Merrill F. Unger - What Demons Can Do to Saints

A nd by faith He still speaks, even though He is dead (Hebrews 11:4b; NIV). These inspired words concerning Abel have appropriate application to Merrill F. Unger. All of Christendom has benefited from the scholarly pen of Merrill Unger. Evangelical Christians have gladly owned him as one of their most able spokesmen for the Christian faith. He is the author of some twenty-seven books and many published articles. His contribution of scholarly assistance in numerous fields of biblical study is almost legendary. Most pastors, missionaries, and Christian workers of various disciplines have several volumes of Dr. Unger's reference books in their libraries. His prodigious work still bears much fruit for the cause of Christ.

During his writing years, Dr. Unger devoted concentrated study toward understanding a biblical view of demonology. In 1965, he authored a well received book on the topic of this neglected subject entitled Biblical Demonology (Scripture Press, 1965). His vital interest in the subject continued to develop as he authored such subsequent studies as Demons in the World Today (Tyndale, 1971) and The Haunting of Bishop Pike (Tyndale, 1971). His last work on this special interest subject was published in 1977 under the title What Demons Can Do to Saints (Moody, 1977).

Dr. Unger died in 1980, three years after this last book on demonology was published. As he came toward the close of his earthly life, the Holy Spirit seemed to be sharing with Merrill Unger an urgent message of warning for believers. He writes, Saints must realize that they are the bull's eye, as it were, against which Satan and his demonic helpers aim their fiery darts. Dr. Unger did not live to see how urgently needed his warning message would be. A blast of Satanic activity was in the making. The opening of America during the '80s to a variety of occultic interests and the widespread ritualistic worship of Satan came upon our culture like a plague.

Unprecedented numbers of people became involved in this occultic search, triggering serious demonic problems in the lives of those who dabble in such things. The alarm has finally sounded in nearly every expression of Christ's church. We are seeing that we really are involved in a deadly war with the powers of darkness. Churches must be ready to minister to those affected. Some of those desperately needing help have grown up in our churches. Drug experimentation, promiscuity, heavy metal music, and dabbling in Satanism has touched the young people of many Christian homes. Breaking away from involvement in such deceptions of darkness sometimes comes hard. Biblical help is desperately needed.

The republishing of Merrill Unger's book on What Demons Can Do to Saints provides an important assistance toward supplying biblical help. He deals objectively and with sensitivity concerning the degree of demonization Christians might experience. Although not everyone may agree with his conclusions, everyone should consider his careful approach to the subject. His warnings about seeking for a physical and emotional experience not authenticated by the Word of God are well documented by illustrations from the lives of those who came into bondage by such seeking. His chapter on Mediumship in Pious Masquerade is of classic importance for protection from the New Age deceptions that are bursting upon the church. Although his treatment of gaining freedom from demonic troubling is limited, his observations are necessary and helpful.

Many of us who desire to maintain biblical balance in this day of extremes greatly welcome this return of Dr. Unger's book to print. I prayerfully trust that it will receive the wide audience of readers that it deserves.

MARK I. BUBECK