Foundations for Christian Mission, Student Workbook, SW04

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F O U N D A T I O N S F O R C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N

application misapplying the symbolism, one which ought to be limited to the people of God and not to us as being personally married to Christ?

The Mystery of Iniquity

Because of the heightened sense of the principalities and powers in some Christian circles, questions abound about the way in which we ought to speak and think about the dark powers mentioned in Scripture. The apostles were careful not to go into great detail regarding the inner workings of the demonic, or exorcisms, or providing instructions on these regions of the shadows; some ministries today, however, seem to specialize in this focus. Seeking to understand some of these highly developed demonologies and strategies to overcome the dark powers, many Christians become overwhelmed in their personal walks with a near preoccupation with the demonic, and its influence in their lives. Others, being afraid of this kind of over-emphasis, ignore altogether the frequent mention and reporting of the encounters of Christ and the apostles with the demonic. In light of our warfare with the rulers and principalities, what ought to be our perspective on the dark powers which Paul says we wrestle with in our Christian walk (cf. Eph. 6.11ff.)? How should we approach the description and appropriate Christian response to Satan, the demonic, and evil in general? The heart of apostolic ministry according to Paul is to prepare the people of God for the upcoming marriage to Christ (2 Cor. 11.2). The people of God are in fact the bride of Christ, being prepared by him to be a faultless and beautiful bride, a people without spot or wrinkle (Eph. 5), in every way outfitted for the great day of union and consummation when the people of God meet him and never leave his side (1 Thess. 4.13-17). In a real sense, all mission and ministry has a peculiar eschatological flavor: all evangelism adds to the number of the Lamb’s bride who will inhabit the New Jerusalem, and all disciple making is preparing and readying the people of God for the great union and marriage of the Lamb (Rev. 19). How does or should it affect and influence our understanding of ministry to see it through the lens of feeling a divine jealousy for those whomwe serve, of betrothing the people of God to one husband, to present them as a pure virgin to Christ (2 Cor. 11.2)? How might it impact our perspective and practice if we saw mission and ministry as the attempt to prepare God’s people for the upcoming union with Christ? Is it too abstract, too symbolic, or is it dramatically empowering and clarifying? The Heart of Apostolic Ministry

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