The Future of Western Religious Belief

The podcast explores the future of religious belief in Western culture. The prevailing narrative suggests a decline in religious belief, particularly in Europe and potentially in America. However, the host emphasizes the limitations of news articles and surveys in predicting future cultural receptivity to God. He suggests that deeper trends in culture, including intellectual currents and material conditions influenced by technology, may be more powerful in shaping the future. The guest, Andy Crouch, discusses his sabbatical and a book he read called 'The Matter with Things', which explores the interconnectedness of all things and reconsiders traditional views on power, control, and theodicy. He suggests that the tide may be turning and that there is a growing vanguard of thinkers who offer new perspectives on belief in something beyond us.