It is so stupid of modern civilization to have given up believing in the devil
when he is the only explanation of it.
- Ronald Knox
by Robert R. Pennington
Conflict Theology is offered by Quantum Christianity, a unique topical Biblical commentary designed to help assess the true nature of our existence and relationship with God in light of both life's daily challenges and ultimate questions.
There has never been, nor ever will be, another like Satan. By cunning or might, he incited Heaven's one and only angelic rebellion. By temptation and deception, he choreographed the fall of mankind. By dominion and craft, he holds title as the "god of this world" and "prince of the power of the air." As the "father of lies" and cosmic insurrection, Satan is the architect and embodiment of Conflict Theology. Which in turn provides the very context of Scripture.
Challenge Of Our Time
Most downplay or even reject a well developed chronicle of conflict theology fearing it gives the Devil too much due. Yet the Bible's full of passages detailing the havoc caused by the great and fallen Archangel once called Lucifer or in Hebrew הילל בן־שׁחר Helel Ben-Shachar. Like the gravitational force of dark matter and energy, the effects of his ancient angelic rebellion and current campaign of temptation and terror, encompass the entire Earth.
There are hundreds of Bible verses directly and indirectly referencing Satan's significance. Specific passages in the New King James Version include the usage of the name Lucifer (1), Satan (54), Devil (34), Dragon (13) and Evil One (5). Additionally, Scripture's use of words such as temptation (13), deception (6), pain (43), death (428), evil (491) and sin (1153) can be indirectly attributed to the architect of disobedience.
By failing to appreciate the cunning of the Enemy and the full nature of the warfare upon us, modern Christianity has greatly overestimated the spiritual sensitivity of our own judgment. While vastly underestimating the strategy of our Adversary. A costly error warned against by such notable military strategist as Sun Tzu:
- “It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle.”
- What exactly is the Spirit saying to the churches?
- Are we listening and obeying?
- If not, why?
- If not, what must be done?
1. Creation Is At War: Careful Scriptural archeology and Biblical forensics reveals much. By accurately stitching scores of passages together, a theological theme emerges revealing Who created the multiverse and why. The truth about Lucifer’s rebellion and its effect on Heaven and Earth. How the trial in Eternity’s Supreme Court overflows into the affairs of men.
Such amazing Scriptural insights are continually overlooked or minimized. Yet they actually provide the foundation of Biblical revelation. It can’t be overstated that according to the context of Scripture, spiritual conflict is not a mythical analogy, but rather eternity’s reality.
Biblical passages attest to the unpleasant fact that all creation is currently at war with, alongside or against, God.
There is no neutral territory.
Down through millennia Scripture continues to whisper and shout there is far more going on than is immediately apparent. Beginning with, open war is upon you. This is a preeminent reason why the Bible warns that God’s promise of reward is reserved for those diligently, rather than casually, seeking Him.
As in all warfare, the stakes are high. With Hell to loose and Heaven to gain, could even Omnity provide greater incentive? Primary reasons for both Old Testament narratives and the New Testament’s call to arms.
Yet, for a variety of reasons, the overwhelming vast majority of modern Christians refuse to accept Biblical insight and warning. The most obvious reason is the often obscured nature of spiritual realities, when offset by the physical world.
This holds true even though mankind is painfully aware that mortal life, in all its aspects, is subject to the laws of death and decay. For humanity, within just a few decades or less. Yet until then, the cares and necessities of earthly life far too often eclipse the eternal.
Even so, the super-natural is by definition greater than the merely natural. Which, as Scripture repeatedly warns, is temporary. Thus passing away.
Of greater import still, all sentient life will undergo the scrutiny of Divine judgment, as time and all within its confines are swallowed by eternity. Sooner or later the bill comes due. As Hebrews warns, “People must die, and then they will be judged.”
Once the battle begun by Lucifer eons ago is ended, even our current “heaven and earth will pass away” with the very “elements melting with a fervent heat.” To which Peter adds, “In that way everything will be destroyed. So what kind of people should you be? You should live holy lives and serve God.”
Such future eternal events serve to clarify the pressing need to adopt an accurate Biblical mindset and worldview. As wells as to theologically and practically admit that fully comprehending the context of Scripture is vital to understanding its content.
