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Theology for the People
Reviving Old Scratch: Demons and the Devil for Doubters and the Disenchanted
The devil has fallen on hard times. Surveys say that even the majority of Christians doubt Satan's existence. Burdened by doubts, skeptical believers find themselves divorced from Jesus dramatic confrontation with Satan in the Gospels and from the struggle that galvanized the early church. In Reviving Old Scratch, popular blogger and theologian Richard Beck reintroduces the devil to the modern world with a biblical, bold, and urgent vision of spiritual we must resist the devil by joining the kingdom of God's subversive campaign to interrupt the world with love. Beck shows how conservative Christians too often overspiritualize the devil and demons, and progressive Christians reduce these forces to social justice issues. By understanding evil as a very real force in the world, we are better able to name it for what it is and thus to combat it as Jesus did. Beck's own work in a prison Bible study and at a church for recovering addicts convinced him to take Satan more seriously, and they provide compelling illustrations as he challenges the contemporary versions of evil forces. Because if Jesus took Satan seriously, then so should we.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2016
80 people are currently reading
515 people want to read
About the author
Richard Beck
8 books117 followersDr. Richard Beck is a Professor of Psychology at Abilene Christian University, and he is the author of the popular blog Experimental Theology: The Thoughts, Articles and Essays of Richard Beck and the books The Slavery of Death, Unclean: Meditations on Purity, Hospitality, and Mortality and The Authenticity of Faith: The Varieties and Illusions of Religious Experience. As an experimental psychologist and a practicing Christian, he attempts in his writing "to integrate theology with the experimental social sciences."
Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
March 16, 2019
You’ve gotta love the Lutherans. Well, their press, even if you don’t pay attention to the denomination, is impressive. Fortress has, like most denominational presses, been through changing and challenging times. The series Theology for the People is an accessible, deft approach to serious issues. There is some theology here, as I mention on my blog (Sects and Violence in the Ancient World) but the book is more about the problem of evil than any kind of “physical” devil. Richard Beck is a psychologist who’s very concerned with social justice. He works in prison ministry. He has training in figuring out why people think the ways they do. This is an interesting book.
If you’re looking for Exorcist-like stories, this isn’t the place to go. If you’re looking for everyday stories (and advice) about people challenging evil, this is a good choice. Systemic evil, the kind that is generated by societies more focused on capitalism, or racism, or sexism (and this book was written prior to Trump) is the warm breeding pool of evil. Using examples from his prison ministry and his public talks and their aftermath, Beck suggests practical ways for fighting the Devil. They don’t involve holy water or “The power of Christ compels you,” but they’re compelling nevertheless.
While I didn’t find everything in here great—that’s an occupational hazard of higher education—I found much of it very good. At a couple of points I found myself pondering how someone I’ve never met could get into my head so well. It may be theology or it may just be psychology, but it is a fascinating place to find yourself in either case. Folksy and non-threatening, the accessible language and straightforward declarations of what the author’s about make this a very interesting book to read in the present day. And likely, given the presence of evil, for years to come.
If you’re looking for Exorcist-like stories, this isn’t the place to go. If you’re looking for everyday stories (and advice) about people challenging evil, this is a good choice. Systemic evil, the kind that is generated by societies more focused on capitalism, or racism, or sexism (and this book was written prior to Trump) is the warm breeding pool of evil. Using examples from his prison ministry and his public talks and their aftermath, Beck suggests practical ways for fighting the Devil. They don’t involve holy water or “The power of Christ compels you,” but they’re compelling nevertheless.
While I didn’t find everything in here great—that’s an occupational hazard of higher education—I found much of it very good. At a couple of points I found myself pondering how someone I’ve never met could get into my head so well. It may be theology or it may just be psychology, but it is a fascinating place to find yourself in either case. Folksy and non-threatening, the accessible language and straightforward declarations of what the author’s about make this a very interesting book to read in the present day. And likely, given the presence of evil, for years to come.
May 31, 2016
This is a book about spiritual warfare for a very specific audience: Christians who have become wary of the notion of the devil, or who simply don't think or attempt to deal with the question anymore. In a rather personal way (much different from other Beck books I've read) Beck argues that the concept of spiritual warfare and the devil is extremely important for two reasons.
First, the basic narrative of the NT demands us to take account of the devil. The important chapter for this is Chapter 4, the White Witch. He argues that an ancient and probably one of the best versions of atonement theory is the so-called Christus Victor theory (basically that the atonement is Jesus triumphing over the powers of sin and death), but when the NT tells this story it is mostly put in terms of Jesus fighting with Satan (which he helpfully defines as "the personification of all that is adversarial to the kingdom and people of God, the personified Enemy of God"pg.8). He's right - you really can't talk about the atonement without this if you want to keep the language of the NT (which, frankly, many Protestant traditions don't do).
Second, and I think this is pretty important, Beck argues that without a concept of the power of satan compassion becomes either an acid that destroys our faith (because of all the evil we see in the world - Beck says that the Bible's theodicy is action), or we end up creating enemies of people even in righteous causes. In other words, if you give up on spiritual demons you end up demonizing actual flesh and blood people.
There's a lot to this argument. Beck doesn't think satan is necessarily a conscious person, and the last chapter he seems to go for a pretty conventional (not meaning anything bad by this) progressive vision of social justice.
The thing I missed was that Beck never talks about how prayer and worship work in his vision. He talks about music a little, but doesn't really fully engage what spiritual warfare is in that setting, which is probably the most common settings that Christians see it.
Anyway, it's pretty good!
First, the basic narrative of the NT demands us to take account of the devil. The important chapter for this is Chapter 4, the White Witch. He argues that an ancient and probably one of the best versions of atonement theory is the so-called Christus Victor theory (basically that the atonement is Jesus triumphing over the powers of sin and death), but when the NT tells this story it is mostly put in terms of Jesus fighting with Satan (which he helpfully defines as "the personification of all that is adversarial to the kingdom and people of God, the personified Enemy of God"pg.8). He's right - you really can't talk about the atonement without this if you want to keep the language of the NT (which, frankly, many Protestant traditions don't do).
Second, and I think this is pretty important, Beck argues that without a concept of the power of satan compassion becomes either an acid that destroys our faith (because of all the evil we see in the world - Beck says that the Bible's theodicy is action), or we end up creating enemies of people even in righteous causes. In other words, if you give up on spiritual demons you end up demonizing actual flesh and blood people.
There's a lot to this argument. Beck doesn't think satan is necessarily a conscious person, and the last chapter he seems to go for a pretty conventional (not meaning anything bad by this) progressive vision of social justice.
The thing I missed was that Beck never talks about how prayer and worship work in his vision. He talks about music a little, but doesn't really fully engage what spiritual warfare is in that setting, which is probably the most common settings that Christians see it.
Anyway, it's pretty good!
August 7, 2017
Richard Beck is an author I wish was more popular in the Christian publishing industry. His books such as Unclean and The Slavery Unto Death are both brilliant works combining theology and psychology. This book takes on a topic that is uncomfortable to talk about, even for those of us who maybe shouldn't be uncomfortable with it: spiritual warfare. There seem two extremes when it comes to talking about this. Traditional conservatives take it at face value, speaking of demons and satan, taking their existence for granted. At worst, bad decisions and sins and illness are seen as happening because of demonic possession which can diminish human freedom and cause people to not seek medical care. On the other hand, progressive liberals are skeptical of the traditional view and jettison the whole idea of demons and satan. At worst though, this leads to not realizing the power that works behind the scenes; we are not as free as we think we are for there are forces that influence us as individuals, and groups as a whole.
Beck's target audience is the latter, though the former would benefit from this. He argues that it is not a question of personal sin OR structural sin, it is not a question of forgiveness or justice, it is both. There is something real in the language of demons and satan and we have a richer understanding of reality when we recognize this. In other words, if we want to overcome evil, whether this evil is human trafficking and poverty or personal struggles with pornography and lying, we need to recognize there is more going on than meets the eye.
I highly recommend this one for progressives who doubt demons, but also for conservatives. This serves as a good book to read prior to the work of someone like Walter Wink. I also have Greg Boyd's new book on Jesus and this seems like a good precursor for that.
Beck's target audience is the latter, though the former would benefit from this. He argues that it is not a question of personal sin OR structural sin, it is not a question of forgiveness or justice, it is both. There is something real in the language of demons and satan and we have a richer understanding of reality when we recognize this. In other words, if we want to overcome evil, whether this evil is human trafficking and poverty or personal struggles with pornography and lying, we need to recognize there is more going on than meets the eye.
