Voegelin
18th December 2007, 09:03 PM
First Things
Nathaniel Peters
December 18, 2007
The New York Times today has an interesting article (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/us/18witchcraft.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin), which talks about a prayer service held late at night for the express purpose of spiritual warfare . . .
The ministry was started by a Congolese couple and illustrates a significant feature of African Christianity. For many Christians, especially African ones, the battle really is against spiritual forces, not those of the flesh.
One of the great joys for African Christians is the conquering freedom that Jesus brings over the old order of witch doctors, spells, and totems.
The Bible talks about this, but since idol worship and magic are not in our immediate cultural past, the Bible’s words do not resonate as deeply for Westerners. Not so for African Christians: “The day before, the parishioners began a fast. ‘Why do we fast toward the end of the year?’ Mrs. Shinga said to the worshipers. ‘That is when Satan wants sacrifices, blood, and so we ask God to protect us and our families.’” . . .
. . . the Times article (reminded me) that this picture of religion is not just a Baroque construction of foreign cultures. Indeed, it is what most of the world throughout history has known as religion. Once we remember what the old order was, we can see all the better the extent to which Christ overthrows it as the one who takes the Curse upon himself and the one who is the final sacrifice to end all sacrifices . . .
http://www.firstthings.com/blog/2007/12/18/spiritual-warfare-in-washington-dc/
Nathaniel Peters
December 18, 2007
The New York Times today has an interesting article (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/us/18witchcraft.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin), which talks about a prayer service held late at night for the express purpose of spiritual warfare . . .
The ministry was started by a Congolese couple and illustrates a significant feature of African Christianity. For many Christians, especially African ones, the battle really is against spiritual forces, not those of the flesh.
One of the great joys for African Christians is the conquering freedom that Jesus brings over the old order of witch doctors, spells, and totems.
The Bible talks about this, but since idol worship and magic are not in our immediate cultural past, the Bible’s words do not resonate as deeply for Westerners. Not so for African Christians: “The day before, the parishioners began a fast. ‘Why do we fast toward the end of the year?’ Mrs. Shinga said to the worshipers. ‘That is when Satan wants sacrifices, blood, and so we ask God to protect us and our families.’” . . .
. . . the Times article (reminded me) that this picture of religion is not just a Baroque construction of foreign cultures. Indeed, it is what most of the world throughout history has known as religion. Once we remember what the old order was, we can see all the better the extent to which Christ overthrows it as the one who takes the Curse upon himself and the one who is the final sacrifice to end all sacrifices . . .
http://www.firstthings.com/blog/2007/12/18/spiritual-warfare-in-washington-dc/