While no longer fashionable, Scripture’s context is most certainly one of warfare or conflict theology (see QC eBook). As noted, the story of Job is considered by many to be the oldest Book of the Bible and perhaps its key codex. It reveals the concealed conflict between God the “Lord of Hosts” (angel armies) and Satan the “prince of the power of the air” (god of this world).
In fact, failure to grasp the full dimensions of spiritual warfare, including that originating in Heaven and embattling Earth, is the greatest and perhaps only oversight of Job’s so called false friends. Bare in mind these same men, upon hearing of his terrible misfortune and traveling to console Job, demonstrated one the greatest acts of empathy recorded in the Bible:
- “When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.” Job 2:12-13 New International Version
Truth be told, the monologues of Job and his friends were mostly theologically correct, outside of misunderstanding the underlying cause and effect of God and Satan’s Jobian wager. And while the cost to Job was incredibly high, he was rewarded by unprecedented special revelation, which the Book of Job shares with the entire world, as well as unique privilege of becoming the patriarch of patience in the face of suffering for mankind throughout the ages.
Scripture’s context of conflict theology hold true for much, if not all, the entire Old and New Testaments. As exemplified in a couple of familiar passages referencing conflict with the fallen angelic:
- “When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession], having triumphed over them through the cross.” Colossians 2:15 Amplified Bible
- “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:7-8 New King James Version
Such verses and scores of other conflict Scriptures suggest the content of Scripture can only be fully understood by embracing the Bible’s overarching context.
A task for which modern Christianity, not to mention the developed world, are ill equipped. Not surprising, when the vast majority of Christians are not only prayerless, stopping to seriously pray less than 5-10 minutes a day, but Biblically illiterate, unable to quote, much less rightly understand and apply even 5-10 verses in a row.
2. Life Is A Test: For some, the ancient adage, “Life’s a test” is more obvious than for others. Nevertheless, this universal truth is Scriptural in nature. Even for those fortunate enough to live in the modern world, were for many life’s battlefield may seem far removed. With technological advances all but conquering basic challenges, we savor the ease of victory. We not only enjoy, but daily take for granted, an incredible array of blessings.
On the flip side, Jesus cautioned, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Furthermore, the Bible repeatedly warns of an approaching universal reckoning. In time and eternity. Judgments drawing all the nearer, and more concerning, with obvious and hidden levels of spiritual conflict reaching an all time high.
Subtle and not, challenges to Christianity abound. As noted, while woefully one-sided, the Church is at war. From ubiquitous levels of demonically inspired temptation and deception, to devilish apathy and inverted morality. Both inside and outside the camp. Not to mention current and growing global discrimination and censorship, persecution and martyrdom.
While too often unrecognized and/or marginalized, the pervasive and perverse immorality and lawlessness, rampant throughout the new sociopolitical era thrust upon us, marks an ominous change in the times and season in which we live. In many ways, more than ever it’s crucial we arise to the crises and opportunity before us. As the Holy Spirit through Paul, the apostle of grace commands:
- “Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.” Ephesians 5:15-17 The Message
Truth be told, modern Christianity routinely fails the litmus test of Scripture. Most of our fellowships meeting less than half the requirements of a Biblical Church.
Proof positive of a pandemic of spiritual anemia, rather than our possessing the fullness of the Spirit, implicit in His provision and protection, presence and power. Particularly in regards to our lack of Biblical authority and ability to routinely and miraculous heal the sick. As noted, throughout our current and continuing Covid crises, what could and should have been our finest hour, was in fact our darkest. At least so far…
It’s one thing to fight and fail.
Quite another to fail to fight.
Previous generations understood the serious nature of the spiritual war in which we are engulfed. Its reality filled their prayers and even worship. Reflecting the difficulties of their day, traditional hymns were infused with Scripture. Filled with inspiring lyrics of loyalty and camaraderie, their melodies were meant to encourage and provide solace in the face of hardship. Like bugle calls to reveille, such battle songs of heaven's republic served as constant reminders of the blessed hope the faithful have in God.
Martin Luther, the famous reformer and founder of the Lutheran Church, took conflict theology most seriously. Take a moment and review the opening verse of Luther’s world famous Protestant anthem, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God: John Wesley
Click here for Youtube version
A mighty Fortress is our God,
A Bulwark never failing;
Our Helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God's own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His Name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still,
His Kingdom is forever.