I highly recommend this one for progressives who doubt demons, but also for conservatives. This serves as a good book to read prior to the work of someone like Walter Wink. I also have Greg Boyd's new book on Jesus and this seems like a good precursor for that.
May 12, 2016
Do you believe in the devil? Most progressive Christians likely will find that to be a strange question. We live in a largely disenchanted world. Angels and demons, spiritual beings, etc. don't mesh with our scientific worldview. And yet, perhaps we're missing something.
I am a fan (if I can use that word) of Richard Beck's writings. I've read several books, read his blog, and have had the pleasure of hearing him speak and speaking with him (thanks to my friends at Rochester College). Beck is a psychologist (and professor of psychology) and observer of culture. He has a keen theological mind and understanding of the Bible. He is Church of Christ by background, but has an ecumenical spirit. All in all, I find him to be a refreshing voice for our time.
In Reviving Old Scratch Beck invites us to reconsider the importance of spiritual warfare. Writing for "doubters and the disenchanted," he invites us to reconsider our dismissal of Satan (Old Scratch). He was himself a doubter of such things until he was reintroduced to the concept while teaching a bible study for of group of men in prison. They seemed to see an aspect of the world that Beck had not paid attention. As he thought about the one the prisoners called Old Scratch, he discovered that his own commitment to social justice was missing a key element. Yes, a social commitment was important, but it didn't go deep enough. His efforts weren't getting to the root of things. He needed to engage the spiritual dimension in a way he hadn't.
There is much in this book that parallels the work of Walter Wink. He may not reference Wink on every page, but like Wink he has come to understand the true nature of the powers and principalities. He has come to understand the true systemic nature of evil that corrupts even the best systems. So he calls for us to re-enchant our world by looking at the world differently. It's not that there's a demon under every rock, but recognizing the spiritual power of evil.
Central to Beck's message, and one that I find rather compelling, is that a
"purely political vision of spiritual warfare is inadequate and often dangerous" (p. xvi). That is because, as he lays out in the book, when we engage in political warfare we tend to demonize people -- the ones we believe are causing problems for us or those we support. With that in mind he reintroduces us to the devil, or better "Old Scratch."
I believe that this book will open many eyes to new ways of thinking about the world and our place in it. Beck doesn't dissuade us from engaging social justice or even political action, but he does call on us to open our eyes to the spiritual dimensions of such a work. He reminds us that central to our work is an understanding of our allegiance. He reminds us that we are all tempted by idolatry, whether it is the idol of nation or some other idol. I appreciated his analogy of economics and exorcism. Economics is spiritual. It speaks to what we value.
This is a must read. A book for the ages. It's thoughtful, provocative, challenging. If one believes, as do I, in the spiritual realm (I wrote a book on spiritual gifts after all -- Unfettered Spirit: Spiritual Gifts for the New Great Awakening), then we need to consider the full range of what that means. Beck does an excellent job of reacquainting us with that realm.
I am a fan (if I can use that word) of Richard Beck's writings. I've read several books, read his blog, and have had the pleasure of hearing him speak and speaking with him (thanks to my friends at Rochester College). Beck is a psychologist (and professor of psychology) and observer of culture. He has a keen theological mind and understanding of the Bible. He is Church of Christ by background, but has an ecumenical spirit. All in all, I find him to be a refreshing voice for our time.
In Reviving Old Scratch Beck invites us to reconsider the importance of spiritual warfare. Writing for "doubters and the disenchanted," he invites us to reconsider our dismissal of Satan (Old Scratch). He was himself a doubter of such things until he was reintroduced to the concept while teaching a bible study for of group of men in prison. They seemed to see an aspect of the world that Beck had not paid attention. As he thought about the one the prisoners called Old Scratch, he discovered that his own commitment to social justice was missing a key element. Yes, a social commitment was important, but it didn't go deep enough. His efforts weren't getting to the root of things. He needed to engage the spiritual dimension in a way he hadn't.
There is much in this book that parallels the work of Walter Wink. He may not reference Wink on every page, but like Wink he has come to understand the true nature of the powers and principalities. He has come to understand the true systemic nature of evil that corrupts even the best systems. So he calls for us to re-enchant our world by looking at the world differently. It's not that there's a demon under every rock, but recognizing the spiritual power of evil.
Central to Beck's message, and one that I find rather compelling, is that a
"purely political vision of spiritual warfare is inadequate and often dangerous" (p. xvi). That is because, as he lays out in the book, when we engage in political warfare we tend to demonize people -- the ones we believe are causing problems for us or those we support. With that in mind he reintroduces us to the devil, or better "Old Scratch."
I believe that this book will open many eyes to new ways of thinking about the world and our place in it. Beck doesn't dissuade us from engaging social justice or even political action, but he does call on us to open our eyes to the spiritual dimensions of such a work. He reminds us that central to our work is an understanding of our allegiance. He reminds us that we are all tempted by idolatry, whether it is the idol of nation or some other idol. I appreciated his analogy of economics and exorcism. Economics is spiritual. It speaks to what we value.
This is a must read. A book for the ages. It's thoughtful, provocative, challenging. If one believes, as do I, in the spiritual realm (I wrote a book on spiritual gifts after all -- Unfettered Spirit: Spiritual Gifts for the New Great Awakening), then we need to consider the full range of what that means. Beck does an excellent job of reacquainting us with that realm.
March 16, 2020
Unlike the author, Richard Beck, who was ‘reintroduced’ to the Devil partly through his contact with Charismatic and Pentecostal expressions of church, my disenchantment with the Devil was born out of my kinship with the Charismatic church. I wasn’t skeptical of the existence of evil or Satan. But I was disenchanted with the way in which spiritual warfare was discussed because it generally tended towards wacky, confusing and theologically-shaky ground that had more in common with the occult and horror films than the Bible.
So I was curious about this book. The title piqued my interest and, although I’ve not (yet) read any of his other work, I had heard of Richard Beck and liked what people were saying about him. So I took a dive, hoping that it wouldn’t fall into the weird chasms that others have fell into.
I wasn’t disappointed. This book is fantastic and, thankfully, not fantastical.
In *Reviving Old Scratch*, psychologist and theologian, Richard Beck is balanced, insightful and illuminating. Disrobing the Satan of the stereotypical horns, red tights and pitchfork, Beck—using plenty of helpful culturally-savvy analogies and leaning on his experience of leading a prison ministry—pastorally and practically fleshes out our struggle with the principalities and powers without divorcing spiritual warfare from social justice, and vice versa. And, in my opinion, he does so in a scripturally-sound approach. There are no calls to salt the ground here, nor any summons to name demonic princes, and it’s void of the false dualism between the spiritual and the political. There’s just good old Christus Victor theology, resisting the zeitgeist, worship, prayer, solidarity, cruciform living, and putting love where there is no love.
I almost wanted to give a standing ovation to every page because of this alone.
But the style of writing in this book also deserves applause. Despite the topic of conversation, this is not a dry, abstract textbook. It was an absolute joy to read Old Scratch. Beck’s writing propels you from one page to the next without becoming dull or tedious, and every chapter cranks up the cranium and heats up the heart.
Additionally, I read this with a friend as part of a super-micro, two-person book club, and it never failed to spark some great dialogue between us. So if you’re looking for a book for group discussion, this works amazingly well.
Overall, Beck puts the important Old Scratch component back into the conversation in an accessible, relatable and well-written way. *Reviving Old Scratch* is a page turner that I will definitely be recommending.
—Tristan Sherwin, author of *Living the Dream? :The Problem with Escapist, Exhibitionist, Empire-Building Christianity*
So I was curious about this book. The title piqued my interest and, although I’ve not (yet) read any of his other work, I had heard of Richard Beck and liked what people were saying about him. So I took a dive, hoping that it wouldn’t fall into the weird chasms that others have fell into.
I wasn’t disappointed. This book is fantastic and, thankfully, not fantastical.
In *Reviving Old Scratch*, psychologist and theologian, Richard Beck is balanced, insightful and illuminating. Disrobing the Satan of the stereotypical horns, red tights and pitchfork, Beck—using plenty of helpful culturally-savvy analogies and leaning on his experience of leading a prison ministry—pastorally and practically fleshes out our struggle with the principalities and powers without divorcing spiritual warfare from social justice, and vice versa. And, in my opinion, he does so in a scripturally-sound approach. There are no calls to salt the ground here, nor any summons to name demonic princes, and it’s void of the false dualism between the spiritual and the political. There’s just good old Christus Victor theology, resisting the zeitgeist, worship, prayer, solidarity, cruciform living, and putting love where there is no love.
