The Fall of the West?

(Image courtesy of New Line Cinema.)

If, indeed, the Christian majority – which for centuries decisively dominated the Western world, including these United States of America – is no longer the majority, but has collapsed due to liberal theology, idolatry, and loose doctrine; and if the Western, Christian church finds herself in a persecuted state, having lost the power and influence that she once held for millennia in society; then I am greatly saddened and regret that I have lived to see such days, and I regret that I have brought children into a world who will live in such days.

Or, to say it another way: if Gondor has fallen – not only the great Osgliath, but also the White City of Minas Tirith; and if the legions of Sauron’s hordes have issued forth from the foul-smelling pits of Mordor to rape and plunder the Westfold, and the Rohirrim have been overwhelmed; and if the hordes of hell continue to press on, burning all of Fangorn in dust and ash, and even defiling Tom Bombadil and Goldberry, who was waiting for him; and if the Shire, Hobbiton, and Bag End has been taken by the enemy – then I am in the greatest of despair, and I long only to see the Grey Havens, the White Shores, and the Endless Day. If King Aragorn is vanquished, and King Eomer is no more, and Treebeard burned alive, and Sam and Rosie Cotton have fallen – there is nothing left for me in Middle Earth. Take me away and let my days end.

Or, to say it still another way: if Narnia has collapsed and fallen into utter ruin – by the power of Tash, the deception of an old monkey and foolish donkey, the rebellion of the dwarves and the men of Calormen; if, indeed, the great Lion has seen fit to oversee the downfall and ruin of so lovely a land of talking beasts, pleasant hills, spirit-filled trees and rivers – then I have but one hope left: that I may enter the land beyond the sea and walk with the Lion himself, Aslan, and sit at his feet and weep; and he would touch me with his paw and raise me to my feet, and breathe on me, and wipe away my tears and laugh a great laugh that sounds like a great and powerful waterfall; and if he were to then lift up his eyes to the last of the enemies and roar a mighty, ferocious roar of vindication, then I would be content all my days; and I will live in the presence of Aslan in perfect vindication and joy – in a perfect land that will never again see the winters of the Witch, or the cutlass of the Calormen, or the misery of a great adventure from the land of Wardrobe and Spare ‘Oom ended suddenly. Oh, but to see Aslan and forget the troubles of all the forsaken worlds!

These are sad days, indeed, if the West has fallen.

If the West has come to its end, then I will take comfort from the apostle Peter, who encouraged the Jewish-Christians of his day with these words: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you” (1 Peter 1:1-2).

The Greek term diaspora (“ the Dispersion”) originally described Jews or Jewish communities that were scattered throughout the world, away from Jerusalem and the land of Israel. Peter uses this language metaphorically to speak of the Christian’s exile, the temporary residence on earth, while their true home is in heaven with Christ. At the same time, Peter may also be describing the Christian’s experience of being expelled from Rome and forced to resettle in other places.

If the West has fallen, then the Western church has entered into such a diaspora.

To be sure, the enemy within the gates of Western civilization is as formidable as the ones outside the gate. If the West has fallen into paganism once again, then the church, again, has no place to call home this side of heaven. Who is the enemy within the gate? I am referring, of course, to modern (or post-modern) Western culture itself –a culture dominated by Hollywood sleaze, celebrity affairs, sexual immorality of every form, avarice, greed, and child sacrifice.

The Western world is not a bastion of Christian virtue, but it once was. For roughly 1,000 years, the West answered the call of Christ, embraced him as Lord, and, by and by, the once pagan nations of Briton, Germania, and Gaul were claimed for Christ himself. The New World, established as a “city upon a hill,” has been since its founding a tower of refuge for the church worldwide. But for years, unrepentant sin has cast its dark shadow, and the Westerner who was once rescued out of his damnable paganism by the Savior of the world is now plunging back into it with a smile.

What is the Christian to do? Let me briefly encourage you with one simple exhortation: “Do not give up meeting together” (Hebrews 10:25).

“I am glad that you are here with me. Here at the end of all things, Sam,” says Frodo to his only companion on the slopes of the Mountain of Doom.

Christians have survived where no one else would have survived because of faith, hope, and love. Do not stop meeting together for family worship in your home with your wife and children. You will find that this will be the greatest joy and encouragement to you and to them. A weary soldier returning to his comrades in the barracks soon has his spirits revived. Build your home well, but don’t stop there. Build your Christian community by meeting together often.

Live life together by sharing together, eating together, playing together, marrying your kids together, serving together, building together, and worshipping together. This is how Christians make it through the dark times that Providence appoints to us.

If the West has fallen, then do not lose hope; faith will not let you lose hope. If the West has fallen, then do not stop meeting together in your diaspora. Wherever you are, meet together and strengthen one another, as long as the Lord tarries.

Godspeed.