#807 - Alex O'Connor - Why Is Cultural Christianity On The Rise?
Jul 8, 2024
02:16:28
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Alex O'Connor discusses the rise of political Christianity and its appeal among public intellectuals and Gen Z. They explore themes such as choosing to believe in God, the failure of new atheism, missing gospels, and the political dimension of Christianity. The conversation delves into the impact of Christianity on political worldviews, Western civilization, and challenges in modern society.
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Quick takeaways
Christianity experiences a resurgence with public intellectuals and Gen Z embracing church attendance post-atheism era.
Cultural Christianity emerges with appreciation for Christian ideals beyond theological beliefs, fueling discussions on Christian adjacent revival.
Christianity intertwines with political ideologies as a shield against perceived threats like wokeism and gender ideology.
Christianity seen as crucial for preserving Western ethics against challenges, aligning with upholding foundational values against cultural revisions.
People align with ideologies or traditions resonating with their values, sometimes without fully understanding implications or historical context.
Deep dives
Christianity's Resurgence Among Public Intellectuals and Gen Z
Christianity is experiencing a resurgence in popularity among public intellectuals and Gen Z, with some now considering church attendance after previously identifying as atheists.
Examining the Emergence of Cultural Christianity
There is a shift towards cultural Christianity where individuals appreciate Christian ideals without necessarily believing in its theological truths, leading to discussions on the revival of Christian adjacent thought.
Political Dimension of Christian Revival
The Christian revival is intertwined with political ideologies, with some viewing Christianity as a protective shield against ideologies like wokeism, gender ideology, and political movements perceived as threats.
Christianity as a Safeguard for Western Civilization and Values
Christianity is seen as a safeguard for preserving Western ethics and values, with proponents viewing it as essential for upholding the foundations of the West against challenges like wokeism and cultural revisions.
The Role of Ideology and Attractions in Social Movements
Individuals often gravitate towards ideologies or traditions that resonate with their values. The podcast explores how people may align with a particular ideology or religious tradition due to perceived benefits it offers, such as a sense of importance or belonging. It emphasizes the complex nature of these attractions, noting that individuals may be drawn to specific ideologies without fully understanding the implications or historical context.
Western Civilization and Christianity: Interplay of Beliefs
The discussion delves into the relationship between Western civilization and Christianity, raising debates on whether core Western values, like free speech and freedom of religion, can be solely attributed to Christian principles. The podcast challenges the notion that these values are inherently Christian by examining historical evidence, including biblical teachings on slavery and women's rights, and questioning the alignment of Christian beliefs with societal progress.
Exploration of Gnostic Gospels and Theological Interpretations
The podcast examines the significance of Gnostic Gospels, which offer alternative perspectives on traditional Christian teachings. It discusses the theological implications of texts like the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Judas, which present divergent views on creation, salvation, and the nature of God. By exploring these ancient texts, the podcast sheds light on the complexities and controversies within early Christian theology.
Radical Change and Forgiveness in Christianity
In Christianity, there's an emphasis on radical change in one's worldview, requiring a shift towards forgiveness and compassion. Turning the other cheek and radical forgiveness are highlighted as essential aspects that challenge conventional responses to mistreatment. While forgiveness is crucial, the teachings also acknowledge moments of righteous anger, such as Jesus flipping tables in the temple. However, the core value lies in combating hypocrisy and promoting forgiveness and charity.
Narrative and Religion as Truth Conveyors
The discussion delves into the role of religion and narrative in conveying truths and moral principles. It challenges the notion of rationality and logic as exclusive markers of wisdom, advocating for a blend of storytelling and moral teachings. This narrative-based approach, exemplified by the Christian scriptural canon, is seen as a pathway to understanding complex truths through stories and archetypes, highlighting the importance of blending rationality with narrative depth for a comprehensive wisdom.
Alex O’Connor is a YouTuber, writer and a podcaster.
Christianity is nothing new. But it's seeing a resurgence in popularity among some unexpected groups - public intellectuals and Gen Z. What is going on that only shortly after it was cool to be an atheist, it's now cool to go to church on a Sunday again?
Expect to learn whether we are actually seeing a Christian revival, if the new wave of Christianity is just right wing conservatism in disguise, whether you can ‘choose’ to believe in God, if new atheism was a failure, why there is not a current muslim revival, what happened to the gospels that were missing from the original bible, whether there's two Gods in the Old Testament and much more...
