Territorial Spirit
Encyclopedia
According to some Christians (generally within Charismatic and Pentecostal traditions, and especially Kingdom Now theology), Territorial Spirits are demon
s who rule over certain geographical areas in the world.
This belief has been popularized by the novel This Present Darkness
, as well as by the ministry of C. Peter Wagner
.
, and forms a part of what C. Peter Wagner
has called "Strategic-Level Spiritual Warfare" (SLSW). Wagner advocates the practice of learning the names and assignments of demonic spirits as the first step to effective spiritual warfare.
, Deuteronomy 32:8-9 refers a time when God divided the nations of the earth among the "sons of God
" (Israel is excepted as the special possession of God Himself). Given the meaning of this phrase in the Book of Job
, it is suggested that this is a reference to the origin of territorial spirits who were, at one time, angels administering the earth on God's behalf. The question remains, however, as to whether these spirits are malevolent.
contains an episode in which God stands in the assembly of the "gods" and condemns them for their injustice. God declares that as a result of their wickedness these beings will "die" like men. The Psalm closes with the declaration that now all nations belong to the Lord. It has been suggested that God confronts the territorial angels he set over the nations of the earth, who have now fallen and become demons. As a result of their rebellion, God revokes their right to administer their territory in his name.
. This man explains to Daniel that he was delayed by the "Prince of Persia" (10:13), but was helped by "Michael, one of the chief princes" (a reference to the archangel Michael
, who was recognized in Jewish literature to be a chief angel guarding over Israel). Later in the chapter, the man warns Daniel that soon the "Prince of Greece" (10:20) will join his Persian counterpart to make war upon them.
Considering the fact that Michael is generally recognized as an angel, it is likely that the "Princes" that Michael fights against from Greece and Persia are also spiritual beings. The fact that these spirits are given names in reference to location (Greece and Persia) suggests that these demonic spirits had a geographical oversight.
The concept of territorial spirits and the development of specific spiritual warfare techniques has generated much discussion in the Christian missions community. Critical exchanges of views may be found in periodicals like the Evangelical Missions Quarterly (such as in volume 31, number 2 published in 1995), and in conferences sponsored by the Evangelical Missions Society. Scholars such as Robert J. Priest, Paul Hiebert and A. Scott Moreau detect animist ideas in the arguments of supporters of the theory of territorial spirits. Robert Guelich of Fuller Theological Seminary
does not find the concept of territorial spirits within the gospels, and has analyzed this problem in a critical review of Frank E. Peretti
's novel This Present Darkness
.
The question of territorial spirits and spiritual warfare was the topic of critical exchanges at the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization's conference in Nairobi, Kenya in 2000. Out of this conference came a consultation document, as well as many technical papers, that was published as the book Deliver Us From Evil.
Demon
call - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...
s who rule over certain geographical areas in the world.
This belief has been popularized by the novel This Present Darkness
This Present Darkness
This Present Darkness is a Christian novel by Frank E. Peretti. Published in 1986 by Crossway Books, This Present Darkness was Peretti's first published novel for adults and shows contemporary views on angels, demons, prayer, and spiritual warfare as demons and angels interact and struggle for...
, as well as by the ministry of C. Peter Wagner
C. Peter Wagner
Charles Peter Wagner Christian missionary, writer, teacher, and church growth specialist, notable for his controversial spiritual warfare practices and beliefs...
.
Place in spiritual warfare
The existence of territorial spirits has been seen to be significant in spiritual warfareSpiritual warfare
Spiritual warfare is a range of activity by various Christian groups whereby Satanic demons are combatted, using a variety of methods depending on the group, but typically through prayer.-Range of practice, history, and methodology:...
, and forms a part of what C. Peter Wagner
C. Peter Wagner
Charles Peter Wagner Christian missionary, writer, teacher, and church growth specialist, notable for his controversial spiritual warfare practices and beliefs...
has called "Strategic-Level Spiritual Warfare" (SLSW). Wagner advocates the practice of learning the names and assignments of demonic spirits as the first step to effective spiritual warfare.
Deuteronomy 32:8-9
In both the Septuagint and the Dead Sea ScrollsDead Sea scrolls
The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of 972 texts from the Hebrew Bible and extra-biblical documents found between 1947 and 1956 on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea, from which they derive their name...
, Deuteronomy 32:8-9 refers a time when God divided the nations of the earth among the "sons of God
Sons of God
Sons of God is a phrase used in Levantine Bronze and Iron Age texts to describe the "divine council" of the major gods.- The term "sons of God" :...
" (Israel is excepted as the special possession of God Himself). Given the meaning of this phrase in the Book of Job
Book of Job
The Book of Job , commonly referred to simply as Job, is one of the books of the Hebrew Bible. It relates the story of Job, his trials at the hands of Satan, his discussions with friends on the origins and nature of his suffering, his challenge to God, and finally a response from God. The book is a...
