som 109 structural evil

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SOM-109 Structural Evil

This course will develop a theology of structural evil. It will also

examine & discuss models of how the church can intervene in

redeeming structures that are used for evil in the world.

DR. JUN VENCER

7 BASIC ASSUMPTIONS

1. God is sovereign & He created all things both in heaven & on earth, visible & invisible.

2. There are invisible realities & spiritual forces that influence historical events.

3. These spiritual forces are either good or bad.

4. There were two Falls: the fall of Satan & his demons & the fall of man & woman.

7 BASIC ASSUMPTIONS

5. Satan & devils (powers & principalities) are personal evil spirits who attack the Church & hinder the spread of the Gospel.

6. There are structures of existence in our world & they are not evil by themselves but can be influenced by Satan to carry out his devious work – hence structural evil.

7. The transformation of nations requires that the Church deal with these visible & invisible forces.

Structure – the arrangement or interrelation of all the parts of a whole … forming an organism or organization.

Structural evil includes attitudes or beliefs or culture – social; a system that creates lack of economic opportunities or alternatives – economic; unjust laws or law-enforcement system – political. It can also be religious.

Defining STRUCTURAL EVIL

There are structured evils rooted in society’s prevailing religious, social, economic or political systems.

The key element of structural evil is that it is organizational, a pattern or network that opposes the Kingdom.

Understanding STRUCTURAL EVIL

Structural evil is a system or pattern of

beliefs or activities in an organization or

culture that hinders or opposes the advance of God’s kingdom in

this world.

Tax evasion Caste system Dowry Sexual mutilation Slavery Racism – apartheid Colonialism Bribery/governmental corruption

Examples of STRUCTURAL EVIL

Structures

of sin

US$9.3 Trillion

Cost of extending basic social services to

people currently in absolute

poverty:US$580 Billion

• Existence of wicked power or spirit.• Corporate: Organizational or Institutional.• Systemic, patterns, networks of activities

or parts.• Multiple nature: laws, law enforcements,

culture, taboos, attitudes, beliefs, lack of alternatives, repressive rule.

• Can be social, political, economic, religious.

• Aims to create chaos, division, injustice, human suffering or natural damage.

• Opposes advance of Kingdom of God.

KEY ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURAL EVIL

POWERS & PRINCIPALITIES Eph 1:21 “All rule, authority, power,

dominion.” Eph 2:2 “Prince of the power of the air.” Eph 6:11 “Scheme of the devil.” Eph 6:12 “Not against flesh & blood,

against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of darkness, spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

WORKS OF SATAN & HIS MINIONS Sin & Temptation. Demonization. Division. Illnesses (Lk 13:16), Mt 9:32, Convulsions (Lk 9:42),

Muteness, Blindness (Mk 9:25), Fever (Lk 4:39). Disruption Of Nature - Mk 4:39 (Storm), 2 Kgs. 3:27. Disorder In Society & The State – World (Kosmos),

Age (Aion) – Structural Evil. Occult & Astrology (Humans Think They Can

Manipulate Powers Of Darkness To Their Advantage). Non-Christian Religions & Cults. Opposition To God’s Work Of Salvation & The

Missions Of The Church.

EVANGELISM & CHURCH PLANTING

THE MISSIONARY TASKS ….

PENAL SUBSTITUTIONJUSTIFIED BY FAITH

All have sinned & have come short of the glory of God (Ro 3:23).

The wages of sin is death (Ro 6:23; Eze 3:16FF, 18:4, 14:13ff).

Christ died for the sins of sinners & paid the penalty. He substituted for sinners (atonement) – Ro 5:8; Jo 3:16.

Faith in Christ brings forgiveness of sin (Eph 2:8), eternal life (Jo 1:12, 3:16), & freedom (Eph 2:1ff) & power over Satan.

Justified by faith (Ro 5:1).

Core group of national leaders agree to do a national SCP. Do research: unreached people groups, unchurched villages,

analysis of existing church health, etc. Call a national SCP congress (regional congresses) to share &

discuss the research. Each participating group makes a time-bound Church Growth

goal. Combine the individual goals – as the national goal. Organize a movement or structure to coordinate the SCP. Create Sub-Committees to provide support on key areas of

ministry (Coordination, Finance, Research, Strategy, Policy, Church Relations, etc.).

Promote the new Movement & invite others to join. Monitor & evaluate progress through periodic consultations. Update research & hold a National Congress every five years.

