Demonology For The Global Church

As Christians, how do we address the contentious and often disturbing subject of demonology? Our cultural paradigms pit us between the extremes of skepticism and sensationalism. Increasingly diverse Christian communities are in desperate need of a biblical understanding of the demonic that transcends cultural frameworks – an understanding that will challenge assumptions, rebuke errors, and unite Christians in scriptural truth. Demonology for the Global Church endeavors to provide the biblical and theological essentials for a unified Christian perspective of the demonic. Avoiding speculation and anecdotal evidence, Scott D. MacDonald roots his analysis in Scripture. He frames a biblical demonology in light of global and contextual concerns, offering an understanding that avoids the pitfalls of anti-supernaturalism and over emphasis. If the church is to effectively overcome its spiritual adversaries, Christians from around the world must stand and resist together. This is an essential resource for the global church, relevant to students of theology, institutional scholars, cross-cultural missionaries, local pastors, and all types of Christian leaders.

Beliefs in witchcraft and demons still shape many societies and seem to be increasing rather than disappearing with modernization and urbanization. Witch hunts in Africa and Asia show the scope of the problem. The deliverance practices of pentecostal and charismatic churches are widely controversial and their effects are rather ambiguous. The contributions in this volume, written by experts and practitioners from four continents, analyze these phenomena from the perspectives of intercultural theology, anthropology, and ethnology, and also describe the responses of Catholic and Protestant churches. (Series: Contributions to Mission Science / Intercultural Theology // Beitrage zur Missionswissenschaft / Interkulturellen Theologie - Vol. 32) [Subject: Anthropology, Ethnology, Sociology, Religious Studies]

Silencing Satan: A Handbook of Biblical Demonology is about the nature and strategies of Satan and the demons, and their defeat through the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The book is for Christians in ministry, whether seminarians, pastors, Bible teachers, Christian counselors, or lay leaders. It is for all who desire an informed faith relevant to supernatural evil and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Each chapter reflects extensive research and is succinctly written to enable believers to quickly grasp biblical truths that expose the lies and half-truths propagated by popular culture, within and outside the church. The authors teach that when face to face with supernatural evil in its various guises--apparitions, voices, sensations, false doctrine, and immoral temptations--believers resist the devil and reflexively turn to Jesus and Scripture. They fight by living a radical life of faith, expressed through love and obedience to Christ. As they do, God himself redeems the evil that Satan intends for his vainglory. God is building his church, and the gates of hades will not prevail against her (Matt 16:18)!

"The supreme merit of Biblical Demonology is that it holds closely to the Word of God. . . . It will remain for many years to come the standard treatment of biblical demonology." —Dr. Wilbur M. Smith

The 13 lessons of this study guide help Christians develop an informed faith about supernatural evil and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each lesson refers the reader to significant teachings in Silencing Satan: Handbook of Biblical Demonology. In the book, the authors teach about the nature and strategies of Satan and the demons, and their defeat through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They advocate resisting the devil in his various guises--apparitions, voices, sensations, false doctrine, and immoral temptations--by reflexively turning to Jesus Christ and Scripture. The authors expose the half-truths and lies propagated by popular culture. They caution not to fill in gaps of understanding with extra-biblical sources. Does the study of Satan and the demons increase fear or give him too much attention? In fact, when presented from a biblical perspective, such knowledge can increase faith in Jesus Christ and enable Christians to effectively serve God and his church. Believers are challenged to live a radical life of faith, expressed through love and obedience to Christ. Seminarians, pastors, Bible teachers, Christian counselors, and lay leaders will find this study useful in individual and small group situations. A leaders' guide is available in the appendix.

An unparalleled exposé for preachers. Vital information on the origin of evil spirits. An in-depth study on the activities of demons. A practical guide for all ministers

For many Christians today, the notion that demons should play a role in our faith—or that they even exist—may seem dubious. But that was certainly not the case for John Chrysostom, the "golden-tongued" early church preacher and theologian who became the bishop of Constantinople near the end of the fourth century. Indeed, references to demons and the devil permeate his rhetoric. But to what end? In this New Explorations in Theology volume, Samantha Miller examines Chrysostom's theology and world, both of which were imbued with discussions about demons. For Chrysostom, she contends, such references were employed in order to encourage Christians to be virtuous, to prepare them for the struggle of the Christian life, and ultimately to enable them to exercise their will as they worked out their salvation. Understanding the role of demons in Chrysostom's soteriology gives us insight into what it means to be human and what it means to follow Christ in a world fraught with temptation and danger. In that regard, Chrysostom's golden words continue to demonstrate relevance to Christians in today's world. Featuring new monographs with cutting-edge research, New Explorations in Theology provides a platform for constructive, creative work in the areas of systematic, historical, philosophical, biblical, and practical theology.

You Have Authority over the Devil! What are demons, and what is their connection with drugs, lust, pornography, crime, and mental illness? H. A. Maxwell Whyte vividly describes his experiences with the demon oppressed and the demon possessed. He provides fascinating information on how to recognize the power of the devil. While curiosity about the occult and the supernatural pervades our society, the devil's best defense has been successfully deluding mankind into thinking that he does not exist. Whyte addresses such subjects as: The strange world of spirits The personification of demons The snare of deceptions Understanding your authority The force of the bloodline