Being Human

It's our final episode of Being Human Season 7. Jo Frost, Peter Lynas and special guest Katherine Brown (Being Human’s engagement lead) complete the mini-series with some big announcements.  We get to know Katherine as she makes her Being Human podcast debut by sharing her story of becoming a Christian at drama school and how she ended up at Being Human. Revisiting the Quiet Revival, the team probes further into some of the themes, trends and motivations for faith exploration. The team use the Being Human Lens to explore how spiritual practices are becoming a popular gateway to faith as things like sabbath, fasting and digital detoxes become commonplace in our culture. Connect with us on social media instagram.com/beinghumanlens Connect with Jo instagram.com/jofrostie Connect with Peter instagram.com/peter.lynas Connect with Katherine instagram.com/katherinexbrown Read more about how spiritual practices are leading people to Jesus https://beinghumanlens.com/articles/spiritual-practices-are-leading-people-to-jesus  Do your values and behaviours align? Sign up to our newsletter to stay up-to-date with Ethos beinghumanlens.com Phil Knox's Missional Trends for 2026 Missional Trends 2026 - Evangelical Alliance Find out more about the Evangelical Alliance eauk.org Show notes: 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 02:23 Get to know Katherine Brown 04:50 Continuing the conversation on the Quiet Revival 06:30 Faith exploration journeys 15:42 Is there a formula for discipleship? 16:51 Jo's next adventure at OCCA 20:07 Ethos explained 23:38 He tried fasting and found Jesus 28:18 Ethos teaser and sign up 29:42 The journey to faith through spiritual practices 31:36 Jo's final hurrah and plans for Season 8

In this episode, Jo Frost and Peter Lynas jump in to the Quiet Revival research. Unpacking the trends they are seeing emerge between men and women's approaches to faith. Men seem to take a "Jesus plus politics" approach whereas women are taking a "Jesus plus spirituality" approach. Sharing their observations from traveling and hearing stories, they chat about differences across nations and how the church can be equipped to navigate and disciple all of these newcomers. Shownotes 00:00 Welcome to Being Human: what is the 'Quiet Revival'? 02:21 Bible Society & YouGov Stats: Why the numbers surprised everyone 03:30 Other research confirms the trend (Bibles, students, Belief in Britain) 05:32 Where it’s showing up: regions, church types, and size effects 07:23 Baptisms, attendance, and ‘It’s not my church’ 09:41 Public male converts & the politics question: What’s driving it? 10:29 Fear narratives: ‘Where are the men?’ and the discipleship challenge 11:55 Men’s pathways: solo faith, podcasts, and right-leaning baggage 15:15 Women’s pathways & ‘Jesus+’: experiential spirituality vs logic 18:00 Why are women’s stories quieter? Influence, platforms, and blind spots 22:02 Discipling the newcomers: From ‘Third eye’ stories to core formation 24:34 Openness Is Rising, now the church must disciple well 25:30 Identity, community & nationalism: flipping the lens 25:55 How to respond: share your local church story 27:13 Digging deeper: why the ‘quiet revival’ is happening 28:14 Chaos, deconstruction & openness to the Christian story 29:23 From Tom Holland to Jordan Peterson: intellectual, community & spiritual pathways 30:16 Is fear driving faith? What our research found about anxiety & hope 33:28 Viral moments & messy catalysts: funerals, livestreams and unexpected seekers 35:01 Google as evangelist: why SEO, online clarity & welcome matter 36:11 So what do we do? Step into the missional moment 37:54 A real-life nudge: the devotion book that opened a Jesus conversation 39:54 Discipleship in real time: handling messy journeys and public voices 41:56 Final landing: be a non-anxious presence and nurture what the Spirit grows  

