3 Threats to Secularism in the West

In this commentary, I reflect on my recent trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, and the broader implications of living in the post-Christendom West. Walking the ancient streets and talking to seasoned church leaders I pondered two major factors that contribute to secularism, and how Protestantism has become a victim of its own success. Yet some European countries and U.S. regions buck the secular trend. Why? Considering the story of secularism—and resilient Christianity—helps us pass down a robust, durable faith to the next generation. In This Episode 04:00 – Faith and decadence on Copenhagen’s streets 08:00 – From opt-out to opt-in belief 12:00 – America’s exception and slow convergence 18:00 – Faith thrives under tension 23:00 – The problem with establishment 30:00 – Reform, burnout, and secular substitutes 36:00 – Postwar humanism and its cracks 45:00 – Reality intrudes on secular optimism 49:00 – Three pressures on secularism and gospel hope Resources Mentioned Graph of Religious Importance and Corresponding GDP - https://x.com/ryanburge/status/197063... Graph of Religious Attendance in the US and Europe - https://x.com/ryanburge/status/197047... A Secular Age by Charles Taylor - https://www.amazon.com/Secular-Age-Ch... Destroyer of the gods by Larry W. Hurtado - https://www.amazon.com/Destroyer-gods... Distinctiveness/dp/1481304747/?tag=thegospcoal-20 Dominion by Tom Holland - https://www.amazon.com/Dominion-Chris... The Age of Hitler and How We Will Survive It by Alec Ryrie - https://www.amazon.com/Age-Hitler-How... The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis - https://www.amazon.com/Abolition-Lewi... — — — 📫 SIGN UP for my newsletter, Unseen Things: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/po... 🎁 Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at https://www.tgc.org/together 🎧 Don’t miss an episode of Gospelbound with Collin Hansen ▫ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ▫ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kRYr5F... ✅ SUBSCRIBE: ▫ YouTube:    / @thegospelcoalition   ▫ TGC Updates: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/ne... #gospelbound, #tgc, #collinhansen