Elizabeth Oldfield, host of the Sacred Podcast, and James Marriott, literary critic and Times columnist, join Justin on Uncommon Ground to discuss whether we can find meaning in life without God.

Elizabeth tells of her own search for meaning in Christian faith, while James explains why, as an atheist nihilist, he still loves art and literature. They discuss the search for purpose, and signs of a new interest in faith among young people.

Since this show was recorded, the ‘Quiet Revival’ report has been withdrawn. You can read Justin’s response article here: https://justinbrierley.beehiiv.com/p/the-quiet-revival-has-been-withdrawn-but-the-rebirth-isn-t-dead

For Elizabeth Oldfield: https://www.elizabetholdfield.com/
For James Marriott: https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/full-fat-faith-the-young-christian-converts-filling-our-churches-x69pd289k?

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Music License:
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A production of Think Faith.

Chapters:
00:00 Trailer
01:17 Intros
02:11 Elizabeths life in a mini-monastery
06:25 James life without a mini-monastery!
11:56 Elizabeth analyses James
15:39 James analyses Elizabeth
18:18 James views on revival / rebirth of faith in culture
23:43 Elizabeths observations on faith and psychedelics
31:01 Spiritual journeys from great literature
35:37 Propositional belief is overrated
39:54 Inconsistent Nihilism returns
43:20 Does there need to be ultimate meaning?
56:47 Dangers of boiling life down just to evolution?
01:01:17 What can nihilists offer people in despair?
01:03:25 Why not just accept meaninglessness?
01:05:43 Does James have a faith?
01:11:34 What happens when we read poetry?
01:14:18 Isnt it risky just to trust intuitions?
01:17:01 Iain McGilchrists insights on balancing rationality with intuition
01:20:48 Is faith just wish-thinking?
01:25:06 Would James like a spiritual experience?
01:29:14 Why not become a scientist?
01:34:57 Final thoughts