Biblical Demonology

#1 · July 4, 2012, 2:02 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on July 4, 2012, 2:02 pm
Posted by: asiddall <asiddall@...>

Its been awhile since we all had a Bible discussion. So I thought I would post a paper I wrote for a Biblical Demonology class I took with The Institute of Biblical Anthropology. I really enjoy the classes offered, particularly the reading material. As I know many of you are pastors, and some deal with cult strangeness, I thought this paper would stimulate an interesting discussion.

So here it is:

Biblical Demonology

By Aaron Siddall

                Biblical Demonology is a fascinating and thought-provoking subject that should be of profound interest to all Christians. It is far too easy for those of us in the body of Christ to become complacent and unaware of the existence and threat that is posed by the devil and his minions. This course presents an overview of the impact that the presence of the enemy has had upon civilization.

                The term “demon” refers to a seemingly endless variety of supernatural entities, presenting a grisly bestiary that nonetheless have certain similarities in character, if not in form and function. In all accounts, demons are regarded as dangerous beings who are hostile to life and morality. Physically (if such a term can be truly applied to spirit-beings), demons vary wildly. From godlike entities of vast power to lowly shadow beings seemingly composed of tangible hate and little else.

                The most powerful and influential demons to be found in this study are amongst the pagan gods of antiquity, who despite their grandiose powers and heroic proportions in myth are bloodthirsty, vain, lustful and deeply corrupted in character. In Judeo-Christian lore these super-demons are known to be a higher rank of angel who rebelled against God. Reference to this rank of angels can be found in Genesis 6 as the “Sons of God”, the Book of Daniel 4:13, 17, 23, and in 1 Enoch 6-36. In these accounts the Watchers descended to earth and began teaching mankind many forbidden things and taking human lovers. The results of this mingling is disastrous in the extreme.

                Other cultures have numerous accounts of the coming of such “gods”, who in all accounts are great teachers of powerful knowledge, and founders of familial lines of demi-gods and demons. The most accessible accounts of such beings can be found in Greek mythology, but many other tales exist around the world. Legends of “teacher gods” can be found in all known cultures credited with the building of cities, a knowledge of the heavens, and a tradition of divinely chosen ruling class. These cultures all claim that one or more gods taught the basics of architecture, astrology, medicine, and agriculture. Half-divine bloodlines are always found within the folklore of these cultures, with the ruling and/or priestly class claiming heritage from one of more founding gods.

                Lesser forms of demons come in many shapes, sizes and power. The most frightening and potent of these “mid-range” demons appear as either preternaturally disturbing men and women or as a mish-mash of mixed animal and human features. Cultures around the world have a wide range of animal-like demons that are far too numerous to list, but certain basic types seem predominant. Demons sporting features of beasts, birds, reptiles and fish typically specialize in certain types of magical trait or specialized knowledge, hearkening back to the practices of ancient cults dedicated to the teacher gods mentioned above. Most such mid-range bestial gods are very territorial and claim (or are bound to) specific places, times and families.

                We find indication of these creatures in Corinthians 15:32 in which St. Paul makes reference to battling the “wild beasts of Ephesus”. It is clear from this and other accounts that wild, bestial demons were widely accepted as a reality in the ancient world. Rural and tribal cultures in the present day still acknowledge the existence of such spirits, and have elaborate means to attempt to appease or thwart them.

                More disturbing than the more bestial sort of demon are those that appear as human or fey beings of human-like appearance. Such spirits are the demon lovers, fairies and magical friends that can seemingly befriend humans, and seem for all the world to be beautiful. In most cultural accounts all such creatures possess one of more clearly non-human feature such as birds feet, cows tails or backwards hands to indicate their inhuman nature.

                The lowest forms of demons are the “hungry ghosts” of cultures around the world. These wretched beings are shadowy creatures that are drawn to blood and misery, often picking upon children, animals or the insane out of sheer malice and a desire for a perverse sort of reverence. Nightmares, shadow people, poltergeists and assorted haunts can be attributed to these sorts, and though weak compared to their fellows, can be nasty opponents, especially for those lacking a saving knowledge of Christ.

