We want to take students and readers on a journey that ranges across seven Saeculums. In the late 1990s and first decade of the 2000s, I read two amazing books. They were Generations and The Fourth Turning by Strauss and Howe. They take a secular approach to Generational history I found fascinating. In each Saeculum of 100+ years, there are four turnings. These are the ‘seasons’ that generations cycle through in each saeculum. Using that analogy, there is Spring when a nation enjoys great prosperity following a tough Winter of crises. Next is Summer when spiritual awakening happens – not all awakenings are good. Then comes Fall and a time of unravelling that reflects the type of awakening during Summer. Finally is Winter with crises, war, and catastrophe. After that Winter, Spring is coming.
Using Strauss and Howe’s work, I began seeking the secrets of what the Bible reveals. They were not helpful in this, so I turned back to the Old Testament. The results were shocking. First, our examination will focus on the seven Saeculums in the history of Israel, the first six in ancient Israel and the Seventh today in parallel with the seventh Saeculum of Western Civilization. Throughout, we will see the cycles of Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
In parallel, from the Reformation to today, Western Civilization has survived six Saeculums. We are in the 7th Winter / Crises of Western Civ, that followed our 7th Summer / Awakening in the 60’s and 70s. Let me explain that because there is a swirl of confusion around the terminology and concepts of Saeculums and Awakenings. I know because my wife and I have discussed this with great rigor, and I really appreciate her wisdom, but was not convinced there was a problem. Eric Metaxas had dinner with us in our home, and while discussing this book, asked the same questions, convincing the stubborn historian at the table… me… to think hard on explaining this confusion. We will do that later in this chapter.
Four stories are woven together in the Bible across seasons and generations. They are Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. [1] The 7 Saeculums in Israel and the 7 Saeculums in Western Civilization majestically reside between the bookends of Genesis and Revelation, revealing those four stories.
BOTTOM LINE: Our purpose is to synchronize the Bible and History to help students be like the Sons of Issachar as we step into the seventh crises turnings of Israel and Western Civilization.
We will begin each saeculum lesson with an examination of similar Saeculums in the Kingdom of Israel. Along the way, we will synch to the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2 and 3, and the seven parables in Matthew 13. I tried to leave room for notes as you read or work this with us in our classes.
1 Chronicles 12:32 of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;
I want to make three ‘Sons of Issachar’ points that resonate in my mind as we start our journey:
· The Most hated guy in the room is often Jesus, the one through whom all things were made. As His image bearers, that often extends to Christ followers… In other words, us.
· For the English-speaking people, it might be the end of our Empire
· Considering Nebuchadnezzar’s statue in Daniel 2 that frames the ‘Time of the Gentiles,’ we might be in the Times of the Toes
[1] Stonestreet, John, A Practical Guide to Culture, David C Cooke, 2017, p. 65