Paul's Principalities and Powers: Demythologizing Apocalyptic?

Abstract

Paul's description of the 'spiritual world' combines elements familiar from the rest of the New Testament (angels and demons, etc.) with his own less personal, more abstract concept of 'principalities and powers'. However, Paul shows relatively little interest in angels and demons conventionally understood, either in terms of frequency of usage, or in terms of theological development. His focus is far more strongly on the 'principalities and powers', closely related in his thought to 'the Law, Sin and Death', and the 'elements of this world'. Contrary to scholarly consensus, there is little evidence to suggest that Paul is drawing here on his apocalyptic heritage, or that he is engaging in 'demythologizing' apocalyptic ideas. A new hypothesis is needed to explain his characteristic understanding of the 'spiritual world'. Such a hypothesis will be offered in a subsequent article.