and Cambridge Bible scholar Dr Peter J Williams join Justin Brierley for a live audience conversation on the historical and miraculous claims about Jesus Christ. Recorded for Pillar and Step at All Souls Church London For Tom Holland: https://www.tom-holland.org/ For Peter J Williams: https://tyndalehouse.com/faces/williams-peter-j/ For Pillar and Step: https://pillarandstep.
29 Sep 2026 · 1 h 32 minDirectory Religion & Spirituality
Why new atheism grew old and secular thinkers are considering Christianity again. Get early access to new episodes and bonus content when you become a supporter. 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: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brierleyjustin Support via Tax-deductible (USA): https://defendersmedia.com/portfolio/justin-brierley/ Buy the book or get a signed copy: https://justinbrierley.com/the-surprising-rebirth-of-belief-in-god/ This long-form documentary podcast presented by Justin Brierley, tells 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, NT Wright, Alister Mcgrath, Douglas Murray, Bethel Mcgrew, William Lane Craig, Jana Harmon, Bishop Robert Barron, Jonathan Pageau, Ayaan Hirsi-Ali, Stephen Woodford, Sarah Irving-Stonebraker, Adam Coleman, Lisa Fields, Jon Mccray, Paul Kingsnorth and Francis Spufford, this series accompanies the book 'The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God'. Could the tide of faith be ready to come in again in our generation?
Latest episodes
Does the withdrawal of the Quiet Revival report mean the rebirth is dead? In this opening episode of Season 3 of The Surprising Rebirth of Belief In God, Justin Brierley outlines 10 signs - including church growth in Europe, Bible sales, and faith in football - that show the rebirth is alive and well. Australia Ninja Warrior champion Ben Polson also shares his story of finding faith. More info, bo
15 Sep 2026 · 1 h 36 minThe UK Bible Society have withdrawn their widely-publicised 'Quiet Revival' report after it emerged that the survey, conducted by YouGov, was contaminated by bogus respondents. In this bonus episode Justin responds to the news, asks what lessons can be learned, and looks at a variety of other data that still point to the fact a 'rebirth' is underway. Look out for a deep dive on this story in Seaso
2 Apr 2026 · 12 minWhile you're waiting for Season 3 of Surprising Rebirth to drop... how about listening to Justin's brand new show? He's back in the moderator's chair hosting conversations between Christians, atheists, skeptics and seekers in this new podcast and video show. 'Uncommon Ground' features leading figures from the world of atheism, psychology, science, culture, literature and theology. Recorded in the
27 Jan 2026 · 5 minIn this Season 2 finale, Justin asks: '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... Justin interrogates the data, hearing objections and responses from sociologist David Voas and Bible
30 Dec 2025 · 2 h 21 min'Responding To The Rebirth' - Justin Brierley and Glen Scrivener were joined by speakers Elizabeth Oldfield, Bishop Mike Royal, Prof John Lennox, Dai Woolridge, Rhiannon McAleer, Al Gordon, Rev Daniel French and Sarah Yardley. Justin present highlights from the London conference, including, talks, videos, panel conversations and audience Q&A. Access the conference videos in full: https://www.rebir
16 Dec 2025 · 1 h 19 minOnline 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 Justin Brierley speaks to Malcolm Duncan, Anna Morgan and Andy Crook about the growth of pentec
2 Dec 2025 · 1 h 48 minProf John Lennox joins Justin to talk about his life and legacy - finding faith during 'The Troubles' in Northern Ireland, his academic life at Cambridge and Oxford University, speaking in the USSR and debating the 'new atheists' such as Richard Dawkins & Christopher Hitchens. John also shares candidly about being sustained by his faith in the midst of health challenges for his wife Sally. More in
18 Nov 2025 · 1 h 22 minTV sports presenter Simon Thomas joins Justin 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 Justin is joined by the 'Teddy Bear Ladies' - Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch - stars of the BBC 'Repair Shop' show. They share the
