A Comprehensive Biblical Analysis of the Different Types of Activity in the Spiritual Arena

How should a pastor view the question of spiritual warfare? With so many books and studies being published on the topic, the pastor is buried in a sea of materials. Christian television and radio are also pumping out a phenomenal amount of material on the subject which then creates a number of issues for the pastor. We want to help the pastor arrive at a view that is biblical, that fits the flow of church history on this topic, and that helps shape the ministry emphasis for the church.

The pastor needs to have his views about spiritual warfare anchored in two basic areas. The most important anchor is the Scripture itself. After all, the Scripture is the basis of our doctrines and practices. So we must do an extensive study of the relevant passages to arrive at a biblically based understanding of spiritual warfare. The second anchor must be a checking of the views of those whose writings have stood the test of time. The pastor needs to be suspicious of 'new' ideas that suddenly gain prominence in the church. Our literature review will start with these major Christian figures. We intend to look at Rabbinical views at the time of Christ, the context in which the Scripture was written, the Early Church, being those most closely connected to the Scripture in time and culture, the medieval church represented by Thomas Aquinas, and the Reformation church represented by John Calvin.