Careful to give God the glory, Luther is equally adamant of the necessity of such radical discipleship as to “Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also; The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still, His Kingdom is forever.”
Are we ready and willing to fully embrace such a spiritually militant mindset?
Doesn't sound much like me-centered inappropriately intimate modern worship songs and choruses based on generally mistaking Christianity for a cruise, rather than battleship.
Our forefathers understood the difference between overemphasizing and glorifying the Devil vs. revealing his presence and the peril around us. They were mindful to neither ignore or "revile angelic majesties.” Both common and costly mistakes against which Scripture warns. A particularly important practice when preparing to survive and thrive in the face of the kind of spiritual warfare conflict theology reveals.
The context of Conflict Theology is the primary difference
between the Biblical narrative and that of modern Christianity.
The Bible explains that both personally, and as a species, mankind faces the deadly foe of sin on three fronts. Sin within, resulting from individual and inherited fallen natures. Sin above, in the form of devilish and demonic temptation and deception. And Sin about, the collective and cumulative effect of sin within and above. In regards to sin from above, the New Testament is quite adamant:
- “And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.” Ephesians 6:10-12 The Message
- “Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed.” 2 Peter 2:10-12 New American Standard Bible
- “Yet Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, when he was arguing with Satan about Moses’ body, did not dare to accuse even Satan, or jeer at him, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you.” But these men mock and curse at anything they do not understand, and like animals, they do whatever they feel like, thereby ruining their souls.” Jude 1:9-10 Living Bible
Every child soon learns there is world a difference between lying and rolling over, sitting and crawling, standing and toddling, walking and running. As with the physical, so also the spiritual. The problem is that billions expend only a fraction of a percent of a percent of the effort invested in the former to equally master the latter.
Given the Bible’s core context of conflict theology, genuinely walking with the Spirit of God requires adopting Scripture’s revelation that we do so, not so much hand in hand while meandering through life’s beautiful garden maze, but more as commander and serviceman navigating an active mine field while traversing a spiritual war zone.
No small distinction given the Bible’s revelation that Earth’s an Enemy occupied planet offering humanity one of three options. Become a collaborator, sympathizer or resistance fighter. Those choosing the latter fall into the three additional categories of casualty, POW or Kingdom citizen soldier. A point of fact all but universally marginalized or misconstrued by modern Christianity.
All deference to worship songs and choruses such as the the world renowned, In The Garden, but the Bible in general, and the New Testament in particular, extol quite a different emphasis.
There is however one garden as applicable to our situation as it is shunned. The Garden of Gethsemane. Here Jesus exemplifies the kind of faith and prayer necessary to assure we “don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger.” Of Christ’s manner of prayer we are told:
- “While he lived on earth, anticipating death, Jesus cried out in pain and wept in sorrow as he offered up priestly prayers to God. Because he honored God, God answered him. Though he was God’s Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do.” Hebrews 5:7-8 The Message
Even if Christianity could be likened to a pleasure cruise, given Churchianity’s collision course with so many modern temptations and deceptions, up to an including immorality and the blood red mountainous iceberg of abortion, in certain respects might even many well intended ministries be reduced to simply arranging deck chairs on the Titanic?
So is Christianity a cruise or gunship? We must decide. And do so quickly and carefully. Military directives and drills, cramped quarters and sea rations, would be absurd on a pleasure cruise. So too, civilian itineraries and activities, opulent suites and sumptuous banquets, would be anathema during a time of war.
When it comes to knowing and realizing God’s will,
we must do better..
According to the Bible’s overarching narrative, spiritual warfare is not a remnant of ancient mythology, but rather Heaven's reality. Scripture reveals the incredible angelic rebellion instigated by the supreme archangel Lucifer, now known as Satan, the Devil, the Dragon… having marred the very history of eternity and all but re-shaping our own.
Ramifications of conflict theology are extensive. The nearly universal refusal to fully admit the simple fact that the overarching context of Scripture is that of conflict theology accounts for a myriad of unnecessary confusion and misunderstanding. Such denial deeply affects such crucial issues as repentance and salvation, Bible study and prayer, worship and discipleship, fellowship and church, entitlement and worldliness, immorality and sin to name but a few.
