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Seeing the Unseen by Joe Beam
Spiritual warfare is real, and your faith is at stake. Based on Biblical principles, Seeing the Unseen helps you fight back against the enemy.In today’s world, Satan seems to be everywhere, and he seems to have the advantage. But the enemy is not of this world, and the war is in the spiritual world. Satan is trying to attack you and destroy your faith, and the only way to defeat him is to fight back.In this newly revised and updated bestseller, Joe Beam reveal Satan's powerful weaponry—his lies, deceptions, and manipulations—and unmasks his strategy to destroy your life and those you care for. This book will show you his plans and tactics, and teach you where he is likely to strike next and how to fight him.Based on a dedicated study of God’s word, this book is filled with stories of tragedy and triumph and will give you the tools you need to defeat the enemy.
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First published January 1, 1998
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About the author
Joe Beam
25 books12 followersJoe Beam is an internationally-known inspirational speaker and best-selling author. He founded Family Dynamics Institute in 1994 and in 2008 he founded Love Path International, and serves as its president. He has spoken to millions of people worldwide in personal appearances as well as appearances on television and radio, including ABC's Good Morning America, Focus on the Family, the Montel Williams Show, NBC's Today Show, The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet and magazines such as People and Better Homes and Gardens.
After earning his bachelor's degree (Magna Cum Laude) from Southern Christian University, Joe did graduate studies in Clinical Psychology at the University of Evansville. He is currently involved in research to complete his Ph.D in Biomedical science at the University of Sydney, consistently rated one of the top fifty universities in the world. The emphasis of his research is in sexology.
Joe Beam has authored many magazine articles, corporate training programs, and is the author of several books; national bestseller Seeing the Unseen, Forgiven Forever, and Becoming One: Emotionally, Spiritually, and Sexually and The Real Heaven: It's not What Think. Joe and his wife Alice collaborated with Dr. Nick and Nancy Stinnett to author the book Fantastic Families.
After serving as a minister for fifteen years, large training contracts for thousands of employees and lucrative speaking engagements propelled Joe into the corporate training world. Only one thing lacked--his sense of mission. In his heart, he felt compelled to do for families what he was doing for corporate employees.
In 1994, Joe founded the nonprofit organization, Family Dynamics Institute. He developed FDI's programs using the best material from world-renowned family researchers and educators. In 2008, Joe founded LovePath International because he wanted to do more than just educate couples. He wanted to change the way they live and love so that their marriages would be all they could be. To do this, Joe developed a form of marital psychoeducation that combines a solid knowledge relationship principles, human behavior and group dynamics, all delivered in a unique and effective methodology. This system does more than educate the mind; it reaches the heart and the soul to create true growth and an amazing increase in love.
After earning his bachelor's degree (Magna Cum Laude) from Southern Christian University, Joe did graduate studies in Clinical Psychology at the University of Evansville. He is currently involved in research to complete his Ph.D in Biomedical science at the University of Sydney, consistently rated one of the top fifty universities in the world. The emphasis of his research is in sexology.
Joe Beam has authored many magazine articles, corporate training programs, and is the author of several books; national bestseller Seeing the Unseen, Forgiven Forever, and Becoming One: Emotionally, Spiritually, and Sexually and The Real Heaven: It's not What Think. Joe and his wife Alice collaborated with Dr. Nick and Nancy Stinnett to author the book Fantastic Families.
After serving as a minister for fifteen years, large training contracts for thousands of employees and lucrative speaking engagements propelled Joe into the corporate training world. Only one thing lacked--his sense of mission. In his heart, he felt compelled to do for families what he was doing for corporate employees.
In 1994, Joe founded the nonprofit organization, Family Dynamics Institute. He developed FDI's programs using the best material from world-renowned family researchers and educators. In 2008, Joe founded LovePath International because he wanted to do more than just educate couples. He wanted to change the way they live and love so that their marriages would be all they could be. To do this, Joe developed a form of marital psychoeducation that combines a solid knowledge relationship principles, human behavior and group dynamics, all delivered in a unique and effective methodology. This system does more than educate the mind; it reaches the heart and the soul to create true growth and an amazing increase in love.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 16, 2021
For the most part, I found this book refreshing: the supernatural is real and extends from heaven to earth seamlessly. Ignorance about this truth is a tool the enemy takes great advantage of.
But I do have a couple of disagreements with the author.