In this episode of Being Human, Jo Frost and Peter Lynas take a deep dive into the controversial public figure Tommy Robinson, examining his conversion to Christianity and asking how it compares with the well-known faith journey of historian Tom Holland (Dominion). The conversation explores the growing influence of Christian nationalism in the UK, Robinson’s cultural impact, and the wider debates shaping British society today, including Islam, immigration, national identity, and free speech. Jo and Peter go on to ask some of the biggest questions facing the UK right now: Can Britain still be called a Christian nation? What cultural, political and spiritual forces are redefining that identity? How should the church respond in an age of polarisation, especially when fear often shouts louder than hope? 00:00 Introduction and welcome 00:27 Exploring fear in relationships 01:36 The tale of the two Tommys 02:03 Tom Holland's journey to Christianity 07:42 Tommy Robinson's perspective 17:45 Fear and identity politics 20:39 Christian Nationalism: definitions and debates 23:52 Tommy's provocative questions 24:45 Christianity's influence on society 25:36 The role of Christianity in modern cities 26:35 Challenges and critiques of Christian values 29:15 Fear vs. hope in Christian response 29:54 Addressing violence and fear 31:14 Christian citizenship and identity 38:06 Navigating fear and relationships 42:51 Conclusion and call to action

Jo Frost and Peter Lynas are back with the seventh season of the Being Human podcast - Fear Makes The World Go Round - focusing on the chaos of the world today and its impact on our human story. They chat about how global instability, health anxieties, and geopolitical chaos are shaping our lifestyles and invoking fear responses. Delving deeper, they explore the rise of new leadership styles and the deconstruction of international norms. It's not all doom and gloom as they conclude with the story of Daniel as an example to living with a supernatural hope in the face of turbulent times. Jo also shares her upcoming departure to the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, marking this mini-series as her final contribution as a co-host. 00:00 Welcome to Season Seven 00:23 Introduction to the mini- series 02:18 Fear makes the world go round 04:26 Health and Wellness Trends 06:33 Geopolitical chaos 08:21 Raising families when the future seems bleak 11:11 The spheres of fear in our society 12:54 Hope in the midst of chaos 14:20 New leaders and deconstructed norms 20:23 A fear response 27:04 Fighting fear and finding hope 30:59 Living the countercultural Christian story 34:05 Conclusion

In the season six finale, Jo Frost and Peter Lynas explore the major cultural shifts shaping our view of the future. From Bryan Johnson’s anti-aging pursuits to Elon Musk’s space ambitions, they unpack what these stories reveal about our hopes and fears. The episode also delves into AI’s growing influence on politics and society. Jo and Peter contrast these secular visions with the Christian narrative - one rooted in hope and purpose. They close with practical tips - using simplicity and Sabbath rest as ways to stay spiritually grounded in an increasingly fast-paced and uncertain world. 00:00 Introduction and Opening Thoughts 00:18 Welcome and Podcast Overview 01:23 Exploring Hope, Progress, and the Future 03:02 The Myth of Progress and Cultural Shifts 07:33 Health, Longevity, and Technological Advances 12:34 AI and the Future of Humanity 15:13 Transhumanism and Technological Utopias 19:52 Cultural Reflections and Influences 29:35 Christian Perspective on Hope and Eschatology 33:34 The Importance of Eschatology 34:46 Misconceptions About Heaven and Earth 35:46 Living in the Now: Balancing Faith and Life 38:33 The Practice of Sabbath 40:47 Simplicity and Submission in Discipleship Related links: 'My ultimate goal? Don't die' - Bryan Johnson article in The Guardian, 14 September 2023 Elon Musk’s Space X Mars & Beyond : https://www.spacex.com/humanspaceflight/mars/ More on TESCREAL https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TESCREAL Netflix’s Black Mirror Justin Brierley in conversation with Anthony Bradley: Why men are returning to church. Emily Maitlis interviews Charlie Brooker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV1iF9wMS0g

