Paul’s conflict with viscous enemies, human and otherwise, led him to employ efficacious powers, charismata (charismatic powers), and controversial and sometimes illegal practices that are only coherent when placed in context of the first century Hellenistic-Roman world. These included soul and spirit transportation, possession, and exorcisms, special techniques to repel demonic attack, as well as what was considered the darkest of black magic in the ancient world—the casting of death curses, which called on Satan to infect, harm, and even kill his enemies. All of these can be recovered in striking detail using risk analysis of his undisputed writings and comparing them with contemporary sources, papyri, and documents independent of the New Testament. The results demonstrate that Paul’s letters are so much more than simply intellectual and rhetorical correspondences—they are infused with dangerous mystical and charismatic powers feared in an ancient world that was saturated with prevalent, active dark forces and multi-layered human and supernatural conflicts; of angels and demons at war; of charismata and anathemata (deadly curses); and Paul’s expectation of the hemera kuriou, “Day of the Lord,” that would defeat Satan and the curse of death via pistis (faith) in the efficacious euangelion (gospel) of agape (love).

Paul's conflict with viscous enemies, human and otherwise, led him to employ efficacious powers, charismata (charismatic powers), and controversial and sometimes illegal practices that are only coherent when placed in context of the first century Hellenistic-Roman world. These included soul and spirit transportation, possession, and exorcisms, special techniques to repel demonic attack, as well as what was considered the darkest of black magic in the ancient world--the casting of death curses, which called on Satan to infect, harm, and even kill his enemies. All of these can be recovered in striking detail using risk analysis of his undisputed writings and comparing them with contemporary sources, papyri, and documents independent of the New Testament. The results demonstrate that Paul's letters are so much more than simply intellectual and rhetorical correspondences--they are infused with dangerous mystical and charismatic powers feared in an ancient world that was saturated with prevalent, active dark forces and multi-layered human and supernatural conflicts; of angels and demons at war; of charismata and anathemata (deadly curses); and Paul's expectation of the hemera kuriou, ""Day of the Lord,"" that would defeat Satan and the curse of death via pistis (faith) in the efficacious euangelion (gospel) of agape (love). ""This work represents a new approach to the problem of Paul's opponents. If you are willing to hear what an intelligent, attentive, risk expert and sojourner has to say about these texts we know as familiar, and yet are still strange, I recommend this work and its author to you."" --Stephen J. Patterson, Willamette University ""Busse has an extensive background and expertise in the application of risk analysis. This new approach evaluates responses to risk evidenced in ancient texts when placed in their contemporary setting. I recommend this study and author to you."" --Paul Slovic, University of Oregon, President, Decision Research ""It happens rarely that someone who is well educated in a completely different field makes a serious effort to engage in Bible scholarship from the perspective of one's own discipline. Extending his use of risk assessment methods to the historical Jesus in his previous book, Busse now applies them to the problem of understanding Paul and his enemies. Offering a rich, textured reading of the historical Paul in his first century background, Busse succeeds in presenting Paul and the early church in their complexity."" --Loren Crow, PhD Roger S. Busse is a recognized specialist in risk analysis, and a graduate of Reed College and Harvard Divinty School. His awarded career has spanned over forty years, from CEO of a nationally recognized institution to SVP of risk administration. Busse is a certified management consultant, adjunct professor, and author of two industry texts, The Essentials of Commercial Lending and Business Profiles, and two books on risk analysis and Christian origins, To be Near the Fire and Jesus, Resurrected.

How did Paul depict Satan as an apocalyptic opponent? Derek R. Brown demonstrates the significance of Paul's references to Satan and demonstrates the history of Satan in the Bible and nature of Satan's inimical work.

Author Marita Mister believes many are having an affair with the devil and are either in love with the devil or are just blind. Venture into this book with Marita Mister as she shares her real-life experience of an adulterous affair with the devil. Sleeping with the Enemy affects many lives today—the saint as well as the sinner. While God's created beings are blindfolded, Satan is stripping off the clothes, socks, and shoes of the preachers, teachers, bishops, and prophets alike. After they are vulnerable, he seeks out the lonely, depressed, brokenhearted, and victims of abuse to make sure that they are without truth and apart from God. If you want to take off the blindfold and get out of the relationship with the enemy, if you want to change bed partners and see through the eyes of Jesus, read Sleeping with the Enemy and get a good night's rest.

Demonic possession in the New Testament is still an unsolved problem. That statement is at variance with a considerable body of opinion recently expressed on two continents. Nevertheless, it is a correct representation of the present state of the case. Modern writers have attained a certain unanimity, only by approaching the subject from one point of view and confining attention to the more conspicuous phenomena. But any investigation which claims finality must explore the whole environment and scrutinise all residual facts. There is a comparative demonology to be studied; there are types of mental disease to be examined; there is a criterion of genuine possession to be discovered and applied. The inquiry thus broadens out and takes account of many points hitherto ignored or neglected. - Preface.

What place do the four Gospels give Satan, demons, and Jesus’ human opponents (including Jewish leaders but also Jesus’ disciples) in their accounts of Jesus’ life? This study takes a literary-historical approach to the Gospels, examining them as narratives. It shows how the authors were in the process of developing the devil as a character and determining which roles he filled. New interpretations of individual passages in the Gospels are given as well as new understandings of the theological emphases of each author. This study is also a contribution to redaction criticism and the relative chronology of the Gospels. It employs the theory of Matthean posteriority which revolutionizes our understanding of the literary relations between the Gospels and allows for a new understanding of theological development in early Christianity.

If you have ever heard about what some refer to as "Paul's thorn in the flesh" and wondered what it was? Then this book is a "must read!" Some say the Apostle Paul had a nagging wife; others say that he had arthritis, or an eye disease that was so repugnant that people could hardly stand to look upon him because of the puss that poured from his eyes! But what does the Bible teach regarding this "thorn in the flesh?" Thorns can be serious irritations that can immobilize, distract and stop you in your tracks. In time of war, armies will place land mines in strategic places to stop or hinder advancing enemy troops, and that is exactly why Satan sends "thorns in the flesh" our way! Thorns in the flesh are "messengers of Satan" sent (by SATAN) to buffet us in an attempt to stop us from sharing the Gospel. In this book you will learn that God is not using the devil's messenger service or sending thorns our way!