One, he didn’t sell me on the idea that demons are actually the souls of dead people instead of the traditional understanding that demons are fallen angels working with Satan. His arguments seemed to be supported by the understanding of the ancient culture and its myths rather than a clear, biblical teaching.
Also not clear in scripture and the author seems to make an overly broad generalization on is that the dead are aware of what’s going on on earth and in our lives. Maybe. Maybe in exceptional cases, as God chooses. Maybe in general, spiritually speaking. I was not convinced by the few exceptional examples he gave.
What I can strongly agree with is that Satan and his demons are real and Christians need to be aware of his character and ways, employing the power of the Holy Spirit and always wearing the armor of the Lord while not giving him more credit than he’s due. He is defeated. Jesus reigns.
But I do have a couple of disagreements with the author.
One, he didn’t sell me on the idea that demons are actually the souls of dead people instead of the traditional understanding that demons are fallen angels working with Satan. His arguments seemed to be supported by the understanding of the ancient culture and its myths rather than a clear, biblical teaching.
Also not clear in scripture and the author seems to make an overly broad generalization on is that the dead are aware of what’s going on on earth and in our lives. Maybe. Maybe in exceptional cases, as God chooses. Maybe in general, spiritually speaking. I was not convinced by the few exceptional examples he gave.
What I can strongly agree with is that Satan and his demons are real and Christians need to be aware of his character and ways, employing the power of the Holy Spirit and always wearing the armor of the Lord while not giving him more credit than he’s due. He is defeated. Jesus reigns.
December 3, 2018
I first read this book in the 90s after hearing Joe Beam speak at our church. I was entranced and felt like windows of understanding had opened up for me. There is a world that we cannot see and it intersects with ours. So many Bible verses made more sense. It was a game changer.
Fast forward 20+ years and wow, it’s like watching an old movie whose plot and special effects seem dated and quaint. I was a new Christian in the 90s. Now I’ve had decades of reading and study under my belt. My views have changed.
In the first part of the book Joe emphasizes staying on the correct spiritual path. He interprets that to mean followers must stay within the bounds of church orthodoxy. I cringe now when I read that, having seen that concept and admonition exploited by even the most well-meaning but mistaken preachers. There was a doctrinal war in the churches of Christ going on when this book was written. The Boston church, an offshoot of mainstream CoC, with its cult-like views and practices, were enticing younger members away with the promise of greater spiritual rewards. Mainstream CoC was fighting to keep its congregants from leaving. I believe he was addressing that situation in his writing. Yet the upshot of his admonition is that believers should never question God nor orthodox faith. He himself doesn’t seem to believe what he wrote as later in the book he takes quite a few digs at the leadership of established churches.
The teaching on The origins of demons is taken from Alexander Campbell’s thoughts on the subject. He does an adequate job supporting his ideas with verses. I note only they differ widely from 1st century Jewish thought on demons. It would have been helpful to compare and contrast the two opposing views. CS Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters” covers the same material but in a more entertaining, thought-provoking manner.
The idea that Satan exists was a novel one to CoC in the 90s and he does a superb job discussing Satan’s role in our world. That section has stood the test of time well.
Joe seems to be a wanna-be novelist so the book is peppered with imaginative, dramatic takes on what God, Jesus and the devil were thinking. I took those with huge grains of salt. Many of the details had no Biblical counterpart.
Interesting book: yes. Would I recommend it was Bible classes? No. It’s too dated and caught up in church politics.
Fast forward 20+ years and wow, it’s like watching an old movie whose plot and special effects seem dated and quaint. I was a new Christian in the 90s. Now I’ve had decades of reading and study under my belt. My views have changed.
In the first part of the book Joe emphasizes staying on the correct spiritual path. He interprets that to mean followers must stay within the bounds of church orthodoxy. I cringe now when I read that, having seen that concept and admonition exploited by even the most well-meaning but mistaken preachers. There was a doctrinal war in the churches of Christ going on when this book was written. The Boston church, an offshoot of mainstream CoC, with its cult-like views and practices, were enticing younger members away with the promise of greater spiritual rewards. Mainstream CoC was fighting to keep its congregants from leaving. I believe he was addressing that situation in his writing. Yet the upshot of his admonition is that believers should never question God nor orthodox faith. He himself doesn’t seem to believe what he wrote as later in the book he takes quite a few digs at the leadership of established churches.
The teaching on The origins of demons is taken from Alexander Campbell’s thoughts on the subject. He does an adequate job supporting his ideas with verses. I note only they differ widely from 1st century Jewish thought on demons. It would have been helpful to compare and contrast the two opposing views. CS Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters” covers the same material but in a more entertaining, thought-provoking manner.
