Demonology for the Global Church

Scott D. Macdonald

Description

As Christians, how do we address the contentious and often disturbing subject of demonology? Our cultural paradigms pit us between the extremes of skepticism and sensationalism. Increasingly diverse Christian communities are in desperate need of a biblical understanding of the demonic that transcends cultural frameworks – an understanding that will challenge assumptions, rebuke errors, and unite Christians in scriptural truth.
Demonology for the Global Church endeavors to provide the biblical and theological essentials for a unified Christian perspective of the demonic. Avoiding speculation and anecdotal evidence, Scott D. MacDonald roots his analysis in Scripture. He frames a biblical demonology in light of global and contextual concerns, offering an understanding that avoids the pitfalls of anti-supernaturalism and over emphasis.
If the church is to effectively overcome its spiritual adversaries, Christians from around the world must stand and resist together. This is an essential resource for the global church, relevant to students of theology, institutional scholars, cross-cultural missionaries, local pastors, and all types of Christian leaders.

Informations

• Publié par: Langham Creative Projects
• Date de parution: 01 juin 2021
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781839734847
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

One may easily dismiss Demonology for the Global Church as mere sensationalism based on the title, but that would be to succumb to the attitude of split-level Christianity that Scott MacDonald seeks to address. If one is willing to invest the time and effort to open the book, one is treated to a masterful, well-researched study on the topics of demons, demoniacs, and spiritual warfare that bridges the biblical world and the modern realities. MacDonald explores the major passages in Scripture with a host of Western and Majority World biblical scholars, theologians, and missiologists through the Reformation into the modern world as dialogue partners, providing readers with an objective and rational framework to address demonology in the twenty-first century context. Readers will come to understand that demons, their influence, and spiritual warfare are extant through human history and global in breadth. Whether one be a scholar, pastor, or missionary, this book makes a significant contribution in bringing to light the impact of the spirit realm and spiritual warfare on the material world.
Samuel Law, PhD
Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies,
Senior Dean of Academic Affairs,
Singapore Bible College
Demonology for the Global Church is a great resource for biblical and theological instruction on demonology for African institutions and pastors. It serves to correct unhealthy and unbiblical fears, misconceptions, and practices regarding demonic activities.
Emile Masabarakiza
Senior Pastor, Twin Palm Baptist Church, Lusaka, Zambia
Adjunct Professor, Baptist Theological Seminary of Zambia
In this thought-provoking work, Scott MacDonald reminds us that, throughout time and all over the world, various manifestations of malevolent activity have been recognized and reported. However, the topic of demonology has either been ignored or addressed in a way that is not helpful. The result, as he so clearly shows, is a theological and pastoral deficiency. MacDonald provides us with a balanced and hermeneutically sound understanding of this much misunderstood topic. Focusing on the actions of demons found in Scripture, he explores the multicultural ramifications for a biblical-theological demonology. Because this work celebrates Christ’s victory over the demonic realm, it not only forces us to rethink our ideas about demonology, it also confronts our ideas about soteriology, challenges us to consider how we practice Christianity in a rapidly evolving world, and encourages us to grow in multicultural cooperation and cohesion. The challenge is this: If the Bible is not silent on demonology, we should not be either. The clarity of Demonology for the Global Church is a valuable and timely contribution to Christian Theology.
Elizabeth W. Mburu, PhD
Langham Literature Regional Coordinator, Africa
Adjunct Professor, Pan Africa Christian University, Nairobi, Kenya
Demonology is a subject often neglected or sensationalized, but Demonology for the Global Church firmly establishes a biblical demonology. The approach to demonology presented in this work is unique. It avoids speculation, speaking where Scripture speaks and not speaking where Scripture is silent – as much as is possible. Finally, the importance of biblical demonology to an understanding of biblical soteriology is expounded. Oh, that this book had been available when I first went to Brazil nearly two decades ago! Every missionary and minister should read this book and let it drive them to the Scriptures to discover the demonology of the Bible, the demonology that God revealed to us.
Stan Meador
Church Planter in Brazil
I have recently read several books on demonology that seek to balance the various views in the marketplace, but Scott MacDonald’s Demonology for the Global Church presents the biblical teaching with sound hermeneutics. MacDonald is cognizant of global perspectives, but he is more concerned about biblical truth than a synthesis of views. This work is a must-read for those who seek truth rather than fables.
Reuben Chuga, PhD
Professor of Systematic Theology,
Baptist Theological Seminary, Kaduna, Nigeria
Demonology for the Global Church by Scott MacDonald boldly exposes our disguised spiritual enemy – the demonic host. This book of practical research expounds that demons not only inflict temptation and seduction, but they paralyze us with fear or ignorance of spiritual realities. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to discover the truth about Satan’s work and those who desire to plant well-equipped churches that can resist our adversary.
Igor Fedorovych
Director of Evangelism and Church Planting,
Professor of Ecclesiology, Kyiv Theological Seminary
Founder and Pastor, Resurrection Church, Kyiv, Ukraine
Mainstream Evangelicalism in North America largely ignores the issue of demonology. When the subject comes up, it causes immediate discomfort, along with the fear that sensationalism and extra-biblical speculation are about to surface. However, as Scott MacDonald rightly points out in this book, the North American church is guilty of compromise with its culture. The subject of angels and demons is pervasive in Scripture, and the only reason biblically oriented Christians on this continent overlook it is due to the powerful influence of Western anti-supernaturalism. MacDonald does an excellent job of charting a sober-minded course through this issue. He wisely begins with a thorough discussion of hermeneutics, cultural assumptions, and theological method. In his actual material on demons, he eschews speculation and strives to stick to the biblical text. Demonology for the Global Church was written in an African context by a North American scholar, and I anticipate that it will be a useful resource for the church on every continent.
Zane Pratt
IMB Vice President,
Assessment/Deployment and Training, Richmond, Virginia, USA
Associate Professor of Christian Missions,
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
When I read that a portion of a book is adapted from a doctoral dissertation, I assume what I will read is dry, academic, and sometimes irrelevant to daily Christian living. That is not the case with this book. While not sacrificing a strong academic focus, Scott MacDonald offers a needed work that stands on the word of God, recognizes the reality of demonic forces, and challenges us to prepare others for this real battle. He does so with a missiological focus, and he does not shy away from difficult Scripture and debated topics. I will use this book as a text in my course on spiritual warfare in evangelism and missions.
Chuck Lawless, PhD
Dean of Doctoral Studies,
Southeastern Seminary , Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
A must-read for anyone willing to learn about and study biblical demonology and spiritual warfare, Demonology for the Global Church provides an insightful perspective on what demon possession and exorcisms mean for the Christians of the twenty-first century. Scott MacDonald, using excellent biblical analysis, masterfully answers the most important questions in demonological studies and profoundly contributes to the understanding of demon possession and exorcisms in cross-cultural contexts.

Edgar Rac
Demonology and Exorcism Researcher, Edinburgh, Scotland

Demonology for the Global Church
A Biblical Approach in a Multicultural Age
Scott D. MacDonald

© 2021 Scott D. MacDonald
Published 2021 by Langham Global Library
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