History

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RISE AND FALL OF CIVILIZATIONS


Having majored in history during my undergraduate studies, the rise and fall of civilizations have captured and sustained my attention. When later involved in study tours to Greece and Italy, the phenomenon was again brought to mind. Then when engaged in short term teaching assignments in Nigeria, this recalled the era of English colonialism. This constitutes a short list, since the issue is of such pervasive concern.
“A common cycle occurs throughout the narrative,” concerning the time of the Judges and as a striking case in point. “First, the Israelites do evil in the sight of the Lord. Then, seeing that they would not restrain sin within, they could not contain evil without. They were subsequently oppressed by others. Thereupon, they cried out to the Lord in their distress. When they did so, he raised up for them a deliverer” (Morris Inch, Scripture As Story, pp. 51-52). The cycle was repeated time and again.
What are we to make of this recurring theme? Initially, we cannot relive the past. Those who attempt to do so fall prey to legalism. Meanwhile, they fail to address current issues. Consequently, they fail to exercise their creative capabilities.
However, we are enjoined to learn from the past. In this regard, C. S. Lewis recommended that persons read one classic text from the past, along with one current text. Otherwise, our horizons become severely restricted. While those who refrain from reading compound the problem, both for themselves and society as a whole.
Moreover, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Prov. 14:34). “Here is the most searching test of policies and achievements. Uncompromising as it is, it is fully realistic. Exalteth is not a material but a moral term here, as its converse shows. Reproach, or ‘disgrace’ is a strong word found elsewhere only in Leviticus 20:17)” (Derek Kidner, Proverbs, p. 112.). Qualifications aside, this appears to be the fundamental feature employed in Scripture to explain the rise and fall of civilizations.
“Civilizations die from suicide, not murder,” Arnold Toynbee concluded. This was meant to stress the vulnerability of weakened civilizations to external pressures. In greater detail, Alexander Tyler observed: “The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations has been two hundred years. These nations have progressed through this sequence:
From bondage to spiritual faith;
from spiritual faith to great courage,
from courage to liberty;
from liberty to abundance;
from abundance to complacency;
from complacency to apathy;
from apathy to dependence;
from dependence back into bondage.”
As to where the United States is in this sequence, one is left to speculate.
In any case, there may be opportunity for recovery. As with an individual, so with a corporate entity. I left for military service the day after my eighteenth birthday. This was during World War II. It was to protect a cherished liberty, along with the benefits it allowed.
While engaged, I made a commitment to follow Christ. This served to foster a spiritual faith (as cited above). Accordingly, I would highly recommend it to others, concerned for the future of our civilization. Without which, I fear that we will succumb as other civilizations have before us.
RISE AND FALL OF CIVILIZATIONS

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