The Powers, and My Newfound (Temporary?) Freedom

Been re-reading "Christ & the Powers" by Hendrik Berkhof. It is a simple book on some of the most complex theology in the Bible. It refers to several places where the word "powers" is used in the New Testament, and what it really refers to. Most of them are verses we skip over quickly because we're not sure what they mean. For example:

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor present nor future, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God . . ." Romans 8:28.

We usually just paraphrase "nothing can separate us from the love of God" instead of diving into exactly what each of those phrases really means.

I won't spoil the book, but Berkhof lists some of the powers: the State, politics, class, social struggle, national interest, public opinion, accepted morality, ideas of decency, humanity, and democracy.

It's basically the stuff that organizes life and keeps it from being chaotic. It can even encompass religion (such as legalistic systems). The powers were created as good things, but have often come under evil control, at least temporarily.

To me, I see so much of modern suburban life as in control of the powers: the structured work week, the dual income family, the soccer mom phenomena (every person in the house must be incredibly busy with involvements that keep everyone running from morning to night), etc. Even church membership in the recently booming mega churches becomes part of it. Again, none of it is bad in and of itself. It just is. It is reality.

Berkof goes on to say that "precisely by giving unity and direction they (the powers) separate us from the true God; they let us believe that we have found the meaning of existence, whereas they really estrange us from true meaning."

So true!

I know my fortunate circumstances are likely temporary. But I'm enjoying getting up on a weekend morning, in a new surrounding, without many involvements. I'm sure they will come. But for now I'm very happy that my kids are not on any sports teams, that we don't belong to a "church," that I have no civic organization memberships, etc. I go to work Monday through Friday and do whatever it takes to get a job done. Then I'm free nights and weekends (for the most part). I'm odd in my neighborhood -- everyone else is overwhelmed with involvements. I'm sure my day is soon coming. But for now I'm really enjoying my strange counter-cultural existence. And it is helping me understand Berkof's stuff about the powers.