May 6, 2009

One of the few programs I enjoy watching on the left-leaning BBC is “Songs of Praise.” The show visits English towns and some of their great cathedrals. It features choirs singing some of the great hymns of the church. Occasionally it wanders off into political correctness, but mostly it is spot-on, as they say here.

Last Sunday the program visited Bristol, England and featured a visit to the church where John Wesley preached. Wesley preached Christ and didn’t want to found anything. He sought to help build Christ’s kingdom.

As I rode into central London from the airport, I passed a Hindu temple. I went through Finsbury, an area of radical Islamic activity. I read in the British press full columns devoted to promoting atheism. One chides Christians who say their faith is a comfort to them. So are his pets, he says.

It is a special tragedy when a nation that once had a strong Christian witness and sent so many missionaries abroad, including to the British colonies, now stands in spiritual ruin. Only a revival can save England. May it come soon.

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.