Christ and the Powers

by Hendrikus Berkhof

Publisher:

Herald Press

, 1977

Overview

“We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers . . . against spiritual wickedness in high places.” —Ephesians 6:12

This small but important book by Hendrik Berkhof, which ushered in a wave of studies on “the powers” spoken of in the New Testament, profoundly influenced William Stringfellow, Jacques Ellul, Marva Dawn, Walter Wink, and many others. John Howard Yoder brought it to an English-speaking audience for the first time in this translation, drawing from it in his own famous work, The Politics of Jesus.

In the Logos edition, this valuable volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Discusses the writings of Paul on cosmic powers
• Examines the relationship between powers and believers and the church

Contents

• The Powers as a Challenge to Christian Thought
• Paul’s Conception of the Powers
• The Powers and the Fallen Creation
• The Powers in Redemption
• The Church and the Powers
• Crisis and Christianization of the Powers

Top Highlights

“Then the Powers serve as the invisible weight-bearing substratum of the world, as the underpinnings of creation. By no means does Paul think of the Powers as evil in themselves. They are the linkage between God’s love and visible human experience. They are to hold life together, preserving it within God’s love, serving as aids to bind men fast in His fellowship; intermediaries, not as barriers but as bonds between God and man. As aids and signposts toward the service of God, they form the framework within which such service must needs be carried out.” (Pages 28–29)

“For the present let us translate broadly—‘world powers.’ The Powers rule over human life outside of Christ. They are manifested in human traditions (verse 8), in public opinion which threatens to entice the Christians in Colossae away from Christ.” (Page 20)

“Paul observes that life is ruled by a series of Powers. He speaks of time (present and future), of space (depth and height), of life and death, of politics and philosophy, of public opinion and Jewish law, of pious tradition and the fateful course of the stars. Apart from Christ man is at the mercy of these Powers.” (Page 22)

“Nor should it be difficult for us to perceive today in every realm of life these Powers which unify men, yet separate them from God. The state, politics, class, social struggle, national interest, public opinion, accepted morality, the ideas of decency, humanity, democracy—these give unity and direction to thousands of lives. Yet precisely by giving unity and direction they separate these many lives from the true God; they let us believe that we have found the meaning of existence, whereas they really estrange us from true meaning.” (Pages 32–33)

Praise for the Print Edition

This is a powerful study. In brief compass it illuminates some of the darker recesses of biblical language—and shows how important the ideas there are for an understanding of the world as we know it.

—Alan Kreider, retired professor of church history and mission, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary

Product Details

• Title: Christ and the Powers
• Author: Hendrik Berkhof
• Translator: John Howard Yoder
• Publisher: Herald Press
• Publication Date: 1977
• Pages: 80

About Hendrikus Berkhof

Hendrikus Berkhof (1914-1995) was a theologian in the Dutch Reformed church. After receiving his B.D. and Th.D. degrees at the University of Leiden, Berkhof served as a minister for twelve years, as Principal of the Theological Seminary of the Netherlands Reformed Church from 1950-1960 and many years as Professor of Dogmatics and Biblical Theology at the University of Leiden.

(From Theopedia.com. Freely redistributable under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license.)