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CONFRONTING THE POWERS THAT BE

The gospel is not just a message of personal salvation from the world, but a message of a world transfigured, right down to its basic structures. Redemption means actually being liberated from the oppression of the powers, being forgiven for one's own sin and for complicity with the powers, and being engaged in liberating the Powers themselves from their bondage to idolatry. The good news is nothing less than a cosmic salvation, a restitution of all things (Acts. 3:21), when God will "gather up all things in him (Christ), things in heaven and things on earth." (Eph 1:10). This universal rectification will entail both a healing and subordination of rebellious structures and systems and institutions to their rightful places, in service to the one in and through whom they exist. (ETP 83)

This then is the goal: not only to become free from the Powers, but to free the Powers. We are called not only to reconcile people to God despite the Powers, but to reconcile the Powers themselves to God (Col. 1:20). We seek, not only to break the idolatrous spells cast over people by the Powers, but to break the ability of the Powers to cast idolatrous spells. (TPTB 199)

This is where we talk about what we've learned and how we have changed.

2. Some have said that the Church is as much in need of reform in our day as it was in the times of Martin Luther and John Wesley? If true, what form would that reformation take and how might it start?

3. Do you plan now to propose some change in your church's mission statement or annual program as a result of this study?

Copyright © 1998 by Vern Rossman