The picture to the right is of Jamie and me in the Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland. One cannot look at too many village landscapes in Western Europe, without seeing a steeple.
I recall once reading that Calvin said when Paul received the Macedonian call it was the most fortuitous moment in history. It meant that the Gospel traveled west rather than east – – initially to Europe rather than Asia. Given the boundaries of the Roman Empire, in the power of the Holy Spirit, the Gospel soon blazed all the way to England and in God’s Providence, to the New World. (This post will help you better understand the point).
By circa 200, Tertullian was able to say:
We are but of yesterday, but we have filled every place among you cities, islands, fortresses, towns, market places, the very camp, tribes, companies, palace, senate, forum we have left nothing to you but the temples of your gods.
Traveling about Europe, it is mind boggling to see churches dotted across the landscape and to consider how the entire culture was shaped by the cause of Christ.
Yet, it is also tragic to reflect on the reality that much of the spiritual soil here is as tillable as concrete. We so need to pray for the West!
Last night after having dinner in Salzburg, our family reflected together on the Great Commission and the call to go into all the world and make disciples. We awoke to the Salzburg church bells ringing, reminding us that nearly 2000 years ago, God directed Paul to spread the Gospel West.
See also, The Miracle that was Paul
