Why Reject the Ontology of Demons? Eric H. Janzen (response by Wm. Paul Young)
Why Reject the Ontology of Demons?
1. Spiritual Integrity—By rejecting demon ontology, we stop using them as scapegoats to avoid our responsibility as humans for our sin and evil actions.
2. Spiritual Freedom—By rejecting demon ontology, we stop believing in evil, unseen beings who wield fear-filled power. We overcome the demonic by becoming freed from the roots within us and world systems/ powers that energize the demonic phenomenon. Christ has made this possible.
3. Spiritual Restoration—By rejecting demon ontology, we are able to raise the bar of redemption to a height worthy of Jesus: Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection is the Redeeming Life that encompasses all of Reality, and all created living beings within that reality. Thus, All will be redeemed and restored to God. This restoration of all things is a radically beautiful vision that only God could accomplish as Divine Love. And, perhaps we should say, only Divine Love would genuinely desire to restore All and our transformation/theosis enables us to glimpse this beauty.
4. Spiritual Consistency—By rejecting demon ontology, we preserve the revelation of God that Jesus has shown us. Namely, that God is Love and not Violent. God’s heart is to restore all of creation both visible and invisible. Rejecting demon ontology means that we will not witness God change nature and utterly destroy created beings.
Wm Paul Young Replies
I feel the walls come tumbling down”
Mountaineering and Spirituality – Ron Dart
I lift up my eyes to the hills. - Psalm 121:1 There are other Annapurnas in the lives of men - Maurice Herzog, Annapurna Mountains and hills, snow robed peaks and knife edged turrets have a way of drawing the spirit and soul to the heights. There are rock jocks,...
When Jesus Came into the World – Jessica Knight
When Jesus came into the world he came as God in skin. He came human. Like you and like me. When Jesus came into the world he came as a baby birthed and then placed on the chest of a woman. Let’s contemplate the gift of a baby-Jesus. When Jesus came...
Clean from the Inside Out – Bob Ekblad
In recent Bible studies in Skagit County Jail and in our Tierra Nueva worshipping community I have been struck by Jesus’ unusual approach regarding substances, whether they be food, drink or drugs. In substance abuse and recovery circles (and vegan and other religious...
Kenosis as ‘Laying Aside Privilege’ (Phil. 2) – Brad Jersak
Brad Jersak delivers some half-baked thoughts about Philippians 2 and laying aside privilege into the St. Croix Vineyard oven. An aromatic community dialogue ensues about justice and self-giving love in our societies, churches and families. * Dedicated to Azariah...
“Give the people what they want”: A new vision for meaningful mission – Peter Fitch
We planted St. Croix Vineyard in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, on October 4, 1992. We often felt an affinity to St. Francis as we tried to care for poorer folks around us and to be available to those in need, but it was almost a decade before we realized that we had...
ENVIRONMENT OF EDUCATION OF CHILDREN (Excerpt) – Lazar Puhalo
BRIEF INVITED PAPER FOR CONFERENCE "ENVIRONMENT OF EDUCATION OF CHILDREN" (PRE-SCHOOL-GRADE 1). MAGNETOGORSK, RUSSIA. One dynamic area of childhood learning that needs to be discussed in detail is the way in which poverty can lower cognitive skills and...
Review of Robert Macfarlane’s ‘Mountains of the Mind’ – by Ron Dart
Robert Macfarlane, Mountains of the Mind: How Desolate and Forbidding Heights were Transformed into Experiences of Indomitable Spirit (New York: Pantheon Books, 2003). O the mind, mind has mountains - Gerard Manley Hopkins From death in valleys preserve me, O Lord...
“I am from …” – spoken word poetry by Jessica Knight
I AM FROM ... I am from underground forts and starry night skies tree climbing 50 feet to the top. I am from dusty dirt roads and waiting. I am from Aunt Sally’s House with homemade cookies and “Would you like to stay?” “Yes.” I am from wildflower bouquets and...
Peter Fitch – video excerpt – “Emerging from the Cocoon”
I’m in a small boat on a raging sea – Poetry by Jessica Knight with Krista Heide
I’m in a small boat on a raging sea. And it is hard to believe in Jesus. I’ve never seen him -- you know? I have this Sunday-School picture that is stuck in my head but I’m sure it’s not what He looked like. And was He really born of a...