Powers of Darkness: Principalities & Powers in Paul’s Letters

by Clinton E. Arnold

Publisher:

IVP Academic

, 1992

Overview

Satan worship. Witches. New Age channelers.

The last two decades have 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.

A thoughtful, biblical look at an urgent challenge facing the church.

Key Features

• Examines New Testament portrayal of demons, principalities and powers
• Helps Christians understand the current realities and implications
• Investigates first-century Greek, Roman and Jewish beliefs

Contents

Part I: First-Century Belief in the Powers

• Magic and Divination
• Greco-Roman and Oriental Religions
• Astrology
• Judaism
• The Teaching of Jesus

Part II: Paul’s Teaching on the Powers

• What Are the Powers?
• The Defeat of the Powers at the Cross
• A New Kingdom and Identity for Believers
• The Influence of the Powers on Believers
• Christ and No Other
• Spiritual Warfare
• Christ’s Final Defeat of the Powers

Part III: Interpreting the Powers for Today

• Reality or Myth?
• The Powers and People
• The Powers and Society

Top Highlights

“This statement looks beyond their defeat at the cross to forebode their ultimate eschatological destruction at Christ’s Second Coming. The strong man was indeed vanquished at the cross, but he is still active and still powerful. He has no authority over Christ and the kingdom of God—this was settled at the cross. Until the kingdom of God comes in its fullness, however, Satan will continue opposing God’s people in an attempt to extend his own kingdom. The church needs to watch, pray and proclaim the gospel.” (Page 80)

“The text says they set up sacred stones and Asherah poles, they worshiped idols, they imitated the nations around them, they bowed down to all the starry hosts, they worshiped Baal, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters in the fire, and they practiced divination and sorcery. The biblical writer interprets their action as selling ‘themselves to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, provoking him to anger.’ As a result, the Lord was ‘very angry with Israel,’ removing them from his presence (2 Kings 17:7–23).” (Pages 58–59)

“From the context of Jesus’ words it is clear ‘the strong man’ is a reference to Satan, and his ‘house’ corresponds to his kingdom. ‘Possessions’ are Satan’s greatest value and are not things, but people. Satan holds unbelieving humanity in bondage. Christ has come to engage this ‘strong man’ and plunder his house; that is, to release the captives in Satan’s kingdom.” (Page 79)

“Not only did Greek become the universal language, but Greek culture was also spread throughout these countries.” (Page 36)

Product Details

• Title: Powers of Darkness: Principalities & Powers in Paul’s Letters
• Author: Clinton E. Arnold
• Publisher: IVP
• Publication Date: 1992
• Pages: 244
• Resource Type: Biblical Theology
• Topic: Theology

About Clinton E. Arnold

Arnold, author of Powers of Darkness: Principalities and Powers in Paul's Letters, earned his Ph.D. at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, and has done post-doctoral work at Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen in Germany. He is currently associate professor of New Testament at the Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California.