19 April 2006

Now we move to a look at Paul's concept of the "principalities and powers" as we continue in the chapter called Christ and Power in Ronald Sider's book "Christ and Violence.

There is growing agreement that when Paul speaks of the principalities and powers he refers to both the sociopolitical structures of human society and to unseen spiritual forces that undergird, lie behind, and in some mysterious way help shape human sociopolitical structures. That the principalities and powers are not merely superhuman spiritual beings is quite clear in Colossians 2:8-23 where the principalities and powers that Christ disarmed include things like philosophy, human traditions, and religious regulations about dietary laws and Sabbath observance. That the principalities and powers are not, on the other hand, merely sociopolitical structures of human society is also clear. Ephesians 6:12 says that we contend not "against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

This power is - more than meets the eye. It is much like what I see in the present political system in our country. Whether one looks at one party or the other, the principalities and powers are working the crowd and they are trying to get things done in a way that will keep the principalities and powers able to control as much of the world as possible. I am particularly aware of how a force like the so-called "religious right" is both common powers working the room to have their way and a force that is at work beneath the scenes and yet playing a vital role in how the world turns. No matter what face the principalities and powers take on, we must be very diligent at keeping watch over how they move and what they attempt to do with us. This is a part of the faithful work of the church - to discern the activity of these powers and make sure we do not take on their life and their false promises. We have one Lord - Christ, Jesus - and the rule that is set forth before us.

Connection: Keeping a watchful eye on when and how the powers work among us needs to be a part of our daily discipline. We need to share that responsibility for the welfare of all of us.

Lord, God give us eyes to see and ears to hear how the principalities and powers move among us and attempt to use our lives for their benefit. And then, when we must stand in opposition to those powers, give us the courage to stand up with love that will not be broken. Amen.