The Agony of the Church (1917)

In Short

This book is a series of lectures delivered by a Serbian theologian during the First World War, arguing that the institutional Church has betrayed its mission by becoming a servant to the state. It examines the historical evolution of Eastern and Western Christian traditions, diagnosing their fragmentation as a symptom of spiritual pride and "unclean" nationalism. Through a lens of deep, uncompromising faith, it offers a vision for the reunification of Christianity—not through organizational merger, but through a shared, humble return to the spirit of Christ.

The Story

The narrative begins by establishing the Church as a living, eternal reality that transcends any single institution or man-made vessel. The author posits that the "agony" of the Church is not found in external persecution, but in the internal decay of its moral authority. He contrasts the "Holy Wisdom"—the inclusive, supernatural vision of the early apostles—with the modern reality, where the Church has fractured into competing, provincial camps.

As the argument unfolds, the author traces the historical tension between the East, which sought the "Holy Wisdom" of Christ, and the West, which often elevated individual apostles or philosophical systems to center stage. He argues that this shift toward human personalities and intellectual rigidities weakened the Church’s capacity to serve as a universal body. The narrative arc moves from this historical critique to a stark examination of the contemporary landscape. The First World War serves as the ultimate indictment: the author observes with sorrow that no major Christian body raised a hand to protest the slaughter. Instead, national churches in every belligerent country—whether in Germany, Russia, or the West—became little more than chaplains to their respective governments, blessing the very violence they were meant to transcend.

The book moves toward a resolution by challenging the reader to abandon the comfort of institutional self-sufficiency. The author insists that no single branch of the Church—Eastern, Roman, or Protestant—can survive in isolation. Each possesses a piece of the truth, yet each is blinded by its own "exclusiveness." The concluding chapters call for a new Pentecost. The author suggests that the "victory" of the Church will only occur when it stops seeking political influence or material wealth and instead fosters "holy wizards"—saints whose lives serve as the only effective missionaries to a world exhausted by greed and pride. The ending is not a call for a new administrative structure, but a plea for a spiritual revolution where the Church recognizes its role as the conscience of humanity, rather than the handmaiden of the state.

How It Unfolds

The Wisdom of the Church The author defines the Church’s origin as a supernatural embrace of all nations and races, centered on the inclusive teaching of Christ. He explains that the early Church was not a monolith of rigid rules, but a living vessel capable of absorbing and sanctifying diverse human traditions.

The shift toward exclusivity He traces how the initial, broad-minded vision of the apostles was slowly eroded by the rise of intellectual systems and provincial identities. The focus shifted from the "Holy Wisdom" of the divine to the human, intellectual, and nationalistic concerns of the age.

The reality of the modern agony The author confronts the carnage of the First World War as proof that the Church has failed to maintain its independence from worldly powers. He details how churches on both sides of the conflict abandoned their prophetic voice to become obedient servants of imperialism and national ego.

The call for self-criticism He urges each tradition—Eastern, Roman, and Anglican—to acknowledge its unique failures and specific needs. He argues that only through an honest, sisterly acknowledgement of these faults can the Church hope to regain its integrity and witness.

The path to victory The final movement advocates for a "re-christianization" of the faith through the cultivation of saintliness. The author concludes that the Church’s survival depends on its willingness to be a prisoner of Christ rather than a prisoner of its own pride or political alliances.

The People

The book is less a biography of figures and more a portrait of collective archetypes. Jesus Christ is presented as the primary, living authority—the "Holy Wisdom" whose inclusive love serves as the only standard by which the modern Church can be measured. In sharp contrast, the author depicts the Christian leaders and theologians of the early 20th century as figures who have succumbed to "unclean spirits," such as vanity and nationalistic zeal. He references St. Paul as a model of a true patriot who understood that Christianity must transcend provincialism, serving as a foil to the modern churchman who puts national loyalty above the Gospel. The "grumbler" or the dissatisfied seeker is also a recurring character—someone tempted to form a new sect, whom the author gently guides back to the existing, albeit wounded, vessels of the faith, urging them to pour "divine wine" into the old jars rather than discarding them.

In Its Own Voice

"When the soul fled away, what remained was empty, ugly and dangerous."

The author uses this line to describe the state of European civilization when it attempted to function without its spiritual foundation.

"If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His."

He quotes this to remind his readers that no amount of theological maneuvering or organizational reform can substitute for the fundamental requirement of a Christ-like spirit.

"The wealthiest and most powerful people, that we are wont to admire and imitate, were most pitied by Christ."

This serves as a core argument against the Church’s tendency to align itself with political and economic elites.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the incompatibility of true Christianity with the exclusive demands of nationalism and imperialism. The author is deeply concerned with the nature of "authority"—arguing that the Church’s current obsession with power, both temporal and intellectual, is a degradation of the spiritual authority Christ exemplified through humility. The book asks a fundamental question: Can the Church remain a universal, life-giving organism when it has allowed itself to be partitioned by the boundaries of geography and political statehood? It is a philosophical inquiry into the "inclusive" versus "exclusive" spirit, suggesting that the "agony" of the modern world is a direct reflection of the Church’s own internal refusal to act as a unified, holy body.

Why Read It Today

This book is for the reader interested in the intersection of faith, statecraft, and the history of ideas. It carries the weight of a voice speaking from the crucible of global catastrophe, offering a perspective that feels both ancient and startlingly relevant. Because it was written in 1917, the prose retains a formal, period-appropriate cadence—at times dense with theological terminology and references to the specific political tensions of the Great War.

You will find it moving if you are sensitive to the critique of institutional complacency. The author does not shy away from the contradictions of his time, and his willingness to scold all sides—East and West, Catholic and Protestant—gives the book a rugged, bracing honesty. It is not an easy read; it demands that the reader confront the ways in which religious identity is often used to justify worldly ambition. However, the reward is a profoundly clear vision of what it means to prioritize spiritual integrity over institutional preservation. It remains a powerful testament to the necessity of humility in the face of human pride, and it will stay with you as a reminder that the health of the community depends on the sanctity of the individual.