George
Otis Jr: The Twilight labyrinth – why does spiritual darkness linger where it
does?
Chosen Books,
314pp with detailed notes! Result of 7 years’ travel
and research in nearly 50 countries; ‘challenging the popular notion that they
can endure only 20 minute sermons and newsletter-length books, many believers
are displaying a formidable appetite for substance. Unfortunately a high
percentage of pastors, authors and publishers are still wedded to the old
paradigm’ 11 ! But actually full of
stories and anecdotes; a good read.
Purpose of book to help Christians arrive at a more
complete understanding of the modern spiritual battlefield. Main thesis is that
peoples search for meaning and control over life as they experience it, and so
dedicate selves to gods and spirits of their own imaginations; which then
become inhabited by compliant evil spirits whose power is perpetuated by
festivals and cultural traditions which implicitly continue the contract.
Result is oppression, poverty, violence in the society.
1. Encounters with the world next door
PART I : UNDER THE OVERWORLD – ILLUMINATIONS
FROM THE BASEMENT OF REALITY
2. Navigating the labyrinth
Labyrinth just an image, of a hidden journey. The other world is
the spiritual basement of reality, and if we understand it we have a powerful
paradigm for interpreting events and priorities in the material world. Our
worldview (‘culturally structured assumptions, values, and commitments
underlying a people’s perception of reality’ – Kraft) is more influential than
theology in determining our perception of ultimate reality. Western
Christianity has been viewing reality through the wrong end of the interpretive
lens, like telescope held the wrong way round. Latest scientific hypothesis is
that reality has not 4 dimensions but 10; 6 theoretical ones called hyperspace.
We can’t understand what such reality would be like.
3. Faces of the dragon
Ancient Mesopotamians were the first to see malevolent spirits as
ubiquitous. Modern disbelief. But those who have met
him have no difficulty recognising him. C14 Cistercian called Adam, St Theresa
of
Dr Musgrave, space shuttle astronaut, saw serpent following the shuttle…
1. The devil exists
2. He is a ruler with an active master plan.
Evidence not just religious but in observation – outbreaks of inexplicable
evil in human societies, Ghengis Khan, Nazis, Rwanda, Cambodia.
4. Ancient mysteries
James Jeans, particle physicist: ‘the universe begins to look more like
a great thought than like a great machine’; idea that consciousness may define
reality (quantum theory). p95. Lot of stuff here about Adam’s
superhuman capacities, and speculation that we have vast reservoirs of untapped
mental and psychic powers; evidence of paranormal. Then the Fall, and acquisition of the fear of death. Other religious
traditions have similar stories –
Prehistoric ceremonial chambers all over world, cave
art, darkness, perhaps shamanic initiations. Goddess
worship. Otis puts this between Fall and
Demons congregate where people are; hence demonic activity worse in
urban settings.
5. Out from Babel
Attempts overview of scattering of humanity over the globe, in order to
suggest the spiritual history of humanity is all of a piece with scripture, is
all infected by prehistoric shamanic practices which are related to one
another, and all makes chronological sense. Migration routes of early peoples
from Babel. He suggsts that at one point or another each
encountered some form of collective trauma – natural barriers, natural
disasters, disease, famine, wars. Otis suggests that after aninitial
bargain is struck with divinities, usually after circumstantial duress, demons
prove themselves by providing initial trauma relieft. Then they demand interest
payments on the debt – forever.
Examples:
drought in
Smallpox in
God does not punish but rescues
6. Enchanting the lie
Power of the human mind harnessed by shamans, lamas. Elaborate
visualisation disciplines. God gives us HS. But the enemy desires to create a
deceptive alternative to spiritual power. Psychic healing.
One tactic is to expose people to images or circs which brim with violent or
sexual content. Apparently stimulation produces physical changes in the brain,
with creation of new neural connections – takes only 10 mins. If satan influences the kinds of connections, he gains control
over our minds.
Shamans use magic mushrooms to make spiritual journeys (word shaman is
Siberian).
Clusters of ideas form myths and become embedded in the psyche of a
people; can lead to collective possession of a society by demonic spirits.
Examples : Aztecs, C18 French Revolution, WW2, Uganda under Idi Amin, Khmer
Rouge in Cambodia, cultural revolution in China, wars in Yugoslavia, genocide
in Rwanda – all characterised by astonishing barbarity amongst often previously
peaceful peoples.
7. The Art of shadow-ruling
Animism as a world view: belief that natural elements have personal
identity and contain a life force with which we may communicate. Some forms
embody deities or ancestors. Well dressing is the remains of this. Astrology. The word Paul uses for ‘powers’ in Ephesians is
found in astrological contexts as star spirits. Likewise his ‘world rulers’ and
‘elemental spirits’ – would have been relevant to people who believed the stars
were gods and spirits.
Also animal spirit guides – notion that animals have retained connection
with golden age and can be relied on as sources of wisdom and power.
