Final answer:
The question pertains to the struggle with faith and the spiritual crisis one might experience when faith appears futile. Historical texts often explore these themes, expressing the consequences of failing faith and the impact on personal and collective morality and identity. The struggle with faith can result in feelings of being lost or criticized, urging a contemplation of what it means to believe and belong.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'If our faith is in vain then what are we yet in?' alludes to the existential quandary and spiritual despair one might face when there is a perception that their faith has failed or is meaningless. Throughout history, different texts have grappled with the concept of what it means to hold faith, especially in times of trial or when the institutions designed to uphold such faith are seen as failing or corrupt. This theme is not uncommon in literature, and the excerpts provided reflect various perspectives on faith, its challenges, and the solace or disillusionment that can follow from it.
In the given references, we see the idea that when one's faith is compromised, there may be a sense of being lost or abandoned, which can result in a spiritual crisis. The 'citty upon a hill' metaphor references the idea that if the community's faith and moral obligation falter, their society will be judged and condemned internationally, becoming a 'story and a by-word through the world.' Other texts like the one where a man feels his faith has entirely left him, declaring 'My Faith is gone!' and likening the world to being under the dominion of the devil, express a profound spiritual emptiness.
Finally, the reference to the Christian Church, and the notion that faith isn't singularly held or dictated by one man (namely the Pope), suggests a collective faith shared among the believers, with the implied responsibility that they must discern truth and faithfulness together. The conversation on faith across these passages speaks to the broader question of what sustains or erodes our collective and individual sense of belief and purpose, especially when faced with hardship or institutional failure.