In this week’s episode, Jo Frost and Peter Lynas explore the urgent issue of the 'discipleship deficit' amidst the growing number of young people coming to faith. They discuss the challenges of discipling in a complex world with its constant changes in cultural values and societal shifts. The conversation delves into the need for new methods of discipleship to bridge the cultural disconnect and align with the gospel's teachings. The discussion highlights the importance of community and worship while suggesting Biblical practices like digital abstinence to navigate this transformative time. They pull on threads from the gospels and early church practices and provide insights for today’s church to better support this exciting rise in spiritual interest.      00:00 Introduction: The Missional Moment 00:30 Welcome to Being Human 01:53 Exploring the Discipleship Deficit 04:03 Cultural Shifts and Their Impact 07:22 The Role of Community in Faith 11:19 Discipleship in a Complex World 18:33 Jesus' Encounters and Lessons 25:22 Practical Steps for Discipleship 33:03 Conclusion

In this episode of Being Human, hosts Jo Frost and Peter Lynas discuss the increasing interest in Christianity among Gen Z and young men, exploring the profound cultural and spiritual shifts underlying this trend. They highlight the rising curiosity in faith, supported by empirical data and real-life stories.   Delving into the intellectual journeys sparked by public figures like Jordan Peterson and Russell Brand they look at how these influences shape individuals' exploration of Christianity. They also examine how these cultural shifts align with biblical narratives, emphasising the importance of witnessing and interceding.   The episode concludes with practical advice for anchoring spiritual growth in daily practices and fostering a supportive community for new believers.    00:00 Introduction: The Growing Interest in Faith  00:38 Exploring the Cultural Shifts  01:31 The Quiet Revival: Is It Real?  02:41 Focus on Young Men and Gen Z  05:35 Public Figures and Faith  09:21 Generational Trends in Faith  14:27 The Role of Intellectuals and Public Discourse  19:14 Biblical Stories and Their Relevance  28:41 Witnessing and Intercession  35:24 Conclusion    Links to items discussed  The Rest Is History Podcast  Joe Rogan interviews Wesley Huff, January 7, 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwyAX69xG1Q  The Times, Gen Z survey January 25, 2025  Bible Society report, ‘The Quiet Revival’ April 2025:  https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/research/quiet-revival  Dominion – Tom Holland.   Giles Coren article in The Times, This Lent I will turn atheism into ashes   The Best of Friends – Phil Knox 

Join Jo and Peter in a new episode of Being Human as they reflect on the concept of the 'vibe shift' and its far-reaching effects on today’s cultural and social dynamics. They explore real-life examples from changes in corporate culture and political realignments to the evolving ways people express their faith in public. Through their discussion, they emphasise the importance of grounding oneself in scripture and liturgy to navigate these shifting cultural landscapes, offering a stable foundation in Jesus. Tune in for an engaging exploration of how to live truly and fully human in today's ever-changing world.   00:00 Introduction: Cultural shifts 00:30 Welcome to Being Human 01:20 Exploring the Vibe Shift 03:21 Cultural Examples of the Vibe Shift 14:23 Faith and the Vibe Shift 26:15 Practices for Navigating in Changing Times   Links mentioned Santiago Pliego: pliego.substack.com/p/vibe-shift Alison P. Davis New York Magazine article: A Vibe Shift Is Coming. Will any of us survive it? www.thecut.com/a-vibe-shift-is-coming

Jo and Peter return to unpack freedom, chatting through insights on the topics of free speech, social justice and asking if it's okay to stop others from exercising their freedom to protect your own. Explore the dynamic exchange between Jo Frost and Peter Lynas as they delve into cultural conversations and biblical practices to explore what freedom, faith, and being truly, fully human looks like today in our latest podcast episode! Tune in for an engaging discussion that resonates with current debates and timeless truths.  00:00 Introduction: Absolute freedom is a myth   00:33:  JD Vance and free speech  01:35:  What is freedom?   02:12:  Freedom and Individualism   06:58: Are our freedoms under threat?  07:03: Coercion and Assisted Suicide  10:57: Freedom in the Digital Age  13:42: Biblical Perspective on Freedom  25:41: Christian Practices for Freedom 