Goddess imagery. Mother
Earth, Gaia; by 2500BC in
Jesus called Satan prince of this world – in Gk, means ‘ruler over
kingdoms or structures’. Satan retains dominion over human systems, political,
economic, religious. Demonic princes seem to be linked
to human counterparts, evil kings, priests, governors who serve as their
earthly representatives:
Isaiah 24.21 in that day the Lord will punish the
powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below
Egs of alliances between demonic powers and rulers in
Revelation 2.13 speaks of
Modern examples: Ethiopia, communist dictator Mengistu Haile
Mariam. Rulers vulnerable to pride. Roman emperors,
Babylonian kings, Egyptian pharoahs all stood between heavenly powers and human
society, persuaded of their divinity and reveling in their grandeur. See Ez 31.10; Daniel 4.30; Isaiah 14.13-14, Ez 28.2 and 29.3).
God-kings who conquered rivals and built glorious cities and
temples.
Indonesia. Gods and enchanters on every island, but esp
in cit of
Singapore and Taiwan – gvt officials acknowledge invisible spirits in
their speeches
Dalai Lama takes advice from a national oracle, as for last 1300 yrs.
Japan – emperor Akhihito preformed elaborate rituals at 1989 coronation to
reaffirm allegiance to sun goddes Amaterasu Omikami.
Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Cambodia – similar links from
divine monarchs to spirit world.
Libya, Saudi Arabia – consultation of spirits by rulers.
In West, it takes form of fascination with esoteric and occult
philosophies, inc freemasonry. End C19 German and
Russian rulers attending seances and heeding occult advisors.
Another strategy is to gain control over the prevailing mindset of
society, through tv, academics, journalists, economic
policy makers, politicians.
Humans begin by making up their own gods, and end when their creations,
invested with demonic power, begin to rule them instead.
Regional deities. Startling anecdote of
Christian couple who moved into Navajo community – found self up against local
sorceror who offered to cut his hair, kept the bits and made curses with them,
194-5.
Territorial spirits are believed in all over the world. Entire
communities have shaped their spiritual and material environment to accommodate
them.
8. Territorial dynasties
To determine the strength of a given stronghold, need to consider 3
factors
The explicitness of the original pact/welcome
The nature of the evil spirits involved
The length of time a pact has been in force
Strongholds are born when cultures welcome evil powers into their midst
through pacts; and are extended when the provisions of the pacts are honoured
by successive generations. They are honoured in a number of often unwitting
ways:
Religious festivals / pilgrimages
Cultural traditions (esp initiation rites and ancestor
worship)
Adaptive deceptions / syncretism
Unresolved social injustices.
Loads of examples given, some deliberately seeking
contact with the spirit world, others just keeping well-meaning traditions
going.
If the devil is to maintain control over human communities, he must
persuade people of his power not only to protect and provide, but also to
reveal secret knowledge.
Some bondages are transitory. Others have deep
foundations.
PART II : OVER THE UNDERWORLD – DEFEATING THE
POWERS OF DARKNESS
9. Rising stakes
3 conditions apply now:
1.
quantum leap in human knowledge unbridled by wisdom
2.
rising tide of spiritual interest / supernatural
activity
3.
onset of critical mass in global evangelisation
114 people come to Christ every minute, p234
Ratio of nonbelievers to biblical Christians has fallen to less than 7
to 1.
Demonic desperation is a problem associated with the lateness of the
hour.
Demonic attacks in
On individuals working with Scripture translation, media ministries esp the Jesus Film, and unreached peoples – examples.
Our defence:
humility
obedience
spiritual armour
spiritual accountability
prayer support
taking godly risks
The risk free life is a victory-free life, offering lifelong surrender
to the mediocre. And nothing is easier to hit than a stationary target.
Aquiring and using spiritual power.
1.
expose ourselves to real battlefields – meet the
demons in ministry
2.
find a mentor
3.
remain clean, humble vessels
4.
remember purpose of signs and wonders – to glorify God
and facilitate evangelism
5.
release selves to God’s sovereignty
6.
develop sense of expectation
Story of
10. Spellbending
Dangerous to engage in strategic level spiritual
warfare – warning stories of people who over-reached themselves spiritually.
Ineffective to intercede against the wishes of the
local inhabitants; no use banishing demons if locals are inviting them in with
open arms.
Aim must be to draw back the curtain of deception that shields Satan
from mortal view. People need to see the perpetuator behind the scenes. This is
achieved through prayer.
First we must
neturalise the binding influence of demonic strongmen. Mark 3.27,
tying up the strong man.
Further progress can be made only when people repent of their sins, both
individuals and entire communities.
Next step is coporate renunciation of ties to false gods and
philosophies – paving over Satan’s fishing hole.
11. Lights in the labyrinth
Summary. Our world is linked to a
shadow realm, with entry points. Decisions taken in one domain influence the
other. A battle is being waged in a twilight labyrinth which extends from the
human heart out into the corridors of the spiritual dimension. The object of
the battle is to liberate people from the effects of sin and demonic
enchantment. It can be done. Some dramatic stories of spiritual reversals:
Achieved by: determined activism + focussed and united
prayer.