Do Universities Erode Christian Faith? New Insights into an Old Question

One of the "narratives" commonly told in our Christian culture is the story of how secular universities destroy the faith of many young Christians. It is a fascinating question that should not be answered to quickly or with too simple of an answer.

For many individuals (including myself, my wife, all four of our now adult children and their spouses, well, at least for the three now married, one's yet to marry), the college years at state universities provided a time of significant growth and development in the Christian faith. Forty plus years of involvement in campus ministry has demonstrated that it does not have to have an adverse effect.

But there is more to the story than my personal experience.Sociology confirms it.

Earlier this spring, I had the opportunity to hear a lecture by Christian Smith, Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame, speak on the sociological data regarding this question. Fascinating results.  Though I took notes, my ability to keep up with the speed of the presentation limited their value in reproduction.

However, now Glenn T. Stanton has done the favor of reproducing some of the findings on a Gospel Coalition blog: FactChecker: Does College Cause Young adults to Lose Their Fatih?

It turns out, that not going to college is more detrimental than going to a secular university. In fact, attending statistically results in more students identifying a strengthening of their faith vs a decline.

One of the reasons for the trend: the "increase in presence and effectiveness of campus-based ministries like Campus Crusade, InterVarsity, and Young Life."

Well that is an encouraging finding for those of us who have invested lives in campus ministry.

Thank you, Lord!

Today's College Student: Lost in Transition (?)

For the next couple of days, I am focused on synthesizing research regarding the changing cultural landscape of today's college student.  I will post a few of the resources that have captured my attention and may be worth your time to peruse. 

The first is Lost in Transition, by Christian Smith, along with Hillary Davidson, Kari Christofferson and Patricia Snell Herzog (08-04-2011).

Based on their on-going studies of teenagers who have now become "emerging adults", Smith explores the "darker side of emerging adulthood". The chapters are:

1. Morality Adrift
2. Captives to Consumerism
3. Intoxications: Fake Feelings of Happiness
4. The Shadow Side of the Sexual Revolution
5. Civic & Political Disengagement

While sociological "data" can be extracted from each chapter, the writing focuses around in-depth personal interviews with 230 emerging adults, enabling us to understand, even empathize with the world of the 18-23 year-old (the narrower focus of this present study).  

Great insights into the world of today's college student.  

Topography of Faith: Mapping the USA

USA Today recently published a fascinating graphical depiction of faith in the USA: The Topography of Faith. Based on research done by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, the map presents the overall view of the US and yields individual views for each state as you scroll over.  Makes for a fascinating few minutes as you try to guess-timate the religious topography of different states and regions.

How did you do?

200 Countries, 200 Years, Four minute video

This is a fascinating video telling the story of 200 countries over 200 years. Educational, without a doubt. But entertaining in the process!

Thanks, Hans Rosling & the BBC. Thanks, Gary, for bringing it to my attention.

Teens Online: Pew Survey Results

Pew Survey: Teens Love Facebook, Hate Blogging, Are Always Online, and Don't Use Twitter

Stats Abuse: An Evangelical Tendency

Fascinating article by Stetzer, President of Lifeway Research, entitled, "Curing Christians Stats Abuse." While it doesn't often a "cure", it does provide insight into the state of Evangelical Christianity in the U.S. Stetzer's conclusion:

"Reports of Christianity's demise in America have been greatly exaggerated."

The article begins debunking a couple of the popular abuses of statistics found among Evangelicals with a cause to promote. Is the abuse intentional or just misguided? I trust the later.

Two thirds of the way through the article, Stetzer has a section entitled (and summarizing) "What does the Good Research say?" It is worth taking a moment and skimming down there, even if you don't have time for the whole article.

The insights of the article are not only valuable in better understanding the use of stats, but this section on "Good Research" compiles a helpful glimpse of the state of religion in our culture. Implications for evangelism?