Discerning the full reality and repercussions of Satan's existence and nature is difficult on a variety of levels. All the more so when Biblical revelation is marginalized or relegated to mythological status throughout the modern world. In this case, a fault as foolish as it would have been for occupied France to have dismissed or denied Hitler as a threat during the Nazi invasion. The fact that modern civilization prides itself on spiritual ignorance is evidence, in and of itself, of the Evil One's nefarious and sinister art and craft.
As the original and supreme master manipulator, the Devil's impressive resume includes inciting ancient and advanced, holy and glorious angels to rebel within Heaven itself. Not to mention his firm track record of deceiving God's anointed.
At the root of modern Christianity's greatest failures is the presumption that we are above archaic notions of devilish resistance and deception. A commonly held conviction rendered all the more ridiculous given Christianity's hundreds of sects, various Christ and versions of the Gospel. A false assumption infiltrating a linty of crucial doctrines ranging from God's unconditional acceptance to sanctification, appropriate worship to spiritual gifts, eschatology to salvation itself.
Such a mindset has proven disastrous for God's people down through the ages. The original sin of spiritual pride and entitlement greatly affected the lives and legacies of even such notables as Samson, David and Solomon. All mightily anointed men extraordinarily empowered. While Samson become a byword for foolishness, David for faithfulness, and Solomon for wisdom, they and their sacred trusts were all but unseated by Satan.
Underappreciated devilish influence accounts for many, if not most, of mankind's conflicts. Millions of the most educated men and women to ever exist, to say nothing of their less informed counterparts, profoundly disagree on many aspects of nearly every vital issue facing mankind. A sad state of affairs made all the more tragic by ubiquitous and growing levels of temptation and deception, entitlement and sin. An unfortunate situation further exacerbated by recent global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, with vast medical and social, economic and religious ramifications. All evidence a degradation of the times and seasons in which we live.
Hundreds of various sects and denomination clearly indicate the afore mentioned tendency to disagree extends throughout modern Christianity. What of far more subtle issues requiring greater spiritual discernment? Such as our appropriate response to the vast challenges of the new sociopolitical era being thrust on American and the world.
Such dire straights, with even greater looming on the horizon, make it all the more imperative that Prophetic Christians quickly learn to honestly and correctly evaluate the current and growing challenges of our age. For our own sake, and that of our family and friends, country and world.
Woefully, the only thing exceeding the level of our current and future need is our unpreparedness. Unprecedented worldliness is rampant within both modern society and Churchianity. Just as serious Bible study and prayer are at all time lows. A one-two punch leaving the average church attender, before churches began to be shuttered worldwide, unable to quote, much less rightly interpret and obey, 10 verses in a row. And largely unwilling to stop and seriously pray even 10 minutes daily.
Given the global suffering and health needs of billions being stressed to the limits by pandemics like COVID-19, and the unprecedented governmental overreach they occasion, we must do better.
Amongst the COVID-19 affliction and aftermath, a single spiritual concern looms large. What will it take to move modern Christians to reevaluate our present disastrous coarse in failing to fully recognize, much less take appropriate action against the conflicts of our time? What more need be threatened? If not forever lost? How much greater the disaster before we replace presumption with Biblical faith? When will fellowships and churches come with brokenness and contrition before the God we so casually invoke and yet daily offend? Are we ready to open the door to Christ through pre-revival repentance in hope of experiencing our own Pentecost, with hundreds if not thousands of upper rooms?
It's not hard to imagine a scenario where the primary, secondary and tertiary effects of COVID-19 style global threats play a significant role in the beginning of sorrows warned of in the gospels, epistles and Revelation. Which, according to Scripture and contrary to modern opinion, take place before rather than after the Rapture. Combined with a variety of other factors, it seem clear the stage is being set for Revelation's final fulfillment.
When will at least Prophetic Christians care enough to take Scripture's advice and join together in the Prayer of Anguish prescribed by James 4, the New Testament's step by step instructions to "keep Satan from taking advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his schemes." Doing so requires reevaluating our understanding of Conflict Theology and fully responding together to the Bible's treatment and vaccine against the Devilish last days spiritual and societal, viral and economic pandemic taking shape before our very eyes.
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