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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Seen & Unseen Aloud

4 June 2025

1 min read

Thinking Aloud with Seen & Unseen Aloud

Our latest boxset series allows you to dig deeper into some of our most popular articles.

Natalie Garrett

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

Prince William talks with the Dean of Westminster Abbey, 2019.

Episode 1: Miranda Hart's diagnosis of the unseen, by Belle Tindall

In this episode, Seen & Unseen’s Belle Tindall reviews Miranda Hart’s book, I Haven't Been Entirely Honest With You. Belle reckons that beyond the medical illness, the tears and the laughter, Miranda’s onto something supernatural.

Episode 2: Prince William's doubt is normal, by Graham Tomlin

In this episode, Graham Tomlin considers that Prince William's doubt is normal, that our limited human understanding means it's impossible to be certain whether there is a God.

Episode 3: The case for taking a holiday, by Roger Bretherton

In this episode, Roger Bretherton, a Clinical and Coaching Psychologist and regular contributor to Seen & Unseen, helps us work out how to get the best time out of our downtime as he unpacks the joys and perils of taking time out for summer holidays.