While my main mission in life is not the preservation of the American way of life, I am grateful for the nation of my birth. Since it is likely to be the place where my children and my children’s children will reside during their earthly sojourn, I am becoming increasingly concerned about the course our nation is on. I do believe that we have a rich spiritual heritage that is under attack from without. Yet, my concerns do not rise primarily from this reality. They emanate from what appears to be a generalized erosion of the morals and values upon which our nation was founded and upon which it has been able to weather many storms.
This has caused me to think again about something that I’ve often pondered in the past. Many have wondered about and researched this question. Perhaps you’ve reflected on it as well. Why did the Roman Empire Fall? For many years I believed the answer to this question was universally agreed upon. According to Edward Gibbon, a man who is known in some circles as the first modern historian, the empire was conquered by barbarian invaders because of a loss of civic virtue amongst the general citizenry. This broad, umbrella statement probably covers the truth. So, I’ll not argue the point.
There is, however, good reason to point out that, according to one source, there have been more than 200 theories advanced in an attempt to explain the fall of the Roman Empire. A cursory reading of the history causes me to believe that Gibbon’s view as articulated in The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is, for the most part, the best assessment. Still, the fact that so many different ideas about the empire’s fall have circulated in my view underscores the complexity of discussions of this nature.
While there is much to be said regarding each of the points of observation that follow, I’ll reserve comment for now. Perhaps I’ll come back to these and elaborate on them in the future. But, my reason from bringing them up is to ask whether readers agree or disagree that there is a loss of civic virtue amongst the citizenry of the U.S.A. It is my sense that this is the case. In this regard I’ve listed five areas in which this cultural decline is most evident. What do you think of the list which follows?
1. The DEVALUATION OF LIFE as exhibited in the number of abortions; the continued efforts to legalize physician assisted suicide; the glorification of violence in virtually every form of mass media; and the number of murders committed each year.
2. The DEIFICATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL as exhibited in concerted efforts on the parts of many to sanitized public expressions of faith in a Creator God and Sovereign Lord who has anything to say about how we conduct our daily lives.
3. The DETERIORATION SOCIAL MORES as exhibited in the constant reports of corporate and political corruption; the high numbers of property crimes, including theft of intellectual property; and the general decline of civility in the way people interact on a day-to-day basis.
4. The DECONSTRUCTION OF SOCIAL STRUCTURES as exhibited in the continued efforts to reshape our thinking marriage; family and sexuality, which necessitates the removal of “old” structures which “conflict” with the “new” structures and “confuse” emerging generations.
5. The DESENSITIZATION OF SOCIETY TO SUFFERING AND INJUSTICE as exhibited in an apparent willingness to overlook entire people groups and population centers that are in need as a result of mistreatment and/or abuse simply because we have seen so much of this that we are becoming convinced that nothing is ever going to change.
Well, you might not agree with my assessments, particularly the explications which follow each of these points. I’m really interested in knowing what you think, though. Don’t worry about hurting my feelings. If what you think steps on my toes, it’s probably because they need stepping on. My real desire in opening this conversation is to somehow touch the hearts of many so that we might help one another become part of the solution.
In my view, we need a seed change in the collective thought of our nation. This, I believe, is essential so that might live peaceful and quiet lives, while being about our Father’s business of lovingly sharing God’s truth with those who need to learn of the spiritual healing power of His goodness and grace as exhibited in the life and teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ.
(c) Bill Williams
2009.03.21
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This subject is so very much on my heart and I am very thankful to see leaders willing to address it.
We do need a seed change, a change of seeds, a change in the source of seeds than what’s been sown in this nation in government, in our laws, in the media, in the schools, in welfare programs to the needy, and in the prisons. We have to make sure our own homes are in order first but then what? I feel as if Christians have abdicated the seed source to others bound by the separations of church and state reducing our responsiblity as citizens to voting when given the opportunity.
Since we are relieved of those responsibilities we have lived our peaceful, quiet lives half-heartedly being about the Father’s business. What we have to offer is better than what they have to offer but we have to be seen for them to know this. We can’t do this sitting quietly in our pews and homes. We have to get involved in more ways than voting in our government, we have to be an active influence in the making of laws (an example of this is HSLDA – as Christian homeschoolers we removed our children to nurture and protect them but we didn’t remove ourselves from society – we are unified regardless of denomination and are active in government to change laws and we have a college specifically to raise up and put in place godly leaders for our government).
We have to be a part of the media (growing Christian broadcasting and film making–much of which is being led by former homeschooled graduates), we have to effect change in public schools meaning a return to having a Christian worldview taught there again and give our communities the opportunity to send their children to a Christian school until our public schools arrive at that change. We’ve had many Christian public school teachers but their hands are tied, it’s not enough.
We have to participate and oversee the care for the poor, the orphans, the widows and those in prison instead of relinquishing that responsibility to the state programs funded by our taxes as if that was extent of our responsiblity. Did you know that 30% of prisoners are converting to radical Islam, (Islam is said to be the fastest growing religion in our nation presently with only a .06% population base supporting that effort??!!) because of an aggressive effort to recruit them and that 80% of prisoners were in foster care? This is why Jesus told us it was important to see to orphans. Lots of brokenness contributes to having orphans but the orphans need the healing power of Jesus in their lives and that effort alone would prevent a whole chain of events from happening in society.
We have a mission field ripe for the harvest here, in the states, in our communities. For some reason, many of us think it’s supposed to walk in the doors of the church building before we have to tend to it. We do need to be a quiet force for good in people’s lives by loving them and pray that changes will trickle up but we also have to stand up and take positions of leadership where ever we can to gain some exposure and advantage. Presently, we are severely handicapped because the church is so disjointed with all our disagreements, we lack unity and I’m not just talking about the churches of Christ, I’m talking about the larger population of Christians who have other signs on their church yards.
We lack unity, organization and focus even though Christians are the majority in this nation, and have the power of the creator as a resource; we remain for the most part, the silent majority. We need a reformation to pull us all together despite our many differences. There is soooo much work to gain ground on if there is any hope of effecting change before all of us are overwhelmed and silenced completely.
No, no, no, Bill, you’ve got it all wrong! I’ve been assured by Nancy and Harry and Barak and Barney and Chris, and the TV talking heads that we’re on exactly the right course as a nation and that, in time, when we are thoroughly socialist and have no rights left then and only then will we know the highest form of human life.
I fear for the United States in which my grandchildren will grow to adulthood. I trust they will have the faith in God to weather the storms that will attempt to blow them over.
Bill,
Your list has left me speechless with heavy feelings of great sadness. I live in Canada, but the list applies here also. It is heartbreaking how many abortions are done each day in my country…I need to reflect on your post again. Thank you for posting your ponderings.
Pax Robin
Great thoughts Bill. I might add a few to the list:
6) Deterioration of civility as evidenced by squawk TV and radio. Crass seems to be king even amongst the most conservative amongst us.
7) Moral failures and lack of unity is the body of Christ. Our folks are no longer seen as credible examples of righteousness. We are known for our love of our churches more than our love for people. Our voice seems to be more muted every day.