Tabletalk Magazine, July 2007: Angels, Demons and Spiritual Warfare

by Ligonier Ministries

Publisher:

Ligonier Ministries

, 2007

Overview

TThe spiritual realm and a few of its inhabitants — angels and demons — are portrayed and discussed everywhere — from statues and paintings to poems and songs to the Internet. But are they understood correctly? With all the attention the spiritual world receives, Christians are bound to get confused between what is often assumed to be “common knowledge” about the spiritual realm and how the Word of God actually portrays it. For this reason, the July 2007 edition of Tabletalk seeks to challenge many of the modern myths regarding this other-worldly reality by offering a biblical view of the spiritual realm.

Contributors include R.C. Sproul along with John Blanchard, Stanley D. Gale, Phil Johnson, John Piper, R.C. Sproul Jr., and Gene Edward Veith. Tabletalk features articles about topics central to the Christian faith and daily, in-depth Bible studies.

Since Genesis has such a prominent place in history, the 2007 Bible studies continue from 2006 with Part 2 of this book.

Contents

• "A Supernatural Faith" by R. C. Sproul
• "Angels: Messengers and Ministers of God" by Phil Johnson
• "Demons: Servants of Satan" by John Blanchard
• "The Battle of Our Lives" by Stanley D. Gale
• "More Than a Tale for Children" by Robert Rothwell
• "The Veracity of God" by Derek W. H. Thomas
• "Astonishing Grace" by Warren A. Gage
• "A Loyal Love" by Kathy Miskelly
• "Prayer: A Warrior's Weapon" by John Piper
• "The Devil in the Details" by R. C. Sproul Jr.
• "Angels and Demons Go Pop Culture" by Gene Edward Veith

Top Highlights

“In the Old Testament we are told of those who ‘sacrificed to demons that were no gods’ (Deut. 32:17) and others who ‘sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons’ (Ps. 106:37). Demons are mentioned in nineteen out of the twenty-seven New Testament books, and Jesus frequently claimed to ‘cast out demons’ (Matt. 12:27). Demons are not the product of hyperactive religious imagination, nor the disembodied spirits of a prehistoric race, nor the long-existent result of antediluvian sex between angels and human women (all these theories have been advanced). The Bible never questions their existence.” (Page 13)

“we have no warrant for directly attributing all physical illness to satanic or demonic activity” (Page 15)

“Firstly, neither the Devil nor his demons are independent, omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent. Their power and influence, in time and extent, is limited by the permissive will of God, who ‘works all things according to the counsel of his will’ (Eph. 1:11). Secondly, Jesus made it clear that their ultimate fate is to be cast into ‘the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels’ (Matt. 25:41).” (Page 15)

“At its heart, spiritual warfare asks the question: Whom will we worship and follow? It belongs to the day-by-day direction and decisions we face as Christ’s disciples (Luke 9:23). It is essential that our battle be conducted from a biblically-grounded worldview and approach.” (Page 16)

“Scripture plainly teaches that angels are creatures, and not eternal beings of some kind” (Page 9)

Praise for the Print Edition

Tabletalk has been a key ingredient in the diet of Christians conscious of their spiritual vitality.

—Michael S. Horton

Month by month, Tabletalk represents an oasis in a desert of false spirituality, mindless Christianity, and vapid conviction. Tabletalk represents theological rigor, biblical Christianity, and authentic Christian devotion. It is an antidote to the world of superficial Christianity. Read it and grow.

—R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

Tabletalk has been a wonderful resource in my own daily walk with the Lord.

—Ravi Zacharias

Product Details

• Title: Tabletalk Magazine, July 2007: Angels, Demons and Spiritual Warfare
• Executive Editor: R. C. Sproul
• Editor: Burk Parsons
• Series: Tabletalk
• Publisher: Ligonier Ministries
• Publication Date: July 2007
• Pages: 83

About Ligonier Ministries

R. C. Sproul is founder and president of Ligonier Ministries and president of Ligonier Academy. He also servers as the senior pastor of Saint Andrew’s in Sanford, Fla., and he has written more than seventy books including The Holiness of God, The Intimage Marriage, Essential Truths of the Christian Faith, Following the Cross, and the R. C. Sproul Exposition Collection.

Burk Parsons serves as editor of Tabletalk and associate pastor of Saint Andrew’s in Sanford, Fla., and he is editor of the books Assured by God: Living in the Fullness of God’s Grace and John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, and Doxology.