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Repressive authoritarian regimes are falling and fragile new democracies are emerging around the globe. How are long-standing conflicts and deep divisions to be healed and enemies reconciled without breeding further injustices?To answer this question, Walter Wink here applies his compelling analysis of "the Powers," as they appear in the New Testament, to the global scene. Surveying the wrenching religious and ethical dilemmas involved in transitions from despotism to democracy, Wink neatly summarizes key concepts from his Fortress Press trilogy on the Powers, including sections on "Jesus against Domination" and "Nonviolence." He then shows how central concepts in the teaching of Jesus can clarify true and false ideas of forgiveness and reconciliation and apology – without sacrificing justice. The personal, political, and geopolitical pertinence of Wink's ideas shines in his discussion of specific situations in Africa and Latin America.And what of the churches? "Jesus" proclamation of God's domination – free order," Wink claims, "providesa framework for dealing with the role of the churches in helping nations move from autocracy to democracy. Far more is at stake than merely an orderly transition to a more representative form of governance: suchmoments in history open up to heavenly potentials. ... In such times, it is the vision of God'sdomination-free order that prevents us from acquiescing to unworthy visions, or accepting political compromises as anything more than temporary pauses on the path to fuller justice."Wink's new work demonstrates the power, promise, and practicality of Jesus' ethic of nonviolence for today.… (more)
User reviews
The author recapitulates the premises of the trilogy, the existence of powers and principalities as the spiritual interiority of groups and nations, the existence
This work is very light on Biblical theology and very heavy on progressivist assumptions about the benefits of democracy and perhaps even a bit of triumphalism. It would be interesting to see how the author would consider the changes that have taken place ever since, both globally and in regards to the specific countries of which he spoke.
Without a doubt the ways of nonviolence should mark the followers of Jesus. There is a desperate need to rehabilitate this view. There is a desperate need to confess the existence of the Powers and repent of our participation in their schemes. But considering the success of the Powers in human history, the author's confidence that powers are falling because of nonviolence and reconciliation is overly idealistic.