In the first episode of the Being Human podcast season six, Jo Frost and Peter Lynas dive into the widespread feeling of chaos in today's world, exploring its implications on personal, cultural, and societal levels. Chatting through the different cultural stories, from politics to technology that contribute to this sense of chaotic madness, they pull on the threads of the God story to help us make sense of what’s happening and ask how practices such as fasting, hospitality, and worship can bring order and peace.   Time stamps  00:00 Introduction: It’s a mad, mad world  00:47 Exploring Cultural Stories  01:55 Understanding Chaosity  04:08 Global and Technological Chaos  10:48 Personal and Community Chaos  13:24 Biblical Perspective on Chaos  25:54 Christian Practices for Order  36:10 Conclusion and Call to Action 

If every human being is made in the image of God, but we are each rooted into a particular place and culture, how might we as Christians better engage in conversations on migration, asylum and refugees? In this episode Jo and Peter discuss this global issue and why it should matter to us all. From political slogans and dramatic headlines, the conversation starts by peeling back some of misconceptions and complexity of this issue; investigating who’s coming into UK and for what reasons. Jo and Peter then once again use the Being Human lens to help offer a fresh perspective asking how might significance, connection, presence and participation impact our understanding of human dignity, interculturalism, borders and citizenship? How can we see the pages of Scripture as one large story of migration, displacement and finding home? Part one (00:00) 01:11 Welcome back and introducing the big issue for episode four: the complex world of migration, asylum, and refugees. 02:03 Announcement: Peter and Jo are hosting a mini-series of webinars! Chatting all-things Being Human from the Lens, to our cultural landscape to understanding who is in our churches and how we might reach them. Look out for more information coming soon. 03:05 Small boats, international students and economic migrants: getting the lay of the land on who actually is arriving into the UK each year.   09:09 Coming back to the Being Human Lens: why is migration and asylum important to the conversation about being human today? 12:10 Starting with significance – how does dignity, identity, and equality affect a perspective on migration? 16:42 From the Old to New Testament: seeing the bible as one large a story of migration. And how might that challenge our perspective. Part two (20:17) 20:20 People don’t migrate in isolation: recognising the importance of families, dependants and connection. 24:07 The complexities of local connections and global compassion. Are we equally connected to everyone in the world? Is our responsibility to family, community, nation or the globe? 26:46 Lessons from Beyonce's latest album and exploring how might we think about borders. 30:20 We are particular people in particular places – respecting both the culture we might be from and the one we are visiting or inhabiting. 37:38 Pushing back on the unhelpful soundbites and toxic language surrounding this issue, what might it mean to participate positively in this conversation?  41:23 Coming back to the story of God as one that centres on displaced people – how might be understand inclusion and welcome of the foreigner, but also the call to be distinct? 44:43 Gratitude, study, and you guessed it...hospitality. Three habits for we might inhabit this better story for engaging with migration, refugee and asylum. Read Luke Bretherton's article on Immigration and the moral status of borders here. 

We have reached the end of season four! After a season of listening and learning from a variety of people, ideas and experiences, Jo and Peter sit down together and pull out some of the threads and themes woven throughout this season.     This season spanned a wide range of topical subjects, from young people and mental health to class and heritage, to identity and power, revealing a resounding common theme of crisis. Our world and sometimes our own faith feels fragile and fractured. So, in this episode Jo and Peter take three of the major cultural stories – secularism, expressive individualism and postmodernism, and ask: ‘what do we mean by each, why are these stories here, and why are they creating crisis?’.   Ultimately, the hope-filled news is that these cultural stories exist within a wider and deeper one. A good, true and beautiful story of what it means to be human, that we are invited into to bring about cultural renewal.     Although season four has come to a close, you can dig even deeper by reading Jo and Peter’s book and staying up to date with the latest content on our website.     Part one (00:00)  02:29 – The wrap up episode: reflecting on what we’ve heard and noticing commonalities within the themes of the cultural stories throughout the podcast season.   06:00 – Why are we feeling as though we are living in crisis? Increasingly people are reevaluating the story they are living, but what if there is another story that doesn’t inhabit crisis?   08:27 – Exploring story one: Secularism. Why aren’t we as secular as we pretend to be and the lack of coherency this story offers.      Part two (15:30)   15:43 – Exploring story two: Expressive individualism — what do we mean by this, why is it here and why is it creating crisis?   19:00 – Some of the challenges of expressive individualism, and why receiving an identity from God and belonging to Him is so important in light of this story.   21:10 – Exploring story three: Postmodernism. Understanding the goodness that can be found in this story – from calling out power abuse to tearing down injustice. However, there are challenges to this story that leave us fumbling, searching for truth 29:30 – Our cultural stories run within the larger, wider one that God shares with us. As kingdom-carriers, we are to be a light to the surrounding world, to partner with Him to bring about cultural renewal.  