I almost wanted to give a standing ovation to every page because of this alone.
But the style of writing in this book also deserves applause. Despite the topic of conversation, this is not a dry, abstract textbook. It was an absolute joy to read Old Scratch. Beck’s writing propels you from one page to the next without becoming dull or tedious, and every chapter cranks up the cranium and heats up the heart.
Additionally, I read this with a friend as part of a super-micro, two-person book club, and it never failed to spark some great dialogue between us. So if you’re looking for a book for group discussion, this works amazingly well.
Overall, Beck puts the important Old Scratch component back into the conversation in an accessible, relatable and well-written way. *Reviving Old Scratch* is a page turner that I will definitely be recommending.
—Tristan Sherwin, author of *Living the Dream? :The Problem with Escapist, Exhibitionist, Empire-Building Christianity*
December 1, 2017
UPDATE 12/1/17: I reread this book as part of a class I taught on it at church, and really gained an appreciation for how original Beck's arguments are; the class, mainly filled with people who have thought about these issues for decades, felt challenged and enlightened, and they seemed to appreciate the way in which Beck explored these issues – with intelligence, insight and grace.
A very easy-to-read exploration of spiritual warfare for the modern/postmodern reader. There's a lot here to challenge everyone on the theological spectrum, from liberals who Beck claims have over-politicized the notion of spiritual warfare and neglected its moral implications, to conservatives who focus on deliverance and exorcism while neglecting how the Bible links warfare to the powers and systems of the world. In the end, Reviving Old Scratch does not attempt to actually revive a literal Satan, demons or angels; rather, it explores how to take those concepts seriously even while not accepting them literally. I'd recommend it for those who are looking for a better, more healthy post-Peretti vision of spiritual warfare – or simply want to entertain a different viewpoint from the dominant evangelico-fundamentalist assumptions.
A very easy-to-read exploration of spiritual warfare for the modern/postmodern reader. There's a lot here to challenge everyone on the theological spectrum, from liberals who Beck claims have over-politicized the notion of spiritual warfare and neglected its moral implications, to conservatives who focus on deliverance and exorcism while neglecting how the Bible links warfare to the powers and systems of the world. In the end, Reviving Old Scratch does not attempt to actually revive a literal Satan, demons or angels; rather, it explores how to take those concepts seriously even while not accepting them literally. I'd recommend it for those who are looking for a better, more healthy post-Peretti vision of spiritual warfare – or simply want to entertain a different viewpoint from the dominant evangelico-fundamentalist assumptions.
November 10, 2020
Dr Beck's book is Theologically well- rounded and written in an engaging Narrative style. The anecdotes he relates and the vehicle he uses to contextualise them (Greg Boyd's Warfare Worldview) are very sound. I was pleasantly surprised at the nuance he showed in how spiritual warfare plays out day to day and thankful he didn't restrict Spiritual Warfare to a crudely politicised 'gospel', which is regrettably common amongst so-called 'progressive' Christians.
Some chapters are much stronger than others which prevents it from being a truly great piece IMHO, however some of his insights pertaining to the fear of death and his subtle use of properly Theological words like 'subversive' and 'revolutionary'-within the proper context means that it rates very highly. Likewise, its accessibility and appropriateness as an introduction to the doubters and disenchanted of the world gives it an enduring relevance.
Some chapters are much stronger than others which prevents it from being a truly great piece IMHO, however some of his insights pertaining to the fear of death and his subtle use of properly Theological words like 'subversive' and 'revolutionary'-within the proper context means that it rates very highly. Likewise, its accessibility and appropriateness as an introduction to the doubters and disenchanted of the world gives it an enduring relevance.
Read
May 4, 2018Accessible without being condescending (I see now that Beck is a professor of psychology and not theology, which may explain that). I felt like we are on exactly the same page and yet I leaned so much and was challenged. I have a feeling this one will stick with me
October 9, 2025
Richard Beck is one of my favorite authors and thinkers, so I decided to read his book about the Devil. This book convicted me in many ways and offered helpful and necessary ways to think and talk about evil. Great read!
February 22, 2019
When our book club first picked this book as our next read, I was very dubious. The devil? Why are we reading about the devil? I soon found out the reason why. This book was very enlightening for me. I'm so very glad I read it.
July 3, 2021
I just finished "Reviving Old Scratch," by Richard Beck.
First, I need to say how I came to find this book. Beck, a professor of psychology at Abilene University, has a website called experimentaltheology.com which I happened upon. He is a self professed progressive Christian. But from reading him it seems that, like me, he wants the good from both sides of the spectrum: the enchantment (belief in the supernatural; his term) from the fundamentalist side of Christianity and the intellectual from liberal Protestantism. I agree. It seems that the tension between these two worlds came to a climax a few years back and he started to write this book.
He states something in ch 2 which has been on my mind a bit: the more scientifically minded Christians find it difficult to believe in ghosts. But with it goes demons, angels, and Satan. The way this ends up working out is Atheism through the back door: if there is no Satan then the concept of the supernatural comes into question and it is only a matter of time before God is on the intellectual chopping block so as to maintain consistency. But why?
He constructs a possible analogy: faith is like a load of rocks. If you are going up a hill or swimming then most can only (or are only strong enough) take a few rocks, if not just one. That one rock is "I believe in God," but it is the heaviest single rock. This person need not be bothered by what they see as the unnecessary weight of the other rocks called demons or angles or Satan or miracles. That just makes the load too heavy. Better to arrive at the top or to stay afloat with that single "I believe in God" rock than not make it with these secondary and tertiary rocks. I would say that the struggle strengthens so carry them all.
I appreciate how Beck takes a "yes, and" approach to theology. Yes, the powers and principalities are human rulers, and...they are the demonic. Further, the natural can, and often is, synergistically intertwined with the supernatural. The natural powers are the mouthpiece for the supernatural. This "yes, and" approach to theology is a lesson I wish more would learn when applying scripture and fleshing out theology.
Beck makes a good point when speaking about the disenchanted progressives who take a social justice role but disbelieve in a real Satan: why would God allow this or that horrible atrocity on this group I'm trying to help? Their own theology has removed the single element which explains the answer to their question. (Though for this to maintain some stability one also need affirm freewill and a creational dualism; working either out implies the other.)
It is intriguing that Beck said that Jesus called Israel, not Rome, to repentance. This is a very Kingdom minded observation by Beck: Rome was under human governance but Israel was destined to be under the Kingdom of God. It is only later that "Rome" is grafted in.
Beck moves on to atonement and violence, specifically penal substitution. He honestly seems like he is trying to be fair while pointing out the Christological implications. As an alternative Beck offers up Christus Victor with a side of Ransom. I appreciate how in this book written for the average person in the pew he uses and excerpt from C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to explain Christus Victor. He does end this Christus Victor chapter on an evangelical note saying that of one doesnt believe in the personhood of Satan they can still "buy" Christus Victor but there has to be a concrete "something" that has us enslaved which Christ rescued us from. If this is so one has to answer the deeper questions of liberation such as where does this power get its evil? What is that something greater behind the scenes that is driving it?
His next chapter states that a charismatic experience in worship--one he continues in on Thursday nights--is what reignited his faith, and I believe it would be fair to say that this very experience was the catalist for this books subject matter. Having read back years at experimentaltheology.com I came to posts which seemed very disenchanted. Then reading forward there were some which seemed to not to know what to do with the subject of Satan. And closer to this day he posted about this very book.
He next deals with liberal objections about the personhood of Satan by working of a Nietzsche quote (when fighting monsters see to it that you dont become a monster [I wish he would have continued it with] and when you look into the abyss the abyss looks also into you). The point is that when someone makes a stupid mistake like the Tweet from the lady going to Africa--i hope I dont get aids--and the public shaming ruins their life you have just become the monster you hate. Where if we see Satan as alive we know we can attribute the influence to him, the action to her but not to get so self righteous that we seek blood for stupidity. A healthy view of the cosmic realm doesnt see a devil on every doorknob but it also doesnt reject Satans existence; more so, it doesnt end up filling in for his perceived absence. When disenchanted Christian's opt to wrestle they must wrestle against flesh and blood (precisely what the battle is against) and must demonize who (other humans) they wrestle against. They have replaced Satan with Political figure X because they dont believe in the personhood of evil.
He then spends time dealing with the Church citing the book I just finished (Kingdom Conspiracy, McKnight). So go read that.
