Key Takeaways
1. The Decline of New Atheism and the Rise of a New Conversation
"Science can tell you how the universe arose but not why it is there. Science can tell you what you consist of but not what you are worth."
Intellectual Transformation. The New Atheist movement, led by figures like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, initially seemed poised to definitively discredit religious belief. However, the movement ultimately fragmented due to internal conflicts and a narrow understanding of human experience.
Key Challenges to New Atheism:
- Internal ideological splits
- Inability to address deeper human needs
- Overly reductive view of human experience
- Lack of meaningful community
Emerging Dialogue. A new conversation has emerged, with secular thinkers increasingly acknowledging the cultural and psychological value of Christianity, even if they do not fully embrace its theological claims.
2. The Christian Story Shaped Western Moral Values
"The tenets of secular liberalism are as fantastical as the tenets of the Christianity from which it's emerged."
Moral Foundation. The Christian narrative fundamentally shaped Western concepts of human dignity, equality, and compassion, creating moral foundations that persist even among secular thinkers.
Key Moral Transformations:
- Abolition of slavery
- Recognition of universal human rights
- Compassion for the vulnerable
- Concept of individual human worth
Cultural Inheritance. Many contemporary moral values, including human rights and social justice, can be traced directly to Christian theological principles, even when their religious origins are no longer recognized.
3. The Bible's Historical and Cultural Significance Persists
"The Bible is not the only means to furnish a mind, but without a book of similar gravity, read with the gravity of the potential believer, it will remain unfurnished."
Enduring Influence. Despite skepticism, the Bible remains the world's most published and influential book, continuing to shape literature, language, and cultural understanding.
Biblical Impact:
- Linguistic contributions
- Literary inspiration
- Moral and philosophical framework
- Historical documentation
Scholarly Reevaluation. Contemporary scholars are increasingly recognizing the Bible's historical reliability and profound psychological insights.
4. Science Reveals Complexity That Challenges Materialist Worldviews
"The more you learn about the universe, the more mysterious it becomes."
Scientific Mysteries. Advances in scientific understanding increasingly reveal complexity that cannot be fully explained by materialist perspectives.
Key Scientific Challenges:
- Fine-tuning of universal constants
- Origin of life's complexity
- Limitations of evolutionary explanations
- Mysterious nature of consciousness
Openness to Transcendence. Many scientists are becoming more open to considering explanations beyond strict materialism.
5. Consciousness and Meaning Cannot Be Reduced to Material Processes
"You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems."
Limitations of Materialism. Current scientific understanding struggles to fully explain consciousness, meaning, and subjective experience through purely material mechanisms.
Emerging Perspectives:
- Panpsychism
- Consciousness as fundamental
- Inadequacy of reductive explanations
- Importance of subjective experience
Philosophical Shift. Increasing numbers of philosophers and scientists are challenging strictly materialist interpretations of reality.
6. Spirituality Continues to Evolve Beyond Traditional Religious Structures
"We are innately religious. And if one set of religious beliefs is taken away, it will only be replaced by another set of quasi-religious beliefs."
Changing Spiritual Landscape. Traditional religious institutions are declining, but spiritual seeking continues through alternative channels.
Emerging Spiritual Expressions:
- Mindfulness practices
- Social justice movements
- Ecological spirituality
- Personal meaning-making
Persistent Spiritual Hunger. People continue to seek transcendence, meaning, and connection beyond purely materialist worldviews.
7. We Are Inherently Meaning-Seeking Creatures
"Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become."
Human Need for Narrative. Humans fundamentally require a coherent story to understand their existence and place in the universe.
Sources of Meaning:
- Personal identity
- Cultural narratives
- Spiritual frameworks
- Individual purpose
Psychological Necessity. Without a compelling narrative, individuals experience existential anxiety and loss of direction.
8. The Tide of Faith May Be Turning in Western Culture
"If there is a story that makes sense of who we are, then we must inquire of the Playwright to find out what it is and how we can play our part in it."
