Page 44 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 7

Foundational Discussions in Christian Psychology

middle zones are bidirectional. Humans can God, through his Spirit, primarily maintains
choose to turn towards God or towards evil. order in the world and purifies it from sin and
Those who choose evil likely dwell close to the uncleanness; his light and life flow out into all
periphery of reality, subject to demonic influ- reality, and he operates with authority not war-
ence, although the invitation to join the king- fare. However, humans have much responsibili-
dom remains open. Those who worship the one ty. Building on the cultic conception of dirt and
true God are responsible for distinguishing bet- disorder, and the imagery of the Church as the
ween good and evil, continually reapplying the household of God, one could conceive of evil as
limits on evil, returning it to the outer regions household dust and dirt. It tends to accumulate
of chaos, and consequently cleansing the cos- and requires regular cleaning, or “holy house-
mos. Obedience leads to the strengthening of keeping.” Similarly, sacred actions can be view-
boundaries on evil; disobedience results in the- ed as the expansion and maintenance of the
se boundaries being loosened. Unlike a warfare household or sacred space; spreading the light
model, which emphasizes battle imagery, this of Christ and sending demons back to their pe-
model uses the metaphorical system of boun- ripheral dwelling. This model not only provides
daries, ordering, and cleansing to describe the alternate language for discussing evil, but also
maintenance and extension of sacred space. furthers our understanding of evil.

PICKWICK Publications 199 West 8th Avenue, Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401
Tel. (541) 344-1528 • Fax (541) 344-1506
An imprint of WIPF and STOCK Publishers Visit our Web site at www.wipfandstock.com

CLEANSING THE COSMOS

A BIBLICAL MODEL FOR CONCEPTUALIZING AND COUNTERACTING EVIL
E. JANET WARREN

Understanding evil spiritual forces is essential for Christian theology, yet
discussion is almost always phrased in terms of “spiritual warfare.” Warfare
language is problematic, being dualistic, assigning a high degree of ontology
to evil, and poorly applicable to ministry. This unique study proposes a
biblically-based model as the first alternative to a “spiritual warfare” frame-
work for dealing with the demonic, thus providing insights for preaching,
counseling and missiology. Warren develops this model using metaphor theory
and examining four biblical themes: Creation, Cult, Christ, and Church.
Metaphors of cleansing, ordering, and boundary-setting are developed in
contrast to battle imagery, and relevant theological issues are engaged (Boyd’s
warfare imagery, Barth’s ideas of evil as “nothingness,” and Eliade’s notion of
the sacred and the profane). The role of the Holy Spirit is emphasized, and
the ontology of evil minimized. This model incorporates concentric circles, evil
being considered peripheral to divine reality, and provides a refreshing
alternative to current “spiritual warfare” models.

FORTHCOMING FROM PICKWICK PUBLICATIONS . . .
ISBN: 978-1-62032-403-5 / PAPER
E. JANET WARREN is a family physician with an interest in psycho-
therapy, and an independent theological scholar.

“In a well-informed study, Warren advances our understanding of evil. She shows that, in biblical traditions and from human experience, evil
does not only invade and overrun, but violates boundaries, contaminates and infects, and brings darkness, disorder, and chaos. . . . Warren
shows evil is to be cleansed and relocated, involving the work of the Spirit and human choice to redefine sacred space and restore order.”
GRAHAM H. TWELFTREE, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Regent University
“In this stimulating and original work, Warren succeeds in pushing forward the discussion on how to think and speak of the presence of
evil in the world. On the basis of thorough discussion and extensive counseling experience, she argues strongly that a ‘cleansing the
cosmos’ model is preferable to that of ‘warfare.’ In doing this she both swims against the tide and opens up new horizons in a difficult but
an important debate.”
NIGEL G. WRIGHT, Principal, Spurgeon’s College
“Cleansing the Cosmos is scientifically informed, philosophically sophisticated, theologically robust, biblically faithful, and practically
relevant! Scholars and practitioners across the academic spectrum will be challenged to reconsider what is known about spiritual warfare.
With this book, the scholarly discussion on the perennially difficult topic of the problem of evil takes a quantum—even if chaotically
counteractive—leap forward.”
AMOS YONG, J. Rodman Williams Professor of Theology, Regent University

Media, Examination, and Review Copies: Preorders: Contact your favorite bookseller or order directly
Contact: James Stock from the publisher via phone (541) 344-1528,
(541) 344-1528, ext 103 or James@wipfandstock.com fax (541) 344-1506 or e-mail us at orders@wipfandstock.com
43