Demons: What the Bible Really Says About the Powers of Darkness

This is NOT a popular work for laypeople. It is a very technical work for scholars: full of ancient language studies, and quotes from technical works. He is an accomplished scholar and makes interesting insights. Sadly his conclusions about not needing to combat the demonic are based on him strictly analyzing the O.T. background and N.T. grammar but he totally omits any study of the 2000 years of church and missionary activity. Many missionaries have gone to foreign countries totally believing exorcism and deliverance was something for the past, but encountered evil spirits and learned to exorcise. The author correctly states that preaching the Gospel is a way to fight the evil, unseen kingdom of darkness, yet scripture clearly states that the evilSpiritual forces in fact are the ones often blocking the preaching of the Kingdom: “For we wanted to come to you--certainly I, Paul, did, again and again--but Satan blocked our way.” 1 Thess 2:18.

Dr. Heiser is very knowledgeable and gives much that is interesting; however, on a few points I am unconvinced. The first is that fallen angels aren't demons. Dr. Heiser considers demons comprising of (1) the original rebel, Satan (known by various names), (2) the disembodied Nephilim and (3) the gods apportioned to the many nations of the world (save Israel). But Revelation speaks of Satan and his angels in opposition to humans.1  A GREAT portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pangs, in the agony of giving birth. 3 Then another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born. 5 And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule [37] all the nations with a rod of iron.Here, in vs. 3-4, we have (most commonly conceived as) Satan and a third of the angels bringing opposition to humans. Dr. Heiser disagrees, in that, (i) a third of the stars may not refer to angelic beings and (ii) this sign FOLLOWS the birth of Christ (vs. 1); so it is not an account of a primeval heavenly rebellion. On point (i), one may well ask what does Dr. Heiser think "stars" refer to if not angelic beings and on point (ii) the heavenly rebellion being presented following the birth narrative presentation does not mean being chronologically subsequent to it. They may speak of separate but related parts of the human redemption plan. God incarnated to rescue his people from demonic opposition. No need to assume chronology here. Also, what do we make of 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6? While not placing fallen angels on earth as demons, they do refer to an angelic rebellion with the rebels sent to hell.To create his demonology, Dr. Heiser goes outside of the Bible, to Ugaritic literature, The Gilgamesh epic and pseudegraphic material. He tries to harmonize these with OT and Second Temple thinking and that's fine. But he seems to completely leave out in 2 Enoch where fallen angels are noted because it doesn't fit his Divine Council rebellion theory and introduction of the one and only heavenly oppressor, Satan. Why the cherry picking?On the issue of Nephilim being demonic beings. The question in my mind remains: "why is this taken as being Biblically justified?" Dr. Heiser agrees that the Nephilim narrative is a polemic against Babylonian superstition but then, quite oddly - to my thinking, takes it as being Biblically established. The whole point of its inclusion in the Bible is to mock the pagan religions and to assert that Yahweh is God of gods, not to give education for demonology.A further point of disagreement for me is that Christians aren't called to exorcise demons. No one claims that Christianity isn't the full imparting of the gospel but one may well ask Dr. Heiser, when demonized persons were delivered in the NT, was that demonic deliverance before or after the gospel was preached and accepted? And if territorial spirits no longer have authority, by what authority are they allowed to continue to demonize? Further, the book's dismissal of Jesus' granted authority over unclean spirits is flimsy at best.Overall, the book makes an interesting read; however, the conclusions drawn are not established. I believe that the Bible teaches that demons are made up of Satan and fallen angels (formerly heavenly spiritual beings not necessarily "messengers"; i.e. angels as commonly understood) who are allowed to operate as opposition to God's will on earth for the creation of man as God's image, facilitated though the acceptance of the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Satan and his angelic forces have in the past acted as corrupting national gods and religions but their authority and power have been defeated by the death and resurrection of Jesus.A final point, Dr. Heiser may benefit from another editor who could help focus the book's flow. Often, answering the questions on the table take a convoluted course through history and language and end up being confusingly answered, if at all.

First I am not a biblical scholar, I never went to seminary. I am just someone who wants to understand the context the Bible was written in. When the biblical authors wrote something what did they mean and what did it mean to the original audience. Once again Dr. Heiser does a great job of explaining this ancient context when it comes to the subject of demons. He opens up their understanding of the supernatural world view that we often miss when reading our bibles. Yes, there are footnotes and a healthy bibliography, but these support the work. One can read through the book without reading the footnotes, and not lose the overall message. Some reviewers have indicated this ignores the past 2000 years of people's experiences especially on the mission field with demonic encounters since the cross. However, as Christians, we were commission to make disciples not cast out demons. We need to gain a better understanding of the nature and level of defeat the powers of darkness suffered at the cross instead of procedures for confronting these defeated enemies.

