Powers, Weakness, and the Tabernacling of God

by Marva J. Dawn

As we embark on the new millennium, uncharted challenges await the church. This volume by one of today's most valued voices on modern church life offers a wealth of insight into the role of local churches in the twenty-first century. 

Rooted in solid biblical research and extensive experience, Marva Dawn's newest book will help churches and their leaders avoid falling to the temptations of contemporary secular culture, including the popular "success" models of church management. Dawn offers groundbreaking scholarship--from the first significant critique of Walter Wink's work on "the powers" to a relevant new translation of 2 Corinthians 12:9--and challenges readers to rethink the goals and mission of the congregation, to develop practices that follow God's "hidden" way of weakness, and to expand their sense of what it means to be a faithful church.

Complete with discussion questions, this book provides the trustworthy theological and biblical foundations necessary for building strong churches--and keeping them strong--in today's world.

Genres: Theology, Spirituality, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian

186 pages, Paperback

First published March 19, 2001

About the author

Marva J. Dawn is an American Christian theologian, author, musician and educator, associated with the parachurch organization "Christians Equipped for Ministry" in Vancouver, Washington. She also serves as Teaching Fellow in Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dawn is generally perceived as a Lutheran evangelical.

Reviews

[Matthew Loftus · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are few authors as under-appreciated in this current moment as Marva Dawn. Her examination of how our contemporary churches are influenced by the powers and principalities of the day is stirring but not alarmist and incisive but not unkind. Her call to the work of prayer, fellowship, and love is worth reading for every Christian.

[Carmen Imes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. It had some clear nuggets of wisdom in it. It's the first book I've read by Marva Dawn. She's clearly brilliant, pulling together lots of other philosophers and theologians into her work (because I wasn't familiar with all of them, that limited the benefit of her book).

I appreciated that she tackled ideas about spiritual powers at work in the world today, and that God wins against these powers (and asks us to fight them) though our weakness, not our strength.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book took longer than it should have to read. But it is so dense, so rich and, at times, utterly disruptive. I will go back through it to mine the depths.

It’s an important read for church leadership — if only, chapter two: The Tabernacling of God and a Theology of Weakness.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended. Radical concept but faithful to Scripture.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marva Dawn, Teaching Fellow in Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, BC, Canada (recently retired) and founder of Christians Equipped for Ministry, takes aim at the ecclesial power structures of the western church in her work Powers, Weakness and the Tabernacling of God. The author begins her task by quoting Miroslav Volf in defining principalities and powers as “social, political and economic realities diffused throughout the culture [and leveraging control over] the imaginations and behaviors of human beings” (2). Dawn’s thesis, “our churches could be vital communities exhibiting God’s strength in our weakness” by resisting the pull to become fallen powers and instead being imbued with the power of God in the weakness of the cross (127), charts a timely corrective to the church’s current heading within today’s theo-political discourse. Building on the work of noted commentator’s like Neufeld, Yoder, Wink, Volf and Ellul the author traces the church’s de-emphasis of the concept of principalities and powers from the concerns reformers like Luther had over “various apocalyptic sects… [making them] cautious about eschatology” to thinkers like Schleiermacher and the development of “a non-cosmic and subjective conception of Christ’s kingdom” (4). Noting the need within Christian communities to recover a broader understanding of the language of powers, the author addresses “ethical questions that are not dealt with adequately if they are treated only on a material level, rather than with the spiritual response such evil requires” (2).

