From the mid-1990s to the 2010s, ‘New Atheism’ dominated the intellectual space. A virulent, attacking form of godless evangelism, it saw people like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens top best-seller lists, and draw huge crowds to their lectures. Justin Brierley was in the middle of it all as New Atheism rose – and then collapsed. In its wake, Justin says he is seeing a new openness to theism – but where that might lead is anyone’s guess.

Theology: It’s a dry term that conjures images of old academics writing dusty books that will never be read. 

However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The study of theology is the study of who we are as humans, and how we can make sense of both God and the complexities of the world.

So, who are the theologians we should all know about?

Science is a relatively new term. Chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy – all have only existed as defined, singular fields for the last century and a half. Before that was the mysterious world of natural philosophy – an ancient tradition that saw the natural world as one, combined entity. Our guest, Professor Alister McGrath, argues that this old way is a path to a new kind of appreciation of the world and each other.