Focus on the Family with Jim Daly
Episode Summary: Providing Hope to a Doubting Culture
Date: January 16, 2026
Guest: Justin Brierley (author, apologist, podcaster)
Host(s): Jim Daly & John Fuller
Episode Overview
This episode explores the growing openness to Christian faith in a culture long dominated by skepticism and secularism. Jim Daly, in conversation with UK apologist and author Justin Brierley, examines why more people—including prominent former atheists—are reconsidering faith, how Christians can effectively and compassionately engage with cultural doubts, and why intellectual arguments alone are not enough for vibrant faith. The conversation spans the role of science, the uniqueness of Christianity among world religions, and the necessity for humility, confidence, and love in Christian witness.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Need for Well-Rounded Christians
- [02:49–03:46] Justin emphasizes the importance of Christians both knowing what they believe and understanding the culture around them.
- With abundant resources available, there’s "no excuse" for not being prepared to answer tough questions about faith.
- "Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you about the reason for the hope that you have."
- Apologetics isn’t just about intellectual arguments; it’s about engaging with culture in meaningful ways.
2. Trends in Faith and Secularism
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[04:28–05:52] Jim and Justin discuss statistics suggesting a new openness to faith amid declining belief in the West, especially among young people.
- Recent openness is partly a reaction to the inability of secular humanism to offer satisfying answers to life’s big questions.
- Influencers like Jordan Peterson and historian Tom Holland are creating new conversations around faith's cultural value.
"Young people especially... are looking for a story to make sense of life."
—Justin Brierley [05:12]- Notably, church attendance is rising among young people (particularly men) in the UK.
3. Confidence in Faith Amid Cultural Turmoil
- [05:52–07:22] The hosts discuss how Christians can remain confident in God's sovereignty during culturally tumultuous times:
- Christians are called to be "confident in the rock that is Jesus Christ."
- Increasing cultural instability actually draws some secular people to reconsider faith, recognizing that politicians, science, or sociology can’t solve fundamental existential issues.
4. Science and Faith Are Not at Odds
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[07:22–09:33] Justin shares about his biochemist father’s integration of faith and science:
- His father saw scientific inquiry as consonant with belief in a creative intelligence.
- The inner workings of the cell and complexities of DNA pointed him to a Creator, not purposeless accident.
"There's just no way. This came about by a completely undirected, purposeless process."
—Justin Brierley (on his father’s view) [09:05]- Justin believes scientists are ultimately "studying things that have this divine spark of life within them."
5. The Role of Faith in Belief
- [09:33–11:24] True faith requires more than intellectual assent; it involves humility and surrender:
- For many skeptics and atheists, the challenge isn’t just evidence, but an unwillingness to let go of being "the judge of everything else."
- "We do have to surrender our ego... Having to say, 'No, you are God and I am not'—that's a spiritual issue at its core."
6. The Paradoxical Passion of Atheists
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[11:24–14:11] Many atheists are highly engaged and sometimes even angry about God:
- "I don't believe in God, but I hate him."
- Some resist God not because of reason, but because they find the idea of God objectionable.
- The story of Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s journey—from prominent atheist to Christian—illustrates that both personal crisis and intellectual exploration can lead to faith.
"When the head and the heart meet, that can be just the most extraordinary thing."
—Justin Brierley [14:07]
7. Christianity’s Unique Message of Love
- [14:11–15:29] Christianity, unlike many religions, is described as "faith rooted in love."
- Jim shares that Ayaan Hirsi Ali (featured in the film Truth Rising) realized Christianity was distinctly loving—a pivotal perception for many seekers.
8. The Link Between Morality and the Christian Story
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[15:29–18:06] Justin discusses the erosion of moral boundaries with the decline of faith:
- Quoting Nietzsche: "Without God everything is permissible."
- Christian story provided the basis for human dignity, individual value, and moral transformation in Western society.
- As secularism rises, Justin sees a counter-movement—even among non-Christians—recognizing the unsustainability of values without the underpinning Christian story.
"Sometimes things have to get worse before people realize they need Christianity again."
—Justin Brierley [17:45]
9. Is Christianity the Only True Religion?
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[18:56–22:05] Classic apologetics: How can Christianity claim to be the only way to God?
- Everyone, including pluralists, makes exclusive truth claims.
- Religions are meaningfully different; it’s respectful to recognize disagreements.
- The uniqueness of Christianity centers in God's personal revelation in Jesus, most clearly seen in the resurrection.
"If you find the key that opens the door, you found the real thing."
—Justin Brierley [21:31]
10. Winsomeness in Apologetics
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[22:05–25:01] Intellectual arguments must be joined with humility and love:
- 1 Peter 3:15: "Always be ready to give an answer... but do this with gentleness and respect."
- Arguments alone rarely persuade; people are more likely to be drawn by authentic relationship and a compelling personal example.
"The way you say things matters just as much as what you say... No one’s going to want to become a Christian if the example they have in front of them... doesn’t look like the kind of person they’d want to become."
—Justin Brierley [24:06]
11. The Importance of Integrity in Witness
- [25:01–25:53] Christians’ failures shouldn't become obstacles for seekers; point people to Christ, not human perfection.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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"Young people especially... are looking for a story to make sense of life."
—Justin Brierley [05:12] -
"There’s just no way. This came about by a completely undirected, purposeless process."
—Justin Brierley (on the complexity of life) [09:05] -
"We do have to surrender our ego... Having to say, 'No, you are God and I am not'—that's a spiritual issue at its core."
—Justin Brierley [10:47] -
"When the head and the heart meet, that can be just the most extraordinary thing."
—Justin Brierley [14:07] -
"Without God everything is permissible." (Nietzsche, quoted by Justin) [15:29]
-
"If you find the key that opens the door, you found the real thing."
—Justin Brierley [21:31] -
"The way you say things matters just as much as what you say."
—Justin Brierley [24:06]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [02:49] – Importance of being well-rounded as a Christian
- [05:12] – Why secular stories fail to satisfy and the rise in faith among youth
- [07:34] – Science and faith: Justin’s family story
- [10:08] – The challenge of faith for atheists and the role of humility
- [11:51] – Why passionate atheists engage in debates about God
- [13:20] – Testimony of Ayaan Hirsi Ali
- [15:29] – Moral consequences of abandoning God
- [18:56] – Addressing the "exclusivity" of Christianity
- [22:05] – Winsomeness and 1 Peter 3:15
- [24:06] – The necessity of personal example in witness
Final Takeaways
- Christian faith is increasingly seen as a hopeful, plausible answer in a culture facing a "meaning crisis."
- Apologetics is most effective when combining solid reasoning, gentleness, and genuine relationship.
- Intellectual arguments matter, but faith ultimately involves heart, humility, and surrender.
- As the culture searches for meaning, Christians have a historic opportunity to model the love and confidence found in Christ, meeting both intellectual and existential needs with grace.
For further resources (including Justin Brierley's book and the film Truth Rising), visit Focus on the Family’s website or see the episode’s program notes.