Moving on Beck speaks to spiritual warfare beginning with the concept of one vs two loves. His archetype for two loves is theWestboro Baptist Church where in their loving God and then loving people they see this as two different types or applications of love. God always wins and therefore neighbor always loses. Whereas in the one love model shown in scripture loving God is shown by loving neighbor and vice versa. So when we say that something is demonic we have to correctly direct that to the demonic and not the neighbor we are to love.
Beck makes a very insightful point here. If you have a disenchanted Christian (they dont believe Satan is real) then their view of sin will be an even greater burden because they know they shouldnt sin (verb) but they reject that Sin (noun/Power) is real. So sin (Sin) is not discussed. To give our responsibility to God in relation to sins a hearing in the Family we have to acknowledge Sin as a power of influence. How this plays out in reverse is that we dont talk about sin (Sin) struggles in the Family because that would be admitting to belief that Sin is a Power, not just a verb (sin). Doing so opens one up (subconsciously, maybe) to admitting that there is something powering Sin. Great chapter. Becks being a shrink is paying off.
This is good stuff, especially Beck being a Dr in psychiatry: if we were not to conform to this world but resident aliens of the Kingdom but we are disenchanted then what exactly are we using as the prototype for what to not be like and who to rebel against?
I think Beck brings a lot to the table: he is an intelligent, progressive Christian (Restoration Movement/Church of Christ) who holds a doctorate in psychology but he also embraces the fundamentalist ethos that progressives miss (think potlucks and life together sans legalism and exclusivism). With that he holds to an enchanted (the supernatural aspects of Christianity--not just belief in God) belief which leaves much room for the great parts like the charismatic aspects of a Christian's life. Read this book, especially if you are disenchanted.
First, I need to say how I came to find this book. Beck, a professor of psychology at Abilene University, has a website called experimentaltheology.com which I happened upon. He is a self professed progressive Christian. But from reading him it seems that, like me, he wants the good from both sides of the spectrum: the enchantment (belief in the supernatural; his term) from the fundamentalist side of Christianity and the intellectual from liberal Protestantism. I agree. It seems that the tension between these two worlds came to a climax a few years back and he started to write this book.
He states something in ch 2 which has been on my mind a bit: the more scientifically minded Christians find it difficult to believe in ghosts. But with it goes demons, angels, and Satan. The way this ends up working out is Atheism through the back door: if there is no Satan then the concept of the supernatural comes into question and it is only a matter of time before God is on the intellectual chopping block so as to maintain consistency. But why?
He constructs a possible analogy: faith is like a load of rocks. If you are going up a hill or swimming then most can only (or are only strong enough) take a few rocks, if not just one. That one rock is "I believe in God," but it is the heaviest single rock. This person need not be bothered by what they see as the unnecessary weight of the other rocks called demons or angles or Satan or miracles. That just makes the load too heavy. Better to arrive at the top or to stay afloat with that single "I believe in God" rock than not make it with these secondary and tertiary rocks. I would say that the struggle strengthens so carry them all.
I appreciate how Beck takes a "yes, and" approach to theology. Yes, the powers and principalities are human rulers, and...they are the demonic. Further, the natural can, and often is, synergistically intertwined with the supernatural. The natural powers are the mouthpiece for the supernatural. This "yes, and" approach to theology is a lesson I wish more would learn when applying scripture and fleshing out theology.
Beck makes a good point when speaking about the disenchanted progressives who take a social justice role but disbelieve in a real Satan: why would God allow this or that horrible atrocity on this group I'm trying to help? Their own theology has removed the single element which explains the answer to their question. (Though for this to maintain some stability one also need affirm freewill and a creational dualism; working either out implies the other.)
It is intriguing that Beck said that Jesus called Israel, not Rome, to repentance. This is a very Kingdom minded observation by Beck: Rome was under human governance but Israel was destined to be under the Kingdom of God. It is only later that "Rome" is grafted in.
Beck moves on to atonement and violence, specifically penal substitution. He honestly seems like he is trying to be fair while pointing out the Christological implications. As an alternative Beck offers up Christus Victor with a side of Ransom. I appreciate how in this book written for the average person in the pew he uses and excerpt from C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to explain Christus Victor. He does end this Christus Victor chapter on an evangelical note saying that of one doesnt believe in the personhood of Satan they can still "buy" Christus Victor but there has to be a concrete "something" that has us enslaved which Christ rescued us from. If this is so one has to answer the deeper questions of liberation such as where does this power get its evil? What is that something greater behind the scenes that is driving it?
His next chapter states that a charismatic experience in worship--one he continues in on Thursday nights--is what reignited his faith, and I believe it would be fair to say that this very experience was the catalist for this books subject matter. Having read back years at experimentaltheology.com I came to posts which seemed very disenchanted. Then reading forward there were some which seemed to not to know what to do with the subject of Satan. And closer to this day he posted about this very book.
He next deals with liberal objections about the personhood of Satan by working of a Nietzsche quote (when fighting monsters see to it that you dont become a monster [I wish he would have continued it with] and when you look into the abyss the abyss looks also into you). The point is that when someone makes a stupid mistake like the Tweet from the lady going to Africa--i hope I dont get aids--and the public shaming ruins their life you have just become the monster you hate. Where if we see Satan as alive we know we can attribute the influence to him, the action to her but not to get so self righteous that we seek blood for stupidity. A healthy view of the cosmic realm doesnt see a devil on every doorknob but it also doesnt reject Satans existence; more so, it doesnt end up filling in for his perceived absence. When disenchanted Christian's opt to wrestle they must wrestle against flesh and blood (precisely what the battle is against) and must demonize who (other humans) they wrestle against. They have replaced Satan with Political figure X because they dont believe in the personhood of evil.
He then spends time dealing with the Church citing the book I just finished (Kingdom Conspiracy, McKnight). So go read that.
Moving on Beck speaks to spiritual warfare beginning with the concept of one vs two loves. His archetype for two loves is theWestboro Baptist Church where in their loving God and then loving people they see this as two different types or applications of love. God always wins and therefore neighbor always loses. Whereas in the one love model shown in scripture loving God is shown by loving neighbor and vice versa. So when we say that something is demonic we have to correctly direct that to the demonic and not the neighbor we are to love.
Beck makes a very insightful point here. If you have a disenchanted Christian (they dont believe Satan is real) then their view of sin will be an even greater burden because they know they shouldnt sin (verb) but they reject that Sin (noun/Power) is real. So sin (Sin) is not discussed. To give our responsibility to God in relation to sins a hearing in the Family we have to acknowledge Sin as a power of influence. How this plays out in reverse is that we dont talk about sin (Sin) struggles in the Family because that would be admitting to belief that Sin is a Power, not just a verb (sin). Doing so opens one up (subconsciously, maybe) to admitting that there is something powering Sin. Great chapter. Becks being a shrink is paying off.
This is good stuff, especially Beck being a Dr in psychiatry: if we were not to conform to this world but resident aliens of the Kingdom but we are disenchanted then what exactly are we using as the prototype for what to not be like and who to rebel against?
I think Beck brings a lot to the table: he is an intelligent, progressive Christian (Restoration Movement/Church of Christ) who holds a doctorate in psychology but he also embraces the fundamentalist ethos that progressives miss (think potlucks and life together sans legalism and exclusivism). With that he holds to an enchanted (the supernatural aspects of Christianity--not just belief in God) belief which leaves much room for the great parts like the charismatic aspects of a Christian's life. Read this book, especially if you are disenchanted.
October 28, 2021
Dr. Beck is a psychology professor at Abilene Christian and I have read quite a few of his blogs (I like them) and have heard him on many podcasts. I have never read any of his books and thought I should. Beck is a self-professed “doubter” of the demon/devil perspective common among evangelicals and Pentecostals. He’s a psychologist and a believer in Jesus Christ but for him “evil” is less an entity than it is social injustices, mental illness, hatred, selfishness, etc. To Beck, the language of the devil or demons in the Bible refers to the evil nature of humanity. Think of Scott Peck’s work on evil and I think it is consistent with Beck’s work. (He doesn’t claim this to my knowledge, but I found it reminiscent of Peck.) I was intrigued by Beck’s experience in working with a Pentecostal church and a jail ministry and how he says that work changed his perspective on the devil, such that he now entertains the possibility of an actual “devil.” In the beginning of the book Beck says he will present his perspective (described above), present the perspective of those who believe in an actual devil and demons, and then present what he views as a reasonable melding of the two. I don’t believe he did that. The entire book is the first with occasional references to his friends in white (prisoners) and his work at Freedom church (the Pentecostal assembly). He doesn’t actually present their perspective nor provide a middle ground. So, if you are looking for a book from an evangelical perspective that presents evil similar to Scott Peck, this is an outstanding book. If you are looking to see the melding Beck promises at the beginning of the book (which was what I wanted to read), you won’t find it here.
