S2 E28. Keep Christianity Weird: Why the supernatural is back in church

The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God

Justin Brierley

Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.8 • 592 Ratings

🗓️ 2 December 2025

⏱️ 105 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Online trends such as 'WitchTok', the psychedelic boom and interest in the occult, are evidence of our continuing fascination with the supernatural. However, encounters with these 'dark enchantments' are also turning many towards a Christian faith that is open to the 'weird'.In this documentary episode Justin Brierley speaks to Malcolm Duncan, Anna Morgan and Andy Crook about the growth of pentecostal and charismatic churches that practise prophecy, deliverance and healing. Tom Holland and James Drain also recount their unexpected miracle stories. But not all miracles look the same. Following the devastating loss of his daughter Natasha, Nadim Ednan-Laperouse tells the story of the supernatural encounters that led him to faith in Christ. 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 28 show notes: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/season-2-episode-28-keep-christianity-weird 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	Don't be left in the dark. Find out about our latest shows, upcoming events and recent articles by subscribing to my Think Faith newsletter. It'll arrive once a fortnight and I'll even send you the first chapters of both my books, Why I'm Still a Christian and the surprising rebirth of belief in God for free when you sign up. And if you want to support this show, you'll get early access
0:22.2	to episodes and bonus content when you become a silver supporter. Gold level supporters also get
0:28.3	signed copies of both those books and the chance for a monthly catch-up with me. Your support
0:33.7	makes a huge difference. The links for the newsletter or to support are with the show info or go to Justin
0:40.4	Briley.com.
0:45.1	I was blind for eight years, but now I can see.
0:49.5	There's documented proof that this blind man was healed at his baptism.
0:54.4	This man was blind for eight years due to a chemical injury.
1:00.1	And look what happens after he gets baptized.
1:02.8	Jesus is a healer.
1:04.4	And he is the same yesterday, today and forever.
1:07.0	What he did for James, he will do for you.
1:12.0	This past year, a number of clips started circulating on social media of an extraordinary
1:17.7	moment during a baptism service.
1:20.5	The video clip shows a man, James Drain, coming up from the water, and as he opens his
1:25.7	eyes, he begins to look around in shock, turns to say something
1:29.8	to the pastor and then begins pointing and gesticulating and then praising God. Here's the story of what
1:36.7	happened to James in his own words. So when I walked into church on August 14th, I had zero vision in my left eye and I only had 40% viable vision in my right eye.
1:51.5	And then when I walked out of church that evening, I can see perfectly.
1:56.0	I can see better than I was ever able to see before.
1:58.6	I was not asking for any healing.
2:01.2	I wasn't thinking of it at all.
	...

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