Why Reject the Ontology of Demons? Eric H. Janzen (response by Wm. Paul Young)
Why Reject the Ontology of Demons?
1. Spiritual Integrity—By rejecting demon ontology, we stop using them as scapegoats to avoid our responsibility as humans for our sin and evil actions.
2. Spiritual Freedom—By rejecting demon ontology, we stop believing in evil, unseen beings who wield fear-filled power. We overcome the demonic by becoming freed from the roots within us and world systems/ powers that energize the demonic phenomenon. Christ has made this possible.
3. Spiritual Restoration—By rejecting demon ontology, we are able to raise the bar of redemption to a height worthy of Jesus: Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection is the Redeeming Life that encompasses all of Reality, and all created living beings within that reality. Thus, All will be redeemed and restored to God. This restoration of all things is a radically beautiful vision that only God could accomplish as Divine Love. And, perhaps we should say, only Divine Love would genuinely desire to restore All and our transformation/theosis enables us to glimpse this beauty.
4. Spiritual Consistency—By rejecting demon ontology, we preserve the revelation of God that Jesus has shown us. Namely, that God is Love and not Violent. God’s heart is to restore all of creation both visible and invisible. Rejecting demon ontology means that we will not witness God change nature and utterly destroy created beings.
Wm Paul Young Replies
I feel the walls come tumbling down”
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