Family & Civilization | P28+1

"The strength of a nation," said Abraham Lincoln, "lies in the homes of its people."

After studying several of the greatest civilizations in the past, historian Carle Zimmerman wrote the book, Family and Civilization.  In it he made several observations of the patterns he observed that led to the deterioration and the ultimate collapse of a civilization. 

Zimmerman concluded that no society, nation or empire could survive the marked disintegration of its most basic unit -- the family.  He also found that, historically, the last stage of family destruction was marked by these developments.

1. Marriage lost its sacredness and was frequently broken by divorce.
2. Women lost their inclination for child-bearing and the birth rate decreased.
3. There was public disrespect for parents, parenthood, and authority in general.
4. There was an increase in juvenile delinquency, promiscuity, and rebellion.
5. There was a refusal of people with traditional marriages to accept family responsibilities.
6. There was an increasing desire for and acceptance of adultery.
7. There was an increasing desire for and spread of sexual perversions of all kinds.

It should be noted that Carle Zimmerman wrote his book and published these observations in 1947.  At that time, he concluded that America, viewed against the plumbline of past cultures, was already experiencing the final stage in the breakdown of families and nearing a collapse.

As I consider my response to Zimmerman's findings, I'm reminded of Nehemiah's response when he learned that the walls of Jerusalem lay in ruin.  Scripture tells us that he wept, fasted, and prayed (Nehemiah 1).

In many respects, the walls of our Pinelake families are being torn down.  You've seen it in your friends.  You may even be experiencing it in your own family right now.  Like Nehemiah, it's time for us to pray.  Join us in the P28+1 Prayer Challenge, and let's asked God together for some breakthroughs as we seek to rebuild our families.