Powers of Darkness

Principalities & Powers in Paul's Letters

Clinton E. Arnold

• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9781514014714
• Subtopic: Christian Theology

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.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Abbreviations
• Preface
• Introduction
• Part I - First-Century Belief in the Powers
• Part II - Paul’s Teaching on the Powers
• Part III - Interpreting the Powers for Today
• Conclusion: Contending with the Powers
• Notes
• Select Bibliography
• Author Index
• Index of Biblical Passages Cited
• Subject Index
• About the Author
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• Copyright