Author: John Stonestreet
More historians are recognizing that Christianity has been a force for good in the world. How Jesus treated women, the outcast, and the poor was revolutionary. Christian missionaries confronted the various evils of paganism, especially in the treatment of children, and offered a better way.
The teachings of Christ and the assumptions of the Christian worldview are so different for every other religion and worldview, they can’t not shape the culture of a society in which it flourishes.
Like in pre-Christian societies of the past, Christians have so much to offer a post-Christian world in which people struggle to find meaning and connection. Recently, I spoke with broadcaster and author Justin Brierley, who has been tracking the surprising surge in church attendance in the U.K.
By and large, people are gravitating towards churches with a more robust theology and church practice. I mean, the way I’ve put it is when I’ve spoken to some of these secular intellectuals who are interested in faith, people like Tom Holland, and others like Douglas Murray, who are kind of these agnostics/atheists, but very attracted in some ways to Christian faith. They’ve often said, look, Justin, if you want to attract me to church, don’t give me a warmed-over spiritualized version of secular humanism. I can already get that in the culture. I’m not looking for just a slightly more Christian version of what’s already on offer. I’m looking for something very different.
And, to use the phrase that Tom Holland’s used a few times, “keep Christianity weird,” they say. And that’s both referring, I think, to the strangeness, sometimes the weirdness, if you will, of the liturgical side of Christianity—if they’re looking for that very interesting, mystical nature of charismatic or Pentecostal worship that seems attractive because it’s so different.
But it could also refer to the ethical challenge of Christianity and the doctrinal aspect of Christianity. They don’t want just, as I said, what they can already get, what secular humanism is already offering the culture. That’s not what they come to church looking for. So, it’s no surprise to me that the churches that are perhaps drawing the converts are the ones where they’re offering something distinct from the culture.
That’s broadcaster and author Justin Brierley. You can hear my full interview with Justin on a bonus episode of the Breakpoint podcast. You’ll find it on our website.
Embracing the call of God to this cultural moment is the focus of the 2026 Colson Center National Conference, May 29-31. The theme “You Are Here” acknowledges that God has called us to this time and this place, within His grand Story of redemption. Join us at CCNC 2026. Speakers include Os Guinness, Chloe Cole, Abdu Murray, and more to be announced soon.
Register before November 29 to receive up to 50% off your tickets. For more details and to secure your spot, go to colsonconference.org.