Gates of Fire

“History itself teaches us about the unteachability of mankind.” (Winston Churchill)

Although Churchill grew up within the privileged intellectual climate of pre-war Britain, he was at the same time nourished to a great degree by a certain English religious conservatism. A conservatism whose roots reached back to the bedrock of Britain’s ancient past, a past which argues for a much earlier arrival of Christianity to the British Isles than many might imagine. At a time when the Dover tin trade was still flourishing, the Bronze Age of the Roman Empire was beginning to corrode. Yet, it was that very empire which had made it possible for the tin-trade to flourish, one through which many a Mediterranean entrepreneur, like Joseph of Airmathea, had made their fortunes. Considering the fact, it would not be unreasonable to imagine that the Christian gospel might have reached the shores of Merry Old England on board a tin merchants ship. And, as a nation whose peculiarities led it to entertain such notions, it was none other than the English poet, William Blake (1757-1827) who first popularized the idea in 1804, with his preface to Milton, writing: “And did those feet in ancient time walk upon England’s mountains green.” Yet, if we would but stop for a minute to consider the poem’s epic panorama of a destined Britain, it wouldn’t be surprising if Churchill himself might have taken note, and strength from the following refrain — “I will not cease from mental fight, nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, until we have built Jerusalem again in England’s green and pleasant land.” In consideration of the possibility it follows that Churchill might then have taken aim at the public’s evidential lack of Christian conviction when it came to standing firm in the face of — Nazism. A possible consideration, particularly when accompanied by the din of the populist mantra — “never again in our time.” Unfortunately, time had run out for England, which was precisely the point of Churchill’s clamoring.

What then can we say about our own times, here, across the pond, when the general population would rather be out shopping than register any sign of concern, much less a jot of spiritual conviction or martial vigor. As the current trajectory toward factionalism and socialist solution abound, one would be hard-pressed to imagine the hereditary stock of today being cast in the light of Churchill’s England, even in a marginally Christian sense, as the Brits once were. Yet, given the natural inclination of the American population today toward severalty rather than unity, in addition to the ascendancy of public opinion over that of plain truth, the question arises, has allegiance to a higher cause become so unpalatable to the many that their remain few with a taste for it?

In a proper English sense then, it could be said that we now find ourselves in somewhat of a pickle! Caught between the lines of a story as old as civilization itself, the world turns, and with it we find ourselves written into the script once more. The question remains – will we be found wanting? As R.C. Sproul pointed out: “While there are many who profess faith, there are few who possess it!” In a biblical sense, crossing-over becomes something more than a simple metaphor for transformational change, as the obstacle that lies before us is as much a barrier as the Jordan was for Israel. The question is, will we choose to become conquerors, or remain content in a Goshen of self-denial? Yet, if history teaches us anything it is that true conviction, if and when it arises, is rarely dissuaded. Considering the fact, and the parallels that can be drawn between our time and that of Churchill’s, it may be worth noting that we still have a choice. To either gird-up and get on with it, or dismiss the obvious. — The weather is changing! “When you see a cloud rise out of the west, you say: here comes a shower, and so it is.” “And when you see the south wind blow, you say, there will be heat, and it comes to pass.” (Lk. 12:54,55) The question is, “…If you can discern the face of the earth and sky, how is it then that you cannot discern the present time?” (Luke 12:56)