Princiwhat???
Yesterday I had the privilege of getting lunch with a good friend. Brooks and I will meet periodically and chat about all sorts of things. I mentioned a book I am reading by James Smith titled “Desiring the Kingdom," which, in short, highlights how subconscious influences around us are forming a liturgy towards what is “the good life”. Brooks mentioned recalling an article or post about these influences being referred to as “principalities”, which, if I am being honest, I never stopped to consider what a principality really was when I see it in scripture. Which got me thinking, what really is a principality? Are there unknown forces using Western culture to negatively push people away from God subconsciously?
The obvious answer is yes, but I don’t think many people in the West stop to consider what the principalities might actually be.
Paul in Romans 8 & Colossians 1 describes the authority of Christ and his conquering of this cosmic battle. Whereas in Ephesians 3 we see a good principality, in Ephesians 6 we see the active strife we, as believers, will fight against an evil principality.
How Enlightenment Thinking Changed Everything
Before the Enlightenment, a time from the late 1600’s to early 1800’s, there was a common acceptance of the “spiritual” world and dimensions. 1 The understanding of principalities would include both spiritual realms as well as earthly collective influence (governments, kingdoms, etc). Since the Enlightenment, many scholars and theologians have redirected this understanding to include earthly influences and a less literal mythological definition.2 Unfortunately, this has largely blinded most people in the West to a full understanding of spiritual warfare as depicted in the Bible.
The Global South Contrast: What We’re Missing
In contrast, while I have never been, there are countless stories from those traveling to the Global South of spiritual forces and oddities that seem like non-fiction movie mumbo jumbo to us here in the coziness of the Western world. If you think I am exaggerating, a quick Google search will say otherwise. Both the biblical context in which Paul is writing, and the contemporary African Christianity understand a reality “teeming with personal spiritual forces,” viewing spiritual warfare as an essential strategy2. I don’t think it is a coincidence that some parts of the globe experience different versions of spiritual warfare. The enemy is not a dumb criminal from Heaven. He’s crafty and will play his best hand to push people away from seeing Jesus. If the Global South is openly receptive to spiritual matters, then they are receptive to a Divine Spiritual God who desires for them to know Him. So, the enemy likewise uses spirituality to sway people away from God in ways that tempt the global human mind.
The Reductionist Problem: Structures vs. Spirits
I can not help but be reminded of the novel by C.S. Lewis titled “The Screwtape Letters.” Lewis creatively tells the story of an experienced demon, Screwtape, mentoring his nephew, Wormwood, in tempting and distracting man from God. I highly suggest you read it. In one particular letter, Screwtape warns his nephew not to display his spiritual power, but rather to distract his target with worldly things. This came with the understanding that if humans can recognize evil spiritual forces, then we will rightly assume there are good spiritual forces, namely God, and they will lose that person to Jesus.
Scholars like Berkhof and Yoder reduce principalities to abstract and political structures rather than supernatural ones.3. Walter Wink comes a little closer to a biblical interpretation by limiting demonic power to institutional corruption and abuse of authority.3
It is understandable how these assumptions can be made. In fact, they are not wrong in their own merit; they are simply incomplete. Which I believe is a view most of the West has come to accept.
How Principalities Shape Western Culture Invisibly
Principalities are abstract structures that have “absolutized themselves and demand unconditional loyalty”.4 Because they are abstract, it can be hard for us to recognize these forces in our daily lives. This is something that Smith points out in Desiring the Kingdom. Some of the unseen principalities we see in Western culture include consumerism, individualism, political tribalism, and more. They demand allegiance while remaining spiritually invisible. Many push back on these ideals from an intellectual perspective, which is not inherently wrong; however, as mentioned above, it is incomplete.
Reclaiming Biblical Realism for Western Believers
Not all influential theologians subscribe to a reductionist view. Karl Barth and Gregory Boyd also resist a purely psycho-political interpretation of principalities.1 I believe most of us believe in the dualistic nature of evil forces and principalities. That is the tangible systems and structures, as well as the intangible spiritual reality.
We as Christians in the West must not forget that our faith is a part of an eternal power struggle against evil and good. This battle has been won by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, the war is not yet complete, as the final triumphal moment that eternally removes Satan, sin, and evil from the world has not yet taken place. Spiritual warfare means conscious participation in Christ’s victory, involving personal daily struggle, interpersonal service, and corporate witness against rebellious systems.5
Clarification
This is not a pessimistic view of the world we live. Simply, a reminder that because of the lack of visible spiritual warfare that may be witnessed in other parts of the globe, there is a subtlety to the enemy's schemes in our everyday lives.
This is also not an encouragement to seek out spiritual warfare or anything that is not. Monster Energy drinks are not the devil’s personal brand of liquid energy. (Yes, I have been confronted by this.)
Test all things with the Word of God. Pray often for wisdom and discernment, and ask God to reveal how you may be unintentionally influenced by principalities of this world.
Esther E. Acolatse, Powers, Principalities, and the Spirit: Biblical Realism in Africa and the West(Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018), 3–5.
J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, “The Holy Spirit, Supernatural Interventionism, and Spiritual Formation,” in Spiritual Formation for the Global Church: A Multi-Denominational, Multi-Ethnic Approach, ed. Ryan A. Brandt and John Frederick (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2021), 200–201.
F. Stuart Piggin, “Principalities and Powers,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed. Daniel J. Treier and Walter A. Elwell (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2017), 698–699.
Walter A. Elwell, in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology: Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001), 956.
A. Scott Moreau, “Spiritual Warfare,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed. Daniel J. Treier and Walter A. Elwell (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2017), 841.