Take Over and Win?

The idea that in Christ we can be empowered to take back dominion of the earth from Satan, and transform society into the Kingdom of God, is very attractive. It resonates with the creation mandate of Genesis 1, restoring us to that original role before the Fall. It provides a compelling framework for a theology of work that envisions the potential transformation of society as an end goal if Christians were to embrace this calling. But is this attractive theological idea supported by Scripture?

Did the disciples have the expectation that Christ's resurrection meant that they would be empowered to take back dominion over the world from Satan? It is highly unlikely that they would view themselves as instruments for such a task. Because they anticipated Christ's imminent return, it is hard to imagine they were thinking about transforming Roman society. Also, Jesus had told them that society was going to get worse, not better, before His return.

However, Jesus has not returned yet, and Christians are in positions of far more cultural influence than early believers. We also have historical examples, like the Clapham Sect in 18th-century England, where Christians have leveraged that influence toward profound societal renewal.

So is the role of ushering in societal renewal as instruments of Christ's authority over Satan something that the Church was meant to grow into? While not in the minds of the early disciples, does Scripture point us toward this as what it means to "seek first the Kingdom of God," especially in our work out in the world? And most importantly to my mind, do we have the power in spiritual warfare to "take over and win" in the world, society, or our industries and workplaces?

In Luke 10:17-20, the seventy-two, after being sent ahead by Jesus, "returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!' And he said to them, 'I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.' " This is a clear presentation of triumphing over Satan in spiritual warfare. The disciples are referring to their success in deliverance ministry among demon oppressed people. So can we apply this to a deliverance ministry in society, where demonic forces exercise oppressive power through cultural channels?

While this passage appears to support a "take over and win" vision, what Jesus says next takes it in a different direction: "Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." "Do not rejoice in this" is a curious command. The ability to overpower Satan and deliver people (and society?) from oppressive demonic forces is heady stuff that anyone would rejoice over. Yet Jesus feels the need to steer his disciples away from rejoicing in that and point them to personal salvation instead.

This passage, which holds such promise for a "take over and win" vision, ends up reinforcing what many faith-and-work thinkers find objectionable... a focus on personal salvation as opposed to social transformation as the main concern of Christians. Although, I would point out that Jesus' teaching to rejoice in our personal salvation is not at all the same as saying that our salvation is the only thing, or even the main thing, that should concern us. Rejoicing over and being concerned about are two different concepts.

Nevertheless, in a place where Jesus could emphasize the role of taking back authority from Satan in order to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, he chooses instead to dampen the enthusiasm over their experience of dominion. Why did he do that? I will explore that next time as it speaks to my own deep concern about Christians who have a "take over and win" view of how we can triumph over opposing spiritual forces and transform society.