Are we becoming more anxious as a society? And how can following Jesus build resilience in the face of increasing mental fragility? In our final interview of the season, Jo and Peter are joined by Will van der Hart. Anglican priest, author, coach and pastoral specialist, he brings a breadth and depth of knowledge to conversations surrounding faith and mental health. Having suffered from PTSD and an acute anxiety breakdown following his involvement in the London 2005 bombings recovery, Will is now a leading voice on equipping leaders to look after their emotional health. This interview covers a lot of ground, spanning from deep theology to psychology to cultural commentary, as well as practical advice on building resilience. Ultimately, Will shares that belonging to Jesus can help us in the way we view our psychological health and our ability to battle shame. If you would like to explore more of the themes of this episode, do check out Christian mental health charity Mind and Soul Foundation, where Will is a director. Will’s book, talks and further resources can all be found there. Part one (00:00) 00:35 – Two very different stories to get to know Will: an all-inclusive holiday gone wrong, and the impact the 2005 London bombings had on his mental health. 05:14 – Will's own experience of complex PTSD and anxiety led to a ministry integrating and advocating for faith and mental health. But in wider society, are we becoming more anxious or are we just talking about anxiety more? 13:00 – As Christians, do we recognise that we are truly forgiven and free? What is ‘disassociated guilt’ and why is it ‘the culture war of old’? 19:00 – “If it's not a paradox, then it's probably not God”. Learning to hold the mind, spirit and body together in unity, even if that causes tension. Part two (21:10) 21:20 – The power of ‘unbelonging’: much of today's cultural stories surrounding ‘the self’ are rooted in a deep desire for belonging and fear of shame. 27:00 – Why belonging to Jesus can benefit our psychological health. 29:00 – Unpicking the challenges that Christian leaders are facing and dismantling the ‘catastrophe of leadership narrative’. 35:30 – To build resilience against a culture of shame, we must share grace often and seek a soft heart in the centre of the church. 40:00 – Where to go next – Will’s books and further resources, as well as an important reminder for prioritising recreation.

Is the tide turning on a belief in God? Are we witnessing a wave of curiosity towards the Christian story?  In this episode, Jo and Peter sit down with the renowned author and former host of the Unbelievable? podcast, Justin Brierley, to delve into his latest book, The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God.  Join our co-hosts as they explore the journey Justin undertakes in his book, where he uncovers the unexpected resurgence of belief in God in an age supposedly characterised by scepticism and secularism. He considers what might it look like for the world to be ‘re-enchanted’ by the God story in new and imaginative ways, and the thought-provoking questions his book raises about the intersection of science, reason, and spirituality in our modern world.  For more conversations like this one, Justin also co-hosts the Re-Enchanting podcast. To listen to this and order your copy of his latest book, head to: justinbrierley.com  Part one (00:00)  01:54 – Are we looking at the birth of a new cultural tide where people are ready to hear the Christian story once again? Introducing Justin’s new book: The surprising rebirth of belief of God.  05:43 – The rise and fall of the mid-2000s ‘new atheism movement’ – why many people are no longer satisfied with atheism.  10:50 – “When people stop believing in God, they don’t believe in nothing; they believe in anything…” Atheism opened a void that was filled by numerous other stories on life, meaning and purpose, that took people in all kinds of directions.  Part two (13:21)  13:36 – Since the Enlightenment, there has been a ‘disenchanting’ of the world – what does this mean? What problems does it pose? And does the Christian story have anything to offer?  18:47 – What story are you living for today? And other questions that might shift how we share the story of God in today’s culture.  22:45 – Christians have often sold the God story short, but what might it look like to re-enchant a world that is looking for meaning, belief and imagination?  27:27 – With a rise in cynicism towards the church, it’s important to recognise our own flaws while not becoming disenchanted with our own story.  31:15 – From Tom Holland to Jordan Peterson, how can we be careful about how we engage with so called ‘secular prophets’?

