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

16 June 2025

1 min read

The ABC, Bear, and following fashion

New episode, why appointing an archbishop takes time, Bear Grylls's new book, and whither Anna Wintour is a moral compass.

Natalie Garrett

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

The archbishop crowns the king.

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About the episode.

This week we hear from Graham Tomlin explaining why it seems like the Church of England is taking ages to appoint a new Archbishop of Canterbury; Bear Grylls gives us a personal introduction to his new book, The Greatest Story Ever Told and Alexandra Kytka-Sharpe dives into the world of fashion to find out whether or not Anna Wintour should be our moral compass.

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