Three gods at war

Three gods at war April 21, 2015

We often hear that we are involved in a spiritual battle.  And on good authority–that of the apostle Paul.

In a verse that should be invoked more often than it is, Paul advises, We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Eph 6.12).

It is actually reassuring to know it is not people who oppose us so much as invisible spiritual powers that move those people.  We can forgive and even love the people who come against us when we realize that they are the pawns in  a cosmic war.

So what are the great armies in this war?  Or to be more precise, who are the primary generals?

I would suggest there are three: Gaia, Allah, and the Trinity.

Gaia is The Goddess invoked by philosophical environmentalists.  She is the power of the Earth, or even Earth itself.  Even though Gaia is a “she,”  true believers behind this philosophy do not regard “her” as a person.  Gaia is merely a handy word for the impersonal power of the Earth and all of its ecosystems.

Gaia, I would suggest further, is the god of paganism today.  Environmentalism has become a religion for many, especially for those who reject the traditional monotheisms (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam).  Avid environmentalists  attack with religious fervor those who question their agenda.  Even if the questioners are Jews or Christians who want to be good stewards of the earth, but not in the ways the radical environmentalists demand.

We all know about Islam.  We are reminded every day of the evils represented by radical Islamists.  We should remember that millions of Muslims reject this murderous Islamism.  Yet even “moderate” Islam worships an Allah who is different from the Trinitarian God of the Bible.

So the third “god” in this cosmic war is the true God, the Trinitarian God of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, taught by the Great Tradition of Catholics, Protestants, and Eastern Orthodox.

Are all three real gods?  Yes and no.  The only creator and redeemer is the true Trinitarian God.  And He is the only One who controls it all, permitting it all.

But as I have argued in my book God’s Rivals, each major world religion is animated by real spiritual powers or entities, as Paul suggests in Eph. 6.12 which we saw above.  These are not Gods but gods.

Today when we hear more news of things dismaying and frightening, let us remember that we are in a spiritual war.  Knowing the main contestants helps clarify things, and should help reassure us.  For we know Who wins in the end.


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