July 7, 2016
Today I'm under a massive weight of fear -- not all or mostly mine, but so many of my friends are afraid, and for real reasons. Traffic stops shouldn't make you fear for your life. Going to an Orlando club shouldn't make you fear for your life. Going to an airport shouldn't make you fear for your life. Going to Wednesday night church shouldn't make you fear for your life. The best review I can give for this book is that it offers what I think may be the only real way forward through this oppressive fear. This book by a Texas psychology professor (and Abilene prison study leader) addresses fear and economics and spirit and idols and capitalism and power and, yes, the devil and demons. I don't even know how to post about this in a short form that will explain things right, but Beck, as a self-described progressive Christian from a denomination not known for its progressiveness, approaches spiritual warfare in a very real way but also a very different way from the tired Frank Peretti way. I'm just beginning to process it. This kind doesn't come out except by prayer and fasting. But, as a Christian, I think that the only way out of this tangled cultural web of fear and escalation is through the gospel, through me as a white guy policing myself and my own sin before turning to others, and through the cross and its proclamation that the powers and principalities are defeated. I don't claim to have realized what that means, but all I know is that I start from there, and I pray our country will go somewhere with it this time. We can't stay here.
June 26, 2016
Excellent book for doubters on the subject of evil, and what kind of face(s) it takes. Not a new one, for the modern world, but the same old one that has harassed humankind since time began.
Beck is occasionally repetitive (and sometimes the repetition annoyed me, even though I see his point: the 'bad coffee' metaphor had run its course long before he'd finished with it) but overall I highlighted a good deal of this book, because there was plenty that was relevant to me, even though I haven't truly found it a problem believing in the Devil - or whatever form humankind's Adversary takes on any given day.
As Beck says, it's too easy to think ourselves too modern to believe in the Adversary (as the word Satan is properly translated). It shouldn't be, since evil is forever rearing its ugly head in a multitude of ways.
Excellent revisiting on the subject.
Beck is occasionally repetitive (and sometimes the repetition annoyed me, even though I see his point: the 'bad coffee' metaphor had run its course long before he'd finished with it) but overall I highlighted a good deal of this book, because there was plenty that was relevant to me, even though I haven't truly found it a problem believing in the Devil - or whatever form humankind's Adversary takes on any given day.
As Beck says, it's too easy to think ourselves too modern to believe in the Adversary (as the word Satan is properly translated). It shouldn't be, since evil is forever rearing its ugly head in a multitude of ways.
Excellent revisiting on the subject.
June 12, 2017
Both conservatives and progressives are too limited in their view of evil!
This book explores that both the conservative (emphasis on individual circumstances of evil) and progressive (emphasis on systemic and structural evil) views on spiritual warfare are (individually) incomplete and why we would all be better served with a more holistic view.
As someone who is often more disenchanted (suspicious of much that is deemed "supernatural") yet not ready to go full DeRay McKesson on systemic and structural injustices, Reviving Old Scratch met me at a perfect moment. This book brought reconciliation to both my heart and my mind at a time I desperately needed it.
This book explores that both the conservative (emphasis on individual circumstances of evil) and progressive (emphasis on systemic and structural evil) views on spiritual warfare are (individually) incomplete and why we would all be better served with a more holistic view.
As someone who is often more disenchanted (suspicious of much that is deemed "supernatural") yet not ready to go full DeRay McKesson on systemic and structural injustices, Reviving Old Scratch met me at a perfect moment. This book brought reconciliation to both my heart and my mind at a time I desperately needed it.
October 29, 2016
I can't recommend this book enough. Someone please read it and call me so we can talk about it!
Such a great book for doubters or steadfast believers, progressives or conservatives. Beck explains how the Devil and evil forces can be understood today. He describes how people can be caught up in the "spirit of the ages" such as in nazi Germany or with racism. He points out that progressives equate spiritual warfare with political activism and conservatives equate it with moralism but really those are two sides of the same coin.
Finally he explains how Christians engage in Spiritual Warfare though love.
Such a great book for doubters or steadfast believers, progressives or conservatives. Beck explains how the Devil and evil forces can be understood today. He describes how people can be caught up in the "spirit of the ages" such as in nazi Germany or with racism. He points out that progressives equate spiritual warfare with political activism and conservatives equate it with moralism but really those are two sides of the same coin.
Finally he explains how Christians engage in Spiritual Warfare though love.
October 31, 2019
Short Review: I really like Beck as an author. He has good insights into both people and theology. I don't think this one fully lived up to the promise. But it was still well worth reading. We do need to understand that evil exists. Sin is more than just temptation. Systems of evil exist beyond the individual. Things like racism and sexism are not just individual sins by systemic sins and a conception of satan is helpful in understanding them.
Beck is always readable and I will keep reading him.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/reviving-old-scratch/
Beck is always readable and I will keep reading him.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/reviving-old-scratch/
January 11, 2018
If before I was troubled by thinking many things ceded too much to the demonic, I'm quite sure I've found the opposite extreme in this book. Filled with a number of things that, quite frankly, have nothing to do with demonology (e.g., an entire chapter dedicated to espousal of the Christus Victor theory of atonement) this book fails to present a coherent case biblically, philosophically, or theologically. Some of the stories were entertaining, though.
November 16, 2016
"Spiritual warfare is putting love where there is no love. It is the action of grace in territory controlled by the devil, being true to love in a world that is cold and lonely and mean. It is the kingdom of God breaking into and interrupting our lives. . . Spiritual warfare is Satan interrupted. It is the kingdom of God's great campaign of sabotage."
April 8, 2018
I don’t know if it’s the writers style, the fact I have been so busy, the book wasn’t what I was expecting, or a combo of all the above. The book wasn’t bad, but it just wasn’t great. I believe I wanted more depth, and the times I felt like I was getting almost there the chapter would end and we would move on to the next.
December 31, 2019
I read Reviving Old Scratch right after Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire, and I'm struck by how similar the reading experience of these two books were for me. "Like a bucking bronco," said The New York Times Book Review of Desert Solitaire, "rough, tough, combative." Reviving Old Scratch was like that for me, too; half the time I wanted to throw the book down (or maybe I almost got bucked off), but I stuck with it, because I think there is value in these pages. I'm just not quite sure what that value is, at least not yet.
The chapters in this book don't feel like they build upon one another in sequence—it's more like a collection of essays or articles that have been published between the same covers, but that lack a throughline. I think each chapter presents interesting arguments, but unfortunately they don't culminate in (as another reviewer put it) "a coherent case biblically, philosophically, or theologically" for a malevolent and self-aware presence of evil.
This is an important sticking point to me because in the excellent first three chapters Beck asserts the inadequacy of jettisoning the so-called "spooky" elements of Christianity in favor of exclusively focusing on ecological/social justice work and political activism. These are of course good things but but can also be found outside a belief in Jesus, and I've been pondering this question in my head for a while so the beginning had me really hyped up to read a principled answer, or at least some helpful grist for the mill. Also, the third chapter, "Jesus the Exorcist," puts forth the idea that you really can't understand what Jesus was all about without considering the very significant percentage of his deeds that involve exorcism, and that was totally fascinating to me.
Unfortunately I'm having trouble even giving a synopsis of the rest of the book because Beck's argument goes in several directions. Again, all interesting, but kind of like TNT exploding in a dispersed way, rather than the collaborative force of the powder when organized into stick of dynamite. Oh, and what is evil? Different things at different times, which makes sense, but mostly a Zeitgeist. Is this Zeitgeist self-aware? Dunno. As I got further into the book, the concept of the Devil/Old Scratch/"the Adversary" (as Satan is properly translated) falls away to more general musings on loving others and striving for moral rectitude. I will say that I prickled that Beck puts sex work, specifically pornography, on the same level of moral badness as war and drug addiction.
Also, perhaps this is my theological novice showing, but I felt that a lot of Beck's arguments hinge on semantic hair-splitting that actively obfuscates (my understanding of) those concepts: for instance, the difference between strategy and tactics is not self-evidently meaningful, but Beck's explanation of the distinction (strategy is employed by the powerful/oppressor, tactics are used by the powerless/oppressed) fails to convince me.
