“While promising them liberty, they themselves are servants of corruption; for that which a person serves, the same is he brought into bondage to.” (2 Peter 2:19)
Regardless of the fact that true faith in the Western World has been on the decline for years, in America and Europe we see it beginning to stir once again, yet not without certain tendencies, namely nationalism. For example, while the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the American Constitution was put in place to prevent the government from giving preference to one religion over that of another, the political climate now exist where it would be entirely possible. While true that the U.S. and UK. in particular, have been in need of a serious reformation for years, if and when that comes it would be preferable if it was a bottoms-up proposition, drive by driven by a universality of faith, not religious conformity.
Were that to happen, the population could then in effect become fit for action in carrying out God’s purpose of establishing a higher order, not simply in compliance to the dictates of law, but one derived from a sincere moral conviction that resulted in justice and fair play. The challenge of course would be how to flesh-out such an enterprise without falling victim to polarizing political influences. The fact that Christians have been rendered seemingly impotent by there own self-interest at the exclusion of any other, in addition to their sense of entitlement through grace only adds to the general characterization of the West as being a boastful coalition, not of the willing, but a collection of decaying and irresolute religious and social enterprises ripe for the picking.
From that perspective, it does in fact add a certain weight to the Kremlin’s rationale for opposing the West, in that it’s morally destitute, regardless of Russia’s very own religious and revanchist tendencies. Yet contrary to its own religious dipiction, of being the vaunted Katheon or “restrainer” that has helped maintain the spiritual balance in the world, and who must first be removed in order for “the man of sin” to appear (2 Thes. 2:6,7), both America and Russia may have already missed the opportunity, as the stage is now being set for the “man of perdition” to appear.
The increasing chaos, random violence and “wars and rumors of war,” that the biblical describes, may perhaps be happening at this very time. If so, what we are witnessing today may only be the prelude for “the final solution” – The emergence of a world leader that will promise a resolution of the world’s problems.., whatever the cost. If so, the foundation for “the pretender” is already being built. in preparation for the soon to emerge false pretender. And yet, whether one points a finger at a West that Russia deplores and mistrusts, or at Russia itself, the point has become rather moot, as both in their own way appear to lack the visionary capacity necessary, in spite of their characteristic similarities, such as an innate spirit of militarism and religiosity.
And quite interestingly, both are confronted with a similar dilemma. Neither has the power or wherewithal to emerge victorious in a conflict that could come, not only at the cost of their own existence, but that of civilization itself. A tragedy all-in-all, not due to war itself per se, but by virtue of the fact that both have made such unique contributions to the advance of civilization, to the extent that the demise of either is beyond any reasonable calculation.
That aside, Russia is perhaps of singular interest, as it has served as a crossroads between the Far East and Europe, from its earliest advent until present; advertising the fact through its rather archaic notion of being the rightful heir and guarantor of the Classic European World, which can readily be seen in its adoption of French Renaissance architecture in the government space.
Yet the effort, while altogether admirable, and contemporary I might add, is somewhat like trying to rebuild the glory of the Czarist past atop the colorless debris of a failed Stalinist futurism. Yet, for the sake of comparison, America isn’t fairing much better, as its educational institutions have been left to molder in the fading light of intellectual curiosity, while becoming passively indifferent to American idealism. The same could be said for the populace themselves, who seem to be hell-bent on erasing any memory of the struggle it took to get there. A heart-felt repentance for past-deeds-done is one thing, but to “Cancel” the memory of a nation’s achievements, while at the same time attempting to render impotent the legacy of its ethos, begs the question. – “Where’s the devil now?”
That said, one can’t ignore the obvious, – Neither the unipolar West nor a multi-polar East can ultimately prevail without some sort of supernatural assistance. And from whence that comes remains a question that only the people themselves can sort out. Unfortunately, if they can’t, it will undoubtedly be decided for them. Ultimately, we are then left with little choice – either repent before God, and rise as lions in defense of lambs, or bow the knee as willing minions of the pit. And, while that may read something out of Tolkien, the reality is similar and personal, in that is far more fundamental. We have a choice as to who we will serve, either the God of creation, or a magistrate of evil on the earth below.
And so, lift up your heads you weary and pray, in turn becoming that voice of conviction which stirs others to lasting works of faith. As R.C. Sproul once noted: “The only way the Kingdom of God will ever be made manifest on earth is when Christian believers reflect that reality within themselves, not only spiritually, but practically, in the way in which they live, think and act as citizens of heaven.”
CoupStick Chaplain 