Make the West great again?

September 17, 2024

When we talk about preserving the West, it’s worth asking what we are preserving and for whom. If our goal is to save the soul of the West, we might be missing the point entirely.

The impulse to preserve what we know as the West feels woven into the very fabric of who we are. We cling to the ideals of democracy, liberty, and the rule of law like a drowning man clings to a life preserver—desperate, frantic, and more than a little panicked. But I wonder as I clutch these values to my chest if I’m not holding onto the wrong thing altogether. The problem isn’t with the ideals themselves. They are, after all, drawn from the deep well of Judeo-Christian ethics. The trouble begins when we start confusing the preservation of the West with the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, as though saving one were synonymous with serving the other.

It’s easy to conflate the two. The West has been shaped, in large part, by Christian thought. But here’s where it gets tricky. The kingdom of God isn’t concerned with political boundaries, economic systems, or preserving a particular culture. It’s a kingdom not of this world, and Jesus was clear about that (Jn 18:36). When he stood before Pilate, he didn’t rally a defense of Roman law or the preservation of Jewish customs. He didn’t talk about the virtues of Greco-Roman philosophy or the importance of safeguarding the Pax Romana. Instead, he spoke of a radically different kingdom nearly incomprehensible to those who heard him—a kingdom where the last are first, the meek inherit the earth, and the poor in spirit are blessed.

Contrast that with the clamor we hear today about preserving Western civilization. The rhetoric is often thick with militant nostalgia, as though Christ himself would be waving the flag of some bygone era, urging us to “make the West great again.” But is that what the Lord calls us to do? Did Jesus commission his followers to defend cultural landmarks? No, he sent them to make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19). The Great Commission isn’t a call to preserve but to proclaim, baptize, and teach—a call that transcends any particular culture or civilization.

Christ builds his kingdom one redeemed sinner at a time, which doesn’t require a specific political or cultural context. In fact, the early church thrived in the least likely of places—the Roman Empire, a regime as antithetical to Christian values as any in history. Yet the gospel spread, not because the apostles were fighting to preserve Rome, but because they were proclaiming a kingdom that outlasts and outshines every empire.

When we talk about preserving the West, it’s worth asking what exactly we are preserving and for whom. If our goal is to save the soul of Western civilization, we might be missing the point entirely. Christ’s kingdom isn’t a backup plan for when our cultural experiments fail. It is the plan. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” Jesus said, “and all these things will be added to you” (Mt 6:33). Notice he didn’t say, “Seek first the preservation of your way of life, culture, or political ideals.”

This isn’t to suggest that we abandon our societal responsibilities or shouldn’t care about the direction in which our nation is headed. But it does mean that our ultimate allegiance lies not with the West but with Christ. And sometimes, advancing his kingdom might look very different from preserving our own.

Preserving the West might save a civilization, but only Christ can save souls. While the former may offer temporary solace, the latter offers eternal life—something far more precious than any cultural artifact or national identity. Like every other human construct, the West will one day pass away, but the kingdom of God shall stand forever (Da 2:44).

Perhaps it’s time to loosen our grip on the life preserver of Western civilization and reach instead for the hand of the One who walks on water, who calms the storm, and whose kingdom knows no end.

Make the West great again?

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