                An interesting and often overlooked aspect to the ranks of the demonic world are the half-fiendish demigods mentioned in mythology and religion across the world. In the earliest versions, these beings are seen as heroic men (and sometimes women) granted superhuman powers due to their mighty parentage. Along with their supernatural attributes, such demigods are almost always afflicted with cruel lusts and passions, often known to have terrible tempers and prone to abuse their powers. Many times these demigods are larger than their fellows, being true giants.

                In many traditions, these half-god supermen were frequently composed of mixed species traits crossing the line between man, beast and even plants. Greek mythology gives a solid list of half-human demigods such as centaurs, satyrs and minotaur’s, but this sort of creature can be found in nearly every culture around the world. All such beings are at best capricious and frequently lustful and violent. The connection between such animal-like hybrids and bestial demons cannot go unstated. Many cultures hold that the monsters of legend are in-fact the same as the mid-range and lower sorts of demons, though not lacking the bodies that once housed them.

                Demon worship has been with us from the earliest times. As such, it is so large and complex a subject that its presence can easily be overlooked and underemphasized in the modern era. From the Judeo-Christian perspective, all worship of pagan gods should be considered a form of demon worship. This hearkens back to the time of The Watchers in Genesis 6, as well as reference to the Divine Council mentioned in Psalm 82, and the Principalities and Powers mentioned in Ephesians 6:12. In these accounts the power of these greater demonic spirits clearly makes them on-par with the gods of antiquity.

                Whether or not these pagan gods are the fallen Watchers themselves, demonic servitors or “children” of the same or other fallen angels is a matter of debate. However the truth remains that they possess enormous power over the mortal world, the elements and mankind, and that this power is held in check by a system of rules and authority. The God of the Bible is supreme over these “gods” but allows them power because of mans persistent reliance on revering them rather than heeding His word.

                Evil gods are almost always depicted as either more powerful or more cunning than good gods. Such super-demons regularly get the upper hand of a given situation, with defeat by good gods or heroes only made possible by following the rules by which the evil god operates. Herein we find the core of magical practices. That if the properly initiated were to use the rules by which the supernatural operates, he might gain influence and assistance from demonic spirits. This is always considered fraught with peril, for no demon gives anything freely.

                Temple worship of demonic powers is always highly ritualized and full of ceremony. Elite priesthoods of one kind or another are always deeply revered and seen as divine beings in their own right. Ritual sacrifice and assorted offerings are common with the most powerful being blood offerings. Gifts of young daughters and sons to the temple are common, with such children utilized as temple prostitutes, a “wife” of the priest of shaman, or as a blood sacrifice (though this is rare in the modern world). Such offerings are widely known to draw the lesser sorts of demons, who have a taste for blood and misery.

                Lesser demons (those not considered gods) are thought to be thick as flies in pagan cultures, with reverence of such spirits delegated to lesser practitioners and folk magicians. As lesser demons are widely seen as malevolent tricksters and bringers of death and deformity, anyone purposefully gaining power over them is seen as sinister. Still, it is these witches and sorcerers who are sought out by those seeking aid against lesser spirits, good luck charms, and curses.

                In the modern world we see a growing number of accounts of demonic encounters in the form of UFO’s, haunting, and accounts of demonic possessions. The characteristics of these accounts are identical to ancient tales of ancient pagan gods, demons and fairy’s. Along with the encounters themselves the fascination with these entities is just as religious as that of older pagan cultures and should be viewed with the same air. Similarly psychic phenomena and culture is the same as magicians, with familiar “spirit guides”, doctrine and trappings no different than folk magicians and sorcerers.

                It is foolish in the extreme for modern Christians to think that we are somehow inoculated from clashes with the demonic world or that its presence only exists “out there” somewhere. Through the entire Bible we see the presence of the enemy in the form of fallen angels, demons, and half-demon giants, all of whom are powerful, nasty opponents. Nowhere in the New Testament does it indicate that this fight is over.

                Rather we should be energized to prepare ourselves for the struggles to come. If ancient accounts of struggles against these ancient gods is an indicator, things are likely to get very strange in the days to come. As Christians we are given great authority over the demonic world and are responsible for getting the unsaved out from under the enemy’s shadow. We cannot sit idle and allow human beings to remain under the control and torment of the demonic world.

