I frequently encounter criticism of the younger generation of Christians. Just this week I’ve seen complaints that they are biblically illiterate, morally lax, have short attention spans, low commitment levels, and (inexplicably) don’t listen to their elders. This is a classic appeal to the “Good Old Days”. No-one uses the phrase anymore because it invites such derision, but the sentiment is still very prevalent. In the past, it seems, everything was better - including the church and the Christians.
If we look at our own denomination, there is no doubt that religious affiliation peaked near the middle of the twentieth century, and has declined since. Was this, then, a golden age for the Anglican church? If we think in terms of social prestige, then perhaps it was. But if we think in terms of kingdom values, perhaps not. People who lived through the tail of that era tell me that the church was full of nominal Christians, who de-churched themselves as soon as more interesting Sunday alternatives became socially acceptable. Perhaps the good old days weren’t actually all that good.
We can look back even further. In my research on the Rev. Richard Johnson, I recently came across this letter from his wife to a friend in England, written in 1795 -
I wish that I could tell you that the Gospel flourished in this distant part of the world, but on the contrary every sermon is treated with contempt. They neither regard the joys of Heaven nor the torments of Hell - it is all alike to them. But they will be left without excuse, for they cannot say that they have not been told the consequences of sin. I trust Mr Johnson has been faithful to these poor hardened souls, and he can do no more. Conversion is the Lord’s own work, and when he is pleased to work none can hinder.
She could easily be talking about 21st century Australia. Not much has changed, really - people are people, and the path to destruction has always been broad and wide. But the last word on this subject belongs to someone much wiser than myself - “Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is not wise to ask such questions.” (Ecclesiastes 7:10)
