Sense and Nonsense about Angels and Demons

by Kenneth D. Boa, Robert M. Bowman Jr.

Thinking Clearly and Biblically about Heavenly Beings, Spirits, and Spiritual Warfare Does Satan really exist? Do people have guardian angels? Should you believe the angle stories or demon possession stories you hear? Is the angel called "Michael" just another name for Jesus? Information on angels and demons is rampant today, but most of it isn’t trustworthy. Sense and Nonsense about Angels and Demons by Kenneth Boa—author of spiritual formation bestseller Conformed to His Image —helps you cut through the clutter to see what the Bible really reveals about angels, spirits, and demons. In this book, you'll learn Get ready for some surprises! This book will help you set aside your preconceptions and pierce through the myths and misinformation to gain an accurate, truly biblical perspective on angles and demons.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2007

About the author

Kenneth Boa is an author, a speaker, and the president of Reflections Ministries. He is the author of over fifty books, including Conformed to His Image, Faith Has Its Reasons, Face to Face, and Rewriting Your Broken Story. He is a contributing editor to the Open Bible, the Promise Keepers Men's Study Bible, and the Leadership Bible, and is the consulting editor of the Zondervan NASB Study Bible.

Boa earned a BS from Case Institute of Technology, a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary, a PhD from New York University, and a DPhil from the University of Oxford. He teaches a weekly Bible and Faith study at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia, where he resides with his wife.

Reviews

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have come to regard the Robert M. Bowman name as something like a guarantee of quality. I have yet to read a book that he wrote or contributed to that wasn't stunningly great.

And this book is no exception.

Not only did this book answer all my questions about Angels and Demons to my satisfaction, it even answered a few that I didn't even know I had!

I especially appreciated the authors' pointed but respectful treatment of the imbalanced and flawed teachings of the Frank Hammond and Ida Mae Hammond book, "Pigs in the Parlor" and the unhealthy fall out that it has caused in the Charismatic Movement that I have been a part of for over 4-decades.* I have seen the absolutely horrible fruit that these teachings have produced over the years. They said what had to be said and they said it well.

Being in Mormon Studies I also appreciated it when the authors directly addressed the erroneous teachings regarding Angels and Demons that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has produced. This is a book that I will be recommending to Mormon and transitioning Ex-Mormon alike.

Best of all, the authors do all this in a short, concise manner. I was able to get through the Audible edition of this book in just a couple of days during my commute - about 4-5 hours total listening I would guess.

My 5-Star rating is well deserved, believe you, me. This is a book that I see myself going back to and citing from again, again, and again in the coming year.

* BTW, I'm also Reformed - my Charismatic side keeps me interesting and my Reformed side keeps me sane.

[Andrew Ivester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sense & Nonsense is really what the title says, a book that practically deals with the subject of angels and demons. The writers show, from a biblical perspective, what is safe to say on the issue, and also what is going too far. This is more of a handbook of information divided by subject matter than a book that makes one point following a logical progression throughout. The wisdom provided is solid and sound, and would be a great beginner’s help to anyone in a pastoral role to deal biblically with the subject of angelology.

[Kyle Shook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a work of theological craftsmanship that sheds an appropriate light on angels and demons. Far too often, as the book argues, we as humans put angels (and demons) on an undue pedestal. To borrow from another of Dr. Bowman’s books, this writing “Puts [Angels] in their places.”

An excellent text that I will visit and revisit for years to come. Easy to read and understand, but filled to the brim with firm Scriptural arguments for the various aspects of spiritual messengers.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an easy, clear overview of angels and demons. I appreciate how thorough the authors were. This was clear, easy to understand and makes a great starting point for anyone wanting to better understand what the Bible says.
If you have lots of assumptions and little knowledge of what the Bible says about angels/demons, read this book!

[Ben Horgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was expecting something deeper on the subject. It's probably a good place to start but only scratches the surface.

[Matt DeVore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many like to sensationalize possibilities about angels. This book takes a “no nonsense” approach grounded in scripture to address these issues.

[Paul Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Very informative.

[Florence🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half (about angels) was good but it really went off the rails in the second half

[Randy Poor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boa and Bowman have the ability to express deep theology in layman's terms (much like Wayne Grudem). This book touches on both the ridiculous and prevalent thoughts about angelology and demonology.
though relatively short, they are able to pack a lot of good thinking into few (and understandable) words.

[Rod Horncastle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun quick romp through the truth about Angels and Demons (based on the Christian Bible.)There's some fruity beliefs out there: I'll stick to what the Good book says...and these guys.

[Camille · Rating 1 out of 5]

In fact, I didn't like it. It seemed to talk down to me.