-Aaron

Aaron Siddall Illustration
(315)337-7630
(315)886-9486
asiddall@msn.com
http://www.aaronsiddall.com/

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Posted by: asiddall <asiddall@...>

Its been awhile since we all had a Bible discussion. So I thought I would post a paper I wrote for a Biblical Demonology class I took with The Institute of Biblical Anthropology. I really enjoy the classes offered, particularly the reading material. As I know many of you are pastors, and some deal with cult strangeness, I thought this paper would stimulate an interesting discussion.

So here it is:

Biblical Demonology

By Aaron Siddall

Biblical Demonology is a fascinating and thought-provoking subject that should be of profound interest to all Christians. It is far too easy for those of us in the body of Christ to become complacent and unaware of the existence and threat that is posed by the devil and his minions. This course presents an overview of the impact that the presence of the enemy has had upon civilization.

The term “demon” refers to a seemingly endless variety of supernatural entities, presenting a grisly bestiary that nonetheless have certain similarities in character, if not in form and function. In all accounts, demons are regarded as dangerous beings who are hostile to life and morality. Physically (if such a term can be truly applied to spirit-beings), demons vary wildly. From godlike entities of vast power to lowly shadow beings seemingly composed of tangible hate and little else.

The most powerful and influential demons to be found in this study are amongst the pagan gods of antiquity, who despite their grandiose powers and heroic proportions in myth are bloodthirsty, vain, lustful and deeply corrupted in character. In Judeo-Christian lore these super-demons are known to be a higher rank of angel who rebelled against God. Reference to this rank of angels can be found in Genesis 6 as the “Sons of God”, the Book of Daniel 4:13, 17, 23, and in 1 Enoch 6-36. In these accounts the Watchers descended to earth and began teaching mankind many forbidden things and taking human lovers. The results of this mingling is disastrous in the extreme.

Other cultures have numerous accounts of the coming of such “gods”, who in all accounts are great teachers of powerful knowledge, and founders of familial lines of demi-gods and demons. The most accessible accounts of such beings can be found in Greek mythology, but many other tales exist around the world. Legends of “teacher gods” can be found in all known cultures credited with the building of cities, a knowledge of the heavens, and a tradition of divinely chosen ruling class. These cultures all claim that one or more gods taught the basics of architecture, astrology, medicine, and agriculture. Half-divine bloodlines are always found within the folklore of these cultures, with the ruling and/or priestly class claiming heritage from one of more founding gods.

Lesser forms of demons come in many shapes, sizes and power. The most frightening and potent of these “mid-range” demons appear as either preternaturally disturbing men and women or as a mish-mash of mixed animal and human features. Cultures around the world have a wide range of animal-like demons that are far too numerous to list, but certain basic types seem predominant. Demons sporting features of beasts, birds, reptiles and fish typically specialize in certain types of magical trait or specialized knowledge, hearkening back to the practices of ancient cults dedicated to the teacher gods mentioned above. Most such mid-range bestial gods are very territorial and claim (or are bound to) specific places, times and families.

We find indication of these creatures in Corinthians 15:32 in which St. Paul makes reference to battling the “wild beasts of Ephesus”. It is clear from this and other accounts that wild, bestial demons were widely accepted as a reality in the ancient world. Rural and tribal cultures in the present day still acknowledge the existence of such spirits, and have elaborate means to attempt to appease or thwart them.

More disturbing than the more bestial sort of demon are those that appear as human or fey beings of human-like appearance. Such spirits are the demon lovers, fairies and magical friends that can seemingly befriend humans, and seem for all the world to be beautiful. In most cultural accounts all such creatures possess one of more clearly non-human feature such as birds feet, cows tails or backwards hands to indicate their inhuman nature.

The lowest forms of demons are the “hungry ghosts” of cultures around the world. These wretched beings are shadowy creatures that are drawn to blood and misery, often picking upon children, animals or the insane out of sheer malice and a desire for a perverse sort of reverence. Nightmares, shadow people, poltergeists and assorted haunts can be attributed to these sorts, and though weak compared to their fellows, can be nasty opponents, especially for those lacking a saving knowledge of Christ.

