It is common to hear people lament about how the world is getting worse and worse, and as we look at the news and what is happening around the world. Yet there are secular optimists who make a strong, data-driven case that in many ways the world is better than in the past. Marlin and Jaran engage with this idea and the concept of Christian optimism. They also look at how this interacts with historical events.

A previous episode on thinking well about global politics

A Rival Nations article on Christian optimism

“Christian Fundamentals (Mennonite Church, 1921)”

“God of Grace and God of Glory“

“Rise Up, O Men of God”

“Father Eternal, Ruler of Creation”

Factfullness

The Better Angels of Our Nature

Data on declining poverty rates

A source for data about a bettering world

This is the 319th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought.

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