Many parts of the church are sick because so often it does not follow its Lord. How do we come to terms with abuse and misuse of power within the body of Christ? In this episode, Jo and Peter are joined by Dr Diane Langberg for a timely conversation on power, balancing justice and forgiveness, and honouring the stories of the oppressed. Dr Langberg is globally recognised for her 52 years of clinical work with trauma victims from war-survivors to church leaders. She has trained caregivers on six continents in responding to trauma and to the abuse of power, and now she is invited to speak and train all over the world. Her newest book, Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church, brings her decades of experience into light. To discover more about Dr Langberg’s work and read her latest books, head to dianelangberg.com As followers of Jesus, we all have a responsibility to bring darkness into the light. If you are affected by anything in this episode and wish to seek further help, we do recommend checking out the resources of Christian safeguarding charity thirtyone:eight. Part one (00:00) 00:45 – From meeting with Vietnam war veterans to hearing women’s stories of sexual abuse – Dr Langberg’s journey to investigating the church as a place of abuse. 5:40 – As someone who has been the listening ear to stories of suffering for decades, what has kept you on the path with Jesus? 6:39 – If power is part of being made in the image of God, why does the church have such a complicated relationship with it? What can good and holy power look like? 12:35 – Beginning to dismantle a system-protection mindset: holding leaders in respect, without making them untouchable. Part two (15:16) 15:29 – How we engage with a seemingly growing and fruitful church, while remembering that what is happening on the surface doesn’t always indicate a good and pure heart. 20:40 – How do we navigate the church as a place of justice for the abused, but also a place of forgiveness and grace? We can look to the cross where the cost of forgiveness was truly shown. 24:55 — Humility and restoration doesn’t necessarily mean a return to positions of authority and power. How can leaders steward power well? 29:00 – Looking towards the life of Jesus and His relationship with the temple – keeping our faith in Jesus strong while dealing with stories of church abuse in the right way. 32:00 – For anyone listening today who has suffered in the church, some words of comfort, hope, and resilience from Dr Langberg.

Being a disciple of Jesus is not about becoming like the people around us, it’s about becoming more like Him – so why are most western churches predominantly middle class? Having grown up in relative poverty in a deprived seaside town, Natalie Williams’ life was changed when she became a Christian at age 15. Now she is the chief executive of Jubilee+, a national Christian charity that seeks to equip Christians and churches to alleviate poverty and injustice in their communities. Natalie joins Jo and Peter in this episode for a conversation on class, culture and learning to celebrate difference and diversity. As the co-author of several books, including Invisible Divides which explores some of the barriers to belonging in the church, Natalie is passionate about recognising the image of God in everyone, and how the church can practically become a place of overflowing mercy. To hear more about Natalie, discover her books and the work of Jubilee+, head to their website.  Part one (00:00) 00:56 – Introducing Natalie: from the teenager who wasn’t looking for faith, to the woman who now champions the power of Jesus to change the world through His church. 04:04 – Understanding class barriers and belonging: are we to conform to the image of a middle-class Christian? Or to the image of Jesus? 07:34 – Learning to reconcile class differences with a God who doesn’t want us to move away from our cultures and contexts, nor ignore our differences. 11:36 – Trying to unpick values that reflect God vs values that reflect culture, learning first from the Bible and then one another. Part two (17:34) 17:34 – Class, gender, singleness – how can we better understand multiple and intersecting barriers to belonging? 21:00 – Becoming thick-skinned yet soft-hearted – learning to recognise the plank in our own eye and host spaces where people feel they are welcome. 29:50 – Practically, how do we maintain communities of difference?

