The Church and the Relentless Darkness

Description:In a period of tumultuous transition for the church as it moves out of the Christendom era and into the unknowns of the post-Christian era, it is strange that so little has been written about the church's calling out of the dominion of darkness (Satan) and into the kingdom of Light (or, God's dear Son). The very word ecclesia speaks of a people called out. In the New Testament the theme of spiritual warfare is ubiquitous, and yet is relegated to the margins in our present cultural whitewater. In The Church and the Relentless Darkness, Robert Henderson approaches the topic of spiritual warfare directly, and focuses on its manifestation in local Christian communities. Using the Letter to the Ephesian Christians as his base, Henderson portrays the relentless darkness that comes with all satanic subtlety on unsuspecting communities, but he brings with this a message of hope and encouraging disciplines.Endorsements:With the same wit and humor characteristic of his earlier work, but with a seriousness of tone that belies the sensitive nature of the subject, Henderson journeys into the cultural whitewater to lift up the much-avoided biblical theme of warfare with Satan and the dominion of darkness. . . . Henderson's purpose is not to condemn the church, but save it.--Erik Vincent, Teacher of High School Advanced StudiesHenderson's prophetic voice warns Christ's followers that although the ultimate war has been won, the battle with relentless darkness continues. To be naïve, he argues, is to be vulnerable. . . . This provocative book challenges our paradigms, warns of the dangers of the 'therapeutic deism' that so pervades the church today, and calls readers back to their original mandate to make disciples as a part of a dynamic community.--Sherri Hutter, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Integration, The Coca-Cola CompanyAbout the Contributor(s):Robert Thornton Henderson has had a long career as a teaching pastor and a missiologist in the Presbyterian Church. He is the author of a number of books including Enchanted Community: Journey Into the Mystery of the Church and Refounding the Church from the Underside, both by Wipf and Stock.