How we perceive our enemy will largely determine how we fight against him. Unless we grasp how the devil fits into God's scheme of things, we will find it difficult to stand against his conspiracy against us personally and his influence within our culture. We can have a proper theology of the devil only if we have a proper theology of God. Only when we stand in awe of God will we find it unnecessary to be in awe of Satan. As Martin Luther once said, 'The devil is God's devil.' God is still in control. The Serpent of Paradise gives an overview of the career of Satan and his interaction with the Almighty. It traces his fall from an exalted position to his demise in everlasting shame and contempt. It shows us that Satan always loses even when 'he wins.' Best of all, it confirms that we who have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light are able to stand against him. Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ~ Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV. The Serpent of Paradise is a book about Satan, but it is also a book about God's power, God's program, and God's purposes in this world.
Erwin W. Lutzer is senior pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago. A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and Loyola University, he is the author of numerous books, including the Gold Medallion Award winner "Hitler's Cross" and the best seller "One Minute After You Die". He is also a teacher on radio programs heard on more than 700 stations throughout the United States and the world, including "Songs in the Night," "The Moody Church Hour," and the daily feature "Running to Win." He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area and have three married children and seven grandchildren.
Rebecca Lutzer
Rebecca Lutzer is the wife of Erwin W. Lutzer, senior pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, where they have enjoyed 28 years of ministry. For more than 30 years, Rebecca has been a pastor's wife and has used her gifts of hospitality, mercy, and teaching to minister to many women. She has taught Bible studies, counseled and discipled women, organized conferences and seminars, and spoken to women's groups. Rebecca was born and grew up in Dallas, Texas, where she attended Dallas Bible College. She is an RN and enjoyed working as a surgical nurse for several years. God provided numerous opportunities for her to bring comfort and peace to those going into surgery by sharing the love of Christ with them. It has always been Rebecca's passion to teach women how to grow in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. The heart of her message focuses on helping women learn how to live faithfully in the seasons of life, waiting for God to meet their needs in His time and way. She is the mother of three lovely married daughters and the grandmother of six adorable grandchildren. Rebecca and her husband coauthored "Jesus, Lover of a Woman's Soul," a book about Jesus' real relationships with women throughout His life--and how He changed their worlds.
