values mapping: some scary insights

This map is a remarkable visual on the levels of individualism and secularism in various parts of the world. No real surprises, but it is interesting Sweden comes up the highest on both these scores. I was in Sweden over this last week and could not get away from the rather despairing feeling that if something is not done, and soon, we are seeing the last generation of Evangelical belief in that magnificent land. Europe is in deep trouble with the rest of us Westerners not far behind. Your thoughts?

Click on image to enlarge…

(The source of the map is from the World Values Survey)

May 8, 2008 | Filed Under missional church, uncategorized |  

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14 Responses to “values mapping: some scary insights”

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  1. 1
    Isaiah Says:
    May 8th, 2008 at 11:15 pm

    Not to say it’s good or anything, but this stuff has happened before in Christian history. I’m thinking of North Afria and the Middle East after the Ummayad invasions or Asian faith which dwindled down (Early Christian Missionaries were havily involved in that area).

    All that to say too what will happen to Sweeden in 100 years? How does a secular/self-expression society survive either (a) on it’s own steam, as it could create such a meaningless society or (b) how does it survive economic collapse?

  2. 2
    Daniel Clark Says:
    May 9th, 2008 at 12:53 am

    I was left wondering, however, about the reliability of the survey on which the Map is based. I checked out data for Brazil, as part of my doctoral research, and the survey data is not always backed up by other solid research in the field.

  3. 3
    Alan Hirsch Says:
    May 9th, 2008 at 2:16 am

    Mmmmm Daniel. I am not qualified to tell so I’ll leve that to you. Although the Swedes themselves felt it did describe them well.

    And yes Isaiah, secular societies cannot last. Swede has the highest suicide and depression rates in the world. There is a pervading sense of meaninglessness it seems.

  4. 4
    Alan Hirsch Says:
    May 9th, 2008 at 2:26 am

    The map does highlight the issues we face for mission to the West. A non-interpreted comparison with what God is doing in the two-thirds world simply won’t do. Our problems are more complex.

  5. 5
    Isaiah Says:
    May 9th, 2008 at 4:36 am

    Does Sweeden have the highest suicide rate in the world?

    According to this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_rates
    it’s number 31.

    Can anyone who knows about the aparent conflict shed some insight?

    All that to say it still is very hard for a secular culture to (a) Survive or (B) give meaning.

  6. 6
    Brian Russell Says:
    May 9th, 2008 at 4:54 am

    Thank you for posting this, Alan.

    I teach biblical studies at Asbury Seminary in the U.S. I appreciate very much the missional leadership that you are providing the Church through your writing.

  7. 7
    Tomas Says:
    May 9th, 2008 at 5:10 am

    Hi I am a Swede,

    And yes. I have also heard of this myth about Sweden having high suicide numbers. This is entirely wrong as Isaiah pointed out.

  8. 8
    Alan Hirsch Says:
    May 9th, 2008 at 7:59 am

    mmmmm, it seems I might be wrong on the suicide rate. One of the guys I was with recently indicated this. Apologies.

  9. 9
    Lucy J Says:
    May 9th, 2008 at 3:00 pm

    You might be wrong on the suicide rate, Alan, but there is plenty of reliable anecdotal evidence about the struggle of genuine Christians to remain faithful and motivated in mission in the face of massive secularisation! I have friends in Sweden in the Christian Creative arts whom I have known for over 10 years. They feel somewhat despairing of their post-modern society, but pray seriously and often for the revival of Christ’s church in their land, and actively seek to support and encourage others to be a part of Christ’s solution to the situation. They sometimes mention a prophecy using the symbolism of a great light starting from the land up north where Norway and Sweden meet and spreading down through the country and out to the rest of the world. It gives them courage. God-willing, July 2009, I’ll be meeting up with them in Scotland at an international Christian Creative Arts conference and will be teaching Exilio principles and recommending your and Michael Frost’s books, amongst others, to equip them for the times ahead! Meanwhile on our Network for Creative Arts and Social Concern, we’re spreading the mDNA word to inspire the creative types out there who are keen to see The Kingdom come… as in heaven so on earth. Thanks for being an edge on the cutting wedge piercing the darkness, Alan!

  10. 10
    Matt Stone Says:
    May 9th, 2008 at 4:18 pm

    I couldn’t help noticing that Zimbabwe, as diametrically opposite to Sweden, ain’t the most pleasant place to be either.

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