Exciting Trends in the Nordic Countries
In recent months, some very interesting trends have been reported in the Nordic countries. An increasing number of young people are drawn to churches and are searching for truth and meaning.
In Sweden, regarded as the most secular country in the world, an Ipsos survey from 2023 showed that belief in God among Gen Z (people born after 1997) increased by 28% compared to the Boomer generation (people born between 1945 and 1964) and church attendance increased by 34%. Newspaper headlines proclaim, “Jesus has become trendy in 2025” and Jesus is the influencer of the year. This trend coincides with a shift back to more conservative values. Social media, especially TikTok, is seen as a very important driver in this regard.
Interestingly, or sadly, many pastors have expressed concern over these trends. They worry that young people seem to believe that the Bible is true, hell exists, and that we need Jesus and only Jesus to be saved. Words like bigotry, radicalization, hatred, and violence are heard in the debate.
Similar trends are reported from Finland, where a recent survey among young people in confirmation preparation (14-15 years old) particularly highlights the high number of boys believing in God. In 2019, around 35% of boys believed in the existence of God, a number that has grown to 62% by 2024. For some reason, the numbers have been much lower for girls, but in the most recent survey the tendency is that the girls are catching up, with 50% now believing in the existence of God. The interest in Christianity began to grow during the COVID pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and this connection has been confirmed to some extent in interviews with young people.
I’m not aware of similar surveys in Norway, but even here there is an increasing stream of reports from pastors and churches that young people are more interested in God and the Bible than just a few years ago. The same trends are reported in many other European countries as well, so we have reason to be optimistic.
How are we going to respond and act? As evangelical theologians, we find ourselves in different places, but I doubt that many of us are active on TikTok. Without ruling out the possibility that some manage to use such a platform, I do think our place and role primarily must be at the supporting end. Old and new questions are asked, and they need longer answers than what can be given on social media. More important than being a TikTok preacher is to be present as a mature and experienced Christian. The young generation needs physical encounters and people who have the time to sit down and guide them. Some of us can be these guides, while others can train the guides and develop material and resources they can use. Hopefully, this is more than just a brief trend but something lasting. New doors are opening, and as evangelical theologians, we are challenged to stand ready to help our churches and fellowships.