, it is suggested that this is a reference to the origin of territorial spirits who were, at one time, angels administering the earth on God's behalf. The question remains, however, as to whether these spirits are malevolent.
Psalm 82
Psalm 82Psalm 82
Psalm 82 is the 82nd psalm in the biblical Book of Psalms.God is stationing himself in the assembly of the Divine One; in the middle of the gods he judges.-Judaism:*Is the psalm of the day in the Shir Shel Yom on Tuesday....
contains an episode in which God stands in the assembly of the "gods" and condemns them for their injustice. God declares that as a result of their wickedness these beings will "die" like men. The Psalm closes with the declaration that now all nations belong to the Lord. It has been suggested that God confronts the territorial angels he set over the nations of the earth, who have now fallen and become demons. As a result of their rebellion, God revokes their right to administer their territory in his name.
Daniel 10
This passage concerns the visitation of a strange "man" to the prophet DanielDaniel
Daniel is the protagonist in the Book of Daniel of the Hebrew Bible. In the narrative, when Daniel was a young man, he was taken into Babylonian captivity where he was educated in Chaldean thought. However, he never converted to Neo-Babylonian ways...
. This man explains to Daniel that he was delayed by the "Prince of Persia" (10:13), but was helped by "Michael, one of the chief princes" (a reference to the archangel Michael
Michael (archangel)
Michael , Micha'el or Mîkhā'ēl; , Mikhaḗl; or Míchaël; , Mīkhā'īl) is an archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic teachings. Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael...
, who was recognized in Jewish literature to be a chief angel guarding over Israel). Later in the chapter, the man warns Daniel that soon the "Prince of Greece" (10:20) will join his Persian counterpart to make war upon them.
Considering the fact that Michael is generally recognized as an angel, it is likely that the "Princes" that Michael fights against from Greece and Persia are also spiritual beings. The fact that these spirits are given names in reference to location (Greece and Persia) suggests that these demonic spirits had a geographical oversight.
Romans 8:38
In Romans 8:38-9 Paul presents the reader with a number of polar opposites. In the midst of this Paul contrasts angels with "principalities" (Gr. αρχαι archai ). "Principalities" may be a synonym for "demons".Ephesians 6:12
In Ephesians 6:12 Paul refers to the spiritual beings which oppose the work of God in the world as "rulers" (Gr. αρχαι archai ), "powers" (Gr. ἐξουσίας exousias ), and "world forces" (Gr. κοσμοκράτορας kosmokratoras ).Revelation
Revelation talks about multiple evil angels, who are currently "chained" in certain earthly locations, being released by God so that they will kill many on earth. There is no clue as to how much autonomy they currently possess.Criticism
Criticism of the concept of territorial spirits is twofold. The first line of criticism regards their existence, while the second regards the appropriate response from Christians.Existence
Tinker argues that it is a misnomer to speak of territorial spirits, since the spirits referred to in the above biblical passages "are to be more associated with political and religious power and ideologies."Response
Opponents of this theological construct and associated beliefs in "spiritual warfare" point out that while the Bible may describe some form of demonic control over geography, it does not prescribe many of the behaviors and teachings that proponents advocate in response. There is no mention in either the Hebrew Bible or the New Testament of believers banding together and praying a form of "spiritual warfare" against particular territorial demons. The battles occurring in the spiritual realms (as described in Daniel 10) have no Biblically identified link to the actions and prayers of God's people in the physical world.The concept of territorial spirits and the development of specific spiritual warfare techniques has generated much discussion in the Christian missions community. Critical exchanges of views may be found in periodicals like the Evangelical Missions Quarterly (such as in volume 31, number 2 published in 1995), and in conferences sponsored by the Evangelical Missions Society. Scholars such as Robert J. Priest, Paul Hiebert and A. Scott Moreau detect animist ideas in the arguments of supporters of the theory of territorial spirits. Robert Guelich of Fuller Theological Seminary
Fuller Theological Seminary
Fuller Theological Seminary is an accredited Christian educational institute with its main campus in Pasadena, California and several satellite campuses in the western United States...
does not find the concept of territorial spirits within the gospels, and has analyzed this problem in a critical review of Frank E. Peretti
Frank E. Peretti
Frank Edward Peretti is a New York Times best-selling author of Christian fiction, whose novels primarily focus on the supernatural. To date, his works have sold over 15 million copies worldwide. Peretti is best known for his novels This Present Darkness and The Oath...
's novel This Present Darkness
This Present Darkness
This Present Darkness is a Christian novel by Frank E. Peretti. Published in 1986 by Crossway Books, This Present Darkness was Peretti's first published novel for adults and shows contemporary views on angels, demons, prayer, and spiritual warfare as demons and angels interact and struggle for...
.
The question of territorial spirits and spiritual warfare was the topic of critical exchanges at the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization's conference in Nairobi, Kenya in 2000. Out of this conference came a consultation document, as well as many technical papers, that was published as the book Deliver Us From Evil.