The West has exhausted its once-dominant myths, narratives, and values, losing its sense of purpose and coherence. Without a unifying story, society lacks a shared worldview or direction, fracturing its communal identity.

Christianity provided the West’s unitive narrative for over 1500 years. Today, Christianity is in decline and no longer the prevailing cultural narrative. We are currently in a period of amythia with competing sub-narratives vying for attention.

This void fosters chaos along societal margins. Many individuals experience disillusionment, alienation, and existential angst, reflecting a pervasive sense of disconnection and a loss of belonging.

The crisis manifests in diverse ways: rising mental illness, social unrest, and institutional decay. Its root cause is the erosion of traditional sources of meaning—religion, community, and cultural narratives—that once provided direction and a sense of identity.

Social unrest also emerges, as alienation and a lack of shared purpose drive antisocial behavior and extremist ideologies, contributing to political polarization and violence. While this crisis lacks simple solutions, it need not be permanent.

The way forward is likely religious and spiritual. If Christianity is to survive, no less be culturally significant, it will have to revision itself as a cogent dialog partner for today’s realities.

LINKS TO CONTENT

• The Evolution of Post-Christian Culture

• A Crisis of Meaning

• First Steps of a Way Forward

• Appendix: Immigration & Culture

• Reading List