SATURATION CHURCH PLANTING


SOCIAL CONCERN


Social Service + Social ActionRelieving human need Removing the causes of human needPhilanthropic activity Political & economic activitySeeking to minister to Seeking to transform the individuals, individuals & families families & structures of societyWorks of mercy The quest for justice

John Stott, 1985: 31.

Social Concern


SOCIAL CONCERN PRAYER & FASTING


CRISTUS VICTOR At the cross Christ defeated sin, death, & Satan

(Jo 16:11; Mt 12:28). These now have no hold on believers.

All authority is given to Christ … He is far above all & every other name (Mt 28:18).

The Church as His Body shares this authority over Satan & evil spirits (Eph 1:22-23; Col 2:9-10).

In Christ the believer is given the authority to disciple nations (Mt 28:19, 10:1ff; Lk 9:1ff; Eph 6:11,13).

References: Mt 4:8ff; 2Co 4:4; Jo 12:31, 16:11,33; Col 2:15; He 2:14; 1Jo 3:8; Re 5:5; Eph 6:10-18; Ja 4:7).

TWO REALMS

REALM OF LIFE CONTROLLED BY

JESUS CHRIST

REALM OF DEATH CONTROLLED BY ANGELIC PRINCE

LIFE IN RELATION TO THE POWERS (Eph 2:2-

6)

Col. 1:13Rom. 3:24-

25SPIRITUALLY DEAD

BONDAGE TO SATAN & SIN

WRATH OF GOD

FAR FROM GOD

NOT PART OF ISRAEL

DIVIDED PEOPLE

NO ACCESS TO GOD

MADE ALIVE

FREE & EMPOWERED

GLORY

NEAR TO GOD

NEW ISRAEL

ONE PEOPLE

ACCESS TO GOD(C) 2003 Dr. Jun Vencer all rights reserved

WORK OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS

Cancelled debts (Col. 2:14)

Made alive with Him (Col. 2:13; Jo 3:16; Eph 2:5)

Forgiven us all our transgressions

New creatures (2 Cor. 5:17)

Abundant life (Jo 10:10)

Called to freedom (Gal. 5:1,13)

Instruments of righteousness (Rom. 6:13)Holy nations (1 Pet. 2:9)

Disarmed the rulers & authorities (Col. 2:15)Ruler already judged (Jo 12:31)

Christ gave authority to His Church (Lk. 10:19)

Victory – Satan fell (Lk. 10:18)Christ is given all authority – over Satan, powers &

principalities (Mt 28:18)

Powers & authority over all the demons, heal diseases, proclaim the Kingdom (Lk. 9:1,2)

SINNERS SATAN

The Nations will be discipled (Mt 28:19)

The nations shall walk by its light (Re 21:24)

All the nations will serve Him (Ps. 72:11,17)

They will declare My glory among the nations (Isa. 66:19)

The kingdoms of the world become the kingdoms of the Lord (Re 11:15)

The earth will be filled…. (Hab. 2:14)

Authority over unclean spirits, cast them out, heal disease & sickness (Mt 10:1)

VICTORY OVER POWERS & PRINCIPALITIES Mt 28:18ff - … All authority has been given

to me in Heaven & on earth. Go therefore & make disciples…

Mt 10:1 cf Lk 9:1 – He gave (12 disciples) authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, & to heal every kind of disease & every kind of sickness.

1Jo 3:8 – Christ came to destroy the devil’s work.

VICTORY OVER POWERS & PRINCIPALITIES

Col 2:15 – Powers & authorities disarmed, made a public spectacle, Christ triumphing over them by the cross.

He 2:14 – The devil who holds the power of death is destroyed & freedom from fear of death is given to believers.

Jo 14:12-14 – Greater things than this you will do…You may ask Me for anything in my name & I will do it.

Part 2

You were once dead because of your failures & your uncircumcised corrupt nature. But God made you alive with

Christ when he forgave all our failures. He did this by erasing the charges that were brought against us by the written laws God had established. He took the charges away by nailing them to the

cross. He stripped the rulers & authorities of their power & made a

public spectacle of them as he celebrated his victory in Christ.

Evangelical reaction to some

contemporary psychological thought which reduces human

individual responsibility for sin.

