19. A Goldilocks Universe - The surprising science pointing to God

The next generation is remarkably open to spirituality according to recent data. Could the 'Asbury Awakening' be evidence of a renewal bubbling up among Gen Z? Justin speaks to pastors, thinkers, statisticians and Gen Z leaders who have noticed a surprising surge of interest in faith, alongside stories of unusual growth in Catholic, Orthodox and evangelical churches. Rob Bethell also tells his story of surprising rebirth after walking into church for the first time. 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/ Ep 28 show notes: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/episode-28-is-the-tide-turning-gen-z-and-the-asbury-awakening The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God is a production of Think Faith in partnership with Genexis, and support from The Jerusalem Trust & the Christian Evidence Society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After falling for a Christian woman while on vacation, atheist Guillaume Bignon set out to disprove her faith. However, his investigation turned up evidence that he could not easily dismiss. Then, when God 'reactivated' his conscience... everything changed. In this bonus episode, Justin speaks to Guillaume Bignon author of 'Confessions of a French Atheist: How God Hijacked My Quest to Disprove the Christian Faith'. Glen Scrivener also tells Justin about the 321 Course. Justin's Autumn speaking dates in USA & UK: https://justinbrierley.beehiiv.com/p/autumn-speaking-dates 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/ Ep 27 show notes: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/episode-27-guillaume-bignon-a-french-atheists-surprising-conversion The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God is a production of Think Faith in partnership with Genexis, and support from The Jerusalem Trust & the Christian Evidence Society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Psychedelics are back in vogue as influencers promote hallucinogens as a gateway to spiritual enlightenment. The boom in mind-expanding drugs even seems to be opening up some people to the possibility of God. But what are the dangers of taking shortcuts to the transcendent? Justin hears from those arguing for and against the psychedelic resurgence including Mikhaila Peterson, Alan Noble, Alex O'Connor, Shawn Ryan, Iain McGilchrist and Phil Cotnoir. Ashley Lande explains why her search for enlightenment through psilocybin, LSD and mushrooms led her to some dark places, and how she found her way back to Christ. 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/ Ep 26 show notes: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/episode-26-psychedelics-and-the-search-for-god-ashley-landes-surprising-journey-to-faith The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God is a production of Think Faith in partnership with Genexis, and support from The Jerusalem Trust & the Christian Evidence Society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why did atheist neuroscientist Christoph Koch recently lose a 25-year-old bet on consciousness? Why is 'panpsychism' in fashion? And could the latest research on the brain be pointing us back towards God? Justin speaks to scientists and philosophers such as Sharon Dirckx and Philip Goff on the surprising turn away from atheist materialism. Ex-atheist Jennifer Fulwiler shares her story of realising love must be more than brain chemistry and influential thinker Iain McGilchrist reveals how a new understanding of the mind is pointing us back to God. For Iain McGilchrist on Re-Enchanting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gi9bfSwwI4 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/ Ep 25 show notes: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/the-believing-brain-how-iain-mcgilchrist-rediscovered-the-soul The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God is a production of Think Faith in partnership with Genexis, and support from The Jerusalem Trust & the Christian Evidence Society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin engages with atheist youtuber Alex O'Connor in a live audience conversation in Edinburgh, hosted by Patrick Brown of Trinity Forum Europe. They discuss Justin's 'Surprising Rebirth' thesis and whether the Bible is the foundation of Western morality. Alex also surprises the audience by reciting a CS Lewis poem from memory. For Justin's speaking dates in the USA & UK: https://justinbrierley.beehiiv.com/p/2024-summer-speaking-dates For the video of this debate: https://youtu.be/1aGDjOA9sJ4?si=pPz7uSK8af8CLIsx 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/ Ep 24 show notes: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/24-alex-oconnor-amp-justin-brierley-is-the-rebirth-real-edinburgh-debate The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God is a production of Think Faith in partnership with Genexis, and support from The Jerusalem Trust & the Christian Evidence Society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do we have free will? Many leading atheist voices say 'no'. Determinism has become a popular philosophy, but has contributed to a meta-crisis and a mental health crisis. Hearing from thinkers such as Alan Noble, Elizabeth Oldfield and Iain McGilchrist, Justin asks whether the passing of influential philosopher Daniel Dennett may herald a new openness to God, as seekers such as Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Russell Brand emerge from the 'meaning crisis'. Tech pioneer Jordan Hall also tells his story of finding an unexpected answer to his search for a solution to the meta-crisis. 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/ Ep 23 show notes: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/episode-23-emerging-from-the-meaning-crisis-the-death-of-daniel-dennett-and-rebirth-of-jordan-hall The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God is a production of Think Faith in partnership with Genexis, and support from The Jerusalem Trust & the Christian Evidence Society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin was recently invited to the UnHerd Club in London to defend the thesis of The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God. In this bonus episode he shares the conversation he had with atheist thinker Alex O’Connor and Christian thinker Elizabeth Oldfield as well as audience Q&A. The event was hosted by UnHerd presenter Freddie Sayers. 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/ Ep 22 show notes: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/episode-22-are-we-seeing-a-christian-revival-live-from-the-unherd-club-justin-brierley-alex-oconnor-elizabeth-oldfield-freddie-sayers The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God is a production of Think Faith in partnership with Genexis, and support from The Jerusalem Trust & the Christian Evidence Society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The last few years have been a rollercoaster ride of fame, controversy, serious illness and surprising faith for Tammy and Jordan Peterson. In this extended interview Tammy talks to Justin Brierley about her miraculous recovery from terminal cancer, her recent conversion to Catholicism and the growing interest in faith she is witnessing though the work of her well-known psychologist husband. 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/ Ep 21 show notes: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/episode-21-tammy-peterson-miracles-conversion-and-being-married-to-jordan The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God is a production of Think Faith in partnership with Genexis, and support from The Jerusalem Trust & the Christian Evidence Society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why did Antony Flew, one of the world's leading atheists, announce in 2004 that he believes in God? Why did atheist philosopher Thomas Nagel's 2012 book 'Mind And Cosmos' get him labelled as a heretic by his peers? Justin Brierley explores why the discovery of the DNA code, the search for the origin of life, the complexity of the cell, and the mathematical order of the universe are leading many scientists to speak of agency, purpose, and a 'Logos' behind life. He also hears from dissident thinkers such as Stephen Meyer, Roger Penrose, John Lennox, Denis Noble and Perry Marshall about the surprising rebirth of belief in a mind beyond matter. Biologist Sy Garte also tells his story of how as an atheist scientist, he was surprised by God. 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/ Ep 20 show notes: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/episode-20-the-logos-behind-life-the-dissident-scientists-discovering-a-mind-beyond-matter The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God is a production of Think Faith in partnership with Genexis, and support from The Jerusalem Trust & the Christian Evidence Society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New Atheism proclaimed that science had buried God. However, as new evidence about the surprising origins of the universe and its fine-tuning for life has emerged, perhaps God was waiting for us all along. Justin speaks to scientists and thinkers including Jennifer Wiseman, John Lennox and Stephen Meyer. Peter Byrom also examines whether Richard Dawkins' best-known objection to a 'complex' God really holds water. More info, book & newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/ Support via Patreon for early access to new episodes and for the extended bonus material about Dawkins' Dilemma: 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/ Ep 19 show notes: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/episode-19-a-goldilocks-universe-the-surprising-science-pointing-to-god The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God is a production of Think Faith in partnership with Genexis, and support from The Jerusalem Trust & the Christian Evidence Society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices