It is often taken for granted (at least in American evangelical circles) that Christianity in Europe is dying or dead. But a recent Foreign Policy essay suggests that while the organized Christian church has lost much of its power and prestige throughout Europe, centers of strong and genuine faith are flourishing:
Any traveler to the continent has seen Christianity’s abandoned and secularized churches, many now transformed into little more than museums. But this does not mean that European Christianity is nearing extinction. Rather, among the ruins of faith, European Christianity is adapting to a world in which its convinced adherents represent a small but vigorous minority.In fact, the rapid decline in the continent’s church attendance over the past 40 years may have done Europe a favor. It has freed churches of trying to operate as national entities that attempt to serve all members of society. Today, no church stands a realistic chance of incorporating everyone. Smaller, more focused bodies, however, can be more passionate, enthusiastic, and rigorously committed to personal holiness. To use a scientific analogy, when a star collapses, it becomes a white dwarf—smaller in size than it once was, but burning much more intensely. Across Europe, white-dwarf faith communities are growing within the remnants of the old mass church.
I am not informed enough to know whether or not this analysis is correct. But it does would not surprise me if the gradual breakdown of the institutional church in Europe paves the way for the revival of spiritual movements that aren’t as weighed down by the institutional church’s immense political and cultural baggage. Whether or not that happens, this piece is a good reminder that American Christians should be careful not to dismiss Europe as a spiritual wasteland.
(Hat tip: In the Agora and Evangelical Outpost.)
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July 3, 2007 at 04:55
Recently our small “military outreach” focused church in Heidelberg, Germany merged with a local German speaking church to form an international church body. I have met many new friends from around the German community that are just as on fire for Christ as I am. It is definitely good to see. While I can understand why there has been a decline in the typical church attendance here, there seems to be a bunch of smaller “Free” churches springing up that are focused more on the personal relationship that we should be having with Christ as well as fellowship with one another. I firmly believe that Europe is on the edge of a revival; but all things come in His time, right?
July 3, 2007 at 10:52
People who note the decline of faith in Europe should remember that this is what happens when church and state become too closely identified. The USA established a firm separation over 200 years ago; as a result, faith has flourished ever since. Most European countries had, and in name still have, an official state-supported church, and people stay away in droves.
July 29, 2007 at 00:14
A passionn has been instilled in my heart for Europe, as an American. I know that American Christians tend to be self-centered, only focusing on the problems here in the Western hemisphere. However, I know that we have a duty to pray for our bretheren in Europe. I was prompted to search the internet for any information that I could get concerning Christianity, and it’s stance on God. I am happy to see that Europe is doing much better than America concerning God—they are focusing on the personal relationships with God, instead of becoming “corporate,” as AMerican churches seem to be doing.