Christian Apathy Towards STRUCTURAL EVIL – 1

TWO-TIER WORLDVIEW

• BASIS: LOGIC, REASON, SCIENCE.• NO SPIRIT WORLD OR CONCEPT OF POWERS &

PRINCIPALITIES.• PRIMARILY A WESTERN WORLDVIEW.• GROUNDED ON A DEISTIC BELIEF SYSTEM.

THREE-TIER WORLDVIEW

• BASIS: REVELATION, EXPERIENCE, REASON.• RECOGNIZES THE REALITY & INFLUENCE OF SPIRIT WORLD.• DEVELOPING WORLD WORLDVIEW.

TWO-TIER WORLDVIEW

(PAUL HIEBERT)

• Presents Difficulty In Developing A Holistic & Transformational Ministry (Kingdom Of God & Discipling Nations: Mt. 10:1 cf28:18ff).

• The Included Middle Does Not Reject The Value Of General Revelation Such As Science & Medicine In Dealing With Powers & Principalities.

DENIAL OF EVIL• Sin is the result of socio-political

categories.• Fallacy of false dilemma, i.e., either

personal sin or structural evil.• Poem:

But I am happy for the lesson it (crimes) had taught, that everything I do that’s wrong, is someone else’s fault.

Christian Apathy TowardsSTRUCTURAL EVIL – 2

DISTANCE• The further from the sin, the less

responsible (e.g. stockholder of Tobacco Company).

• The fault lies with the person who chose to pay for his own death & funeral.

• BUT Human depravity.


DESIRE FOR NEUTRALITY.• Don’t rock the boat.• The primacy argument & the

danger of disjunction.• Non-involvement.• BUT With evil, there is no

neutrality.


DICHOTOMOUS VIEW OF MAN.• Man is made up of body (material) & soul

(spiritual).• Matter is evil, soul (mind) is good (cf. Gnosticism

& Nestorianism).• Deal only with the soul (cf. Primacy Argument).• BUT Christians’ high view of the body

(resurrection & blessed hope).• BUT Model of Jesus (valued both body & soul in

His ministry).

Christian Apathy Towards STRUCTURAL EVIL – 5

ADMISSION OF HELPLESSNESS• Church is powerless to deal with the

overwhelming problem of structural evil or “I am alone” or Elijah syndrome.

• Not trained politically to manage power.• BUT Profiles of Courage:

Moses, Elijah, Jesus. William Wilberforce, Martin Luther King,

Nelson Mandela, Cory Aquino. Nisha Sharma on dowry system.


GROUP CONDITIONING• Group culture.• Seduction of the culture of corruption upon

individuals.• Members have strong inertia to go against

their own structure.• Frog in the kettle – good simply dies.• Anatomy of corruption: Hab. 2:18-19, 15-16,

6-12.


ACQUIESCENCE TO AUTHORITY• We didn’t do the act or approve of the gov’t

policy (cf. Rom. 13:1-7; Trial at Nuremberg).• Human authority is derived from God & is

subject to accountability.• We have a choice: Christ or Caesar; good or

evil.• There is no moral hiding place.• The Christian task is to make what is moral legal

& to declare illegal what is immoral.


STRUCTURES ARE NOT EVIL. (Ge 1:31) STRUCTURES CAN BE INFLUENCED BY

EVIL: All have sinned (Ro 3:23). Walked according to prince of the air (Eph

2:2ff.). Satan influences evil men & women to

carry out his purposes of resisting the will of God through structures & systems (laws, culture).

Influenced by evil (from Ro 13 to Re 13).

An Evangelical View

SPHERES OF ACTIVITY OF THE TRIUNE GOD

CHARISMATICSEVANGELICALSLIBERALSRECEPTIVE GROUP

CHURCHCHRISTWORLDPRIMARY FOCUS

WONDERWORDWORKKEY TERM

PENTECOSTCALVARYCREATIONBIBLICAL PARADIGM

HOLY SPIRITSONFATHERTRINITY

Intensify evangelism & church planting.

Participate in Biblical social concern, e.g. concern for the poor.

Engage in prayer & fasting. Model the Kingdom life in our local

churches – peace, justice & righteousness.

Have faith for change.

