I was a teenager when New Atheism was on the up! It seemed like not only everyone was reading The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, but everyone was quoting it.
I remember the conversation changing with my friends. Christianity had once been seen as boring, and suddenly it was being seen as ridiculous. Did you experience that?
Yet where did the New Atheists go? Why do we not hear from them anymore? And also, why does it feel like even though their books sold well, atheism hasn’t actually taken hold? Atheists do exist, but it feels like there are a lot more agnostics. Spirituality seems to be a popular topic of conversation again, even if organised religion is not. And why are there so many public intellectuals speaking positively about the Christian faith (Tom Holland, Louise Perry, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, to name just a few)?
If you’ve asked any of those questions, then can I strongly and warmly recommend The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God podcast by Justin Brierley (the guy from Premier Radio podcast ‘Unbelievable?’). It is honestly the most encouraging podcast I have heard in years, and as soon as another episode drops, I listen to it.
It is a documentary style podcast that traces the rise and fall of New Atheism, and asks why secular thinkers are considering Christianity again. It includes extensive interviews with Christian and secular thinkers alike, and many a bonus episode for those who want to dig deeper.
Could the tide of faith be ready to come in again in our generation? Let’s pray that it does!!
Listen wherever you find your podcasts, or through the website: justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/