Are evil spirits assigned to geographical areas? The theme of territorial assignment in the demonic kingdom is one rarely touched upon by theologians, making this book unique in the study of spiritual warfare. The book has been edited by C. Peter Wagner, one of the most highly respected of all teachers in this area and contains contributions form many key church leaders. None of the contributors lay claim to being the final authority on the topics covered but offer their theories and insights regarding spiritual warfare for the reader's consideration. As well as discussing the theoretical principles involved, the book also records the experiences and discoveries made by practioners of strategic spiritual warfare.
Charles Peter Wagner (August 15, 1930 – October 21, 2016) was a theologian, missiologist, missionary, writer, teacher, and church growth specialist best known for his highly controversial writings on spiritual warfare.
Wagner served as a missionary in Bolivia under the South American Mission and Andes Evangelical Mission (now SIM International) from 1956 to 1971. He then served for 30 years (1971 to 2001) as Professor of Church Growth at the Fuller Theological Seminary's School of World Missions until his retirement in 2001. He is the author of more than 70 books. He was the president of Global Harvest Ministries from 1993 to 2011 and served as the chancellor emeritus of Wagner Leadership Institute, which trains leaders to join in a movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation, an organization Wagner also helped found. He was also the vice president of Global Spheres, Inc.
The book has great information about territorial spirits, but because of the multiple editors it really needed a competent editor (sorry Wagner). The chapters are highly repetitious, some of them communicating nothing that was not addressed in earlier chapters, and repeating the same stories again and again. I am glad that I persevered in slogging through these chapters to part three, which finally communicates information about territorial spirits and how to deal with them in some detail. As the work itself attests though, the writing of the book was premature. More work on the subject needed to be done so that the authors would indeed be experts rather than blind guides.
I have a weakness for spiritual warfare books! I have read some that are excellent and others that are goofy. This book is very thought provoking especially consider some of the Daniel and Mark passages that seem to indicate that there are territorial (I like the word "geographical" better.) spirits that are of demonic origin. I would recommend anyone to read this book as always with filters.
Wagner at times has been a controversial figure but I have gleaned some good things from his books over the years.
Spirit-filled believers need to read this book but then couple it with Don Dent's Apostle book or Neil T Anderson's The Bondage Breaker.
If you really want to engage in high level spiritual warfare you're insane. It's not fun. You'll lose. Seriously. Prepare to have your whole life systematically attacked.
On the other hand, if you want to pray alongside Jesus and plead the Blood of the Lamb over the ppl He puts on your heart then by all means do that and also read Operating in the Courts of Heaven by Henderson.
This books offers both encouragement and caution in “engaging territorial spirits.” It should be noted that this is an undertaking for a community which agrees on this worldview and approach. It can be very divisive for a community which doesn’t agree, and I don’t recommend a person take on this activity alone and especially not if there’s disagreement. My worldview has shifted a bit away from this approach, but Wagner’s language and the testimonies still have use where they’re welcomed and facilitated by the Spirit’s work to prepare the way beyond what’s humanly doable.
While some of this book helps you to understand the point of view on territorial spirits that Wagner has other parts of the book seem to give you information without telling you how he obtained it, as in the name of the spirits and how he knows they have certain tendencies. I think it is mostly balanced but did not give me the total amount of evidence I wanted when I started researching the idea territorial spirits. It's worth reading but you will need to do more research than just this book.
Informative and requiring slow thoughtful reading. The various writers who contribute the 19 chapters give many insights into the world behind our physical world. A seeker of God will find a unique look at the Christian Faith.
I am looking to start a cell-based church in my area. I am particularly interested in being sensitive to the Spirit's leading in that regard. "Territorial Spirits" seemed to offer insights into how to best lay a foundation for a cell-based ministry. I have studied Ephesians 6 and other passages regarding principalities and powers (primarily as a result of reading "The Unseen Realm" by Michael Heiser). While it's hard to argue with the results of churches that have followed principles outlined in "Territorial Spirits," I must question the interpretation of the various Scripture passages in light of their context. I think it is important to note that none of the books regarding cell group ministries, that I have read, say anything about territorial spirits - and many cell-based churches have been highly successful in reaching their "territories."
I took my time reading this book, and I found it most insightful. Many books written on this topic are full of opinion and theories, but I love how Wagner makes use of many well-theologically grounded authors who take time to explain Scripture passages, referring to angels & demons and their interworkings, utilizing other Biblical references along with various personal experiences. I find this to be a trustworthy resource for gaining a better understanding of territorial spirits and how to stand against them.