Justin Lee, Associate Editor at First Things, got my attention with an article entitled, “Rewilding American Christianity.”  He references Umberto Eco, who maintains we are living in a New Middle Age.  Back in 1983, Eco saw the Pax Americana collapsing: “First of all, a great peace that is breaking down, a great international power that has unified the world in language, customs, ideologies, religions, art, and technology, and then at a certain point, thanks to its own ungovernable complexity, collapses.”  With the collapse of the great Pax, “crisis and insecurity ensue, different civilizations clash, and slowly the image of a new man is outlined.”  Can you visualize a new “Middle Age” on the horizon?  What is the new man like?

While Eco has a pessimist view of the New Middle Age, Eugene Vodolazkin believes we are entering “a period of deepening, integration, and refinement analogous to that which followed the collapse of the Roman Empire.”  He quotes Nikolai Berdyaev who divides epochs into days and nights.  “Days include antiquity and the modern age.”  These are moments of explosive display.  The Middle Ages “are outwardly muted but profounder than those of the day.  It is during the sleep of night that what has been perceived during the day can be assimilated.  A night epoch allows for insight into the essence of things and for concentrating strength.”  Are we to “slow down” so we can make spiritual sense of our day?  For example, do we discern the presence of evil in the events of our day?

Vodolazkin sees the image of a new man being shaped by the collapse: “Our dispersed and untrained souls need to be shaped and formed, attaining focus or concentration… Personal concentration works against the dispersing influences that might otherwise gain control of our souls.”  This concentration is not possible without a rediscovery of religious truth.  Is a new man being shaped by the events of our day?

Paul Kingsnorth points out the need for inner transformation.  “In a time when the temptation is always toward culture war rather than inner war,” the battle that is uninformed by inner transformation will soon eat itself, and those around it.” Kingsnorth encourages us to follow the example of the “wild saints,”  who sought unity with God, being made holy so that we can return to the world ready for battle.”  Do we pay attention to inner transformation first?

But there is no Theosis [participation in the life of God] without suffering.  Lee asks the question, “Are we in the West, so long accustomed to comfort and convenience, prepared to suffer?” Lee concludes with this comment regarding the saints of old. “They created markers of memory for future generations of believers.   America’s Christians are blessed with the opportunity for building their own markers.  I pray the Lord makes us equal to the task.”  Are we prepared for the coming days?  

As you can tell, I am intrigued by a New Middle Age.  Men, we need to be prepared for radical change in our nation.  The forces of darkness are descending upon us, causing anxiety, fear and uncertainty.  What will tomorrow bring?  Does the image  of a New Middle Age give us some direction?  I think so.   

Here are four points to consider:  1) First, God is calling men to step back and work on their inner life. 2)  Men are meeting for support and encouragement. 3) These small groups are serious about their calling to follow Jesus.  It is not a burden to endure, but a joy to know that we can make a difference in today’s world. 4) Encourage transformation in each other, using the Scriptures as your guide (II Tim. 3:16-17).