Looking for Answers about Inter-varsity Press Powers of Darkness: Principalities & Powers in Paul's Letters?

Looking for a biblical theology on demons, principalities and powers, and our battle with them? Clinton Arnold wrote Powers of Darkness as the first step toward a complete biblical theology on spiritual warfare. Arnold sees the danger in the growing influence of the occult and the New Age movement and seeks to help Christians understand the very real problem of Satan and his minions. He focuses on the letters of Paul to see how Paul views the powers and principalities and how we should respond to them.

Though some authors have interpreted principalities and powers as impersonal social, economic and political structures, Arnold argues that the biblical view of principalities and powers is that of organized, powerful and personal beings actively fighting against God and Christianity. As strong as these beings are, Arnold reminds us that Christ has already dealt them a grievous setback in the cross and will totally defeat them when he returns.

Once we have acknowledged the reality of our battle against the principalities and powers, the next question becomes "What can we do?". Arnold offers practical answers to that question, answers that will both inspire and challenge the church to again take up arms in this cosmic struggle against Satan.