Customer Reviews

Power Encounters: Reclaiming Spiritual Warfare (Hourglass Books)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Powlison struck a response cord. With so much out there in the religious book market about demons, Satan, angels, etc., this book put it all together. The author's analysis of "power" miracles in the Bible was refreshing and insightful. I've recommended this to several of my colleagues in thelogy.

Powlison gives a very strong argument for why modern "demon-deliverance" ministries miss the mark. If you are involved in such ministry, you need to read this book - it will at the very least challenge some of your beliefs and practices (it did for me).

One who sincerely desires to know how to approach the evidence of demonic activity in the world, need not have to attend every spiritual warfare conference and strategy session available. In the context of God's Word, the author takes the reader through the questions and issues that can cause the Christian to often throw his hands in the air. The author's genuine look at Satan's strategy leaves the reader with hope in how we can stand in Christ. While it's not a biased polemic defense and is not exhaustive in its coverage, it does speak of dramatic events occuring around the world in light of truth. The book shows God's powerful and loving perspective when it comes to standing against all the enemy's attacks.

Powlison may not be the master of prose--but his pellucid argument persuades and compels. Powlison writes to counter the multitudinous and less than biblical "manuals" on spiritual deliverance and exorcism that have flooded the Christian market. While he doesn't discount the possibility of power encounters--he makes the case that the most typical spiritual warfare modeled in the Scriptures is not the expulsion of demons--but plain vanilla confession, repentance and reception of forgiveness. Not very sexy--but dead on and far more helpful than the usual fare.

I remember using this book for a paper, and although I plan on buying and rereading sometime soon, I had a few observations.

First, for his position he is very clear and concise. He also is generally respectful and nuanced towards his opposition, admitting not all are as extreme in their view of possession as some would think. He also does not outright deny power encounters in total, even though his implications would lead that way.

Second, it is unfortunate he only was really addressing one side of his opposition, spending most of the time on the charismatic movement. Although he does mention others who believe in some form of possession/demonization, one gets the impression that he is only seeking to really interact with charismatics more then non-charismatics who would also hold to some form of possession possible for the Christian. This could have been due to current need and brevity however.

Third, perhaps following this only modern interaction, he makes a factual error in his historical theology. One of the main points of his thesis is the "classic mode" of scripture, prayer and sanctification as opposed to the new charsimatic deliverance ministry. He supports this by saying that Christians have always held to the classis mode and that Christians being demon possessed is something "new". This however is wrong. Although the Early Church records are minimal to none of Christians being possessed, we now that very early (100-200AD) there were appointed exorcists. During the middle ages there was plenty of belief that Christians could be possessed (the development of both Roman and Eastern exorcism prayers and rites directed at Christians), and even the reformation saw Lutherans casting out demons from believers. Powlison quotes Theologians to bolster his case and one quickly notices they are almost all puritans .. one hopes he doesn't really believe the church died until the puritans "revived it" or some such... if anything the idea that Christians can't be possessed is "new" even if it may or may not be correct. So it is just plain an error to say any other then actually Christians have for most all of Church history believed believers could be possessed, whither biblical or not this is the fact.

Lastly, he does present some of the stronger more compelling arguments for his view, which makes this a good resource on angelology in general when it comes to spiritual warfare. Some will see some flaws in them, and other will not as much, but for his position they are good.

I rate it a 3: for good, clear arguments presented for various audiences, but lacking in a broader range of interaction with the wider Christian world and faulty historical research.

Despite the exotic and interesting topic, this is not an obviously exciting read. Powlison is not a particularly sharp or polished writer. Basically humorless, sometimes ponderous, nevertheless this is a truly exceptional book. Powlison (Ivy League Ph.D., ex-missionary, full-time counsellor) has thought deeply about his subject and he makes an unanswerable case. His critique is compassionate, balanced, and generous. Honestly, this is the most important book I have read all year.

Dr. Powlison has written a book which is both timely and practical. While one may disagree with a few of his conclusions (this writer does), these will likely be doctrinal differences. His work is solidly biblical and essentially quite sound and trustworthy. He brings up important and occasionally challeging points, yet does so in a humble way which others should strive to emulate. It should also be readily comprehended by the average reader, so one without the benefit of a bible college or seminary education need not worry.

David Powlison's Power Encounters is without a doubt the best book on spiritual warfare that I have ever read. When I say "spiritual warfare," I am specifically pointing to our understanding of the activity of the devil and the demonic as it affects our Christian lives. Powlison, with scholarship and charity points out that many who have embraced a model of deliverance from demons have missed the Scripture's solution to problems that many chalk up to spiritual battles. As a popular speaker and biblical counselor, it makes sense that Powlison would address this topic, and he does so extremely well.

Positives

Powlison demonstrates by a thorough walk through Scripture that many of the issues that people blame on demons are actually issues of basic human sin. The author argues that Scripture never blames demons for human attitudes and behaviors. When demons are addressed, the Scripture most often depicts evil spirits as causes of evil on the same level of sicknesses or natural disasters; however, the Scriptures never say that a demon causes a man's lust, greed, or pride. Thus, in problems of human hearts or behaviors, a more classic type of spiritual warfare, repentance and discipline, is what the Bible calls for.

Powlison, as he makes this sound case, is very much charitable toward those with whom he disagrees. Powlison does not caricature. He is not writing the book as a way to score easy points against his debate opponents. Instead, with love, Powlison both points out the positive things that those who disagree with him bring to the table while showing the dangers and weaknesses in their view. It is refreshing to see a book that is both polemical and gracious.

Negatives

The two weaknesses that I see in this book are not Powlison's fault. First, this book is too short. Powlison's argument is so excellent that the reader is left wanting to see more. The influence of the charismatic view of angels and demons is so wide-spread that more questions abound than could be answered. This book could easily have been another hundred pages longer without at all being a problem.

Secondly, this book is not in print. This fact is the greatest weakness the book has. Why this book is not in print is not something I have been able to find easily, though my understanding is that this work was to be a part of a larger series that the publisher never got together. Sadly, to get your hands on a copy of this excellent resource will cost you probably triple the cost of the average trade paperback (I generally see it in the $40 range on Amazon). Thus, you cannot get a handful of copies of this work to use in a small group study.

Conclusion

I said it in the introduction, and I will say it again, this book is the best work on spiritual warfare that I have ever read. Powlison relies on Scripture, not experience. He argues wisely, strongly, and graciously. His conclusions are practical and greatly useful for a counseling setting. If you have questions about what we ought think about the demonic today, Powlison's work is worth the effort to get hold of and read.

Carefully written book that explores various thoughts on spiritual warfare. This is a very balanced well explained book all rooted in scripture. Highly recommend to anyone seeking truth on this subject.This author can always be counted upon for well researched and documented books.