Angels & Demons: What the Bible Says about Spiritual Creatures

by John R. Gilhooly

Christians in Bible-believing churches often do not receive explicit teaching on angels because expositional sermons focus on the meaning of the text—and the biblical authors are rarely focused on discussing angels. The consequence is that legends or superstitions often cloud our reflections about supernatural beings. Pastors also rarely receive in-depth exposure to this subject in seminary. This book satisfies a need for teaching about the angels for a popular audience who want to speak and think biblically about the spiritual realm, especially because many books on angels teach speculative views or borrow their ideas from other religions of the ancient near east.

Genres: Theology, Faith

208 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Erik Spohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timely and clear resource for understanding Scripture's teaching on angels and demons. Gilhooly cuts through urban legend and historical myths about the nature of supernatural beings, and in so doing he helps the read love and trust the God of the Bible all the more!

[Matthew Bruemmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book and how much I learned. It felt extremely refreshing to read a book from a modern author take a very complicated theological topic and simplify it to the truth of the Bible. Gilhooly is a talented writer & his ability to teach effectively really shows in this book. I appreciated the clear and crisp form this book takes on and the five motifs of what an angel is really helps clarify what to take away from a correct biblical interpretation. I would have liked a more in depth analysis of demonology since there is so much of this in the new testament and ministry of Jesus and I just didn't feel like it was as strong of a section as the angels section. Overall, highly recommend this for a quick read on the theology of angels from a biblical perspective.

[sam heaton · Rating 2 out of 5]

This landed on a "best of 2024" list that I saw and figured I'd check it out. If you read any book on this subject, it probably shouldn't be this one. Imagine reading an astronomy book about the Milky Way Galaxy, and all throughout the discussion of the stars, the planets, and the asteroid belts, are repeated statements about how small and unimportant all of this information really is. That would seem silly, right? Exactly. He repeats throughout the book - over and over again - how rare angels and demons are in scripture, and then follows this up with almost of an hour (on the audiobook) of the scriptures on angels and demons - and that's even with cutting those passages short and not including many of the passages referring to demons, the "sons of God" passages, or some of the powers / spirits passages in the NT.

And before you discount me as a kooky angel-and-demon-obsessed supernaturalist (which is the way Gilhooly seems to describe all those who disagree), let me say that I share very similar theological and hermeneutical foundations as he does. I care about what the text says. I want any Biblical theology to be grounded in exegesis, and any systematic theology to be based off of that Biblical theology. But that's why this book didn't work for me. There is very little actual exegesis, and what little exegesis there is is pretty anemic and flimsy (see: his argument on Gen 6). Add in a few strawman arguments about what other people think the text is saying, and you have a book with a thesis in search of premises. Seriously - for all the criticism of how everybody has beliefs that aren't actually from the Bible, I think I could count one hand every passage that makes an actual argument with shown exegesis here. He even made a comment at one point about how the job of a scholar is to be boring - no, the job of a Biblical theologian is to go where the text leads, whether that's boring or interesting.

I'm fine with Sethite views, and I'm fine with those that discount the "divine council" understanding, but I want you to show your work and actually interact with the arguments of other faithful believers.

[Sint Van Solkema · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides a great overview of angels and demons in scripture. Providing us with context and biblical references that showcase how angels and demons are represented and how they interact with the story. Overall, the book gives a refreshing observation from an angelologist and how to read and understand their purpose and place in scripture.

[Tyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book with such a feeling of peace. If you are reading this review you should read the book!

The title and cover art are provocative (just look at design of the ampersand sign). My husband even raised his eyebrows at my book. I am sure this was a publishing decision but it is the exact opposite of the book's tone. This book is humble, non-speculative, and feels trustworthy. I did not have one icky moment reading it. I do not have a bad after taste upon completion of it.

The five ways or motifs of the appearance of angels in the Bible is so helpful I plan on copying them into my own study bible. (These are repeated throughout the book and re-listed in several locations throughout. And no, I am not going to list them in my review. Please buy this book).

Professor Gilhooly is humorous, relatable, and did not prattle on like an academic full of himself.

(I have read The Unseen Realm (Heiser) twice and loved it. I won't even bother with it again. I need to go back and amend my reviews. I feel so comfortable with this book.

Thank you John R. Gilhooly.

[Kevin Blackaby · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a waste of my time and money. It should be entitled, On the Cessation of anything having to do with the Spiritual Realm". 🙄 His hermeneutic is severely flawed. For example, he states the "sons of God" in Genesis 6 are not fallen angels, but he doesn't bother to tell us who he thinks they are. So, I guess we are supposed to just take him at his word.
Don't waste your time on this book. There are much better treatises on angels and demons. I get his point about the 5 motifs (roles, if you will) of angels, and that our emphasis should be on Christ alone, but that is simply evading the subject at hand. Why in the world would a "reluctant angelologist" endeavor to write a book on angels and demons?? It's like choosing to write a book on your least favorite subject 😏 He is neither and angelologist nor is he an authority on the subject.

[Drew Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does what it sets out to do in demonstrating what the Bible has to say about angels and demons, which to some degree can be a little disappointing (however, this is remedied by a charge to think instead of Christ). This should be expected because the Bible itself doesn’t have much to say about these messengers, but are certainly focused on their message.

Because of the intent of the book Gilhooly does not spend much time defending views of Genesis 6, Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28, or other passages which may be taken as speaking of angels or not. For these questions Gilhooly’s 40 Questions About Angels, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare exists. But this book exists as a quick remedy against some of the popular yet unbiblical assumptions about angels by expressing what it actually is that the Bible says about them.

[Landon Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is perhaps the most restrained treatment of angels and demons I've ever read. I appreciate Gilhooly's caution, but I think he misses some of the broader picture that can be pieced together from the Old and New Testament about spiritual beings. The book doesn't say quite enough, even as most books on the subject say far too much.

[Caleb Nedimyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful on a number of levels. Sticks to the text, gives small historical references for popular beliefs, and grammatical insights for positions held and given. I appreciate the 5 motifs given for interpretation.

[Earl Pike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straight to the point. A walk through dismissal of pretty much every misconception held about angels and demons. The book does get bogged down at times which is really just the result of the simplicity of roles played by angels. Very easy, short read.

[Seth De Foor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful, but not without its flaws. You can pretty much read the first two chapters and last two chapters and be fine. Gilhooly puts angels and demons in their proper place, emphasizing the fact that they are mere creatures and Scripture has very little to say about them.

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covers the major bases in a clear and sane hermeneutic.

[kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and concise look at the Bible’s references to Angels and demons.