As Western culture becomes more and more secular, are we increasingly ‘living in exile’ as Christians? If so, how can we better understand our identity, our home, and one another? We welcome Damilola Makinde to the Being Human podcast. Her background spans law, public policy, preaching, and worship leading. Damilola is originally from London but having grown up within a Nigerian diaspora in Ireland, her experience of tri-cultural heritage has contributed to the powerful and prophetic voice she holds today. In this episode, she draws on her own story of ‘living in exile’ but finding home in the presence of God. Join us as we discuss how our culture impacts our understanding of who God is and our relationship with Him, the challenge of discipleship in more secular environments, and Damilola’s hope to see revival and renewal in our day. Damilola is a member of the Being Human team, you can find more about her at beinghumanlens.com Part one (00:00) 03:40 – Growing up in a Nigerian diaspora; being deeply formed and shaped by a country, yet not living in it. 06:50 – Finding similarities between Damilola’s tri-cultural heritage and the experience of Christians in the West. What does ‘living in exile’ look like? 11:00 – Home is the ability to recognise the presence of God wherever you are. So, although living in exile can be painful, we can find hope in its promise of home. Part two (16:38) 16:45 – Understanding secularism as a climate that diminishes our view of God. 18:45 – Before we can understand who we are, we need to understand God as ‘other’ and holy. But what do we do when we find ourselves in environments that over- or under-emphasise the otherness of God? 24:55 – The challenge of discipleship within a secular context is to be responsive to the culture around us but remain reflective of the gospel. Part three (28:50) 28:56 – Revival is when people respond to Jesus on His own terms – are we seeing signs of this today and if so, how should we respond? 33:30 – The cultural stories of today are bringing us to our knees, and yet this is exactly where we need to be to see revival and receive a fresh revelation of who God is. 38:01 – Damilola’s hope and prayer for anyone listening today – that as we are transformed, we too become agents of God’s transformation for the world.

To be human is to search after a home. For Rachel Gardner, this is found in community. As well as an author, speaker, and activist, Rachel is the youth resourcing lead at an intergenerational church plant in Blackburn. With a background in youth work, Rachel is passionate about young people finding their voice – and redeeming relationships. In this episode, Jo, Peter and Rachel focus on the ‘connection’ aspect of being human. They ask: how have things changed for young people? What impact has the online world had on ideas around love and safety? And what opportunities can the church look out for to redeem young people’s understanding of Jesus? Deep connection has always required self-sacrifice, but in today’s culture love is expressed as a self-first love. However, one of Christianity’s most captivating offers to humanity is a genuine offer of belonging: that all of us can be one family in Christ. Interested in finding out more about Rachel? Follow her on Twitter @RachelGardnerRA  or read one of her latest books The Sex Thing and The Girl De-Construction Project. Part one (00:00) 00:49 – Meet Rachel: stories of finding home in community and finding family through adoption.  04:17 – How has the nature of connection to one another changed? Each generation is extraordinarily bold and innovative in finding connection. Today we see this innovation through the ideas of expressive individualism and a new heroic narrative. 08:30 – Instagram and the online world prevent young people from being able to work out who they are in the fullness of a kind and up-close community. 11:00 – A poor understanding of safety, combined with a poor understanding of connection, is a toxic combination, particularly for young women and girls. Part two (14:15) 14:20 – The compelling nature of a narrative of “God loves you” is so warmly appreciated, but the closer that love comes, the more suspicious many people become. What are the challenges of communicating the gospel today? 19:09 – The remedy to these challenges – finding the stories of sacrificial love in our culture today. 21:00 – If we are part of communities that are discipled as much by secularism as by Christianity, how do we begin a conversation about redeeming the idea of desire?   24:30 – God’s invitation – told throughout the God story – is for us to come close and be known. When we are drawn to God’s holiness, we learn that He can cope with our desires and fears. 28:30 – As parents, church members and leaders, we must be incarnate communities in order to welcome and embrace young people.

