After 17 years of hosting the award-winning podcast, “Amazing?,” which brings together Christians and atheists for dialogue and debate, Justin Brierley has a unique perspective on how the conversation around Christianity has transformed over the years. This perspective is at the center of his latest book and podcast, both titled “The surprising revival of belief in God”, which highlight some shocking changes in atheist thinking that could pave the way for Christian revival around the world.
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“The political and ideological situation has changed a lot of all kinds in recent years,” Mr. Brierley told The Washington Times’ Higher Ground in a recent interview. “And that’s one of the interesting trends that I note in the book and in this new podcast, is that a lot of secular thinkers… who, you know, on one level are very anti-religious… have suddenly realized that there is a more dangerous kind of quasi-religious ideology in their own academic backyard.
An example is Pierre Boghossianthe former Portland State University professor who makes headlines in 2018 for writing fake scientific articles highlighting how academia was replacing the marketplace of ideas with woke ideology. As a staunch atheist, the philosopher was shocked by the systemic and religious embrace of social justice on campus, particularly in the areas of race, sexuality and gender.
“(Boghossian) thought … he was creating this kind of cancel culture where only certain types of orthodoxy were allowed,” Mr. Brierley explain. “So what you effectively have is sort of new quasi-religious views that have entered the mainstream…And that sometimes makes for interesting companionship with Christians who perhaps stand alongside them in criticizing that genre of movements. »
Although it may seem contradictory that the very ideology that has put Christians at odds with cultural trends is the same that brings some atheists closer to God, Mr. Brierley note that this is more a question of semantics. In reality, everyone has a belief system – including atheists – and many have placed their faith in a human race that has historically built its moral foundation around Christian principles.
Listen to The Higher Ground podcast with host Billy Hallowell:
“Almost every atheist and agnostic I met actually had some sort of faith,” Mr. Brierley said. “Ironically, you know, the fact that they were good people who believed in human rights and equality and dignity and everything else didn’t really come from their atheism. This doesn’t come from science. It doesn’t come from enlightenment. Ironically, as I discovered, it actually comes from Christianity… We’re still essentially swimming in Christian waters when it comes to people’s moral instincts, their assumptions about the way life is.”
But more and more, we see the human race disappointing those who put their faith in it, leaving spiritually thirsty people searching for answers. This is what happened with Ayaan Hirsi Alia former Muslim turned atheist, who recently announced his conversion to Christianity.
“(Ali’s) atheism just couldn’t fight against the forces that exist in the world, both the big forces of authoritarian regimes, you know, Putin, China, et cetera. Um, but also what she considers to be this kind of woke ideology, which she considers to be a parasite on the culture,” Mr. Brierley explain. “And she said, ‘I understand. I finally became convinced that the only thing that could stand in the way of this was the Judeo-Christian tradition.’”
And Ali is not the only one. From high-level conversions like the Asbury revival and the mass baptisms on the set of the film “The Jesus Revolution”, to more and more adults turn to Christ later in life, one has the distinct feeling that God is always at work. And that’s largely why Mr. Brierley feels such a sense of hope despite the cultural deterioration of the world.
“God is still alive. God is still planning something,” he said. “I believe that God is not finished with the Church and that we may be on the verge of something like the next great awakening… Something is happening. And yes, I have great hope that God is not finished yet.
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Marissa Mayer is a writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience. His work has been featured in Christian Post, The Daily Signal, and Intellectual Takeout. Mayer holds a bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis in creative writing from Arizona State University.
