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We are at war. Some will hear those words as some kind of nationalistic jingoism where a group lusts for domination. Others will hear that phrase and immediately head out to the gun range. Still more will conjure a “culture war” with an us-against-them mentality.
What I mean when I say, “we are at war” is what the apostle Paul meant in 2 Corinthians 10, “Our weapons of warfare destroy arguments, taking every thought captive to Christ.” Our enemies are not first political or national, our enemies first and foremost are the principalities and powers.
Hebraic-Christian believers have known our principal adversary since Eden, whom Revelation 12 calls “the old serpent.” St. Cyril of Jerusalem, one of the early Church fathers, said it this way, “The Dragon is by the side of the road, watching those who pass. Beware lest he devour you. We go to the Father of Souls, but it is necessary to pass by the dragon.”[1]
One of the major themes in Scripture – and I would add, books of any kind – is the war between “good” and “evil.” People all over the world write about this struggle because the Truth of principalities and power has affected everything and everyone from the beginning of time.
The biblical record about evil, which you can read at the end of this Truth in Two, includes at least three important principles: (1) “Evil” is real, historical, and personal; (2) There is no possibility that “evil” will win in the end; (3) There are “evil” people who follow the principles of “the evil one.” Yes, we are at war. And in this world, we will indeed “pass by the dragon.”
For Truth in Two, this is Dr. Mark Eckel, president of the Comenius Institute, personally seeking Truth wherever it’s found. [First published at MarkEckel.com]
Afterword
Some may immediately take offense that “evil” would be ascribed to anyone. The truth of the matter, however, is that even popular streaming programs identify perpetrators as “evil.” And for those who take Scripture at its word, the Bible is full of specific statements about “evildoers” and their “abominations” (Ps 37.1; Prov 6.16-19; Luke 16.15; John 8.44; Rev 21.8).
- “Evil” is real, historical, and personal (Gen 3:1-6; 1 John 3:8; Rev 12:7-9)
- There is no possibility that “evil” will win (Ps 2; Col 2:13-15; Rev 19:11-21)
- “Evil” people follow the principles of “the evil one” (2 Cor 11:13-15; 1 Jn 3:10)
A “war” indeed, coming from the “principalities and powers” (Ephesians 1:21; 2:2; 3:10; 5:11; 6:12).
[1] Saint Cyril of Jerusalem quoted by Flannery O’Connor in Mystery and Manners: Occasional Prose (Macmillan, 1969): 35.
Discussion (33)
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It’s odd that you have to confirm that there are humans who are evil, but I understand that you do.
I think it’s very very hard to accept the immense scope and reality of evil, much less that it inhabits a human. But it does. It’s been in my mind lately that it’s possible to distinguish people (some of whom I’ve even met) who are more than just doing bad stuff. Most of those people are those I only see electronically, but there is no doubt in my heart that they are consumed by evil. They seem to me to have a clearly non-earthly aspect, evidenced by their actions, some of which seem merely odd or stupid, but have impact beyond just stupid, selfish or venal. The only doing bad stuff people range from just stupid to pretty mean, but don’t have the same aspect.
It is tremendously helpful to be reminded that evil will not win. The war has very dark days.
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We live our lives in connection to other people we care about. Our activities revolve completely around those people to whom we are connected.
It is impossible to fathom human beings who spend their days wallowing in their hatred for other people and who devote their time to harming those people they hate. They are not interested in any of the things that make life worth living for normal people.
Only God can reach such people. All we can do is accept that they exist.
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I heard a Bible teacher say thank God that you find evil impossible to understand. It is evidence that you have not been consumed by it.
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Here is a bit more of the reference to rulers of darkness of this world; and the truth of spiritual wickedness in high places is, in my view, incontestable:
" For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
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Very much so!
My afterword hit on the biblical passages which I wasn't able to fit in my 300-word weekly essay, this, being one. It is, to your good point, "incontestable."
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