“Born again” is a phrase often claimed by religion, but the longing underneath it—renewal, growth, a fresh start—is completely human. In this bonus episode, we peel away the supernatural framing to explore how real transformation happens, why it’s messy and powerful, and how the New Year offers the perfect moment to choose a grounded, secular kind of rebirth!
Let’s talk about one of the most overused, misunderstood, and (honestly) mis-marketed phrases in all of Christianity: being born again. We’ve all heard it. Some of us grew up surrounded by it. And for a lot of people, it’s treated like a spiritual membership badge. You say a prayer, cry a little, maybe fall backward into someone’s arms, and boom… you’re “born again.”
New identity unlocked. Achievement badge earned. (Not really.)
But what does “born again” even mean? What is this “rebirth” that so many Christians talk about like it’s a one-time event that permanently changes your operating system? And more importantly… is there something valuable buried inside that phrase that we can reclaim, especially as we head into a new year? Because the truth is, you don’t need a supernatural intervention to experience a profound shift in your life. You don’t need a divine decree or a theological certificate of authenticity. New beginnings are a human thing, and we do them all the time.
So today, let’s peel back the layers—religious, cultural, psychological—and take a closer look at what it really means to be “born again.” And maybe, just maybe, we can turn this loaded religious phrase into something empowering, honest, and deeply human… right in time for the New Year.
Let’s dive into that in this BONUS Edition of Afterthoughts!