This example isn't too much of a stumbling block because ultimately I think it's supposed to mean that oppressed people often need tools like sabotage or guerrilla warfare because they don't have the same tools in their arsenal as oppressors do. However, the hair-splitting does affect my ability to understand the text when it comes to, say, spiritual versus political. Beck wavers back and forth between divorcing and conflating these concepts. This seems to come out of that passé and always inaccurate sentiment that ~the problem with American politics is we're just so divided~. And in this model of Red and Blue America, conservatives own the moral side of faith, whereas liberals take the political side...or so states Beck, and I think it's complete hogwash. You only have to look as far as any women's rights debacle to see that that isn't true.
In order to combat the adversarial forces that impede the unveiling of the Kingdom of God, it's important first and foremost to act to bring the Kingdom the here-and-now—over-erudition will not be anyone's salvation. But Beck himself states that to have spiritual endurance in this world it's necessary to have a bigger guiding framework. That's why I consulted this book in the first place, and I disliked being scolded (by a professor, too) for wanting to learn more to help build that framework.
I do want to revisit this book because obviously there's a lot I didn't pick up on in my first go-round. And so it doesn't sound like I just had a hate-read of this book, I will say that there are very powerful and moving sections. But I suppose those ones don't challenge me as much so I don't have to think them through on Goodreads lol
The chapters in this book don't feel like they build upon one another in sequence—it's more like a collection of essays or articles that have been published between the same covers, but that lack a throughline. I think each chapter presents interesting arguments, but unfortunately they don't culminate in (as another reviewer put it) "a coherent case biblically, philosophically, or theologically" for a malevolent and self-aware presence of evil.
This is an important sticking point to me because in the excellent first three chapters Beck asserts the inadequacy of jettisoning the so-called "spooky" elements of Christianity in favor of exclusively focusing on ecological/social justice work and political activism. These are of course good things but but can also be found outside a belief in Jesus, and I've been pondering this question in my head for a while so the beginning had me really hyped up to read a principled answer, or at least some helpful grist for the mill. Also, the third chapter, "Jesus the Exorcist," puts forth the idea that you really can't understand what Jesus was all about without considering the very significant percentage of his deeds that involve exorcism, and that was totally fascinating to me.
Unfortunately I'm having trouble even giving a synopsis of the rest of the book because Beck's argument goes in several directions. Again, all interesting, but kind of like TNT exploding in a dispersed way, rather than the collaborative force of the powder when organized into stick of dynamite. Oh, and what is evil? Different things at different times, which makes sense, but mostly a Zeitgeist. Is this Zeitgeist self-aware? Dunno. As I got further into the book, the concept of the Devil/Old Scratch/"the Adversary" (as Satan is properly translated) falls away to more general musings on loving others and striving for moral rectitude. I will say that I prickled that Beck puts sex work, specifically pornography, on the same level of moral badness as war and drug addiction.
Also, perhaps this is my theological novice showing, but I felt that a lot of Beck's arguments hinge on semantic hair-splitting that actively obfuscates (my understanding of) those concepts: for instance, the difference between strategy and tactics is not self-evidently meaningful, but Beck's explanation of the distinction (strategy is employed by the powerful/oppressor, tactics are used by the powerless/oppressed) fails to convince me.
This example isn't too much of a stumbling block because ultimately I think it's supposed to mean that oppressed people often need tools like sabotage or guerrilla warfare because they don't have the same tools in their arsenal as oppressors do. However, the hair-splitting does affect my ability to understand the text when it comes to, say, spiritual versus political. Beck wavers back and forth between divorcing and conflating these concepts. This seems to come out of that passé and always inaccurate sentiment that ~the problem with American politics is we're just so divided~. And in this model of Red and Blue America, conservatives own the moral side of faith, whereas liberals take the political side...or so states Beck, and I think it's complete hogwash. You only have to look as far as any women's rights debacle to see that that isn't true.
In order to combat the adversarial forces that impede the unveiling of the Kingdom of God, it's important first and foremost to act to bring the Kingdom the here-and-now—over-erudition will not be anyone's salvation. But Beck himself states that to have spiritual endurance in this world it's necessary to have a bigger guiding framework. That's why I consulted this book in the first place, and I disliked being scolded (by a professor, too) for wanting to learn more to help build that framework.
I do want to revisit this book because obviously there's a lot I didn't pick up on in my first go-round. And so it doesn't sound like I just had a hate-read of this book, I will say that there are very powerful and moving sections. But I suppose those ones don't challenge me as much so I don't have to think them through on Goodreads lol
September 6, 2016
This review first appeared on the Englewood Review of Books and my blog, Jacob's Café.
Christians view and interpret Christ rather diversely. However, there seem to be even wider discrepancies between understandings of Satan. Is he real or a metaphoric personification? Is he a fallen angel or playing a designated role in God's court? Does he have real power or not? Do Christians need to worry about Satan, or should we have no fear because we live in Christ? Many modern Christians in developed countries seem to avoid the issue, perhaps reading CS Lewis' The Screwtape Letters, but not having much more conscious experience with the Devil beyond that.
In Reviving Old Scratch, Richard Beck's intended audience is the group of Christians who, as he says, are "doubters and the disenchanted." He taps into sociological frameworks with the latter term, referring to the opposite of enchanted worlds, where we see overt supernatural influence all around us. Disenchanted means stripping the magical quality of things, largely via scientific explanation. A good example of this comes from a missionary living in Africa, where a woman had an emergency delivery. When she returned to her village with her newborn, her health quickly declined. The local Christian seminary students were convinced the neighboring village had put a spell on her and started threatening them to release her. Just then, the village received a physician, who quickly identified an infection and medically treated her. The villagers were skeptical, but trusted the physician. A few days later, she was just fine. Those villagers live in an enchanted world. Few Americans would even have a similar thought cross through their minds in the same situation--we have a scientific explanation and solution. Beck cleverly and aptly summarizes our disenchantment process as "Scooby-Dooification," referring to the classic Scooby-Doo plot line of a supernatural threat that eventually gets unveiled as a common person creating fear in the guise of false supernatural forces. The disenchantment process of the supernatural is part of the solution of solving a crime.
This disenchanted world makes belief in anything supernatural, including God, difficult. The idea of Satan is even more challenging to many Christians in the developed world. Yet references to Satan and demons are pervasive through Scripture, and many people talk about the demonic as part of the influence of the world and their lives. People like Elaine Pagels have provided detailed explanations on how Satan is more metaphor and personification (a lecture transcript provides a nice summary of her analysis). However, Beck's foundational thesis is that this isn't a good enough response to Satan. Rather, there is actually something quite useful, powerful, and important about talking about Satan and demons as real. This is summarized nicely when he stated, "I turned the corner in my faith when I adopted a theology of revolt, a vision of spiritual warfare, a posture of action over theological rumination. I got disgusted with how much time and energy I was wasting on my doubts. It was time to get off my theological ass and into the game" (p. 82-83).
The biggest struggle I have with this text is how to categorize it. While categorizing isn't always necessary, it can be helpful to clearly know what the book's purpose is and how to set expectations. While the back of the tome labels Reviving Old Scratch as "Religion/Theology," Beck doesn't actually make any traditional theological arguments. He doesn't try to convince anyone about their theology of Satan. There's a basic assumption that Satan as a conscious force does not exist, which goes back to the disenchanted audience to whom he is writing. Rather, he seems more to provide many examples of how disenchanted Christians can still find value, meaning, and depth in Scriptural and everyday references to Satan and demons. He basically creates a hermeneutic for modern American Christians. That is fundamentally theological. However, it often feels like the book lives more on the Christian Living than Theology shelf. At times, it feels like a devotional, especially in part because while generally logically organized, the book seems more like a series of semi-related stories than building a logical, linear argument. In the midst of all of this, Beck deserves kudos for being able to reason in an academic environment, but write a book that is accessible and bridges both theology and Christian living.
There were two primary areas where the text made helpful theological insights for me:
Early on, Beck introduces and seems to support the atonement theory of Christus Victor, which refers to Christ's death as a ransom. Satan holds humanity hostage, and God ransoms us through Christ's sacrifice. One of the biggest theological problems with this atonement theory is that it almost gives Satan more power than God--God is required to pay Satan. That gives many people pause. I found it odd that Beck talked about this theory, particularly from a disenchanted view. If Satan isn't a being, how does Christus Victor apply? Beck ultimately argues that demonic power is real, but he never really closes the theological loop on this point. However, his book triggered other connections in my mind. I've become a fan of Girardian scapegoat atonement theory, which asserts that it is humans who need a sacrifice--a scapegoat--to feel reconciled. It is the absurdity of Christ's sacrifice that breaks this cycle. What if Christus Victor and scapegoat theory could actually be describing the same thing, but Christus Victor from a more a enchanted worldview, while scapegoat is more disenchanted and psychological? If Beck is correct about the reality of demonic power over us, but due to the reality of the human condition, not because of a supernatural conscious force, what if God is actually trying to ransom us from ourselves?
