Re-enchanting... Rupert Shortt on the death of Christianity

Belle and Justin talk with Rupert about why Europe’s historic faith remains critical to the survival of humane culture.

Nick Jones

Nick is the senior editor of Seen & Unseen.

A podcast guest sits at a table in front of a mic.

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Rupert Shortt is an author and research associate at the Von Hugel Institute, University Of Cambridge and a former Religion Editor for the Times Literary Supplement.

His latest book The Eclipse of Christianity… And Why It Matters has been praised by Tom Holland as ‘ A brilliant survey of Christianity’s decline in Britain- how it happened and why it matters, by one of our most learned and stimulating apologists’.

Belle and Justin talk with Rupert about why mainstream churches are in decline across the West and why Europe’s historic faith remains critical to the survival of humane culture.

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Podcast

Podcasts

Seen & Unseen Aloud

12 November 2025

1 min read

Shame, Remembrance and Alice Roberts

New episode: listen to articles by Belle Tindall, Henna Cundill, and Jonathan Rowlands.

Natalie Garrett

Natalie produces and narrates The Seen & Unseen Aloud podcast. She's an Anglican minister and a trained actor.

Frankstein stares our from his covered face.

Jacob Elordi plays Frankenstein's monster

Netflix.

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About this episode

In this week's episode, Belle Tindall considers both Jacob Elordi and Zadie Smith's take on shame, and presents her own; Henna Cundill asks why too much emotional expression seems to be frowned upon at Remembrance and the Cenotaph; Jonathan Rowlands gives his personal (and very strong) opinions on Alice Roberts' book Domination: The Fall of the Roman Empire and the Rise of Christianity

Support Seen & Unseen Since Spring 2023, our readers have enjoyed over 1,500 articles. All for free. This is made possible through the generosity of our amazing community of supporters. If you enjoy Seen & Unseen, would you consider making a gift towar

Since Spring 2023, our readers have enjoyed over 1,500 articles. All for free.
This is made possible through the generosity of our amazing community of supporters.

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