An interesting and often overlooked aspect to the ranks of the demonic world are the half-fiendish demigods mentioned in mythology and religion across the world. In the earliest versions, these beings are seen as heroic men (and sometimes women) granted superhuman powers due to their mighty parentage. Along with their supernatural attributes, such demigods are almost always afflicted with cruel lusts and passions, often known to have terrible tempers and prone to abuse their powers. Many times these demigods are larger than their fellows, being true giants.

In many traditions, these half-god supermen were frequently composed of mixed species traits crossing the line between man, beast and even plants. Greek mythology gives a solid list of half-human demigods such as centaurs, satyrs and minotaur’s, but this sort of creature can be found in nearly every culture around the world. All such beings are at best capricious and frequently lustful and violent. The connection between such animal-like hybrids and bestial demons cannot go unstated. Many cultures hold that the monsters of legend are in-fact the same as the mid-range and lower sorts of demons, though not lacking the bodies that once housed them.

Demon worship has been with us from the earliest times. As such, it is so large and complex a subject that its presence can easily be overlooked and underemphasized in the modern era. From the Judeo-Christian perspective, all worship of pagan gods should be considered a form of demon worship. This hearkens back to the time of The Watchers in Genesis 6, as well as reference to the Divine Council mentioned in Psalm 82, and the Principalities and Powers mentioned in Ephesians 6:12. In these accounts the power of these greater demonic spirits clearly makes them on-par with the gods of antiquity.

Whether or not these pagan gods are the fallen Watchers themselves, demonic servitors or “children” of the same or other fallen angels is a matter of debate. However the truth remains that they possess enormous power over the mortal world, the elements and mankind, and that this power is held in check by a system of rules and authority. The God of the Bible is supreme over these “gods” but allows them power because of mans persistent reliance on revering them rather than heeding His word.

Evil gods are almost always depicted as either more powerful or more cunning than good gods. Such super-demons regularly get the upper hand of a given situation, with defeat by good gods or heroes only made possible by following the rules by which the evil god operates. Herein we find the core of magical practices. That if the properly initiated were to use the rules by which the supernatural operates, he might gain influence and assistance from demonic spirits. This is always considered fraught with peril, for no demon gives anything freely.

Temple worship of demonic powers is always highly ritualized and full of ceremony. Elite priesthoods of one kind or another are always deeply revered and seen as divine beings in their own right. Ritual sacrifice and assorted offerings are common with the most powerful being blood offerings. Gifts of young daughters and sons to the temple are common, with such children utilized as temple prostitutes, a “wife” of the priest of shaman, or as a blood sacrifice (though this is rare in the modern world). Such offerings are widely known to draw the lesser sorts of demons, who have a taste for blood and misery.

Lesser demons (those not considered gods) are thought to be thick as flies in pagan cultures, with reverence of such spirits delegated to lesser practitioners and folk magicians. As lesser demons are widely seen as malevolent tricksters and bringers of death and deformity, anyone purposefully gaining power over them is seen as sinister. Still, it is these witches and sorcerers who are sought out by those seeking aid against lesser spirits, good luck charms, and curses.

In the modern world we see a growing number of accounts of demonic encounters in the form of UFO’s, haunting, and accounts of demonic possessions. The characteristics of these accounts are identical to ancient tales of ancient pagan gods, demons and fairy’s. Along with the encounters themselves the fascination with these entities is just as religious as that of older pagan cultures and should be viewed with the same air. Similarly psychic phenomena and culture is the same as magicians, with familiar “spirit guides”, doctrine and trappings no different than folk magicians and sorcerers.

It is foolish in the extreme for modern Christians to think that we are somehow inoculated from clashes with the demonic world or that its presence only exists “out there” somewhere. Through the entire Bible we see the presence of the enemy in the form of fallen angels, demons, and half-demon giants, all of whom are powerful, nasty opponents. Nowhere in the New Testament does it indicate that this fight is over.

Rather we should be energized to prepare ourselves for the struggles to come. If ancient accounts of struggles against these ancient gods is an indicator, things are likely to get very strange in the days to come. As Christians we are given great authority over the demonic world and are responsible for getting the unsaved out from under the enemy’s shadow. We cannot sit idle and allow human beings to remain under the control and torment of the demonic world.

-Aaron

Aaron Siddall Illustration
(315)337-7630
(315)886-9486
asiddall@msn.com
http://www.aaronsiddall.com/

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