2. Warfare Primarily with Self But also with the Powers Your daily disciplines of sleep, work, sabbath, devotions and the disciplines of the beatitudes are the foundation tht enables a walk in the Spirit. Engaging the Powers depends on those disciplines.

3. Evangeli Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) Pope Francis Some people continue to defend trickle down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by the free market, will inevitably succeed in brining about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts, expresses a crude and naïve trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power and in the sacralized workings of the prevailing economic system. Meanwhile the excluded are still waiting (2013:46). Should a Pope be confronting economic systems?

4. Should a Pope be confronting Economic Systems? God was the first economist “Thou shalt not steal” is profoundly moral and profoundly economic. We are called on by the scriptures to confront injustice Injustice is anchored in 3 rd millenium systems. Thus we have to confront systems.

5. Not without abuse This week I overheard comments about a friend prophet: He criticized capitalism Therefore he is a socialist He shook hands with the Chilean President, therefore he is a socialist. The gospel critiques all, so is subject to none. For this reason the church is to keep its distance from governmental programs that seek to control and subsume under the state. It remains the one voice untarnished by the need to access power.

6. Theologies for Contexts of Oppression Anabaptist rejection of power German responses to Hitler – Berkhof on the Powers Latin American responses of Liberation Theoloigy - Boff Pentecostalism with a focus on Power One of a number of Biblical contexts of response to oppression and injustice Justice Authority Liberation

7. Weapons of War For the weapons of our warfare are ….. Casting down every high and lofty thought… II Cor 10:3-5 We confront theories, philosophies by:  Understanding them  Refuting them Get your doctorate if this is your primary calling. Paul studied under Gamaliel. Daniel mastered Babylonian philosophies. Isaiah was a social analyst. Moses understood the nature of Egyptian rulership.

8. What/Who are the Powers? Authorities, rulers, powers ‘isms, Marxism, communism, Marxism, nationalism Religions, traditions Cultures Are they good or bad? Made by God – to be respected, reflect his nature Used by Fallen men – to be confronted

9. Various Interpretations Luther: the powers are God-ordained structures we are to submit to and obey. The Powers are a human projection of collective human dynamics (sociology) The Powers are High level demonic Spirits intruding into people controlling systems (Pentecostalism) The Powers are the spiritual dimension of the social, cultural, economic and political structures that govern, part of God’s good creation but have rebelled against God (Berkhof).

10. Berkhof’s description of the powers

11. Confronting the Powers with Community Organizing Electricity Water Garbage Land Rights

12. Responses to the Powers (Walter Wink) Discerning the Powers Unmasking the Powers Confronting the Powers

13. Relationship to Authority (Lorne Sanny, when President of the Navigators What is Authority? Submission to Authority Exercise of Authority Limits to the Exercise of Authority Confronting Unjust Exercise of Authority There are levels of spiritual and political authority that God and society give us during our lives. Fast and pray and seek him for these

14. 4. National/International Justice How does a country become injust? (Isa 58:9-16) Transgressions are multiplied Denying the Lord, Turning away Speaking revolt  -------------  Speaking oppression (Breakdown of Consensus) Violence  -------------  Law & order Beyond Ethics Solution: a man or woman to intervene

15. Justice & Bringing Peace Justice as peacemaking: Required reconciliation between parties; rectifying unjust situations Injustice cried out from the land: We must understand the history of exploitation that force people Upper class evangelism: The rich can be the key to unlocking the poverty of the poor The loyal reformers: Bible as textbook for issues of labor, profit, work, management, business Demonic politics: We reject demonic philosophies, but honor and respect all humans Contention with authorities: Love, honor and reconciliation should define our contention

16. Justice & Bringing Peace Contention with authorities: Love, honor and reconciliation should define our contention Time and change: Change comes through suffering servants who disarm evil, hatred and violence Political options: Spiritual discipleship or holistic discipleship Squatter politics: Steps we can take as Christian people in the slums!! Unattached: Though we are unattached to this world, we serve it because justice compels us

17. And what of defense of a people against violence? The first violence is that of the oppressor. Isa 59 demonstrates how this pushes a nation to a division between right and left. Oppression and rebellion. We face a conundrum between our pacifist roots, or Baptist roots in protest or just war theories of State churches. It is more complex when a national government seeks to eliminate a Christian people. In Chad, do they defend against the Muslims The sectarian violence across nations in Europe give us every nuance of response to violence Should the Baptist tribes of Myanmar, defend against the oppression of the Burmese government? Should the Naga tribes in India defend agains tth 3 million Indian military that rape and destroy?

18. The Biblical Data on Powers Deut 32:8,9 Psa 82:1-4 Dan 10:13-14 Matt 12:29 Matt 24:29 Luke 12:11 Rom 8:38-39 Rom 13:1-2a 1 Cor 2:6-8 1 Cor 15:24-26 2 Cor 10:3-4 Eph 1:20-21 Eph 2:1-2 Eph 3:10 Eph 6:12 Col 1:16-20 Col 2:10 Col 2:15 Titus 3:1 1 Pet 3;22 Rev 18-21

19. References Glasser, A., Charles van Engen, et al. (2003). God’s Kingdom Extends over the Powers. Announcing the Kingdom. Grand Rapids, MI, Baker Academic. Chap 21. McAlpine, T. H. (2003). Transformed by Osmosis. In Facing the Powers. Wipf and Stock Publishers.Transformed by Osmosis Grigg, V. (2004) With Justice for All. In Companion to the Poor. Authentic.With Justice for All Berkhof, Hendrikus. (1953). Christ and the Powers. Scottsdale PA: Herald Press Dawson, J. (1989). Taking Our Cities for God. Lake Mary, FL, Creation House. Pope Francis (2014) Evangelii Gaudiium. Vatican Press.