Among the great strengths of Dawn’s work are her reframing and practical application of dense theological issues and familiar biblical concepts. Indeed, by its very structure, the text serves as a prophetic witness against the church’s own will to power. After establishing a working understanding of the spiritual forces at play in the world the author organizes the main body of her work into three sections reflecting a redemptive progression: formulating a theological understanding of weakness (35), naming ways the church functions as a fallen power in the world (73) and finally imagining how the church can use weakness as a weapon to combat the evil of fallen powers (123). The author moves from order to fall and culminates in redemption, anchoring each section in scripture and the praxis of the first-century church, thereby forcing contemporary Christendom to face its own fallen nature; This framework is extremely helpful. Dawn’s interpretation of the Ephesians 6 panoply of the armor of God as an offensive weapon to be used in defeating fallen powers provides a stirring call to a proper missiology: “The Church, clothed in God’s armor, is the sign and the promise of their [fallen powers] ultimate and total defeat” (126). Thus arrayed, the church engages the cultural battle for justice against oppressive powers fully cognizant of the irony that it’s struggle is “for blood and flesh and never against it” (131). Reader’s will appreciate the author’s practical reflection on the offensive merits inherent in the armor of God. Additionally, those interested in biblical linguistics will be challenged by the author’s compelling approach to 2 Corinthians 12:9 in which she reveals an alternative to common translations: “My grace is sufficient for you, for [your] power is brought to its end in weakness” (41). By arguing that God intends human power to come to an end, supplanted by the weakness of the cross, a richer understanding of the New Testament mandate of “death to self” emerges (Galatians 2:20). Calling the church and individual persons toward sacrificial service in the defeat of the fallen physical and spiritual powers of this world provides a deeply compelling vision.

From the perspective of a seasoned church planter/restart pastor this reviewer finds Powers, Weakness and the Tabernacling of God to be a profound, yet simple and compelling work that will appeal to a wide range of Christian readers. It’s grounding in biblical scholarship, combined with a plethora of thoroughly practical insights, provides a challenging counter balance for those engaged in guiding today’s church against the stream of cultural power structures. Anyone involved in planting new churches or restarting failing communities, along with readers concerned with developing biblical koinonia and personal piety within transformative faith communities, will find this work particularly relevant to their task. All those who venture forward with Marva Dawn will be challenged to, “not ask of our actions or way of life in the armor of God whether we are effective; let us simply BE. Are we, in our weakness, truly being the locus of tabernacling” (134)?

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A manuscript of the author's Schaff Lecture on Christianity and the Powers.

The author begins by exploring the concept of the powers and principalities and traces out modern exploration of the theme. She offers insightful and beneficial critiques to Wink's magisterial trilogy in terms of its emphasis on nonviolent resistance in socio-political terms as well as the denial of the embodiment of the Powers.

The author offers a persuasive case that Paul in 2 Corinthians 12 spoke of Jesus' work as coming to completion in Paul through weakness; in fact, God as "tabernacling" with believers in their weakness to overcome the forces arrayed against them. She then applies the concept to churches as powers in and of themselves, perhaps corrupted by the appeal of worldliness in its projections of strength, and better off glorifying God in weakness. She engages in a productive expansion on the work of the church as seen in Acts 2:42-47 as reflecting how the church could grow outside of the cult of leadership and strength prominent in much of Evangelicalism. Later on she also spends time working through Ephesians 6:10-18, considering them less in terms of "defense" as is commonly done, but with Yoder Neufeld seeing how God can work through the believer in the manifestation of the various elements of the "armor of God" to actively resist the Powers and uphold truth.

She is highly influenced by Jacques Ellul and quotes him extensively and frequently. Definitely a thought-provoking and well-argued work, and challenging in terms of the current status quo within many churches.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book, Marva Dawn gives us four chapters about powers, weakness, and the church. The first chapter is about principalities and powers, the second is about a theology of weakness, the third is on how churches act as fallen powers, and the final one about the armor of God.

The chapters all tie into a coherent whole, but they don’t naturally flow together. Dawn includes lengthy devotional citations of other authors, and she, at times, tends to throw us a lot of scripture without exegesis. We see this in her chapter on weakness, and it has the benefit of making us realize how much scripture talks about weakness, but citing verses without interpretation is a bit underwhelming.

Despite those flaws, this is a fascinating and thought-provoking book. She argues that principalities and powers still exist and are active, even though already conquered. Sometimes they still rear there head up in rebellion. Our task, as Christians, is to proclaim Christ’s victory over them, and to let God manifest his power through us, which can only be done through our weakness. When we fail to properly discern the nature of the powers, we end up working with them instead of calling them to submit to Christ’s lordship. When we try and work through our own power, we act as fallen powers in the world.

Dawn’s vision of what we are called to be as Christians draws heavily from the French theologian and social critic, Jacques Ellul. We are not primarily called to be effective or to do something, but to be a Christian presence. We are, to use Ellul’s phrase, be the presence of the kingdom. When we fail to live distinctly, we act as fallen powers in the world and have subverted the message of Christianity. We must resist this temptation and act through weakness.

