Sweden Factbook
Sweden has a strong
Christian heritage, but the church has forfeited its leading role by moving away from the
scriptures. Today, Sweden is thoroughly
secular and few have a meaningful relationship with the church.
Sweden is one of the Scandinavian
countries in northern Europe. The land is mountainous in the west and flat in the east. The climate is cold, especially in
the northern region.
Approximately 9 million people live in Sweden. Nearly 90% are native Swedes.
Sweden enjoys a modern
industrial economy with advanced technology and valuable natural resources. An extensive social welfare system has
provided
a high standard of living but requires a heavy tax burden. The expense of the system is beginning to
wear on the economy.
Sweden is ruled by a
stable constitutional monarchy. Sweden has
remained neutral in
foreign affairs for nearly 200 years.
There is freedom of religion.
The Church
of Sweden, which is the Lutheran Church, lost its status as the official state church in 2000. It, along with a few other churches,
still
receives some funding from the state.
Sweden has a strong
Christian history. During the 19th
century, there were revivals
and many came to Christ. The church was
strong and growing. The 20th century
began a steady decline in the church.
Liberal theology has crept into the churches and Bible
schools. Most churches no longer believe
in
the inerrancy of Scripture. Other
heresies have followed.
The vast majority has been baptized as
infants, but this is the only association
most people have with the church. Less
than 5% attend church. Still,
Evangelicals account for more than 4% of the population. This is a large number
for a European country, but the numbers have been steadily falling. The only evangelical groups that are growing
are charismatic.
The church in Sweden was known for its missions
vision. Large numbers have gone to foreign fields in years
past. Today, the number of evangelical
missionaries
on the field is falling at a startling rate.
Few new workers have gone to replace those who are returning.
Pray for the church in Sweden. Pray that the Lord would once again visit them with revival. Pray for a renewed understanding of the value
of the Scriptures
both in churches and Bible schools.
There is one known conservative Bible school. Pray for it and the students who are trained
there. Pray for a new crop of missionaries to go out
to foreign fields and preach the gospel.
Copyright 2006 by Brad Garrison
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