Can biblical values be measured? And if so, what do the data actually say?
Those are the questions sociologist and professor Dr. David Haskell set out to answer. As a self-described former liberal Christian, Haskell didn’t expect years of research to reinforce the biblical principles he had once questioned. But after studying church growth, family stability, education, mental health, civic engagement and cultural trends, he says the evidence led him somewhere he never expected.
In this episode of The Family Policy Alliance Report, Haskell sits down with Craig DeRoche to unpack the research behind his new book, Christ or Collapse. Rather than relying on opinion or personal experience alone, he explains the studies that changed his own thinking and the surprising patterns he found across churches, families and communities.
You’ll hear why one of his landmark church growth studies reached conclusions that challenged decades of conventional wisdom, what convinced him that biblical values produce measurable societal benefits, and why he believes many of today’s cultural narratives don’t hold up under careful examination. The conversation also explores whether Christians should engage in public policy and how Haskell responds to those who argue faith should remain private.
Whether you’re looking to better understand the research, wrestle with today’s cultural debates, or simply hear how one sociologist’s pursuit of evidence transformed his worldview, this conversation offers plenty to think about.
Watch the full conversation to hear the data, the stories behind the studies, and why Dr. Haskell ultimately argues the choice is “Christ or Collapse.”