Reformed Demonology: The Theology and Practice of Spiritual Warfare in English Puritanism

Abstract

The Puritan theology and practice of spiritual warfare differed in significant ways from that of their medieval precursors and their Roman Catholic contemporaries. These differences are primarily attributable to the Puritan doctrines of divine sovereignty and human depravity. Puritan theology and practice is categorized under four systematic headings of demonology: the origin and nature of Satan and his demons; demonic operations in history; how Satan assaults believers today; and how Christians can defend themselves from those assaults. Each chapter draws together the teaching found in Puritan spiritual warfare literature about that heading and demonstrates how the doctrines of divine sovereignty and human depravity undergird that teaching. The thesis concludes by proposing some historically responsible applications for modern-day spiritual warfare practitioners from the Puritans.