We are commanded to wage war. We are commanded to combat oppressive, demonic forces in this world. This looks like more than a prayer ministry, or meeting on Sunday. Jesus is calling his friends to action, in taking an active role in abolishing the police, ICE, the state as a whole, etc. This will mostly be done by rendering these oppressive systems as irrelevant and useless by simply being the Church.

If we preach the kindom of God, if that is our good news, we have to tangibly offer it. We need an actual alternative to empire, to the systems of this world. We need to live out a radical communism, one that embodies the interdependence of kindom and the other-hearted/mindedness of God. To some in the world, this may look like taking a step back as a society since we are brainwashed by materialism but I really believe the outrageous generosity and simplicity of the Church will be contagious. The Church being the Church is a threat to capitalism and the state.

I don’t doubt that Christians will be called to actions that are physically destructive, and in fact foresee this as something that may be vital, but these actions need to be done thoughtfully with consideration for and conversation with the communities that it may affect. I also don’t think these sorts of actions should be widespread before we actually have something to offer.

Nevertheless, we can be confident that the systems-that-be will inevitably fall. God promised this. This system is violent and is in many ways killing itself. It’s not sustainable, made most evident by what it’s doing to our earth. A major role of the Church in these times is to accompany God’s children as the world falls apart. The Church is called to be a doula, providing support and assistance to the world as she experiences birth pains, and helps ease her into a new society. Destruction is coming with or without the Church, but what is most needed is Christ’s abundant life which can only be realized in the Body of Christ and in the presence of God.