Demons and Spirits in Biblical Theology: Reading the Biblical Text in Its Cultural and Literary Context

John H. Walton, J. Harvey Walton

Wipf and Stock Publishers, May 10, 2019 - Religion - 348 pages

Some people believe that a battle of cosmic proportions is raging as Satan and his demons seek to destroy Christians and undermine God’s plans. Others believe that all talk of demons in the Bible and theology only reflects pre-modern superstitions that should be re-interpreted in philosophical and psychological terms. Despite their contrasts, both believe that the Bible directly or indirectly intends to teach readers about reality. Another path is possible. What if references to demons in the Bible are similar to references about the shape and structure of the cosmos representing the beliefs familiar to the ancient audience but used only as a framework for teaching about the plans and purposes of God? This approach is here worked out through detailed examination of hermeneutical method, the ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman contexts, each of the biblical terms and passages, and the essentials of biblical and systematic theology. Unlike many scholarly treatments of demons, readers will not find an assessment of the metaphysical realities. Instead they will be introduced to a hermeneutical, exegetical, and theological feast regarding what the Bible, understood in its ancient context, teaches.

Contents

• Reading the Bible for knowledge: 9
• The genres of Scripture: 19
• prophecy and apocalyptic: 28
• Can we gain knowledge of demons and spirits from outside: 43
• Do evil spirit beings really exist?: 49
• What is a demon within the Bibles cognitive environment?: 55
• Demons should be defined relative to a cultures conception: 86
• Divine combat and enemies of the gods: 99
• The serpent: 128
• Demons and idolatry: 148
• Evil gods and angels: 177
• The fall of Satan: 212
• Demons and spirits in the age of the church: 229
• Demons and the problem of evil: 277
• Bibliography: 301
• Subject Index: 315
• Primary Sources Index: 337

About the author

John H. Walton is Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. He has authored or edited over twenty-five books, including The Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Old Testament (2009), Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament (2006), The Lost World of Adam and Eve (2015), Old Testament Theology for Christians (2017), and commentaries on Genesis (2001) and Job (2012). J. Harvey Walton is pursuing graduate studies at St. Andrews University and has been involved in various editing and writing projects.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Demons and Spirits in Biblical Theology: Reading the Biblical Text in Its Cultural and Literary Context
• Authors: John H. Walton, J. Harvey Walton
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2019
• ISBN: 1625648251, 9781625648259
• Length: 348 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Biblical Criticism & Interpretation / General; Religion / Biblical Studies / General; Religion / Christian Theology / Angelology & Demonology