Shifts in Religious Discourse
Recently, notable figures like Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins criticized religion, branding it a delusion. However, Matthew Schmitz, in a recent piece for Claremont Book Review, claims that this “New Atheism,” which surged post-9/11, is fading. He argues there’s a resurgence of theism emerging in its place.
Schmitz points to two books from 2025 as examples. The first, by Ross Douthat, titled Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious, posits that faith is not only plausible but essential. The second, Jonathan Rauch’s Differences in Purpose: The Failure of Christianity and Democracy, highlights religion’s role in supporting liberal democracy. There’s also Charles Murray’s new work, Take Religion Seriously, which makes a case for the significance of faith, alongside Rod Dreher’s Live in Wonder, promoting the re-enchantment of a secular society.
These writings suggest a new theism is developing, one that, although primarily influenced by elite thought, might influence wider culture. This raises a pertinent question: which God are we discussing? After all, believing in a higher power doesn’t equate to experiencing the divine in a personal way.
C.S. Lewis once expressed the surprise of encountering the living God after engaging in more abstractly spiritual thoughts. He illustrated this by imagining children playing, only to suddenly stop and hear real footsteps approaching. What if we genuinely encountered this divine presence? It’s a profound realization, even a daunting one.
True faith isn’t merely believing in a vague concept. It’s anchored in key fundamental truths that shape a Christian worldview:
- First, God exists, a claim known as theism. The Bible opens with “In the beginning, God…” Throughout history, thinkers like Aquinas and others have provided reasons to consider God’s existence.
- Second, God is described as both eternal and personal. This differs from views that see God solely as an abstract force or many gods.
- Lastly, God has revealed Himself through Christ, distinguishing Christianity from other belief systems. As stated in John 17:3, knowing the true God is essential to eternal life.
True theism isn’t about a distant deity but recognizes God’s profound desire to connect with humanity. Fortunately, God chooses to reveal Himself, and we’re held accountable for engaging with that revelation.
Christianity asserts that God is also known through creation and His written word. Paul’s letters discuss how God’s eternal power has been evident since the dawn of creation, yet humans often suppress this knowledge when faced with rebellion.
As noted in Hebrews, the complete revelation of God is found in Christ. For salvation, one must respond to this divine revelation. Christians believe both God’s creation and His Word compel our acknowledgment.
A compelling example of this “new theism” is Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who found profound freedom in Christ after turning away from both Islam and atheism. Her journey is captured in the documentary Truth Rising, which details her transformative experience.
There’s now an opportunity for a new theism to emerge, suggesting a greater openness to religious belief in American culture. This moment could lead to deeper discussions about Jesus Christ, His embodiment of God’s fullness, and His ability to renew everything.
