Best of the Spectator

Holy Smoke: have the culture wars gone spiritual?

Nov 9, 2025
Luke Lyman, Arts Editor at Spectator World and expert on technology and culture, dives into the intriguing obsession of Silicon Valley elites with religious themes like the Book of Revelation. He discusses how this apocalyptic fervor reflects broader spiritual cravings among secular Americans. The conversation explores the charismatic allure of end-times Christianity and its potential to inspire a new religious revival. Lyman also examines how tech leaders reinterpret biblical narratives and the cultural implications of this newfound spiritual interest.
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INSIGHT

Secular Revival Meets Apocalyptic Christianity

  • America is experiencing a spiritual revival, with secular people suddenly exploring intense forms of Christianity.
  • Tech leaders in Silicon Valley are drawn to apocalyptic, end-times theology that mixes charisma and futurism.
INSIGHT

Apocalypse As Utopia Or Catastrophe

  • Apocalypse narratives can imply either a techno-utopia or total destruction, often both in sequence.
  • The Antichrist figure is historically vague and has been reshaped into a folk symbol over centuries.
INSIGHT

Biblical Language Sparks Rediscovery

  • Exposure to the Bible's imaginative language can awaken spiritual interest among previously secular Americans.
  • Luke Lyman argues this rediscovery might lead some back to church or deeper religious engagement.
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