 |
|---|
Powers, Weakness, and the Tabernacling
of God
Marva J.Dawn - Eerdmans
Publishing Co. 2001 176p
Review by Ray Hoekzema
This is the fifth book of Marva Dawn that I have reviewed for T & S and
it has not disappointed. Throughout, Dawn remains focused on the theme
of the book which she defines as: resisting and overcoming the fallen
powers, not by acting as one, but by being the Church in weakness, so
that Christ’s power may tabernacle (dwell and work) in us and the
purpose of God might be fulfilled through us. In the opening chapter she
deals with the concept of “the fallen (yet pervasiveness of)
principalities and powers”. In the next three chapters she expands on
the vocation of the Church.
Dawn says that, much of the contemporary discussion about the concept of
“the principalities and powers” focuses on the need to apply it to
postmodern realities. Her concern is for Christians to estimate rightly
the capacities of the powers. Many similarities exist between the
biblical times and our own. Interpreting the status of the powers today,
it makes an enormous difference in the way individuals and churches live
if we recognise that the entire atoning work of Christ has already made
the cosmos His. Then our political and cultural involvement operates not
from the need to change things, but from the desire to make clear what
really is the case.
The victory over powers on the cross was decisive, yet, the battle must
continue through times, since the powers rage in their struggle to be
emancipated. Though the powers are limited and Christ is already their
Lord, it is the task of the Church to display that. Dawn asks the
question: “Are you willing to do what it takes to stand against the
powers invading our churches? Are you able to bear the tension or the
loneliness that this will create in your life?”
Christian worship involves many dimensions of the community’s work in
relation to the powers. Sermons should name them and demonstrate their
pervasiveness. It goes without saying that the struggle of the Christian
community’s life is made possible by the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is
an encouragement to us when we note that Paul assures his readers in
Rome that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, for the idea of
power on the part of Christ’s followers tends to emphasise that the
saints serve by means of Christ’s power at work through them by the gift
of the Holy Spirit. It highlights an understanding of the concept of
God’s power at work in human weakness – as we see in the Lord’s words to
Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in
weakness.” Paul’s power is brought to its end in his weakness;
consequently, Paul glories in his weakness because through its very
existence Christ is able to reveal His presence with him in a unique
way.
What is true of Jesus and Paul is no doubt also true for churches and
that raises questions like: Why do our churches adopt practices of
business life and its achievement models. Why are our churches turning
pastors into CEOs instead of shepherds for the weak. We are not really
glad to be weak, hence, what will inspire us to accept the cross? The
theology of weakness and the theology of the cross are at the core of
Christianity.
Dawn modifies the statement that came from the 1500s which alleged that
the fortunes of the church have depended exclusively on its pastors and
bishops. From Scripture we know that this is not entirely true but
leaders’ spiritual robustness is the most prominent influence on true
Christianity’s well-being. Dawn, in rousing us to greater vigilance,
draws attention to the scene in Acts 2 where the fidelity of the early
church was constant as they devoted themselves to these seven practices:
The Apostles’ teaching; fellowship; breaking bread; prayers; signs &
wonders; having things in common and distributing to those in need; and
day by day, being devoted with one mind praising God.
The author goes on to discern some of the ways in which contemporary
powers beguile us and lead us astray from those practices and from God.
For instance, we must let His Word describe our world rather than vice
versa, our goal: slogans by biblical texts instead of the culture.
Christians immersed in the world introduce into the church value
judgments and concepts of the world. Our churches operate as fallen
powers when the gospel is no longer a stumbling block, when the
“foolishness” and “weakness” of God, outlined in 1Corinthians are
discarded in favour of status, position, wealth, popularity, power or
our desire to be “up to the minute” (with its correlative loss of
interest in the eternal) instead of doctrine/biblical formation.
Speaking of true fellowship, i.e. true weakness, Dawn says it is found
in vulnerability to our brothers’ and sisters’ needs and openness to
each other’s rebukes. Technology can disrupt this fellowship when we
communicate by e-mail and never talk with each other face to face. When
it comes to prayer, the author quotes that well-known Christian thinker,
Jacques Ellul. He says: “Prayer is the most important political action,
more important than all the declarations, demonstrations, elections etc,
that the Christian could possibly take.”
Dawn says that economics is perhaps the dimension in which Western
Christianity is most often subverted by the powers. That many of our
churches rely so much on money demonstrates our inability to be weak so
that we can see God’s tabernacling power. When it comes to worship, many
of our conversations and practices, are filled with many idolatries.
What’s more, the ugly development in politics – the emergence of the
opinion poll as a substitute for leadership – has taken over worship
discussions. It has become the substitute for genuine theological and
music leadership. Personal opinions are not God. Worship forms and
musical styles are not God. They are there to praise God.
To be Christian churches is to resist being swept up into values and
powers of our cultural milieu and to supply what is missing in that
milieu – namely, the tabernacling of Christ. As churches we must be
vigilant – not forgetting our own theology of the cross and adopting
methods of the world. The question arises: Is it possible for a church
or denomination to operate out of weakness? If fallen powers are still
so pervasive and even churches always act somewhat from fallenness, is
there hope anywhere?
Dawn answers these questions in her final chapter expounding the
Ephesian passage that brings us the panoply of God’s armour, from a
perspective that the armour is offensive and not just defensive as we
are usually taught. It fits more strongly with her urging that
Christians be more active as creative agents of God’s kingdom. Yoder
Neufeld urges us, “The critical and essential task is to maintain the
irony in such warfare, and remain deeply conscious that this is always a
battle for blood and flesh and never against it.”
Ellul acknowledges that there is never any ‘imperial triumph’ in human
terms and times. The powers use the very gifts of God “to advance their
own grandeur”. We will never be done with this struggle, this cosmic
battle, until the end of time. Nevertheless, Christ is there. The cross
that is planted at the heart of history of the world cannot be uprooted.
The risen Christ is with us to the end of the world. The Holy Spirit
acts in secret and with infinite patience. There is a church that is
constantly born and reborn. Dawn’s final statement is that the cross is
the heart of history. In the name and tabernacling of the risen Christ,
let us make it our churches’ heart, too.
Books
Music
Movies
Return to top of page
All material on this site © 2004 Trowel & Sword