What Evangelicals Can Do

TRUTHAcknowledgeme

ntRepentance

TransparencyClarity

JUSTICERight

relationships

EqualityRestitution

MERCYCompassio

nForgivenes

sAcceptance

Healing

PEACEHarmony

Well-beingRespect‘Ubunto’Progress

Interdependent Future

Painful Past

1 Corinthians 13:13

Matthew 23:23Isaiah 1:17James 2:14-26Hebrews 11:8Amos 5:15Eph 2:10Eph 6:12

“Sa aba ninyo, mga eskriba at mga Pariseo!

Mga mapagpaimbabaw! Ibinibigay ninyo ang

ikapu ng gulaying walang halaga ngunit

kinaliligtaan ninyong isagawa ang lalong

mahahalagang aral sa Kautusan: ang

katurungan, ang pgakahabag, at ang

katapatan.”

“Pagaralin ninyong gumawa ng mabuti;

Pairalin ang katarungan; Itigil ang pang-aapi;

Tulungan ang mga ulila; Ipagtanggol ang mga

balo.”

“Mga kapatid, ano ang mapapala ng isang tao

kung sabihin man niyang siya’y may

pananampalataya, ngunit hindi naman niya

pinatutunayan sa gawa? Maliligtas ba siya ng

gayong pananampalataya? … Patay ang katawang hiwalay sa espiritu;

gayon din naman, patay ang pananampalatayang hiwalay sa mga gawa.”

“Dahil sa pananalig sa Diyos, tumalima si Abraham nang siya’y

papuntahin ng Diyos sa lupang ipinangako sa

kanya. At humayo siya, bagamat hindi niya alam

kung saan paroroon.”

“Kamuhian mo ang masama, ibigin ang mabuti, at

pairalin sa mga hukuman ang katarungan. Baka sakaling kahabagan ni Yahweh ang matitirang buhay sa bansang ito.”

“Tayo’y kanyang nilalang, nilikha sa pamamagitan ni Cristo

Jesus upang iukol natin ang ating buhay sa

paggawa ng mabuti, na itinalaga na ng Diyos para sa atin noon pa

mang una.”

“Sapagkat ang kalaban nati’y hindi mga tao, kundi mga pinuno, mga

maykapangyarihan, at mga tagapamahala ng

kadilimang namamayani sa sanlibutang ito – ang mga hukbong espiritual

ng kasamaan sa himpapawid.”

“Ang tatlong ito’y nananatili: ang pananampalataya, pag-asa, at pag-ibig; ngunit ang pinakadakila sa mga ito ay ang pag-ibig.”

Personal Righteousness

Identificational Repentance* Identify National sin (Lev. 18; Num. 35:33-34; Deut. 21:22-23; Hosea 4:2-3).* Corporate Confession of sin (Dan. 9:20; Neh. 1:5-6; 9:2; Deut. 9:18-20; Ezek. 22:31-32).* Apply Christ’s blood* Restitution as able.

Reconciliation Walk * Tracking path of crusade (Lyn Green –

YWAM)

Spiritual Warfare - 1

Levels of Spiritual Warfare• Ground-level SP – casting out demons• Occult-level SP – dealing with astral

powers & world of darkness• Strategic-level SP – confronting high-

ranking territorial spirits assigned by Satan

Prayer Journeys • Field trips to practice prayer walking• Aid to spiritual mapping


Spiritual Mappings • Identify the strong man:

Revelation of territorial prince or power. Natural person whom Satan is using. Identify corrupt social structures.

• Bind him.• Divide his spoils.

Method• Historical or religious research (cf. Acts 16:18 – no

name).• Prayer (Wagner: Seek God’s gifted intercessor;

redemptive gift of the City, Territorial spirits assigned to the City, Corporate sin, God’s plan of attack & timing)


IRREVOCABLE TRANSFER OF REALMS (COL. 1:13,14,27; EPH. 3:17)

KINGDOM OF LIGHT

MORE THAN CONQUERORS

KINGDOM OF DARKNESSEPH. 2:8

ROM. 3:24-25

LIFE IN RELATION TO THE POWERS (COL. 1:13)

SATAN IS DEFEATED JESUS IS LORD

JUSTIFIED BY FAITH + HOLINESS + VICTORY IN CHRIST (PENAL SUBSTITUTION) (SANCTIFICATION) (CRISTUS VICTOR)

POWER OVER SIN, DEATH, SATAN, LAW

REALM OF LIFE CONTROLLED BY

JESUS CHRIST

REALM OF DEATH CONTROLLED BY ANGELIC PRINCE

STRUCTURAL EVIL

ECOLOGICAL* DEFORESTATION, PUNCTURED OZONE LAYER, POISONED ATMOSPHERE, POLLUTION OF ENVIRONMENT, ABUSE/DEPLETION OF NATURAL RESOURCES, NATURAL DISASTERS

