Because Lent 2026: Reflections on Morality, Education, and Faith: Insights from "To Be and Do"

In the latest "Because Lent 2026" episode of To Be and Do,  Philip Amerson offers a thought-provoking meditation on the intricate relationship between education, morality, and the enduring presence of the church. Drawing from recent commentary and personal reflections, this episode brings fresh context to contemporary debates about where and how our moral compass is set—and whether universities or faith communities ultimately play the central role.

Below, we delve into three key takeaways from Philip Amerson’s reflection:

1. The Evolving Role of the University in Shaping Morality

Philip Amerson opens by referencing an article by Jay Caspian Tang, which explores how universities have come to replace the church as homes of liberal morality. Importantly, the episode clarifies that "liberal" here refers not to political leanings, but to a broader, open way of viewing the world. Philip Amerson brings a critical eye to the idea that universities have effectively taken up the moral mantle: "Universities didn’t do such a good job of helping shape morality, especially apart from the church," he observes. This insight challenges the assumption that higher education’s influence on values formation is universally positive or sufficient.

2. The Endurance of the Church—Rumors of Its Demise Are Greatly Exaggerated

Quoting Mark Twain’s famous response to rumors of his death, Philip Amerson remarks that reports on the decline of Christianity—whether mainline, Catholic, or evangelical—are greatly exaggerated. He emphasizes that there’s still “plenty of wiggle in our life,” drawing on Clarence Jordan’s metaphor of corpses with "a little wiggle left." The takeaway here is clear: Even as churches face criticism and declining attendance in some spheres, their influence and ability to nurture moral life are far from extinguished. The church, for Philip Amerson, remains a vibrant, living force in shaping human character and community.

3. The Call for a Morality Anchored Beyond Academia

Throughout the episode, Philip Amerson cautions against placing sole responsibility for moral development on academic institutions—especially universities that may be disconnected from deeper traditions and under increasing societal pressures. Citing a conversation with a university leader who claimed that universities merely “give people tools,” he gently pushes back: morality is not simply a technical skill set, but an orientation of the soul, something for him inspired by “the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.” The episode concludes with a call to nurture personal spirituality and active participation in faith communities, especially during the season of Lent.

Final Thoughts

This reflection invites listeners not merely to consider where they learned what is right or wrong, but to examine the sources of their deepest convictions. Philip Amerson’s message is both challenge and encouragement: universities are places of great learning, but the way we live—the meaning we find and the morality we embody—are shaped in wider, older, and ultimately more enduring circles.

For anyone interested in the crossroads of education, faith, and society’s moral fabric, this episode is a timely invitation to ponder not just what we know, but from whom and where we learn how to live.