Cultural Transformation. Despite apparent secularization, there are signs of a potential resurgence of spiritual interest in Western culture.
Emerging Trends:
- Intellectual reconsideration of Christianity
- Dissatisfaction with materialist worldviews
- Growing interest in spiritual questions
- Conversion of prominent intellectuals
Potential Renewal. The current cultural moment may represent an opportunity for a meaningful reevaluation of faith and meaning.
Last updated:
FAQ
1. What is The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God by Justin Brierley about?
- Cultural and intellectual shift: The book explores the decline of New Atheism and the renewed openness among secular thinkers toward Christianity in the West.
- Central metaphor: Brierley uses the “Sea of Faith” from Matthew Arnold’s “Dover Beach” to illustrate the ebb and flow of religious belief, suggesting faith is returning after a period of decline.
- Interdisciplinary approach: Drawing on theology, science, history, and psychology, Brierley presents interviews and research to explain why belief in God is resurging.
- Focus on Jesus Christ: The narrative centers on Jesus as the key to understanding Christianity’s enduring impact and renewed relevance.
2. Why should I read The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God by Justin Brierley?
- Insight into cultural trends: The book offers a unique perspective on the evolving debate about faith, secularism, and meaning in contemporary society.
- Balanced and engaging: Brierley presents both sides of the debate with respect and intellectual rigor, making it accessible to believers, skeptics, and seekers.
- Hopeful and inspiring: The book highlights personal stories and cultural shifts that suggest a hopeful future for Christianity’s role in society.
- Engagement with leading thinkers: Dialogues with prominent secular and Christian intellectuals provide fresh perspectives on why Christianity remains compelling.
3. What are the key takeaways from The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God by Justin Brierley?
- New Atheism’s decline: The movement failed to provide a compelling narrative or moral framework, leading to fragmentation and a renewed search for meaning.
- Meaning crisis in the West: The loss of a shared religious story has led to widespread feelings of alienation and purposelessness.
- Christianity’s cultural legacy: The Christian story continues to shape Western values, institutions, and moral instincts, often unacknowledged by secular culture.
- Role of imagination and reason: Brierley argues that both intellectual rigor and imaginative engagement are essential for faith to resonate in the modern world.
4. What was the rise and fall of New Atheism according to The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God?
- Rise in the 2000s: Led by figures like Dawkins, Harris, Dennett, and Hitchens, New Atheism aggressively critiqued religion using science as its foundation.
- Peak and tactics: The movement gained visibility through public campaigns and ridicule of religious belief, ironically keeping religion in public conversation.
- Decline and fragmentation: Internal controversies, ideological splits, and the inability to offer a positive moral vision led to its decline.
- Opening for new conversations: The collapse of New Atheism created space for renewed interest in faith and deeper questions about meaning.
5. How does Justin Brierley describe the “meaning crisis” in the post-Christian West?
- Loss of shared narrative: The decline of Christianity has left a vacuum where people lack a common story for identity, purpose, and morality.
- Rise of individualism: Modern culture’s focus on self-definition and subjective truth often leads to fragmentation and mental health struggles.
- Materialism’s limitations: The dominant materialist worldview fails to provide ultimate meaning, leading many to seek new or revived spiritual narratives.
- Innate religiosity: Humans naturally seek meaning and transcendence, often turning to new forms of spirituality or ideology when traditional faith wanes.
6. What role does the Christian story play in shaping Western culture, according to Justin Brierley?
- Foundation of moral values: The Christian narrative underpins Western concepts of human dignity, equality, and rights, which secular humanism often inherits.
- Historical impact: Many modern institutions—such as human rights, welfare, and democracy—are rooted in Christian ethics, not just classical or secular origins.
- Cultural “instincts”: Western moral instincts, like care for the vulnerable and the intrinsic value of every person, are legacies of Christianity.
- Unacknowledged influence: Secular culture often fails to recognize how deeply its values are shaped by the Christian story.
7. How does The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God by Justin Brierley address the reliability of the Bible and the Gospels?
