S2 E16. The Rebirth In Music: Why God is back in the charts

The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God

Justin Brierley

Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.8 • 592 Ratings

🗓️ 15 July 2025

⏱️ 100 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Chart-topping bands, musicians and rappers are increasingly singing about God. Why? In this documentary episode Justin Brierley revisits the religious awakening of music stars such as Bob Dylan, Alice Cooper, Cliff Richard and U2 as veteran music journalist Steve Turner explains how faith influenced their music. Justin also speaks to TGC editor Brett McCracken about the current religious revival in rock and rap from musicians such as Stormzy, Mumford & Sons, Nick Cave and Coldplay. But there are pitfalls to being a celebrity music convert. Jon McCray (Whaddo You Meme), KD Ruslan and Nick Brewer share thoughts on the case of Kanye and the conflicted world of rap stars singing about faith. X-Factor contestant Talia Dean also shares her story of recently leaving the secular music industry after discovering something much bigger... God. 'Responding To The Rebirth' Conference: http://rebirthconference.net/ More info, book & newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/ Support via Patreon for early access to new episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/justinbrierley/membership Support via Tax-deductible (USA) and get the same perks: https://defendersmedia.com/portfolio/justin-brierley/ Give a one-off gift via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brierleyjustin Buy the book or get a signed copy: https://justinbrierley.com/the-surprising-rebirth-of-belief-in-god/ Got feedback? Share it with us by emailing: feedback@think.faith Ep 16 show notes: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/season-2-episode-16-music Also, check out our show ‘Uncommon Ground’ for discussion and debates: ⁠https://justinbrierley.com/uncommon-ground-podcast/⁠ The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God is a production of Think Faith in partnership with Genexis, and support from The Jerusalem Trust. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Well, we were not prepared for this. The venue is full. However, the mission is bigger than the room. You can still join us. Due to the incredible uptake, our responding to the Rebirth Conference will now be live streamed. Book your online pass now at rebirthconference.net. You may not be in the room, but you can still be part of the
0:22.5	response from anywhere in the world on Saturday the 22nd of November. On the live stream,
0:28.5	you'll get full access to all keynote sessions, panels and interviews with guests, including
0:33.6	John Lennox, Paul Kingsnorth, Elizabeth Oldfield and Al Gordon. You can take part in the
0:38.9	Q&A. You'll get to take home recordings of all of the sessions and get a front row seat to what God is doing.
0:45.7	A rebirth is happening. Let's respond together wherever we are. Book your live dream pass at
0:52.0	rebirthconference.net.
0:56.4	Ladies gentlemen, what can I say about these august men, these titans among rock and rollers,
1:02.6	Dave McCulloch's, Jude Cars, mine and yours, the band for the future, the 80s or 90s,
1:09.2	who knows, you two.
1:10.4	Thank you. The band for the future, the 80s or 90s, who knows, you two. There's a lot.
1:12.6	There's a lot.
1:16.6	In 1976, a set of school friends in Dublin,
1:23.6	Paul Hewson, Adam Clayton and David Evans,
1:26.6	met in the kitchen of Larry Mullen
1:29.1	Jr and decided to form a band. Larry was a promising drummer. Adam, a musical novice, had recently
1:36.1	purchased a bass guitar. David, the guitarist, was rechristened The Edge and lead singer Paul
1:42.4	took his new name from a local hearing aid shop, Bono Vox,
1:46.0	later shortened to Bono. And you too was born.
1:51.0	I will fall!
1:58.0	Right, Edge, when did we start? Five minutes ago?
2:02.6	Yeah, 20 minutes ago.
	...

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