Identity and idolatry

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The apostle Paul says that “enemies of blood and flesh” (Ephesians 6:12) are not our greatest challenge in life. In other words, any struggles with Creation or humanity, as they simply exist in themselves, are not the critical factor of life. Paul identifies our encounters with “rulers,” “authorities,” and “cosmic powers” (sometimes translated as “principalities and powers”) as our most crucial and consequential opponents. In a biblical and traditional view, they are spirits, messengers, or angels of God that give communities life, relate the principles that organize them and give a sense of unity to the various and diverse aspects that make up the elements of our existence. They were designed for good. Today, some of these forces are good, some are neutral, and some are evil.

When identity is an idol it despises and demeans the other. Communal identity, if not held in its proper balance with our duty to God, enables the oppression of others. As identity spreads through the various aspects of a shared culture, it creates the systems that exclude, control, and subjugate others. This is at the heart of what is called racism and is one of the greatest factors in the motivation of colonialism.

Read Abp Mark MacDonald's article at anglicanjournal.com