Understanding Spiritual Warfare: Four Views
Overview
Understanding Spiritual Warfare offers four positions on the subject in dialogical fashion—all authors present their views and then respond to each of the other views. Each contributor interacts with the following questions: What is the nature of Satan and the demonic? What role does spiritual warfare serve in the Bible and how central is it to the biblical narrative? How should Christians conceive of and practice spiritual warfare? Can individual human beings be “demonized,” and if so, how does this happen and how is it to be dealt with? Can a Christian be demonized? And do “territorial spirits” exist? If so, are we called directly to engage them in “strategic level” spiritual warfare?
This volume provides a balanced, irenic approach to a much-discussed and often controversial topic. Offering a model of critical thinking and respectful dialogue, it highlights the differences between contributors, discusses a full range of important topics on the subject, and deploys biblical as well as theological arguments. The book can serve as a text in courses relating to theology, missions, practical theology, and spiritual warfare and will be of interest to pastors and church leaders.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
- Offers scholarly discourse in regard to spiritual warfare
- Provides a balanced look at a controversial topic with theological and biblical arguments
- Discusses the numerous approaches to spiritual warfare
- “The World Systems Model,” by Walter Wink, edited by Gareth Higgins
- “The Classical Model,” by David Powlison
- “The Ground-Level Deliverance Model,” by Gregory Boyd
- “The Strategic-Level Deliverance Model,” by C. Peter Wagner and Rebecca Greenwood
Top Highlights
“Honest gratitude and joy are intrinsic to spiritual warfare. God’s Spirit creates exultation and thankfulness throughout Ephesians, as in many Psalms. Spiritual warfare is not grim or apprehensive, not paranoid or superstitious, not magical or talismanic. The Lord proved to be our strength and shield in the crisis.” (Pages 100–101)
“For starters, panoplian does not mean protective armor. It is most accurately the ‘complete weaponry’ needed to wage war, or ‘all the tools’ needed to do a job. Paul chose this metaphor to create a vivid mental picture. We want to get the right picture.” (Pages 93–94)
“Satan is not evil, or demonic, or fallen, or God’s enemy. This adversary is merely a faithful, if overzealous, servant of God, entrusted with quality control and testing.” (Page 51)
“In the classic model, with its focus on the ‘weapons’ of repentance, truth, prayer, obedience, worship, and study of the Scriptures, spiritual warfare and Christian growth/discipleship are seen as virtually one and the same.” (Page 34)
“Normal things were the difference in delivering people from Satan’s power. Deliverance ministry made a lot of noise but made little difference. It even reinforced the core assumptions of animism.” (Page 107)
This illuminating book helps readers sort through the plethora of approaches to spiritual warfare. Positions exist in addition to the four explored here, but the range offered is informative and will help the reader sort through why he or she agrees or disagrees on various points. Anyone who wants to understand and hear the case for various positions should start here.
—Craig Keener, professor of New Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary
Finally we have a theological, biblical, and multidisciplinary assessment of spiritual warfare, a topic which continues to divide and inspire many Christians. Here is a resource that helps put the dominant hermeneutical and spiritual orientations in perspective. The choice of topic and contributors is bold and innovative and the editors’ introduction is brilliant. Talk about a dynamic dialogue! Highly recommended.
—Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, professor of systematic theology, Fuller Theological Seminary
James K. Beilby earned his PhD from Marquette University and is currently professor of systematic and philosophical theology at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has coedited four multiview volumes and is the author or editor of a number of other books, including For Faith and Clarity: Philosophical Contributions to Christian Theology.
Paul Rhodes Eddy earned his PhD from Marquette University and is professor of biblical and theological studies at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has coedited four multiview volumes and is the author or editor of a number of other books, including The Jesus Legend and Across the Spectrum, 2nd Edition: Understanding Issues in Evangelical Theology.
Reviews
2 ratings
Conor Kirkman
2/28/2020
Stephen Williams
9/14/2017
