(December 15, 2017 at 2:34 pm)vulcanlogician Wrote: YAY! I was hoping a Christian or two might come in and give a perspective on this. Thanks for your input, guys.
(December 15, 2017 at 3:39 am)Godscreated Wrote: It's a battle with the self, that is our sinful nature. Many want to attribute their spiritual battle to Satan, they do not realize Satan is frying bigger fish. Most Christians are minnows in a pond blaming anyone but themselves for there spiritual troubles. They will start praying for God to move Satan aside when they should be asking Him to help them overcome their own self righteousness or whatever else it is they are doing to hurt their relationship with God. When God doesn't answer their prayers because they have prayed for the wrong thing they give up and leave the church, this should sound familiar to some here. Don't misunderstand what I'm saying there are those who go through great spiritual battles with Satan or his demons, they would be the big fish in the ocean.
GC
So do you think exorcisms, laying on hands, and whatnot are misplaced spiritual efforts? I guess what I'm asking for is to explain what you are saying: are you redefining the concept of spiritual warfare or shaking your finger at it? At any rate, you can see why nonbelievers might view demonic possession and related cultural phenomena as oddities, I'm sure.
(December 15, 2017 at 9:55 am)Drich Wrote: We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness.
...
The doctrine is right to a degree but often time I see people in church take this idea too far, meaning they must fight legalistically in their walk with Christ (observe every rule of the new and ot) as part of thier fight or they could loose their salvation. Paul in his letters never mentions any of this So for me the church doctrine of spiritual war fare tends to go too far.
First thing, right off the bat, Paul needs to make up his mind about whether Christians should obey earthly authorities because they were put there by God or spiritually rebel against the empires of evil. If you're going to say something nuanced like the two are not mutually exclusive, please explain yourself. (Not that I'm putting words in your mouth or anything.)
Regardless, the concept of spiritual warfare seems like a really divisive thing. It tries to paint neutral forces as "evil" as I see it. Add to that the spookiness of possession and otherworldly things and I end up seeing it as just another complete break from reality on the part of the theists.
Paul does have his mind made up. In that earth authorities and empires of evil are two seperate things. Earth authority would be a government or society.. empire of evil would be a corrupt spiritual organization.
If you read that bit I left you I do not see how you can see the evil as being netural. Because when Paul Speaks about defending one's self with the "armor of God, the defense is from direct attack which in nature is not neutral.
