The Society

So I read the rest of "the Society." I have to admit that I wound up liking it more than I thought I would. I especially like hoe Meyers helps us get to know a little about Scott and Becca's personalities.

Did you know that Meyers has kind of a blog where he answers questions from his readers? http://www.forbiddendoors.com/journal.htm

I loved how the kids put on the armor of God. Of course, they don't put on the "whole armor," just a couple of pieces. That's probably so he can write like ten more books.
Anyway, my high school Bible Study group studied the armor as laid out in Ephesians 6:10-19. You can read my entries on the armor at http://malloryprayer.blogspot.com/search/label/Armor%20of%20God

To my knowledge, I've never personally encountered a possession situation and frankly, would just assume not. There's at least one example in the Bible where Jesus had to clean up after His disciples weren't able to drive one out. Some Christians get paranoid, and think that demons are behind everything bad that ever happens and other Christians doubt that possession can actually happen.

Here is an interesting quote about the devil from MArtin Luther-
"Why should you fear? Why should you be afraid? Do you not know that the prince of this world has been judged? He is no lord, no prince any more. You have a different, a stronger Lord, Christ, who has overcome and bound him. Therefore let the prince and god of this world look sour, bare his teeth, make a great noise, threaten, and act in an unmannerly way; he can do no more than a bad dog on a chain, which may bark, run here and there, and tear at the chain. But because it is tied and you avoid it, it cannot bite you. So the devil acts toward every Christian. Therefore everything depends on this that we do not feel secure but continue in the fear of God and in prayer; then the chained dog cannot harm us. But this chained dog may at least frighten him who would be secure and go ahead without caution, although he may not come close enough to be bitten."

Usually "spiritual warfare" is more subtle and something we're not even aware of- more like Becca praying for her friend Julie to give up her "good luck charm" than the big dramatic, Joan of Arc scene that Scott had to go through. That's better reading, and makes for more exciting movies- but as Scott found out, the best strategy we have is not confrontation, but prayer. Think of it as "covert-ops" if you want to.

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." ~2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Scott didn't yell at those kids or bring down fire from Heaven or get even with them, but he did feel compassion for them. That's how un-worldy and radical Jesus is. Love, not power. An expert on the occult talked to our staff in LA and explained that most people who get involved in the occult are looking for power, whereas Christians surrender their power to God.

If you enjoy reading Christian fiction and like some suspense in it or are interested in angels and demons, I recommend "This Present Darkness" By Frank Peretti. He's one of the premiere Christian fiction writers.