Thisbook examines the role of the New Testament concept of the 'principalities andpowers' in the thought of Karl Barth and John Howard Yoder, showing how thisbiblical concept of power is central to the fundamental theological convictionsof each thinker. Prather offers a scholarly account of the underexploredtheological and ethical import of a major biblical theme and the book addressesquestions and concerns from a wide range of academic and lay theologicalinterest. He brings Barth and Yoder into dialogue here and examines the threecrucial areas: the 'confessional' distinction of church and world; thedemonization of political power; and the intrinsic relation between thepolitical and economic powers. Whileother theologians have rightly identified a 'christocentric' connection betweenthe thought of Barth and Yoder, no attempt has been made to bring them togetherthrough the sustained analysis of a single doctrinal or ethical issue - this bookdoes just that.