MEDIA* BUSINESS ORIENTED, BIASED NEWSCASTING, STATE/IDEOLOGICALLY INFLUENCED, INFLUENCED BY THE RICH, TOOL FOR MIND CONTROL, SENSUAL

EDUCATIONAL* VALUE-NEUTRAL, COERCIVE CATECHISM, SECULAR PHILOSOPHY, RATIONALISM/SCIENCE, INDIVIDUAL PURSUITS OF SUCCESS, INSTRUMENT OF THE STATE

ECONOMICS* MASS POVERTY, EXPLOITATION, UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES, USURY, CHILD LABOR, CONSUMERISM, MATERIALISM

RELIGIOUS* RELATIVISM, IDOLATRY, SATANIC WORSHIP, OCCULTISM, HUMAN SACRIFICE, ASTRAL SPIRITS, WITCHCRAFT, FORMALISM, LEGALISM, CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION

SOCIAL (CULTURAL)* SECULARISM, RACISM & DISCRIMINATION, VICES, CRIMINALITY, WICKEDNESS & IMMORALITY, VALUE EROSION (COMMUNITY, FAMILY LIFE), SLAVERY/BONDAGE, OBSCENITY IN ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT, EPIDEMICS (HIV)

POLITICAL* UNJUST & OPPRESSIVE SYSTEMS, LOSS OF BASIC FREEDOMS, TYRANNY, CORRUPTION, DYNASTIES, NEPOTISM

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RESPONSES: Research, value transformation, policy advocacy, just legislation.

GENERAL: Recognition of sover-eignty of God in creation – visible & invisible – & the presence of wicked forces (Satan, powers & principalities) influencing humanity, systems & structures to defeat the Church & hinder the advance of the Kingdom of God.

GENERAL: Recognition that all have sinned & in bondage to Satan & sin, therefore alienated from God & powerless to overcome the forces of evil in the world.

GENERAL: Recognition that cul-ture, ideology, laws & policies can legitimize & empower people & structures to carry out & perpetuate evil in the world.

GENERAL: Recognition that cultural, corporate & governmental structures can be influenced by evil or demonized (Rom. 13 cf. Rev. 13) to oppress humanity, suppress the Church, & hinder God’s redemptive agenda.

TOWARDS A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO STRUCTURAL EVIL

Responses: Personal level – e.g. inner healing, deliverance, holiness of life or righteous living. Corporate level – e.g. spiritual warfare, prayer & fasting.

RESPONSES: Evangelism, church planting, discipleship, develop a biblical worldview, calling.

RESPONSES: Research, public advocacy, promotion of freedom, engagement in the public square, involvement in the market place, influencing public opinion through media & education, impartial justice system & law enforcement.

STRUCTURAL EVIL DISMANTLED

ECOLOGICAL* REFORESTRATION, CLEANLINESS, LESS FLOODING, SOIL CONSERVATION, ECOLOGICAL BALANCE

MEDIA* BALANCED MEDIA COVERAGE, INFLUENCED BY FACTS, MEDIA FOR JUSTICE, PEACE, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

EDUCATIONAL* CORE NATIONAL VALUES, FOCUS ON LIBERAL ARTS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, SKILLED LABOR FORCE, INTEGRATION OF CITIZENSHIP DUTIES.

ECONOMICS* DEMOCRATIZATION OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, INCREASED PRODUCTION, GROWING MIDDLE CLASS, FAIR LABOR PRACTICES

RELIGIOUS*RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE, FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE, PUBLIC WORSHIP, RIGHTEOUSNESS, ABSOLUTE TRUTH, GODLINESS, FREEDOM FROM OPPRESSIVE SPIRITS,

SOCIAL (CULTURAL)* EQUALITY, LOW CRIME RATE, MORAL LIVING, STRENGTHENING OF FAMIY VALUES, INCREASE IN LIFE SPAN

POLITICAL* JUSTICE, BASIC FREEDOMS, STABILITY, PEOPLE PARTICIPATION, ERADICATION OF GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

ACTI

ON P

LANS


Revelation 11:15:Then the seventh angel

sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our

Lord & of His Christ, & He shall reign forever & ever!"