Powers of Darkness

Satan worship. Witches. New Age channelers.

The last two decades of the twentieth century witnessed a vast upsurge in occult activity. Scores of popular books have warned Christians of the dangers and urged them to do battle against these spiritual forces. Few books, however, have developed a careful biblical theology on demons, principalities and powers.

Clinton Arnold seeks to fill this gap, providing an in-depth look at Paul's letters and what they teach on the subject. For perspective, he examines first-century Greek, Roman and Jewish beliefs as well as Jesus' teaching about magic, sorcery, and divination. Arguing against many recent interpretations that have seen principalities and powers as impersonal social, economic and political structures, Arnold contends that the New Testament view is that such forces are organized, personal beings which Jesus defeated at the cross and will bring into full subjection at his return. In his concluding section, Arnold suggests practical ways in which Christians today can contend with the forces of evil.

Powers of Darkness is a thoughtful, biblical look at an urgent challenge facing the church.



Clinton Arnold earned his PhD at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland and has done post-doctoral work at Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen in Germany. He is currently research professor of New Testament at the Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California.

Abbreviations


Preface


Introduction
Part I: First-Century Belief in the Powers


1. Magic and Divination


2. Greco-Roman and Oriental Religions


3. Astrology


4. Judaism


5. The Teaching of Jesus
Part II: Paul's Teaching on the Powers


6. What Are the Powers?


7. The Defeat of the Powers at the Cross


8. A New Kingdom and Identity for Believers


9. The Influence of the Powers on Believers


10. Christ and No Other


11. Spiritual Warfare


12. Christ's Final Defeat of the Powers
Part III: Interpreting the Powers for Today


13. Reality or Myth?


14. The Powers and People


15. The Powers and Society


Conclusion: Contending with the Powers


Notes


Selected Bibliography


Author Index


Index of Biblical Passages


Subject Index