Thursday, January 25, 2018
On the 23rd of
January 2018, The Clapham Institute, Johannelund Theological Seminary and
Sallux arranged a conference day in Sweden on the Christian roots of European
and Western civilization. The conference fell on the same day as the 10-year
anniversary of the Clapham Institute, which has grown to be Sweden’s dominating
christian think tank. The chairman of the Clapham
board, Per Eriksson, began with explaining Christianity as the foundation of
academy and university in Europe and in Sweden. After him came the keynote
speech by Paul Segerstrom, professor of international economics, professor at
the Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden’s most prestigious economy
institution. Professor Segerstrom presented
historical empirical facts on how Christianity has played a crucial role in
shaping the scientific revolution, and also of the economic hegemony that
Europe won in the modern era. Last but not least, the speaker also provided
empirical data on how religion has affected the level of democracy and economic
development worldwide. After a recess with mingle and
coffee, the conference continued with Clapham director Per Ewert giving a
background to secularization and religious revival in Europe and Sweden. Kerstin Oderhem, leader of the
Lutheran Mission Society, presented a review of the role of the church in past
and present. Afterwards Anna Sophia Bonde, priest and lecturer, presented an
analysis on the challenges christianity has to face for the future. The conference ended with Paul
Segerstrom and Kjell O Lejon, president at Johannelund Theological Seminary,
discussing the findings of the day. 
