Warfare of All Types

Spiritual Warfare: Two Selected Issues

Issue 1: SyncretismSyncretism “has generally referred to the replacement or dilution of the essential truths of the Gospel through the incorporation of non-Christian elements.”

Is it syncretism when . . .Christian missionaries march around a Hindu temple seven times and then declare God’s victory?Christians gather at an ancient religious site to declare God’s glory and break an ancient curse?Seminaries prepare ministerial candidates with no training on spiritual warfare?A Christian therapist treats disassociation with drugs, never considering the possibility of the demonic?

The range of terms

Syncretism

Contextualization

Borrowing

Co-opting Trans

forming

Adapting

IndigenizingIncult

uration

Heresy?

Blending

Critical questionsWho makes the call?Do we use linear (black/white) or fuzzy (shades of gray) logic?Do we take a bounded set or centered set approach?What is the relationship between form and meaning: Can we borrow animistic forms and infuse them with new [Christian] meanings?

Unmasking hidden assumptionsIt’s syncretism when I don’t like what they are doing!It is my job to determine when it is syncretism or notThe biblical approach that I take is the correct oneIt is possible (and necessary) to eliminate all syncretism

Hidden assumptions“Spiritistic”

If someone reliable says it happened, it must be true Spirits operate the same now as thenLocal explanations in spiritistic societies are fundamentally correctPsychosocial explanations are not as important as spiritual ones

“Secularistic”It I did not personally see it, it should be questionedSpirits operate differently now than thenLocal explanations in spiritistic societies are fundamentally flawedSpiritual explanations are not as important as psychosocial ones.

Areas of controversyTheological

Demons and ChristiansTerritorial spiritsNature/duration of spiritual giftsAncestral “legacy”Blessings/curses

WorldviewDemonomaniaDemonophobia

PracticalRitual prayersPrayer walks/journeysBinding/loosingDemonic interrogationSpiritual mappingTechniques in expulsionAncestral renunciations

Biblical case studiesActs 8: Simon’s search for powerActs 12: Peter’s spirit double/ghost/ angel?Acts 14: Paul as Zeus?Acts 16: Casting out the prophetic spiritActs 19: Burning scrolls/charms/amuletsActs 27: Paul as a god

Observations!God does allow some “borrowing”There are boundaries on what is allowedGrowth in Christ-likeness is God’s goal for all Christians

SuggestionsIdentify the goal—growth in Christ to glorify GodAs a community, identify and commit to non-negotiables (e.g., the Bible is our normative standard)Develop the ability to really listen (a phenomenological approach)Empower local decision-makingDevelop local criteria for testing

Issue 2: SLSWLevels of spiritual warfareSpiritual mappingStrategic Level Spiritual Warfare approaches

Levels of Spiritual WarfareWagner

Ground-level warfare: • Casting demons out of

people

Occult-level warfare:• Deals with demonic

forces released through activities related to Satanism, witchcraft, Freemasonry, Eastern religions, New Age, shamanism, astrology and many other forms of structured occultism

Strategic-level spiritual warfare:

• Describes confrontation with high-ranking principalities and powers such as Paul writes about in Eph. 6:12.

KraftGround-level warfare:

• Dealing with the demons that inhabit persons

• Three types:– Family spirits– Occult spirits– Ordinary spirits

Cosmic-level warfare: • Dealing with the

demons that are attached to territories, regions, or groups

• Five levels of these spirits:

– Territorial spirits– Institutional spirits– Vice spirits– Nature, household and

cultural item spirits– Ancestor spirits

Foundations for SLSWRule 1: The Area

Select a manageable geographical area with discernible spiritual boundaries

Rule 2: The PastorsSecure the unity of the pastors and other Christian leaders in the area and begin to pray together on a regular basis.

Rule 3: The Body of ChristProject a clear image that the effort is not an activity simply of Pentecostals and charismatics, but of the whole body of Christ.

Rule 4: The Spiritual PreparationAssure the spiritual preparation of participating leaders and other Christians through repentance, humility and holiness.

Spiritual Mapping: Historical Research

Historical Research:The history of the cityHistory of religion in the cityHistory of relationships

Physical Research:Examine maps of the city, especially older onesLook for significant signs or symbols in the city architectureLook for significance in the location and position of the key central buildings, monuments, and statues

Spiritual Mapping: Spiritual Research

Non-Christian elements (principal deities or spirits)Christian elements (receptivity, ease of prayer in city, unity of Christians)What is God revealing about the city to the researchers or other mature, recognized intercessors?

Power Encounter

Directly and publicly confront the

identified territorial spirits to weaken their hold on the

location.

Mixed

Emphasize unity of local leadership,

centrality of prayer, and priority of dealing with

strongholds within the church as

preconditions for aggressive prayer

against the strongholds.

Truth Encounter

More of a truth encounter in which

we manifest repentance and

reconciliation in a way that speaks

destruction to the powers of darkness,

modeled on Ephesians.

Types of SLSW Encounters

Points of AppreciationTakes Satan and the powers more seriously than traditional Western approaches. Advocates of SLSW recognize that divisiveness weakens prayer and as a result stress the unity of the church in fulfilling its mission. SLSW advocates focus on the ultimate goal of saving the lost. The recognition of evil spiritual dimension of culture is also helpful. One of the emphases of those engaged in this type of ministry is to discern areas in which the church needs to repent publicly and corporately. There is generally an explicit recognition that this concept/strategy is new and pioneering, rather than proven.

Points of DisagreementPerhaps the biggest obstacle to SLSW is that the fundamental strategy is not found biblically or in church history.The emphasis on discerning and naming demons before we can have power over them is approaching a form of Christian animism The orientation towards prayer as smart bombs vs. scud missiles borrows too heavily from the myth of redemptive violence that pervades human cultures. Seeking information about the spirit realm as a means of overcoming them or gaining special knowledge does not appear to be portrayed as necessary (or even significant) in Scripture. Ultimately a focus on this strategy as the key to effective evangelization demeans the Scriptures: if this strategy is so significant, then why is it not found in the Bible? This method can we detach demons from people, which de-emphasizes our own participation in the rebellion against God. The idea of serving notice, evicting and binding spirits over territories does not have biblical warrant.

Moving ForwardFor advocates:

Be cautious in the use of claims and anecdotes to establish the validity of SLSW. Work hard not to confuse coincidence with causation. Develop a more robust vocabulary/interdisciplinary framework in communicating about the strongholds over a territoryRespond to honest critique by doing your homework rather than just brushing off the criticism. Do not stereotype. Do not simply dismiss people who have not had your experiences as not having the ability to critique your theology.

For critics: Demonstrate an understanding of what is being said and lovingly prod-that will go much farther than blanket condemnations. Do not stereotype—and don’t simply dismiss people that do things against your theological frame of reference.

For all: Our goal should be to give Satan and demons a selectively appropriate inattention. Beware of the emotional attachment to your chosen approach and how that can influence both your advocacy and your response to criticism.