Enlightenment Now

Why We Recommend It:
Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress by Steven Pinker offers a wide-angle, data-driven look at the state of the world—and challenges the common assumption that everything is getting worse. Drawing on history, science, and social data, Pinker makes the case that reason, scientific thinking, and humanistic values have led to extraordinary progress in areas such as health, safety, poverty reduction, and human rights. We recommend this book because it encourages readers to ground their hope not in naïve optimism, but in evidence, clarity of thought, and moral responsibility. While not without controversy, Enlightenment Now pushes us to think carefully, resist fear-based narratives, and recognize the power of ideas and institutions shaped by truth-seeking, compassion, and accountability. It ultimately invites readers to take responsibility for sustaining and extending progress rather than assuming decline is inevitable.

As Mentioned in Our Sunday Message:
This book connects with our reflections on hope, truth, and faithful engagement with the world as it actually is—not merely as it feels. In a cultural moment often shaped by anxiety, outrage, and despair, Enlightenment Now challenges us to slow down, examine the evidence, and ask better questions about what is truly happening around us. While progress does not eliminate brokenness or the need for redemption, recognizing real gains can free us from cynicism and paralysis. This perspective encourages gratitude for what has been achieved, humility about our limitations, and renewed motivation to participate in the ongoing work of justice, wisdom, and love. By valuing reason and truth, we are better equipped to engage faithfully, act responsibly, and live with a grounded, resilient hope as we seek the good of our communities and the world.