A few months ago, the Trump Administration released its “National Security Strategy.” It struck a nerve — not so much in the United States, but in Europe. In listing crucial challenges for U.S. national security, it said that Europe faces “civilizational erasure.” Strong words. Europe remains in a panic over Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, yet holds to policies that make it increasingly dependent on Russian fuel. Freedom of religion and freedom of speech largely grew out of Europe, yet European leaders seem ever more determined to halt religious expression when it does not align with their views. Europe’s share of global GDP fell from 25% in 1990 to 14% today — a startling and precipitous decline.
The Billet study reveals something the ancient prophecies anticipated: that the collapse of faith in the future is not random. It follows patterns. Among Christians, the Pew Research Center found in 2022 that 49% believe they are living in the end times. This figure climbs to 63% among evangelical Protestants and 76% among Black Protestants.