We mentioned last week that Ben Sasse left politics because he felt his evangelical conservatism was better suited in this season for building a virtuous, image-bearing educational institution. Sasse’s perspective and pivot call to mind another lens that might give us a better handle on how thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers are different, or at least more than, “the sum total of all the humans involved.” Historically, Republicans have tended to emphasize the need for individuals to change. Democrats have tended to highlight the need for systems to do the same. The truth is change is usually needed in both. For example, racism shows up vividly in individuals like Hitler or Dylan Ruth—the 22-year-old white supremacist who attended a small Bible study gathering in Charleston, SC. But it also shows up in systems like redlining and mass incarceration. Again, it’s important that we address both individual and systemic racism, however, systemic racism gets closer to an “ethos,” the kind that’s associated with the malevolent, even satanic, powers spoken of in Ephesians 6:12.
But here’s the good news that we say we believe:
Jesus said in John 12:31-33:
“’Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people[e] to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.” (NRSV)
This a fascinating and mysterious passage that, despite our questions, clearly says that Jesus decisively dealt with the evil powers when he died on the cross.
“Oh really?!,” we ask as we watch the news or look out our windows. “It sure doesn’t look like it!”
And the answer that theologians give is that Jesus dealt with these powers “in principle.” And, yes, “in principle” may be the theologian’s catch-all phrase, but it does capture the biblical narrative. The Crucifixion indeed marks an inaugurated eschatology and the church lives in the gap of the already/not yet of what the Bible calls “the last days” or “end times.”
Paul gives further nuance to the already/not yet nature of this gap in 1 Corinthians 15:24-26:
“Then after Christ has destroyed all powers and forces, the end will come, and he will give the kingdom to God the Father. Christ will rule until he puts all his enemies under his power [the Greek literally says “under his feet”, and the last enemy he destroys will be death.”
(CEV, italics mine)
Right now all those in Christ participate with him in putting all enemies under his feet, reigning with him (Revelation 1:6) as co-regents or as his hands and feet (1 Corinthians 12), doing his Kingdom work.
And what specifically is this Kingdom work? For sure, it includes the Church Jesus is building that the gates of hell won’t prevail against (Matthew 16:18). But God’s kingdom work is a lot bigger than our churches.
And it certainly includes our homes and all the joys, frustrations, sacrifices, and even heartbreaks poured into raising the next generation of humans, or caring for a dying loved and their family.
But might not his Kingdom work also include other work you do vocationally, bringing order to the chaos in the institutions (powers) that you work at? The work you do at doctors’ offices, hospitals, schools, the Division of Youth and Family Services? Companies that bring safety or security, or those that beautify spaces? And, if you work at a different type of institution, sole proprietorship, or company than those I just listed, add it to the list; more importantly, think of the implications of connecting what you do 9-5 or 24/7 with God’s kingdom work.
We need a more expansive vision of what it means to live out the gospel and N. T. Wright has been someone who has helped me with this on this side of toxic fundamentalism. In his recent book, Jesus and the Powers co-authored with Australian Michael Bird, they write:
“We must get busy in the task of preparing the world for Jesus’ cosmic lordship… We are—strange as it may seem, almost as hard to believe as the resurrection itself—accomplishing something that will become, in due course, part of God’s new world.
If that is true, then every act of love, gratitude and kindness; every work of art or music inspired by the love of God and delight in the beauty of his creation; every minute teaching a severely disabled child to read or walk; every act of care for a dying patient; every deed of comfort and support for refugees; everything done for one’s fellow human beings; everything done to preserve and beautify the created order; all spirit-led teaching; every deed that spreads the gospel, builds up the Church, embraces and embodies holiness rather than corruption, every prayer for the heart’s longings, and the worship that makes Jesus name honored in the world—all of this will find its way into the new creation that God will one day make… This means that what we do in Christ and by the spirit in the present is not wasted, not abandoned, not discarded. Our holy labours will last long, all the way into God’s new world. In fact, they will be enhanced there…
Look around. We live in interesting times, dire times, dangerous times, tragic and terrible times. What will you do with your life? Give it over to staring into a luminous screen or do something that echoes in God’s new creation? The world needs kingdom-minded Christians now more than ever. Find some friends to meet with and pray the words of Psalm 31 for the families of Ukraine. Join a group to promote peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Email your local member of Parliament or Congress and tell them your most pressing concerns. Find out which organizations best assist those recovering from addictions and make a generous donation. Mentor a university student who lives far from family. Ask your pastor how you might pray for him or her and where you could potentially serve given your abilities and interests. Put your faith where your fear is; fill your mind with things of love, not the love of things.”
Jesus and the Powers, 85-89