I recently read an article by Phil Zuckerman, associate professor of sociology at Pitzer College, an article adapted from his 2008 book Society Without God: What the Least Religious Nations Can Tell Us About Contentment. Zuckerman conducted interviews with residents of Sweden and Denmark, two countries known for their relative absence of religious belief and conviction, in order to support his claim that

…it is not the most religious nations in our world today, but rather the most secular, that have been able to create the most civil, just, safe, equitable, humane, and prosperous societies. Denmark and Sweden stand out as shining examples.

While he clarifies that he is not making a causal argument, i.e. that the alleged high level of social health in these countries is caused by the low levels of religiosity, he states that he wishes “to soberly counter the widely touted assertion that without religion, society is doomed.” He aims this counterargument at those who claim that religion is the foundation for a moral and just society, for human dignity, and for happiness and contentment. Click to continue »

This week’s blog is a bit of a potpourri, written in Ft. Myers, FL, where I’m traveling with my wife for the College. Yesterday I preached at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Naples in the morning and at North Ft. Myers Presbyterian Church in the evening, and today I speak in the chapel service at Evangelical Christian School of Ft. Myers.

1. My travels have recently taken me to Miami and Ft. Lauderdale; Baltimore and Annapolis; Jackson, MS; Washington, D.C.; and soon again to Miami. These trips have included several preaching engagements, visits to schools, gatherings with Covenant alumni and parents, and conferences connected with my work as college president. Kathleen has enjoyed speaking engagements with women’s groups from Wichita, KS; Greensboro, NC; Suffolk, VA; and even Dubai, where she spoke at a women’s conference and was hosted by the parents of a Covenant student. What a joy it is for both of us to connect with the larger Covenant family around the world, and to see the church at work in so many remarkable ways in so many interesting places! Click to continue »