Why is Europe seen as a particularly difficult terrain?
Though there have been periods of great growth since WWII, most churches are still quite small.
As you know, most European countries were, at one time, governed by royal families. Much of their authority came from organized religion. When the French “secularized” during their revolution (1789), enlightenment had forcefully intruded upon Europe. It was out with tyranny and out with organized religion. In many ways, royalty was not the only victim of newfound freedom. God (as viewed by many) was dethroned too.
Interpreted through the Enlightenment, religion had brought the people wars, feudal societies, the darkness of superstition and enslavement to tyranny.
A century of “freedom” brought about the same problems as before, though much magnified. Empires collided in World War I, spurred by survival for some (France and Belgium), “God and country” for others (England). The USA was mostly spared the horrors of that war. The European intellectuals who had discarded God now claimed that his “absence” (how could a loving God—even a rejected god, at that—permit such a thing?) was proof of his non-existence.
Communism and fascism spread across Europe (not just Russia and the Axis), the one denying the existence of God and the other using him (in Germany) to defend nationalism. Once again, on its own territory, the USA was largely spared the horrors of war. Existentialism grew out of the European ashes. The war had proven, once again, that God was dead and that, above all, fanaticism must be avoided at all costs. Tolerance became the chief virtue. There was no room for absolutes for they lead but to destruction.
As you know, most European countries were, at one time, governed by royal families. Much of their authority came from organized religion. When the French “secularized” during their revolution (1789), enlightenment had forcefully intruded upon Europe. It was out with tyranny and out with organized religion. In many ways, royalty was not the only victim of newfound freedom. God (as viewed by many) was dethroned too.
Interpreted through the Enlightenment, religion had brought the people wars, feudal societies, the darkness of superstition and enslavement to tyranny.
A century of “freedom” brought about the same problems as before, though much magnified. Empires collided in World War I, spurred by survival for some (France and Belgium), “God and country” for others (England). The USA was mostly spared the horrors of that war. The European intellectuals who had discarded God now claimed that his “absence” (how could a loving God—even a rejected god, at that—permit such a thing?) was proof of his non-existence.
Communism and fascism spread across Europe (not just Russia and the Axis), the one denying the existence of God and the other using him (in Germany) to defend nationalism. Once again, on its own territory, the USA was largely spared the horrors of war. Existentialism grew out of the European ashes. The war had proven, once again, that God was dead and that, above all, fanaticism must be avoided at all costs. Tolerance became the chief virtue. There was no room for absolutes for they lead but to destruction.
October 18th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
When the people told Samuel that they wanted a king, God knew that it was He they were truly rejecting. This history brings it home to me that God’s adopted children have done their own share of dethroning.
October 19th, 2007 at 2:22 am
Interesting perspective Brady. It seems that we are becoming a people of “no absolutes” as well. A dear lady at our church spent time in Africa with her husband as missionaries. She is convinced that if things don’t change here in the U.S., missionaries from Africa will be coming our way to evangelize the U.S.
October 19th, 2007 at 4:14 am
It is interesting when people do not believe in God because God does not do the things they expect Him to do. The truth is, that god they have in a box may not exist, but that does not mean their is not a Living God.
For cwinwc, I too have met missionaries and Christians from Africa (mostly Uganda and Kenya) that had similar comments about the US.
October 19th, 2007 at 6:09 am
I read this and don’t have a clue how to respond. Just wanted you to know I was here.