Powers in Encounter With Power: Spiritual Warfare in Pagan Cultures
Overview
What happens when the spiritual powers of a pagan culture come up against the power of God? Michael Fape writes with an extensive knowledge of the African context of tribal societies steeped in generations of witch doctors, shamans, and animist superstition. The battles that ensue are fascinating and allow us to find new insights into the way God works through the spiritual realm.
This book will open your eyes to what is going on in the spiritual realm and give you confidence of God's provision for us when we come up against anti-Christian powers.
- Includes indexes
- All Scripture references linked to original language texts and English translations
Top Highlights
“While it is true that the main plan of Satan is to oppose the kingly rule of God by fighting against His kingdom continually, it is humanity that Satan has made the punch bag. It is absolutely impossible for Satan to defeat God. What he can do is to try to frustrate the plan of God, and the most obvious way he chooses to do this is by attacking human beings. In other words, spiritual warfare is Satan’s projection of the anger of his defeat by God to man (created by God, as the crown of His work of creation) in order to prevent man for enjoying full fellowship with God.” (Page 31)
“First, the kingdom of darkness battles with believers and seeks to bring them back to unbelief, as is demonstrated in the case of Demas, once an associate of Paul (Col. 4:14).” (Page 69)
“In proclaiming the gospel, the power of God is presented as a direct response to destroy the powers of darkness.” (Page 116)
“First, the word stronghold. A stronghold is the power or co-ordinating point providing maximum security for effective sustenance of any given action. The stronghold of Satan is the mind7 of humans. This is the thought centre. That is where Satan aims at residing, or, shall we say, seeks to take over to establish his permanent reign.” (Page 76)
“which means ‘the chief opponent of God’.22 What Satan seeks to do right” (Page 30)
Michael Fape brings together an awareness of western critical exegesis and familiarity with African critical realities. The result is African experience of the world of spiritual powers shedding light on somewhat neglected areas of biblical teaching, and simultaneously biblical teaching speaking sharply to elements of African culture. In the process we are enriched by learning from both.
—Chris Wright, International Ministries Director, The Langham Partnership International
He shows that the message that Christ is supreme over the world of darkness is particularly significant for believers anywhere where they are threatened by the forces of Satanism and magic. This book is a powerful encouragement to Christians not to lose confidence in Christ in their war against the forces of evil.
—I. Howard Marshall, Emeritus Professor of New Testament, University of Aberdeen
A very thorough treatment of this important subject... the decisive overthrow of the powers of darkness by Christ at the cross.
—John Stott, Rector Emeritus, All Souls Church, Langham Place, London
- Title: Powers in Encounter With Power: Spiritual Warfare in Pagan Cultures
- Author: Michael Fape
- Publisher: Christian Focus Publications
- Publication Date: 2003
- Pages: 192
Michael Fape is an Anglican minister at university of Ibadan, Nigeria with degrees from Yale, Aberdeen, and Ibadan Universities.