From a disenchanted worldview, many Christians struggle with ideas of worship. I've heard people say, "Is God really that insecure that he needs us to worship him every week?" I've also recently struggled with the purpose of singing and music--what is it really supposed to do? Beck provides some excellent examples about how the purpose of worship isn't to stroke God's ego, but it helps us reorient ourselves to refocus our actions. He states, "When life is hard, we must constantly exorcise the demons of despair. And worship, praise, and testimony are how we combat the despair and reach toward hope" (p. 131-132). That fundamentally impacted my experience of worship in the weeks that followed.
Beck's text is a nice addition to the conversation about Satan and the demonic. It won't be terribly helpful for those looking for more traditional exegesis. However, his stories bring Scriptural and theological principles to life in a powerful way. He makes abstract, removed ideas, especially for the disenchanted, real, immediate, and relevant. His framings provide good reminders and ways to consider and approach life. I dog-eared a couple dozen pages because of the many good ways he discusses important, timely topics. While some could think a book about Satan could be depressing, this is a quite uplifting, inspiring text. In fact, I ended the book with tears in my eyes from a touching concluding story.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Christians view and interpret Christ rather diversely. However, there seem to be even wider discrepancies between understandings of Satan. Is he real or a metaphoric personification? Is he a fallen angel or playing a designated role in God's court? Does he have real power or not? Do Christians need to worry about Satan, or should we have no fear because we live in Christ? Many modern Christians in developed countries seem to avoid the issue, perhaps reading CS Lewis' The Screwtape Letters, but not having much more conscious experience with the Devil beyond that.
In Reviving Old Scratch, Richard Beck's intended audience is the group of Christians who, as he says, are "doubters and the disenchanted." He taps into sociological frameworks with the latter term, referring to the opposite of enchanted worlds, where we see overt supernatural influence all around us. Disenchanted means stripping the magical quality of things, largely via scientific explanation. A good example of this comes from a missionary living in Africa, where a woman had an emergency delivery. When she returned to her village with her newborn, her health quickly declined. The local Christian seminary students were convinced the neighboring village had put a spell on her and started threatening them to release her. Just then, the village received a physician, who quickly identified an infection and medically treated her. The villagers were skeptical, but trusted the physician. A few days later, she was just fine. Those villagers live in an enchanted world. Few Americans would even have a similar thought cross through their minds in the same situation--we have a scientific explanation and solution. Beck cleverly and aptly summarizes our disenchantment process as "Scooby-Dooification," referring to the classic Scooby-Doo plot line of a supernatural threat that eventually gets unveiled as a common person creating fear in the guise of false supernatural forces. The disenchantment process of the supernatural is part of the solution of solving a crime.
This disenchanted world makes belief in anything supernatural, including God, difficult. The idea of Satan is even more challenging to many Christians in the developed world. Yet references to Satan and demons are pervasive through Scripture, and many people talk about the demonic as part of the influence of the world and their lives. People like Elaine Pagels have provided detailed explanations on how Satan is more metaphor and personification (a lecture transcript provides a nice summary of her analysis). However, Beck's foundational thesis is that this isn't a good enough response to Satan. Rather, there is actually something quite useful, powerful, and important about talking about Satan and demons as real. This is summarized nicely when he stated, "I turned the corner in my faith when I adopted a theology of revolt, a vision of spiritual warfare, a posture of action over theological rumination. I got disgusted with how much time and energy I was wasting on my doubts. It was time to get off my theological ass and into the game" (p. 82-83).
The biggest struggle I have with this text is how to categorize it. While categorizing isn't always necessary, it can be helpful to clearly know what the book's purpose is and how to set expectations. While the back of the tome labels Reviving Old Scratch as "Religion/Theology," Beck doesn't actually make any traditional theological arguments. He doesn't try to convince anyone about their theology of Satan. There's a basic assumption that Satan as a conscious force does not exist, which goes back to the disenchanted audience to whom he is writing. Rather, he seems more to provide many examples of how disenchanted Christians can still find value, meaning, and depth in Scriptural and everyday references to Satan and demons. He basically creates a hermeneutic for modern American Christians. That is fundamentally theological. However, it often feels like the book lives more on the Christian Living than Theology shelf. At times, it feels like a devotional, especially in part because while generally logically organized, the book seems more like a series of semi-related stories than building a logical, linear argument. In the midst of all of this, Beck deserves kudos for being able to reason in an academic environment, but write a book that is accessible and bridges both theology and Christian living.
There were two primary areas where the text made helpful theological insights for me:
Early on, Beck introduces and seems to support the atonement theory of Christus Victor, which refers to Christ's death as a ransom. Satan holds humanity hostage, and God ransoms us through Christ's sacrifice. One of the biggest theological problems with this atonement theory is that it almost gives Satan more power than God--God is required to pay Satan. That gives many people pause. I found it odd that Beck talked about this theory, particularly from a disenchanted view. If Satan isn't a being, how does Christus Victor apply? Beck ultimately argues that demonic power is real, but he never really closes the theological loop on this point. However, his book triggered other connections in my mind. I've become a fan of Girardian scapegoat atonement theory, which asserts that it is humans who need a sacrifice--a scapegoat--to feel reconciled. It is the absurdity of Christ's sacrifice that breaks this cycle. What if Christus Victor and scapegoat theory could actually be describing the same thing, but Christus Victor from a more a enchanted worldview, while scapegoat is more disenchanted and psychological? If Beck is correct about the reality of demonic power over us, but due to the reality of the human condition, not because of a supernatural conscious force, what if God is actually trying to ransom us from ourselves?
From a disenchanted worldview, many Christians struggle with ideas of worship. I've heard people say, "Is God really that insecure that he needs us to worship him every week?" I've also recently struggled with the purpose of singing and music--what is it really supposed to do? Beck provides some excellent examples about how the purpose of worship isn't to stroke God's ego, but it helps us reorient ourselves to refocus our actions. He states, "When life is hard, we must constantly exorcise the demons of despair. And worship, praise, and testimony are how we combat the despair and reach toward hope" (p. 131-132). That fundamentally impacted my experience of worship in the weeks that followed.
Beck's text is a nice addition to the conversation about Satan and the demonic. It won't be terribly helpful for those looking for more traditional exegesis. However, his stories bring Scriptural and theological principles to life in a powerful way. He makes abstract, removed ideas, especially for the disenchanted, real, immediate, and relevant. His framings provide good reminders and ways to consider and approach life. I dog-eared a couple dozen pages because of the many good ways he discusses important, timely topics. While some could think a book about Satan could be depressing, this is a quite uplifting, inspiring text. In fact, I ended the book with tears in my eyes from a touching concluding story.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
April 2, 2018
A couple colleagues and I wanted to have a discussion about the devil and this seemed like a good common read to get things going. Beck advertises himself as a once "doubting and disenchanted Christian" (a phrase that finds itself on nearly every page) who used to not believe in the devil, but after a night of prison ministry has his mind changed about the reality of old scratch.
Beck leans heavily on biblical tradition, which makes sense because there are references to Satan/devil/enemy throughout, and the Bible should be the primary resource for followers of Jesus. But his argument for the devil's existence hinges on his lament at the loss of enchantment and wonder in the world. "The devil makes sense in an enchanted world," he writes. But science and study have robbed the world of it's magic...and so we've lost touch with the devil.
I don't disagree with this assessment, but to conclude that the devil must exist because the devil used to exist and we miss him so let's bring him back sounds like keeping the spirit of Santa alive after we discover who is really eating the cookies at night. "As long as we believe, he's real!" Well, actually, no he's not. And that argument doesn't work for the devil either.
Better than his defense of old scratch's existence, though, are Beck's excursions to talk about evil in the world and how liberals and conservatives are each only addressing half the problem (liberals are only concerned with political/systemic evil and conservatives with personal/moral evil). There is some good stuff to dig into here.
In sum, this feels like a blog post series that wanted to be published, so a few separate entries got together and made a book. I like Beck's style a lot. It's casual, but intentional. And he doesn't sound like most Christian writers, which is refreshing. I still don't believe in the devil's existence (his greatest trick, right?), but enjoyed reading about him/her/it.
Beck leans heavily on biblical tradition, which makes sense because there are references to Satan/devil/enemy throughout, and the Bible should be the primary resource for followers of Jesus. But his argument for the devil's existence hinges on his lament at the loss of enchantment and wonder in the world. "The devil makes sense in an enchanted world," he writes. But science and study have robbed the world of it's magic...and so we've lost touch with the devil.
