POWER ENCOUNTERS
Reclaiming Spiritual Warfare
by David Powlison
Baker Book House, 160 pages, $9.99

Believers in Christ agree that we belong to an “army” and who the enemy is. Where we often part ways is over how to fight Satan and his demons.

Amid fascination with the demonic spreading beyond fringe groups and the proliferation of “deliverance” ministries that capitalize on it, this book comes across as a welcome breath of fresh air.

Powlison’s work is kind, considerate, careful and decidedly biblical. He names names and cuts through the sensationalism of deliverance teachings. Anyone seeking to escape the deliverance movement’s drift toward mediumship and mysticism will find solid biblical ground on which to stand in this book. He is a careful exegete who brings to his work years of experience as a biblical counselor. His logic is flawless and meticulous. His research is practical and valuable in helping readers understand how to wage war against the world, the flesh, and the devil.

His conclusion expresses his deep desire to help us reclaim true spiritual warfare:

“Reclaiming spiritual warfare means learning afresh how God pursues His glory in our lives. It means gaining an understanding of progressive sanctification in a Christian culture habituated to look for quick fixes. It means learning to see heroic dramas played out in tiny corners of life. It means becoming human, renewed in the image of Jesus Christ — the pioneer and perfecter of faith. It means learning how to become Christians.”

So-called “power encounters” may seem to have excitement and drama. But they are really a detour from Christ’s walk. This book could bring biblical sanity back to believers and help heal divisions caused by erroneous teachings.

—GRF

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