The truth about demons is far stranger – and even more fascinating – than what’s commonly believed.
Are demons real? Are they red creatures with goatees holding pitchforks and sitting on people’s shoulders while whispering bad things? Did a third of the angels really rebel with Satan? Are demons and “principalities and powers” just terms for the same entities, or are they different members of the kingdom of darkness? Is the world a chaotic mess because of what happened in Eden, or is there more to the story of evil?
What people believed about evil spiritual forces in ancient biblical times is very different than what people have been led to believe about them today. And this ancient worldview is missing from most attempts to treat the topic.
In Demons, Michael Heiser debunks popular presuppositions about the very real powers of darkness. Rather than traditions, stories, speculations, or myths, Demons is grounded in what ancient people of both the Old and New Testament eras believed about evil spiritual forces and in what the Bible actually says. You’ll come away with a sound, biblical understanding of demons, supernatural rebellion, evil spirits, and spiritual warfare.
Table of Contents:
Abbreviations
Introduction
What You Know May Not Be So
Section 1: Biblical Vocabulary for the Powers of Darkness
Chapter 1: Hebrew Terms for Evil Spiritual Beings
Chapter 2: It Was All Greek To Them, Too
Section 2: The Powers of Darkness in the Old Testament and Second Temple Judaism
Chapter 3: The Original Rebel – I Will Be Like the Most High
Chapter 4: Satan in Second Temple Judaism
Chapter 5: The Second Divine Rebellion – Making Our Own Imagers
Chapter 6: Depravity and Demons in Second Temple Judaism
Chapter 7: The Third Divine Rebellion – Chaos in the Nations
Chapter 8: Dark Powers over the Nations in Second Temple Judaism
Section 3: The Devil and His Angels: The Powers of Darkness in the New Testament
Chapter 9: The Devil – His Dominion and Destiny
Chapter 10: Evil Spirits – Demons and Their Destiny
Chapter 11: The Ruling Powers: Their Delegitimization and Destiny
Section 4: Common Questions and Misconceptions
Chapter 12: Myths and Questions about the Powers of Darkness
Select Bibliography
Index of subjects and Modern Authors
Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Literature
About the Author:
Michael Heiser is the author of numerous best-selling books. He is Executive Director of the School of Theology at Celebration Church, a regular contributor to Bible Study Magazine, and an editor of the Faithlife Study Bible. He earned his PhD in Hebrew Bible and Semitic languages and holds an MA in ancient history and Hebrew studies.
