Theology and Sociology

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For 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.

The problem of evil is multi-dimensional. Christians often say that our battle is against the world, the flesh and the devil (Eph. 2:1-3). All three at the same time. Sociology is a study of the ways of the world – how people live and interact in groups. Many today argue that most individual issues are caused by society and institutions. It can be helpful to consider such arguments, but they are missing the other two key aspects of evil that the Bible makes clear. It’s easy to overthink the problems of our psychology and inward thinking. It’s also easy to become overwhelmed with fear about what the Bible says about the devil and evil spiritual forces. Remembering that the Christian battle is against the world, the flesh and the devil – always all three – helps keep things in perspective. And if you think this sounds heavy, you’re not alone. Jesus dealt with all three (John 16:33, James 4:7, Col. 2:15). Jesus’ successful work is finished. By trusting in Jesus and daily putting sin to death, we share in Christ’s victory over the world, the flesh and the devil.

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Some relevant sermons focussing on Ephesians chapter 6: The Whole Armor of God (Tim Keller, 19 Jan 1992) and An Induction Sermon for Marcelo Morbelli (Minister at All Saint’s Woollahra) (Simon Manchester, 17 Jan 2024) (audio quality in the second link doesn’t match the quality of the preaching).

A good non-Christian sociology book: The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion (Jonathan Haidt, 2012).

A good Christian psychology/sociology book: Growing Yourself Up (Jenny Brown, 2012).