And yet, and yet…

Imagine living in a time where:

Nation states are weakened and radically divided along tribal lines. There are many new works of engineering that boggle the mind, but the understanding of their workings grows less and less. There are diseases that seem unstoppable, changing borders and devastating communities. The world is in the grip of climate change, with strange weather in a multitude of places. The Christian community has leaned more into services from their churches, but biblical literacy has decreased. As a result some Christian movements are pulling themselves out from their culture, and others are developing strange beliefs. Interest in the mystical and spiritual begins to spike, as do some of the nature cults. Sport is one of the biggest pacifiers of the culture, encouraging people toward dreams of brutality. There are a seeming neverending procession of wars in the Middle East, particularly centered around Jerusalem. While technology and engineering advance (especially with regard to weaponry), the ethics to use these innovations stagnate. The economics of the time are tied tremendously to the wealthy few.

There’s even a Pope Leo.

I’m talking about the 800s AD. I’m talking about 2026 AD.

As our culture has descended into the Metamodern Age, we’ve simultaneously reentered the Dark Ages. That period of legend and mysticism is back upon us, along with the fear of a wider world we have explanations for but less understanding about. As an age defined by what Mark Sayers calls “crisis individualism,” a culture has been created that is no longer growing but rather stagnating and dividing. (For a great book by Sayers, check out here: https://www.amazon.com/Platforms-Pillars-Trading-Performance-Presence/dp/080243472X/ref=books_amazonstores_desktop_mfs_aufs_ap_sc_dsk_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=9d5dL&content-id=amzn1.sym.9c9a049f-252a-49d9-a8c2-e300a1663200&pf_rd_p=9c9a049f-252a-49d9-a8c2-e300a1663200&pf_rd_r=144-8037175-5777818&pd_rd_wg=uyU8E&pd_rd_r=2a77dec9-f1f4-464d-b440-2ee6d20bb514)

As I continue to read about metamodernism, the more I’m convinced that Christians need to shine brightly as the ages grow darker. In a time when people distrust and fear, we present communities that love one another and open the doors to belong. We point to Jesus above the selfish ethics of our age, and live sacrificially. We worry less about the growth of our earthly kingdom and the petty squabbles of short-lived tyrants, and concern ourselves more with the Kingdom of God.

One last note: amid Dark Ages it is easy to be discouraged. The world is not as safe a place as we had presumed and it feels like we’re more and more far away from home. But through the ages, God has used his Word and his people to change everything. As the generations grew through their difficult times, they changed their worlds for Christ.

Out of the Middle Ages came the Renaissance and the Reformation. Out of the Civil War and Reconstruction came the victory of World War II. Out of the silent age after the return of the exile came our Savior’s Advent.

In the Dark Ages, we can shine the brightest for Jesus.

Signs and wonders y’all.

¹⁴ Do all things without grumbling or disputing, ¹⁵ that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Philippians 2:14-16