I don't disagree with this assessment, but to conclude that the devil must exist because the devil used to exist and we miss him so let's bring him back sounds like keeping the spirit of Santa alive after we discover who is really eating the cookies at night. "As long as we believe, he's real!" Well, actually, no he's not. And that argument doesn't work for the devil either.
Better than his defense of old scratch's existence, though, are Beck's excursions to talk about evil in the world and how liberals and conservatives are each only addressing half the problem (liberals are only concerned with political/systemic evil and conservatives with personal/moral evil). There is some good stuff to dig into here.
In sum, this feels like a blog post series that wanted to be published, so a few separate entries got together and made a book. I like Beck's style a lot. It's casual, but intentional. And he doesn't sound like most Christian writers, which is refreshing. I still don't believe in the devil's existence (his greatest trick, right?), but enjoyed reading about him/her/it.
September 29, 2017
I am the target audience for this book, so apply that filter to this review, because I'm about to gush....
Beck's book on 'spiritual warfare' and 'Satan' resonated with the deepest parts of my soul. I am a doubting, disenchanted, social-justice-minded Christian who holds on to Jesus because I believe he is the only way our world can move forward. I frequently cringe when I hear people blame things on "the Devil," and I don't know how to talk about spiritual warfare without feeling like a big 'ol fake. But I just can't shake the feeling that I'm missing something, and that's precisely where Beck's book comes in.
He so, so thoughtfully engages with the reasons that we are doubting and disenchanted. Beck refuses to condemn people like me (probably because he is also one of us!) but also refuses to let us off the hook. In the process, he puts forward a robust, profound theology grounded in 'spiritual warfare' that is relevant for our time, and he also provides a powerful framework with language that helps someone like me speak about these issues with full integrity. I was moved deeply in the process of reading this book, and I believe it is one of the most important current books for young, active, jaded, post-Evangelical, academically-minded people like me. If you can relate to anything I've written here, then you absolutely owe it to yourself to get this and read it immediately.
Beck's book on 'spiritual warfare' and 'Satan' resonated with the deepest parts of my soul. I am a doubting, disenchanted, social-justice-minded Christian who holds on to Jesus because I believe he is the only way our world can move forward. I frequently cringe when I hear people blame things on "the Devil," and I don't know how to talk about spiritual warfare without feeling like a big 'ol fake. But I just can't shake the feeling that I'm missing something, and that's precisely where Beck's book comes in.
He so, so thoughtfully engages with the reasons that we are doubting and disenchanted. Beck refuses to condemn people like me (probably because he is also one of us!) but also refuses to let us off the hook. In the process, he puts forward a robust, profound theology grounded in 'spiritual warfare' that is relevant for our time, and he also provides a powerful framework with language that helps someone like me speak about these issues with full integrity. I was moved deeply in the process of reading this book, and I believe it is one of the most important current books for young, active, jaded, post-Evangelical, academically-minded people like me. If you can relate to anything I've written here, then you absolutely owe it to yourself to get this and read it immediately.
May 19, 2020
This is a plodding, dull approach to a fascinating subject. Beck's sentence structure is repetitive and pedantic and his tone is that of a youth minister lecturing to a group of 8th graders. He deprives his subject matter of any metaphysics, stripping his arguments bare of mystery and examining the devil and demons through the lense of history and politics. BORING. He relies on italics to enliven his prose, but it doesn't help. I don't agree with his general thesis about reclaiming the actual devil but I got the book because I thought it was an interesting premise. Very disappointed that Beck made such a flaccid argument.
I have found much better treatment of the subject in Jeffrey Burton Russell's excellent series on the devil for those who want to trace the development of this character and theological concept. Also recommended, Elaine Pagel's work "Adam and Eve and the Serpent" and "The History Of Satan."
Don't bother with this one unless you are a youth minister, in which case I think it might be a good resource.
I have found much better treatment of the subject in Jeffrey Burton Russell's excellent series on the devil for those who want to trace the development of this character and theological concept. Also recommended, Elaine Pagel's work "Adam and Eve and the Serpent" and "The History Of Satan."
Don't bother with this one unless you are a youth minister, in which case I think it might be a good resource.
July 11, 2017
Reviving Old Scratch is a practical theology of spiritual warfare for Christians living in a disenchanted, secular age. In conversation with Charles Taylor, N.T. Wright, Walter Wink, Greg Boyd, and others, Beck offers a compelling description of Christian spiritual warfare that encompasses both the moral and political dimensions. His story of transformation, grounded in his ministry to inmates at a maximum security prison, frames and informs his theology. In his compassionate engagement with the broken, oppressed, and dehumanized, Beck was reintroduced to the Devil and to the kingdom of God. This is a must-read for theological conservatives and progressives; for those who think spiritual warfare is primarily about morality, and for those who think it is primarily about social justice. Reviving Old Scratch is probably the most readable, practical, and theologically substantive book on spiritual warfare available for the church in our modern secular age.
January 24, 2023
As always, Beck is one of my favorite authors. I can't believe I started reading his work about ten months ago. This book is about the devil, but not really because it isn't about the devil perse as much as it is about the disenchantment the modern world has brought to many. I enjoyed Beck's analysis and thoughtful heart that reminds us to wake up. Life is much more than a vital cause, our worth is cosmic, and we should view our life and experience as a vibrant knowing and unknowing of Awe. As a deconstructing Christian, so many people in my own grouping have let go of the mysterious and sacred spaces of scripture. They believe in little more than an agnostic faith, which is beautiful in its own way but disenchants their view of the spiritual and the religious. I am reminded of Graham Greene's The Destructors, the reaction to WW II-postmodern Christians have a similar juxtaposition with the church.
November 21, 2017
I'm really glad this book has been written. As someone who grew up with talk of spiritual warfare all around, but who has grown older and left behind a lot of the stranger/problematic elements of that but not sure if I left behind too much or should try to shake off more of it, this book gave me some excellent guidelines. It took me quite a while to see how everything he was saying would come together, but it did. It felt complete by the end and I had a richer understanding of the spiritual world, full of both mystery and truth. I was irritated by the number of typos in the book and his repetition of certain phrases, but I can overlook them for what he accomplished by the end of the book. Now I'm mulling over these ideas and how they are a part of my life.
February 4, 2020
Our Eyes Have Been Closed For Too Long
Our eyes have been closed for far too long. The devil is hard at work all around us and yet it's easy to be ignorant about his activities because they've become so ingrained in our society, that's hard to tell. As a Pentecostal, I've never considered myself disenchanted, but in the US we aren't vigilant regarding the strategies of old scratch and this book has been tremendously helpful in recognizing these devices - as well as a (too short) primer at the very end on engaging the enemy. Interrupting and thwarting their efforts with love.
How about a part two with some more examples of these strategies?
Our eyes have been closed for far too long. The devil is hard at work all around us and yet it's easy to be ignorant about his activities because they've become so ingrained in our society, that's hard to tell. As a Pentecostal, I've never considered myself disenchanted, but in the US we aren't vigilant regarding the strategies of old scratch and this book has been tremendously helpful in recognizing these devices - as well as a (too short) primer at the very end on engaging the enemy. Interrupting and thwarting their efforts with love.
How about a part two with some more examples of these strategies?
March 1, 2021
Just a few precautions to begin:
1. The book goes all in for Christus Victor and ransom theory over penal substitutionary atonement theory.
2. This is the first exposure I’ve had indicating a possible metaphorical Satan and seems like a stretch.
This book is more for skeptics and I just happened across it studying apologetics. The rest of the book far outweighed my above listed concerns and is a good tie in to his other book-Slavery of Death.
A few of my favorite quotes:
“Power grabs are the pattern of the world”
“Spiritual warfare is Satan interrupted. It is the Kingdom of God’s great campaign of sabotage.”
“The heroism of mercy isn’t heroic if there aren’t temptations toward vengeance and revenge.”
1. The book goes all in for Christus Victor and ransom theory over penal substitutionary atonement theory.
2. This is the first exposure I’ve had indicating a possible metaphorical Satan and seems like a stretch.
This book is more for skeptics and I just happened across it studying apologetics. The rest of the book far outweighed my above listed concerns and is a good tie in to his other book-Slavery of Death.
A few of my favorite quotes:
“Power grabs are the pattern of the world”
“Spiritual warfare is Satan interrupted. It is the Kingdom of God’s great campaign of sabotage.”
“The heroism of mercy isn’t heroic if there aren’t temptations toward vengeance and revenge.”
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