A Central African Perspective on Contextualizing the Ephesian Potentates, Principalities, and Powers

Abstract

The concept of power varies according to the sociocultural setting in which it is perceived and defined. One's outlook is also influenced by his or her religious worldview and value system. This study investigates the notion of spiritual “powers” as developed in Ephesians from the point of view of the Zambian Tonga people. It is based upon an overview of the cluster of power concepts in this epistle as they relate to the implicit pagan socio-religious setting that prevailed in ancient Asia Minor. This is compared with a contextualized perspective of these notions as influenced by a traditional Tonga construal of the different spiritual forces that impinge upon their daily world. We conclude with a listing of seven important principles that pertain to a meaningful contemporary communication of the biblical message in Butonga.