The idea that Satan exists was a novel one to CoC in the 90s and he does a superb job discussing Satan’s role in our world. That section has stood the test of time well.
Joe seems to be a wanna-be novelist so the book is peppered with imaginative, dramatic takes on what God, Jesus and the devil were thinking. I took those with huge grains of salt. Many of the details had no Biblical counterpart.
Interesting book: yes. Would I recommend it was Bible classes? No. It’s too dated and caught up in church politics.
February 10, 2020
I found this book practical and biblically based. Beam does a good job interweaving biblical truths with real-life stories. This is an easy read and I believe that your eyes will be open to the tricks and schemes of the evil one.
July 6, 2011
Joe has become a friend of mine over recent months and when I mentioned my interest in this subject he suggested I read his work. The book covers subjects rarely discussed in Sunday school yet affects everyone at some point in time. If you have questions about spiritual warfare, this is a great start.
March 30, 2020
I had high hopes for this book initially. Beam started off bringing attention to the reality and presence of the spiritual realm. He did a good job setting the stage, but from there he went on to fall flat I felt. There was only one good chapter (Ch 8- What Are Demons?) that presented new thoughts for me and was biblically based. In my perception he took a LOT of scripture out of context through the book, butchered symbolic prophecy (i.e.- Rev. 12) interpreting it literally, and proposed ideas such as "demonization," something just short of demon possession that he thinks are true without explaining really how and often giving no scripture for his premises at all. He does use a lot of scripture, but subtly you will notice he just throws a scripture at a point to make it "scriptural" per se, or a major point is made without scripture at all. The last half of the book was utterly worthless. I cannot explain how worthless the last half was spare one half of a chapter. I was very disappointed that I kept waiting for it to get better.
May 22, 2018
"My" Bible study class picked this as their newest read. It is interesting and a good source for discussion, but it has a disconcerting trick of changing pronouns midstream which is very annoying. It seems to change masculine to feminine without rhyme or reason. I probably will not try anything else by this author unless he gets his ducks or at least his editor in a row.
August 7, 2024
I really enjoy how this author communicates his thoughts, and even though there are a lot of tough topics, he does an amazing job to prove that God is greater. From angels, demons, to God; Beam makes clear that he is not the definite voice in the matter. Highly recommend to those that want to understand more of the spiritual war that happens everyday. All glory be to God.
December 10, 2023
The thing I liked about this book was his addressing the fact that Satan is very present in this world and he is capable of influencing us in so many ways. Christians tend to overlook this fact too often.
May 29, 2020
Very informative. A must read to get an understanding of spiritual warfare.
March 14, 2024
So good!! Really opened my eyes to a lot!
February 12, 2013
After attending Joe Beam's marriage conference, which was life changing by the way, I purchased all the paperbacks he was offering. Unfortunately, this book was in the mix. The first chapter grabs you and pulls you in to what you think is going to be fantastic insight into the nature of good and evil. I am a very spiritual person with an open mind, so I was very excited to read further. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered the rest of the book is so "supernatural", fictional, and ridiculous that it insulted my intelligence. And yes, I am Biblically and secularly educated.
October 17, 2022
This book is a great tool to better understand the Evil one.
March 1, 2008
Mike was right in his comment about Satan and knowing the enemy. It is amazing to see people rationalize sin that is destroying their life. Joe Beam did that and lived long enough to tell his story of leaving God and then finding Him again. Great insight into how sin can take us over if we are not alert.
August 27, 2008
An interesting read even if I don't know what to think about everything in it. It did make me rethink the way I'm living my life and whether I want to continue in that direction. I like inspirational books, but sometimes scare tactics work too, at least in the short term.
July 9, 2008
Dark, but very interesting!
August 26, 2012
I have read it 3 times. Great read for the Christian trying to understand why bad things just happen.
May 18, 2013
Loved it. Eye opening reading on the spiritual world.
July 19, 2015
I highly recommend this book. Very thought provoking and informative. I have many things to think over and process since reading this book.
September 10, 2015
The most fascinating book on Spiritual Warfare I have yet to read.
December 28, 2015
Serious look at a topic that is not often addressed by Christians and is frankly frowned upon entirely by non-religious types.
May 3, 2016
read SOMETIME in 1997
November 22, 2017
This book makes one aware of the unseen negative forces and provides spiritual warfare methods.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews