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Dominion: The Nature of Diabolic Warfare
Many works have been written on the nature of diabolic warfare but the contents which are necessary to know are scattered across many different works of the approved authors. Historically, the texts written about exorcism and deliverance were largely in Latin, were not a synthesis of the knowledge of experienced exorcists.
The goal of this book is to provide that initial synthesis for the laity. This book is not written in a popular style. It is a bit more technical than most laity are accustomed to. It is not meant to be a quick or easy read, but to provide a thoroughness and a proper level to a theological topic which often is only addressed on a superficial level. Since this book also deals with the intersection of the diabolic with human psychology, it is highly recommended that the reader, prior to studying this text, has at least the fundamental knowledge of human psychology from a Thomistic point of view.
To that end, it is recommended that he reads this author’s work Introduction to the Science of Mental Health (available here: sentradpress.com). While that may result in putting off the reading of this book for a while, nevertheless, the reader is most likely to grasp the points made regarding the intersection between diabolic and human psychology. This text is only to be understood to be a beginning or a foundation and not be considered an exhaustive text, despite its length. It is simply not possible to incorporate all of the wisdom of the Church in the various texts throughout the centuries.
Topics include: angelology, demonology, the structure of authority, the different kinds of diabolic influence in detail, wounds and healing, the role of the sacraments and sacramentals as well as general methods of combat.
The goal of this book is to provide that initial synthesis for the laity. This book is not written in a popular style. It is a bit more technical than most laity are accustomed to. It is not meant to be a quick or easy read, but to provide a thoroughness and a proper level to a theological topic which often is only addressed on a superficial level. Since this book also deals with the intersection of the diabolic with human psychology, it is highly recommended that the reader, prior to studying this text, has at least the fundamental knowledge of human psychology from a Thomistic point of view.
To that end, it is recommended that he reads this author’s work Introduction to the Science of Mental Health (available here: sentradpress.com). While that may result in putting off the reading of this book for a while, nevertheless, the reader is most likely to grasp the points made regarding the intersection between diabolic and human psychology. This text is only to be understood to be a beginning or a foundation and not be considered an exhaustive text, despite its length. It is simply not possible to incorporate all of the wisdom of the Church in the various texts throughout the centuries.
Topics include: angelology, demonology, the structure of authority, the different kinds of diabolic influence in detail, wounds and healing, the role of the sacraments and sacramentals as well as general methods of combat.
586 pages, Paperback
Published February 28, 2022
34 people are currently reading
349 people want to read
About the author
Chad A. Ripperger
21 books127 followersChad Alec Ripperger, F.S.S.P. is an American Catholic priest, theologian, philosopher and exorcist. He is well known among Traditionalist Catholic circles and has given numerous talks around the country on various religious topics. Many of these are available for viewing on YouTube.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 22, 2022
This was one of the most intellectually satisfying books that I have ever read. Getting into the technical nuts and bolts of spiritual warfare was extremely comforting. I would sleep better at night almost every time I read from "my exorcist's" book. Not because I was bored, but because there really is an order to things--even if the preternatural SEEMS random and messy to the untrained eye.
I deeply appreciated that he went into the practical aspects of what to do in spiritual warfare--and why. Even in my last day of reading Dominion, I picked up at least three tidbits of a concrete nature that will help my day-to-day life--and I don't consider myself a newbie to this kind of information at all.
Father did a brilliant job of placing a firewall around the spooky. If one was willing to slog through hundreds of pages of technical definitions and groundwork, then I think he assumed that the reader was mature enough to catch a more raw glimpse into the workings of the diabolic. Unfortunately that meant that reading before bed backfired horribly when I got to the part about ritual Satanic abuse.
It was not a perfect book. He sorely needed an editor, as his words sometimes seemed to fly out of him faster than he could craft coherent sentences. And on rare occasions, I would think to myself, if there is so much solid material out there, why did you pick that guy to quote?
And it is not his fault, obviously, but reading Father Ripperger's book put into sharper relief how people who spit in Our Lord's Face open the door to demons and say come on in. And they hurt not only themselves but potentially their generational line for the next 80-100 years. All of which I knew before I read the book, but in such technical detail, it was painful to see what people are truly doing to God and to themselves.
But, overall, it was an amazing book. I thank God for Father's spiritual director who made him write this against his own inclinations. It could be a hard book at times. Sometimes it was work, and I honestly have a hard time believing that I finished it (rather than having it sit on my shelf as a thing I really ought to read someday). It was technical. It had a lot of minutiae in it. But because of that it had a lot of "knowledge is power" going for it. Plus, while it could be challenging in places, I didn't feel like it was well nigh inaccessible. Sometimes Father's other books could cross that line, but he did a good job in Dominion of explaining the points that were particularly confusing.
In sum, I would buy this book again in a heartbeat, and am very grateful that Dominion so positively affected my perspective--on the preternatural and beyond.
I deeply appreciated that he went into the practical aspects of what to do in spiritual warfare--and why. Even in my last day of reading Dominion, I picked up at least three tidbits of a concrete nature that will help my day-to-day life--and I don't consider myself a newbie to this kind of information at all.
Father did a brilliant job of placing a firewall around the spooky. If one was willing to slog through hundreds of pages of technical definitions and groundwork, then I think he assumed that the reader was mature enough to catch a more raw glimpse into the workings of the diabolic. Unfortunately that meant that reading before bed backfired horribly when I got to the part about ritual Satanic abuse.
It was not a perfect book. He sorely needed an editor, as his words sometimes seemed to fly out of him faster than he could craft coherent sentences. And on rare occasions, I would think to myself, if there is so much solid material out there, why did you pick that guy to quote?
And it is not his fault, obviously, but reading Father Ripperger's book put into sharper relief how people who spit in Our Lord's Face open the door to demons and say come on in. And they hurt not only themselves but potentially their generational line for the next 80-100 years. All of which I knew before I read the book, but in such technical detail, it was painful to see what people are truly doing to God and to themselves.
But, overall, it was an amazing book. I thank God for Father's spiritual director who made him write this against his own inclinations. It could be a hard book at times. Sometimes it was work, and I honestly have a hard time believing that I finished it (rather than having it sit on my shelf as a thing I really ought to read someday). It was technical. It had a lot of minutiae in it. But because of that it had a lot of "knowledge is power" going for it. Plus, while it could be challenging in places, I didn't feel like it was well nigh inaccessible. Sometimes Father's other books could cross that line, but he did a good job in Dominion of explaining the points that were particularly confusing.
In sum, I would buy this book again in a heartbeat, and am very grateful that Dominion so positively affected my perspective--on the preternatural and beyond.
May 7, 2023
This is essentially a textbook on Demons and spiritual warfare. It is a 'just the facts' read that is enlightening and engaging. There are no stories or examples to supplement each topic, but the book is heavily cited if anyone is looking for that sort of thing. Not a fun read, but an important one.
June 8, 2024
I went into this book hoping to really get a complete picture of what Catholic exorcisms look like. On that, I was fairly disappointed. Case studies are essentially non-existent. And to the extent the author does describe what an exorcism ritual looks like (and by that I mean the entire process beginning with diagnosis, through the ritual itself, and ending with whatever aftercare might be in order), the book doesn’t really tell me any more than I’d already read in other, more accessible books.
Where this book does provide a wealth of information is in the deeper theology behind Catholic belief regarding demonic influence and exorcism. Don’t expect to learn what an exorcism looks like. Don’t expect to see any evidence for or against any case of alleged demonic activity. But if you want to know what the Catholic clergy really thinks about the world of the demonic, this is probably the best introduction I’ve read.
Like the author’s other book, it’s fairly dry and repetitive, so it’s not the most pleasant of reads, but it absolutely is interesting when it comes to the depth of the author’s analysis of theological questions like why God would allow demonic influence, the limitations on demonic activity, and that sort of thing.
Where this book does provide a wealth of information is in the deeper theology behind Catholic belief regarding demonic influence and exorcism. Don’t expect to learn what an exorcism looks like. Don’t expect to see any evidence for or against any case of alleged demonic activity. But if you want to know what the Catholic clergy really thinks about the world of the demonic, this is probably the best introduction I’ve read.
Like the author’s other book, it’s fairly dry and repetitive, so it’s not the most pleasant of reads, but it absolutely is interesting when it comes to the depth of the author’s analysis of theological questions like why God would allow demonic influence, the limitations on demonic activity, and that sort of thing.
January 30, 2025
This is a terrific book on the nature of spiritual warfare and various helps in overcoming temptation and more extraordinary diabolic phenomena. Lorenzo Scupoli's Spiritual Combat is better for beginners and people suffering from ordinary temptations. Dominion is a treasure for those more advanced in the spiritual life and who want to understand spiritual combat in a Thomistic way. This book will also increase your faith in God, because it reminds one that God is ultimately in control even when one finds oneself strongly confronted by the forces of hell.
June 16, 2025
The scariest but most interesting book i have ever read
And i will never be the same again in the best way possible. This has gave me so much knowledge and has helped me to be able to look out for things to protect me and my family alot more and to help us get to heaven. The spiritual benefits you get from reading this book is unbelievable
A must read 100%
Will definitely reread it once a year
Thank you fr ripperger!
And i will never be the same again in the best way possible. This has gave me so much knowledge and has helped me to be able to look out for things to protect me and my family alot more and to help us get to heaven. The spiritual benefits you get from reading this book is unbelievable
A must read 100%
Will definitely reread it once a year
Thank you fr ripperger!
June 1, 2023
Excellent book
April 7, 2024
Very good books for Catholics
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews