The Denison Forum Podcast - Christian perspective on current events, Christian news and culture, Biblical wisdom

Why are some atheists becoming Christians?

7 snips

Jul 2, 2025

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Alister McGrath, a theologian and former atheist who became an Anglican priest, shares his transformative journey from atheism to faith. He discusses how the New Atheism movement, spearheaded by figures like Dawkins, has inadvertently sparked interest in Christianity. With compelling personal testimonies, McGrath emphasizes the bridge between science and faith, critiquing the myth of conflict while highlighting the importance of understanding diverse narratives and personal stories in navigating belief and skepticism today.

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ANECDOTE

McGrath's Journey from Atheism

Alister McGrath was an atheist teenager who chose science over faith, thinking they were incompatible.
Meeting Christians at Oxford led him to rethink and embrace Christianity, realizing he had rejected a caricature of faith.

INSIGHT

Dawkins as Faith Catalyst

Many people read Richard Dawkins expecting atheism to be reinforced but found his approach shallow and aggressive.
This skepticism led them to explore Christianity and ultimately convert, with Dawkins acting as an unexpected catalyst.

INSIGHT

The Rise and Fall of New Atheism

New Atheism is a media-friendly movement that arose around 2006, characterized by certainty and aggression.
Its influence peaked before fading as deeper critiques exposed its superficiality and nastiness.

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On this episode of the Denison Forum Podcast, Dr. Mark Turman welcomes theologian and scientist Dr. Alister McGrath for a thought-provoking conversation on the relationship between science, faith, and the rise of New Atheism. Together, they examine the influence of voices like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, and how their arguments have ironically led some to consider the Christian faith more seriously.

Drawing from Dr. McGrath’s book Coming to Faith Through Dawkins, the discussion highlights powerful stories of former atheists who encountered Christ through intellectual inquiry and personal reflection. This episode encourages believers to approach cultural and scientific questions with both clarity and compassion, showing how reason and faith can work hand in hand in today’s world.

Summary

(00:59): Introducing Dr. Alister McGrath
(02:00): Dr. McGrath's journey from Atheism to faith
(05:02): Current ministry and reflections on faith in the UK
(07:58): The New Atheism movement
(09:15): Personal stories of faith transformation
(19:01): Critique of Richard Dawkins and New Atheism
(24:42): Contributors and their unique journeys
(29:10): The misuse of history by New Atheists
(34:34): The myth of conflict between science and faith
(38:51): Old Atheists vs. New Atheists
(43:21): The role of faith in the scientific community
(50:24): The impact of the pandemic on Scientism
(56:16): The importance of personal faith stories

Resources

About Dr. Alister McGrath

Dr. Alister E. McGrath is a former atheist who studied natural sciences at Oxford before switching to theology and becoming an Anglican priest. He served as the Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford from 2014 to 2022. He holds three doctorates from Oxford in molecular biophysics, theology, and intellectual history. McGrath is also the author of the international bestseller The Dawkins Delusion?, as well as C. S. Lewis: A Life and his latest book, Coming to Faith Through Dawkins: 12 Essays on the Pathway from New Atheism to Christianity.

About Dr. Mark Turman

Mark Turman, DMin, serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of The Denison Forum Podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for 35 years, including 25 years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas.

Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.