- Historical and textual evidence: Brierley cites thousands of ancient manuscripts and the accuracy of textual criticism in reconstructing the original texts.
- Eyewitness testimony: Scholars argue the Gospels reflect firsthand accounts, supported by accurate details and “undesigned coincidences.”
- Archaeological corroboration: Discoveries like the Pool of Siloam and Hezekiah’s tunnel confirm biblical accounts, reinforcing historical credibility.
- Secular reevaluation: Thinkers like Jordan Peterson and Jonathan Haidt are reassessing the Bible’s psychological wisdom and cultural significance.
8. What are the main reasons New Atheism has “grown old” according to Justin Brierley?
- Lack of a unifying story: New Atheism failed to offer a compelling narrative that satisfies the human need for meaning and purpose.
- Overemphasis on materialism: Its strict naturalistic worldview struggles to explain consciousness, morality, and the universe’s fine-tuning.
- Cultural and intellectual pushback: Influential thinkers and scientists have challenged New Atheism’s assumptions, opening space for renewed interest in spirituality.
- Internal controversies: Ideological splits and accusations of sexism further fragmented the movement.
9. How does Justin Brierley address the challenge of materialism and determinism to belief in God?
- Critique of determinism: If all thoughts are predetermined by physical processes, reason itself is undermined, making materialism self-defeating.
- Consciousness as a challenge: The “hard problem of consciousness” suggests subjective experience cannot be fully explained by brain activity alone.
- Philosophical and scientific voices: Thinkers like C. S. Lewis and Iain McGilchrist argue for a mind or divine source behind reality.
- Limits of reductionism: Materialism’s inability to account for mind, meaning, and morality points to the plausibility of a transcendent reality.
10. What is the significance of public intellectuals like Jordan Peterson in the new conversation on faith, according to Justin Brierley?
- Peterson’s influence: As a psychologist, Peterson has popularized renewed interest in biblical stories and Christian symbolism, especially among young men.
- Bridging secular and religious: He and others in the “Intellectual Dark Web” critique both New Atheism and progressive ideologies, advocating for values rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition.
- Gateway to faith: Peterson’s work often serves as a “gateway drug” to orthodox Christianity, encouraging exploration of faith beyond secularism.
- Cultural impact: These thinkers have made Christianity intellectually respectable and culturally relevant again in public discourse.
11. How does Justin Brierley explain the role of imagination and storytelling in the rebirth of belief?
- Imagination as a gateway: People often encounter Christianity first through literature, art, and myth before intellectual assent.
- C. S. Lewis’s example: Lewis’s journey shows how stories can make the Christian narrative emotionally compelling and intellectually credible.
- Balancing reason and feeling: Brierley argues the church must combine apologetics with imaginative engagement to reach seekers effectively.
- Emotional resonance: Storytelling helps faith connect with the deepest human longings for meaning and transcendence.
12. What advice does Justin Brierley give to the church for responding to the current cultural moment in The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God?
- Engage new questions: The church should address deeper questions of meaning, identity, and purpose that secular thinkers are now raising.
- Embrace reason and imagination: Combining intellectual rigor with storytelling and worship can make faith more compelling.
- Keep Christianity “weird”: Rather than diluting doctrine, churches should boldly affirm their distinctiveness, mystery, and supernatural claims.
- Build grace-filled community: The church must offer countercultural love and forgiveness, providing a refuge from ideological polarization and cancel culture.
Review Summary
The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God receives largely positive reviews for its insightful analysis of the decline of New Atheism and the resurgence of interest in Christianity. Readers appreciate Brierley's unique perspective from hosting debates between believers and skeptics. Many find the book thought-provoking and hopeful, praising its exploration of meaning, science, and faith. Some criticize its apologetics approach and political undertones. Overall, reviewers commend Brierley's examination of cultural shifts and the potential for a Christian revival in the West.
Download PDF
Download EPUB
.epub digital book format is ideal for reading ebooks on phones, tablets, and e-readers.
