The Church and Cosmic Powers through the Ages

Abstract

Church history demonstrates that the Church has always encountered cosmic powers. It is an appeal to church historians to consider cosmic powers as the reality to be dealt with. Through a literature review study, this paper gives some historical knowledge of the activities of cosmic powers from the Old Testament through the New Testament into the church history. The objectives are to point out that demons and their activities are part of church history; and that the current church and world at large still confront these demonic activities in diverse ways. The picture of human misery is elaborated upon and left open to interpretation as different disciplines scrutinise these miseries differently, but theologically as church history has demonstrated over centuries, they are the cosmic powers at work, manifesting as powers that promote injustice, coldness of heart, fear, and despising and abusing God’s creation. These human miseries are the reason for the call to church to seriously study the subject of cosmic powers (demonology). Historical studies show that all Christian churches, especially Pentecostal and Charismatic operations seem to be in touch with the cosmic powers reality and endeavours are made to deal with them just as is the case in all mainline churches. Conclusion is an appeal to church historians to note that demons should not be treated as an absurdity and that the religion should not conclude that God is dead, or irrelevant.