What does the New Testament really teach about demons?

In Part 2 of our exploration of demons in the bible, we zoom out from the story in Mark 5 to examine the bigger picture of demonology throughout the New Testament. From exorcisms in Mark’s Gospel to the nuances of “demons” versus “unclean spirits.”

This episode unpacks how the biblical writers understood the spiritual realm. Along the way, Dr. Chavalas explains why Jesus’ exorcisms were so unique compared to pagan rituals, how the apostles continued His authority, and why the New Testament doesn’t present a full “theology of demons.”

The discussion draws from intertestamental Jewish writings, rabbinical texts, and even skeptical pagan critics of early Christianity, showing how the ancient world grappled with the reality of spiritual forces.

🔥 In This Episode:

➡️ What are the differences between “demons” and “unclean spirits”?

➡️ Demonology throughout the New Testament

➡️ How Jesus’ exorcisms broke with pagan rituals and showed divine authority

➡️ What Jewish and early Christian writers outside the Bible said about Jesus and demons.

➡️ The reason for calling out names - and why demons recognize Jesus’ authority

➡️ Why early Jewish writings (1 Enoch, Jubilees, Testament of Solomon) shaped background assumptions about demons

📚 Sources Mentioned in the Episode:

D. F. Strauss – The Life of Jesus Critically Examined🔗 Read on Archive.org

Rudolf Bultmann – “It is impossible to use electric light…” (New Testament and Mythology)🔗

English TranslationOpen Letter by Don Cupitt & G. W. H. Lampe to the General Synod🔗 Guardian Archive Reference (full text is referenced in secondary sources, not widely available online)

🔗 demons in Mark 1, 6, 7, 9; Matthew 12; Acts 5, 8, 16; 1 Corinthians 10; 1 Timothy 4; and Ephesians

👉 Feel free to email us at: [email protected]***** we apologize for some technical difficulties. We are working on getting it fixed, so if you notice them in the next few episodes please give us grace. If you didn't even notice.....nevermind i guess!

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