The Bible is a fuller and richer story than we might tend to think. Within it, all other stories find their place. But is it possible to truly make sense of the world with a biblical perspective? Introducing professor and author of Biblical Critical Theory, Chris Watkin. As a scholar in the relationship between the Bible and philosophy, his groundbreaking book seeks to place biblical ideas alongside the cultural theories of our day. Chris joined the podcast for a conversation on the power of stories, philosophy and disrupting culture’s disagreements. He chatted with Jo and Peter as they explored some of the ideas of Biblical Critical Theory, a book that the late Tim Keller had “eagerly anticipated for years”. Interested in reading Biblical Critical Theory or more of Chris’ work? Head to thinkingthroughthebible.com Part one (00:00) 02:20 – How do ideas become viable, visible and valuable to us? Introducing critical theory and the way it shapes the stories we tell and our view of the world. 06:23 – Discovering the kinship between Christians and philosophers. Whether we agree or disagree, it's important to make space to ask the big questions of today. 09:23 – The God story isn’t just one story added alongside the many others trying to explain our world. Rather, it is the story within which all other stories exist. 11:08 – How do we make sense of the world with a biblical perspective – do we need a lens or a map? Part two (15:09) 15:55 – How does the Bible disrupt our culture’s comfortable dichotomies? When there is a tendency to pit human dignity against human humility, the Bible balances them in harmony. 21:57 – Is it possible to tell the story of sin in a way that makes sense in cultural conversations? 26:35 – The Christian story ‘out-cynics’ the cynic and ‘out-hopes’ the optimist. Part three (30:54) 31:05 – The implications of new creation and revelation. What are we being redeemed for? 34:01 – Putting this into practice: what difference can biblical critical theory have in our daily lives?

When much of contemporary Christianity is suffering an identity crisis, how do we engage well with cultural conversations? As followers of Jesus, we need to return to Christianity’s rich DNA and uncover the ‘why’ behind the vision for our lives and the lives of others. We are welcoming author, professor and long-term activist Karen Swallow Prior back to the Being Human podcast! A renowned social commentator, Karen’s dedication to bridging the gaps between faith, culture and literature has left an incredible mark. With a nuanced and compassionate voice, her writing has appeared in Christianity Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Gospel Coalition, to mention a few. Join Jo and Peter in this interview as they dive into the themes of Karen’s most recent book – The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images, and Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis – and chat activism, imagination and finding Jesus in some of life’s greatest challenges. To discover more about Karen Swallow Prior and order your copy of The Evangelical Imagination, head to: karenswallowprior.com Part one (00:00) 02:25 – Introducing Karen’s inspiration for The Evangelical Imagination: when much of evangelical culture is more Victorian than biblical, how do we faithfully distinguish cultural values from biblical ones? 04:41 – In recent years ‘evangelical’ has become a controversial and contested term – what does it actually mean to be one? 07:48 – Why activism is in the DNA of evangelicalism. 10:44 – What is our ‘social imaginary’? Engaging with cultural conversations and uncovering the ‘why’ behind our actions and vision for our lives. Part two (13:50) 14:18 –What do we do when cultural and biblical values are entangled? How do healthily examine and separate them? 19:36 – The ‘before and after’ storyline: exploring the cross-over in contemporary Christianity between the language of conversion and the language of self-help. 23:48 – What can metaphors teach us about spiritual realities and the character of God? Learning from Karen’s experience of being hit by a bus and the stories of abused women in the church. 28:15 – Being human is a ‘sign act’ – something that points to another, greater thing and prepares us for eternity. Therefore, as we look to Jesus who redeems all things, pain doesn’t have to be the end to somebody’s story.