4 Nov 2025 · 1 h 37 minThe Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God was part of this summer's Big Church Festival. In the first of two festival specials, Justin shares 3 live interviews from the 'Podcast Stage'. Author Lauren Windle and agnostic journalist Ben Sixsmith share their stories of addiction recovery and searching for God. Mythologist Martin Shaw tells his miraculous conversion story and continuing quest for 'Wild
21 Oct 2025 · 2 h 24 minHundreds of thousands attended Charlie Kirk's memorial service. Are we seeing a Kirk-inspired Christian revival or a rallying cry for Christian nationalism? Theologian Nijay Gupta and Christian writer Bethel McGrew join Justin Brierley to debate their different perspectives on the Charlie Kirk moment and his controversial statements on race and minorities. For Nijay Gupta: https://nijaykgupta.subs
14 Oct 2025 · 1 h 33 minIn 1979 there were around 500 Christian converts in Iran. Today they number over 1 million. Despite intense persecution, Iran has the fastest growing church in the world. So why is Iran experiencing such a rebirth? Justin speaks to David Yeghnazar of ELAM, a ministry that supports the church in Iran, about why so many Muslims are turning to Christ. Farshid and Magda also share their stories of imp
30 Sep 2025 · 1 h 46 minWhen Hatun Tash, a Christian evangelist to Muslims, was stabbed at Speakers Corner in London, it was a public reminder of the tensions that have arisen with the growth of Islam in the West. Justin Brierley examines the attraction of Islam to young converts and meets a new wave of Christian evangelists seeking to convert Muslims through confrontational tactics. Justin hears from evangelists such as
23 Sep 2025 · 2 h 2 minGen Z are increasingly open to faith, and a new breed of evangelist is reaching them. Justin speaks to 3 content creators reaching young people through social media, YouTube and hip-hop music. Jon McCray (aka 'WhaddoYouMeme') and Ruslan KD share why so many online influencers are talking about Christianity, while hip-hop artist Street Hymns shares how 'battle rapping' allows him to share the gospe
16 Sep 2025 · 1 h 20 minAre young women being left behind in the 'Surprising Rebirth'? Justin speaks to two Gen Z women who are embracing Christian faith from different ends of the political spectrum. Freya India, author of the substack GIRLS talks about the pressures facing young women, and why she has been drawn to faith. Lamorna Ash, author of 'Don't Forget We're Here Forever', talks about her 2-year road trip explori
9 Sep 2025 · 2 h 2 minWhen high-profile food critic and journalist Giles Coren revealed he had begun attending church as a 'lapsed atheist' he joined an increasing number of people now using that label to describe themselves. Justin Brierley investigates why other public figures like Konstantin Kisin, Louise Perry, Niall Ferguson, James Lindsay and Carl Benjamin are trying out church as 'lapsed atheists'. He also hears
26 Aug 2025 · 1 h 36 minTwo of the most influential bishops from the Anglican and Catholic church - NT Wright and Robert Barron - met for the first time in a live conversation chaired by Justin Brierley. Among many topics they discuss signs of a rebirth, re-engaging the Bible, JD Vance’s 'Ordo Amoris' controversy and whether Catholics and Protestants can share communion. Recorded in front of a live audience at the Word O
12 Aug 2025 · 1 h 26 minNT Wright is Senior Research fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University, the former Bishop of Durham and a prolific author. Justin talks 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? Their conversation includ
29 Jul 2025 · 1 h 16 minChart-topping bands, musicians and rappers are increasingly singing about God. Why? In this documentary episode Justin Brierley revisits 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. Justin also speaks to TGC editor Brett McCracken about the current religious revival i
15 Jul 2025 · 1 h 42 minIn a secular age, many have predicted the death of the church in the West. But with evidence of a 'Quiet Revival' in the UK, where are the new signs of life in the church? Justin Brierley recently joined a panel of journalists and church leaders to discuss the future of the church, with Nick Spencer of Theos chairing the conversation. Panellists: Daisy Scalchi, Head of Religion and Ethics, BBC Tel
1 Jul 2025 · 1 h 29 min