July 20, 2025

Last week I shared a poem. The was written by Matthew Arnold an English poet who died in 1888. Arnold describes that waning faith of the English people as a tide which is on it’s way out and in fact isn’t even visible just the sound of it’s retreating roar is left.

The Sea of Faith

Was once, too, at the full, and round earth’s shore

Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled.

But now I only hear

Its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar,

This sentiment is not unknown to us today. Many have commented on the seemingly ongoing retreat of faith as a cultural influence in the west. Recently Jay Manimtim visited with us and shared that the number of Canadians who report no religion grows year after year. 

This is a concern for many reasons, what hope is there for children who grow up without a knowledge of God? What hope is there for a society that is not restrained by the knowledge of a moral framework to which we are all accountable? As a practical matter what will the world look like if the influence of Christian faith continues to retreat? What kind of society will our children or their children inhabit?

These thoughts are deeply troubling and should motivate us to share the truths of God far and wide. 

We must also understand that God can still work and all hope is never lost. I heard about the poem above in a book called “The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God” by Justin Brierley. In the book Brierley notes the diminishing influence of “New Atheism” and the realization that society can’t enjoy the fruits of Christian morality without the historical and spiritual roots. 

People with large platforms and influential voices are expressing some appreciation for Christianity, even allowing apologists to defend God and the Bible in some cases. Wes Huff and Steven Meyer have recently been invited on many popular well viewed media outlets. 

While it’s hard to predict the outcome of these things, this change of tone may represent a turning tide. 

We should think seriously about how we can personally and congregationally use this as an opportunity to share the gospel.

~ Kevin Cleary