Unger's Commentary on the Old Testament,
vol 2, 1676.
The supernatural powers of evil behind
the Persian gods and idols were demons, the dynamic of idolatry (see Isa. 24:21
; Jer. 46:25; 1 Cor. 8:5; 10:20-21) and active agents in the government of the
satanic world system (Eph. 6:12), of which the nations are a part.
Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the
Bible.
As the gods of the nations were
demonized, so demons are said to be idols (‘elilim) in Hebrew [LXX Deut 32: 17
sedim; LXX Ps 105:37]. The LXX Isa 65.11 daimon renders the Hebrew name of the
pagan god of Fonune (Gad), where the Israelites are said to have been
"preparing a table for the demon". This conception of table
fellowship with pagan gods who are in reality demons carries over into the NT:
1Cor 10.20-21: "that which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to
demons"; Paul sets in opposition "the table of the Lord and the table
of demons.”
Early views: Jewish
Jubilees 15.31-32; 19.26-29
“For there are many nations and peoples
and all belong to God and over all of them He’s placed spirits in authority to
lead them astray from Him. But over Israel He did not appoint any angel or
spirit, for He alone is their ruler, and He will preserve them and require them
at the hand of His angels and His spirits, and at the hand of all His powers in
order that He may preserve them and bless them.”…Abraham called Jacob before
the eyes of Rebecca his mother, and kissed him, and blessed him, and said:
‘Jacob, my beloved son, whom my soul loves, may God bless you….And the spirits
of Mastema shall not rule over you or over your seed to turn you from God...’
The Qumran community describes the wicked form of government under “the
rule of Belial.”
Christian-Patristic
Justin Martyr, Dialogue 79
Justin proves against Trypho
that the wicked angels have revolted from God:
The princes in Tanis are evil angels [Isa
30.4]. And, further, Zechariah [3.1 shows how] the Devil stood on the right
hand of Joshua the priest, to resist him; and God said, 'The Lord, who has
taken Jerusalem, rebuke you.’ And you are aware that David said, 'The gods of
the nations are demons.'
Tertullian, 211 AD.
Is it lawful to make an occupation of the
sword, when the Lord proclaims that he who uses the sword will die by the
sword? Is the [military] laurel of triumph made of leaves, or of corpses? Is it
adorned with ribbons, or with tombs? Is it wet with ointments, or with the
tears of wives and mothers? It may be made of some [dead] Christians too. For
Christ is also believed among the barbarians.
Origen, 248 AD.
Celsus also urges us to "take office
in the government of the country, if that is required for the maintenance of
the laws and the support of religion." But we recognize in each state the
existence of another national organization founded by the Word of God, and we
exhort those who are mighty in word and of blameless life to rule over
Churches. Those who are ambitious of ruling we reject….it’s not for the purpose
of escaping public duties that Christians decline public offices, but that they
may reserve themselves for a more divine and necessary service in the Church of
God--for the salvation of men.
Christian
councils/orders and practice:
Egyptian Church Order AD 200-235
16.7 If someone is a gladiator, or one
who teaches those among the gladiators how to fight, or a hunter who is in the
wild beast shows in the arena, or a public official who is concerned with
gladiator shows, either he shall cease, or he shall be rejected. 9 A military
man in authority must not execute men. If he is ordered, he must not carry it
out. Nor must he take military oath. If he refuses, he shall be rejected. 10 If
someone is a military governor (has the authority of swords), or the ruler of a
city who wears the purple, he shall cease or he shall be rejected.
Council of Nicaea, Asia Minor, AD 325
If a military man wanted to convert, he would first have to do penitence
for 10 years, which was even more than the penitence of 7 years required for
someone who denied Christ under persecution. As many as were called by grace,
and displayed the first zeal, having cast aside their military belts, but
afterwards returned, like dogs, to their own vomit, (so that some spent money
and by means of gifts regained their military stations); let these, after they
have passed the space of 3 years as hearers, be for 10 years prostrators
[worshipers, i.e., “pew people” only].
No comments:
Post a Comment