History Repeated

How many times have you heard it? History repeats itself.

I've just started reading A Global View of Christian Missions by J. Herbert Kane. In his chapter "Encounter with Islam" Kane describes the demise of the church in Northern Africa during the seventh century. While there were many contributing factors to this displacement of Christianity with Islam, it would seem that one of the primary reasons is that "Church members had long since left there first love and were Christians in name rather than fact." (pg. 53) This came about not only because the Christians didn't have the Scriptures in their native language, but the practice of the faith had been reduced to ceremony and form and not the relationship and discipline that should be at the center.

In Europe today, there are reminders that the Christian faith was once the driving force in society. These reminders, built with stone and mortar are aging and crumbling -- echoing the collapse of the spiritual house of living stones in the last century. The church in Europe has now suffered the same fate as that in Northern Africa. In this case, however, the change was precipitated by the machinations of atheistic thought in politics, philosophy and science (as opposed to the alternative theistic thought brought about by Islam in N. Africa).

So now my thoughts turn to the North American church. The influence of the Scriptures and the Church has been nearly eliminated from the "politically correct" public forum. In many congregations, form and ceremony has replaced relationship and discipline. The U.S. has been known from its inception as a Christian nation and is still regarded by many as such. But has it become a Christian society in name rather than fact? The implications are sobering.

However...

"...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." This promise from God to Israel in the seventh chapter of 2 Chronicles refers to a physical healing of the land from drought or famine. Yet, might God do the same for us in a spiritual sense, if we were to humble ourselves and return to being the living stones that we are called to be - committed to rebuilding the spiritual house that was once at the center of American culture?

Could it not also happen for Europe, which is much further down the path than the U.S.? Greater Europe Mission is committed to seeing this post-Christian society return to its first love, long since abandoned and mostly forgotten.

We have seen first-hand in Ireland the ambivalence, lack of hope, and at times hostility when talking with nationals about God. There is much work to do. The national churches are doing what they can, but it takes a concerted effort with those from other nations (i.e. the U.S.) who have dedicated their lives to help build the church overseas.

You can make a difference. In your neighborhood. At work. At school. And even if you aren't called to take it to foreign shores, you can pray and financially support those who are called to go.

Be a living stone, not a dormant one.