Mary Harrington and Justin Brierley: The Quiet Revival of Christianity

In this episode of Socrates in the City, host Mary Harrington engages in a profound conversation with Justin Brierley, author and longtime host of the podcast Unbelievable, about the unexpected resurgence of Christian faith—what Brierley calls the 'Quiet Revival.' They explore how the collapse of the New Atheist movement, marked by internal conflicts like Elevator Gate and ideological fractures over wokeness, created a vacuum that has been filled by a renewed interest in Christianity, especially among young people. The digital age, while contributing to social atomization and meaninglessness, has also become a powerful vector for religious revival by enabling grassroots Christian voices to reach global audiences through podcasts, YouTube, and social media. Brierley argues that the failure of materialist, atheist narratives to deliver meaning, combined with the existential crises triggered by events like 9/11, the financial crash, and the pandemic, has led many to seek deeper stories—particularly the Christian narrative of redemption, incarnation, and embodied community. The revival is not uniform: it's concentrated in traditional liturgical churches and charismatic Pentecostal movements, while mainstream, technocratic churches struggle to attract new adherents. The discussion also grapples with the complex rise of Christian nationalism, exemplified by figures like Tommy Robinson, and the tension between genuine spiritual seeking and political co-optation. Ultimately, Brierley offers a hopeful, grace-filled perspective: even if motives are mixed, the presence of both 'wheat and tares' in this revival is part of God’s larger work, and only time will reveal the true fruit of this transformation.