I own all of Dr. Heiser’s writings. His books and Naked Bible Podcast helped transform how and why I read the Bible. If you’re looking for a denominational specific teaching on a topic or a traditional teaching. You probably have your world turned upside down when reading much of Dr. Heiser’s work. If you want teachings & writings that are based on scripture in a raw, as it sits in the original language and context. Then buckle up!

Very well written and thoroughly exhaustive on specifics words used for the demonic forces in the OT. Also extensively footnoted....extensively. By that I mean roughly 1/3 of the book is footnotes. Perhaps this is more value to a student or seminarian, but I personally found the footnoting to be distracting and cumbersome. If there is that much to footnote, weave it into the text!Clearly written, well documented, thoroughly researched but a bit too rigid for my liking. The author clearly knows what he is writing about but sometimes overwhelms with his knowledge (not in a bad way, it seems to be his style)/So, if you want to know more about evil from an OT perspective and like word studies this is for you. But it is not an easy read and requires attentiveness and thinking (which is not a bad thing!).

A great scholarly work; much needed knowledge & understanding. Read Unseen Realm & Angels, as well as his body of work. Find his lectures on You Tube.

Dr. Michael S Heiser continues to make sense of the supernatural. The book is not light reading and will challenge any preconceptions you may have about the evil supernatural beings of the Unseen Realm. The payoff is a rich, biblical understanding of the fallen denizens of the spirit world that is free from the filters of church traditions and centuries of fiction.

Heiser has a great gift - the ability to write theologically/academically whilst still making his work accessible to a lot of readers. There are lots of footnotes in this book - ignore them and you will have a fairly easy read, one which will be accessible. Read the footnotes and this has become 'journal like' - a well developed set of ideas, delivered with a host of references and one that can be quoted from in degree level essays. Heiser has a highly developed worldview that includes the supernatural and this book which is the latest in a series exploring linked ideas is excellent (The Unseen Realm, Restoring Hermon, Angels, Supernatural).You don't have to agree with him on every point to get a lot from his writing, but he is a serious writer who has a lot to say that makes a lot of sense too. I have enjoyed each of his books and this is no different - a highly polished tome that will deserve its place in my library! Thoroughly recommended!

I was extremely excited to receive this book and analyze the content. I knew demons long before I knew God and was looking forward to a theologist discussion on Demons and to compare with my experiences with his writings.How bitterly disappointed I am. The authors use of pulp fiction references like Jubilees and Enoch as a basis of his argument is somewhat embarrassing. I was immediately on the defensive.The title of the book clearly defines what the content should be “What the Bible really says about the powers of darkness “ Not “ What fairytales say about the powers of darkness “Sure there are some biblical references to establish standards but they are way off the mark.Referencing Jubilees and Enoch to establish demonic hierarchy is like using a Batman comic to justify common law, it doesn’t make sense.If Enoch wrote the book of Himself , How did it survive the flood? I don’t think Noah was rustling around in all his scrolls to ensure that Enochs account was on the ark for future generations to ponder. The author has over complicated this subject by spending too much time in fictional works. He should of stuck to the narrative of bible quotes and references, and maybe interviews of Christians who have experienced the demonic realm.The KISS principal teaches us to Keep It Simple Stupid. This book is over cooked.I feel if you are writing about creation and our mighty creator, you must mention him by name; Our Heavenly Father, and glorify his name in your writings. For The Bible is Gods word, it hasn’t been manipulated by man, it’s exactly how God wanted it, every verse, chapter and book is precise.This book of Demons has more references than a Russian atlas and is just as confusing.Cherry picking Bible verses and applying them to your agenda does the author and his book no favors.It promised much but delivered little.The Eve, Satan, Cain conspiracy is absurd and I feel extremely disappointed I bought this book. Can I get a refund?

Well worth the time in reading 📖

If their is something you want to know about anything to do with the spirit realm " Biblically" you will never go wrong with Mike Heiser. This book, as well as ALL of his books and writings, are Biblically sound and accurate. Mike is one author you don't need to worry about in a sea of unbiblical, heretical authors that are out there. Try his books and see if I'm wrong.

Michael Heiser gives a fascinating new perspective on the spiritual realm. This has been very insightful and will help you to understand the Bible in a new way. Well worth reading.