Theological Journal – March 7
More on Empire Joy is the chief mark of Christian existence in the world. It can be emotional response to pleasant occasions or the expectation of God’s deliverance or rescue from oppression or distress. It is also an affection, disposition that determines the tone and tenor of our lives in good times as well as bad. This latter joy is not an emotion or feeling though it may involve them in particular circumstances. It is based on the conviction that Jesus is Lord and has triumphed over the powers that seek to divert and undo our following Jesus. Chief among these powers is the overarching reality that forms the environment in which we live. For God’s people throughout most of its history that overarching reality has been empire. Empire is a spirit, a way of doing things, a pretention to know how and have the power to order human life in the most fulfilling way possible. Empire (seeks to) shape the whole of our lives and make us over into its image. Such empire is a good thin...