Marva Dawn has given us a book which challenges us to live distinctly Christian lives, to be faithfully a presence of the kingdom, and to act out of weakness, instead of giving into the temptation to act out of our own strength. God’s power is manifested through our weakness, and we should embrace this, even though we may not see clearly where it will lead us.

[James Horgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starting as a series of lectures at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Dawn provides a helpful reminder that there are powers in this world that Christ's gospel addresses; powers that may be personal, institutional, demonic, even powers in the church that have a tendency to go wrong and need to be tamed by the risen Christ.

Looking at the verb in 2 Cor 12:9 Dawn understands that it should not be translating 'my strength is made perfect in weakness' but 'my strength is finished (brought to an end) in weakness'. There simply is no strength in Paul. It is all of Christ to achieve anything through the gospel and, through union, in us.

Churches can act as fallen powers where our we try to look strong before the world. Weakness should be an attitude pervading all we do. It is Christ who sets the agenda, not the world.

The last chapter expound the Armour of God from Ephesians 6 in the light of our weakness and God's strength. That God, in this armour, through our weakness brings his peace and salvation to a broken world around us.

Dawn, a Lutheran, draws heavily on Jacques Ellul in this work. It contained a number of helpful ideas but, as I regularly find when reading theology with interacts with liberals, there is probably someone evangelical and Reformed who has made the good points just as well without flirting with the constant note of social justice that lies in the background. The exegetical work of the second chapter was the most helpful and I will look at the verse covered with new eyes as a result.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book 10+ years ago. It was one of my first introductions to "principalities and powers" and thinking more broadly about how the church engages with, resists, or succumbs to the powers of this current age.

Now more than a decade later, I can't help but be struck by the fact that her assessment of how American churches bow to the powers from 20+ years ago is still sharply resonant today.

It's a bit tough to read as the original format was a lecture series. She is occasionally repetitive as a resuult.

[Jon Coutts · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the first chapter this book was less about the theology of Powers, per se, and more about the Church's vocation of humble service to and among them. This would have been (and remains) a valuable read during the rise and rule of the Church Growth (or should we say Effectiveness?) Movement. It's also valuable in that it informs the way created powers will have Jesus as their Lord.

[Emmitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good theological content that is, unfortunately, an absolute chore to read. Dawn shrouds her writing is so much theological jargon that it is very unclear what she is arguing and only after carefully rereading can understand what she is actually agreeing with as so much of her book is quoting other theologians and they vaguely explaining what she agrees with and disagrees with.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal! This book reminds you that Christianity in it's true blue folling Jesus form might just hold the secret to the universe. I give it the strongest of recomendations, I'll let you borrow it if you just ask.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

So. Good.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredibly thought-provoking and humbling. Loved it. A worthy study and a help to the modern church if we will heed it.

[Henry Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for chapter 2 alone.

[Jeremy Garber · Rating 3 out of 5]

How can we think about the role of the church in a system where institutions follow an agenda that is all too often both dehumanizing and unchristian? Theologian Marva Dawn provides a helpful supplement – but not a standalone replacement – to the work of such “powers theologians” as Jacques Ellul, John Howard Yoder, and Walter Wink. Dawn provides a close heavy reading of the Biblical idea of powers and principalities, suggesting both they exist both as sociological institutions and as spiritual entities in their own right. She counsels churches to take the powers of evil and oppression seriously, and creates a practical outline full of Scripture and narrative stories to aid congregations in doing so.

In her first chapter, Dawn surveys the development of principalities and powers language, including primary texts and theological history. Chapter 2, “The Tabernacling of God and a Theology of Weakness,” argues that the church must consciously operate out of a framework of weakness rather than the pagan/modern understanding of power – because God “tabernacles,” or inhabits, precisely human weakness. Chapter 3, the longest and most useful chapter, surveys how churches act as fallen powers, and how following the seven practices of Acts 2 can help the church overcome its own tendencies toward fallenness. The final chapter then uses (somewhat awkwardly) the metaphors of the armor of God from Ephesians 6 to recap what she has already laid out in the volume.

