Against the Darkness: The Doctrine of Angels, Satan, and Demons, by Graham A. Cole. Foundations of Evangelical Theology. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019. 272 pp. $40.00.
Against the Darkness is the latest volume in the Foundations of Evangelical Theology series edited by John S. Feinberg. The objective of this series is to address the whole scope of evangelical theology in a manner that accounts for the latest in scholarship while being accessible to a beginning student in theology. Some of these volumes have established themselves as standard works in their field and are used widely by seminaries and pastors. Graham Cole now has the distinction of having contributed two volumes to the series. Cole serves as Dean as well as Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Cole’s introductory chapter lays out his understanding of a methodology committed to Scripture as the norming norm of theology. In the following chapter, he discusses the kinds and nature of angels as well as their heavenly activity. He sees Scripture presenting us with an unsystematic variety of angelic kinds, all of which can be described as pure spirits, immaterial creatures who think and act. Unfallen angels worship and serve God. Next, Cole turns his attention to angelic activity on earth, where angels have more to do than many moderns suspect. He discusses angelic activity in guarding the sacred, bridging heaven and earth, guarding and guiding God’s people, communicating the law, delivering messages, interpreting divine messages, rescuing God’s servants, caring for God’s people, reconnoitering the earth, administering judgment, and serving the Christ. For those who come from a materialistic mindset, it is good to be reminded of all that Scripture reveals about the work of angels. In this chapter Cole also considers “the mysterious angel of the Lord,” and he concludes that this angel is not a theophany or a Christophany but an angelophany.
The next couple chapters deal with Satan and demons. Cole rightly sees Satan as a real, personal creature, a fallen angel who is the enemy of God and God’s people. Cole works concisely through the biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation to expound Satan’s nature and work. He then adds discussion of the nature and work of demons, fallen angels who follow Satan, oppose God’s people, and promote false worship.
Having dealt with both holy angels and evil angels, the next three chapters turn to the conflict of good and evil and its resolution. Chapter six deals with Jesus’s fulfillment of the promise of Genesis 3:15, what is historically called the Christus Victor motif, showing how Jesus destroys the works of the devil (1 John 3:18). Chapter seven takes up the contested topic of spiritual warfare. Cole notes that even the definition of the phrase “spiritual warfare” is difficult, so after walking through the NT testimony to the reality of spiritual conflict, he surveys seven contemporary models of spiritual warfare. He concludes by giving what he sees as a biblically defensible approach to this conflict. Chapter eight turns its attention to eschatology and the ultimate triumph of light over darkness. When it comes to the question of the binding of Satan and the millennium, Cole surveys historic premillennialism, amillennialism, postmillennialism, and dispensationalism without endorsing any position.
The foregoing survey should give the interested reader a general feel for the scope and sequence of the book, but it does not do justice to the most practically helpful aspect of the book. Each chapter includes a section entitled “Implications for Belief and Practice,” in which Cole takes up many practical questions relating to the doctrine. Is it wrong to pray to God for angelic assistance? Can believers be possessed by the demonic? Is there a relation between mental illness and the demonic? These questions and many more are dealt with in a concise manner. This will be of great interest to many readers. It is worth noting that Cole’s non-cessationist views lead him to be open to performing exorcisms today, although he warns based on Matthew 7 that such a spiritual ability is not a guarantee that one is known by God.
Another helpful element of the book, particularly for pastors and theological students, is Cole’s interaction with recent theologians and social theorists, ranging from Amos Yong to Rene Girard. By the very nature of the case, this is something one cannot find in standard, slightly older works, such as those by C. Fred Dickason or Alex Konya. This should not be taken to imply that Cole ignores the wider scope of church history. Throughout the work, he interacts with interpreters from every era of church history. In addition, he includes three appendices, one of which summarizes the Muslim view of angels. To top it all off, Cole gives a well-rounded list of suggestions for further reading.
One can always find points to argue in such a work as this. Sometimes one comes from a differing position on issues which are beyond the scope of the work. Sometimes the conciseness of the work leaves issues or exegetical arguments underdeveloped. But this is unavoidable. The author does not aim to produce a comprehensive tome or a tour de force. He aims to produce an edifying work of theology which will help others to study what the Scripture reveals about the angelic realm. In this he has succeeded.