Adapted from a 2000 series of lectures at the Pittsburg Theological Seminary, this volume exhibits what I might call an uneven usefulness. For those versed solidly in this type of theology, there is little new to offer except the interesting ecclesiological connection to Acts Chapter 2. For those unfamiliar with the basic idea of principalities and powers, they might be better served to turn to Ellul, Yoder or Wink as a basic framework and then seek this volume as a supplement. A theologically trained pastor might helpfully use the book as a discussion series with her congregants, particularly given the questions provided in the back (which are also of varying utility but would serve as good springboards for conversation). Chapter 3 would also serve as good supplemental reading for a seminary course on ecclesiology. I definitely plan on referring to Dawn’s work, but this would be better served in a university library rather than one’s shelf at home.

[Garland Vance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me begin with a qualification: I absolutely love Marva Dawn's writing and her prophetic voice to the church. Every time that I read her, I am constantly challenged--even when I disagree with her conclusions or methodology. I believe that she should be read by many Christians, not just pastors, as she challenges the status quo of American Christianity.

That being said, this was not my favorite book of hers. She quote Jacques Ellul and Hugh Mackay so much that I found myself wondering why I was reading Dawn's book and not works by the other two.

I think that the first two chapters of her book are excellent in describing what the biblical view of "the Powers" is and in demonstrating the primacy of weakness for the life of the church.

Overall, a decent book but not the best by Dawn.

[Jennifer Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Marva Dawn courageously points us back toward the truth behind the difficulties we face today and gives us a strategy for meeting those difficulties. She takes us out of irrelevant and distracting arguments and puts us squarely back in the middle of what actually is. Fantastic read - one I'm sure I'll come back to periodically over the years. Also - lots of really good quotes from other sources which point the reader to texts they might want to visit next! Easy to medium language. Not too long. Good book that goes in easy, but continues to provoke after it's all done.

[Casey · Rating 2 out of 5]

God works through weakness. We know this. So why does the Western church operate as if the opposite were true?

Oh, Marva Dawn. Her content is always excellent, but there's something about her writing style-- it seems rather repetitive and unorganized. I'm not sure if she needs a better editor, or if it's a me-thing. This book had fabulous concepts, but it took me more than four years to finish reading it. Maybe me and Marva just aren't meant to be.

[Shannon Presler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book knocks the wind out of me. It challenges the farthest reaches of the mind and the deepest yearnings of the soul. Of all the books on 'weakness' this is the best 'theological' one I have read thus far. Marva talks about 'the principalities and powers', what they are, what others have said them to be, and then shows how it is in our weakness that God dwells with us. The evil powers are dismantled, not by direct aggressive attack, but through love, weakness etc.

[Sean Strehlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "wordy" language that is sometimes difficult to grasp, this academic read is a brilliant call to understanding the "powers and principalities" mentioned in the Bible, and our response to those powers. Dawn does a wonderful job of calling individual believers, as well as the collective church, to adopting and accepting their state of weakness in order to overcome these powers, as opposed to asserting their "strength."

[Davidsmith05 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read: this book is a powerful, accessible and sophisticated call to the church to reconcieve its identity and the nature of its mission. One has to look hard for American Christian writing that bridges the study of theology and the Scriptures with thoughtful reflection on Christian social praxis. Marva Dawn's work consistently does this.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having met the author herself years ago, her theological words are stronger because I observed how she lived with weaknesses. A message I need to be reminded of constantly - that God chooses to work in weakness.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nobody wants to be a 'sheep'... to be pathetic and meek, but to forsake this calling is to forsake the tabernacling of God. To be a church of the powerful and people employing the ways of 'wolves', even in Christ's name, is to forsake Him completely.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heavy theology and a lot of unusual vocab.
But if you like that sort of thing, Dawn puts of a lot of my internal theological/church culture struggle into words, which is such a relief.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong biblical scholarship and provocative, dept interpretation. One of the best treatments of Ephesians 6 I've found.

[Tom Devries · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really outstanding look at the Biblical issue of "the Powers." I particularly loved her use of Jacques Ellul, who is one of my favorite authors. Stimulating and provocative!

[Ruthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

life changing

[Gregg Koskela · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the top ten of the books that have most impacted my life.