Disarming the Darkness Insight for Living: A Guide to Spiritual Warfare

This is one of the few books I've read that, if I were an unbeliever in God through Jesus Christ, would start me thinking in new directions towards believing. The theme remains constant: that it is impossible to not be involved in spiritual warfare, a topic that is the whole of all life. There is no neutral place in which to hide from both good and evil spiritual forces, no place of perfect indifference (a belief of itself is an evil tactic!). It is also one of the few books about spiritual warfare that is strongly anchored in the Bible, not just the author's opinions. While I disagree on a few points (e.g., that demons lead people to buy lottery tickets, but can I prove that they don't?), Miller and Peterson's work is in good alignment with the Scriptures. It is the closest thing I have found to date that wasn't somewhere out in space. It is a perfect start for new believers as well as would-be believers, and is strongly reinforced by the author's pastoral experience. I'm glad to see other writers who are not afraid to mention the sonship of Jesus Christ, rather than just the generic use of the word "God." Some of the topics discussed in this book take some Christian maturity to fully grasp, challenging some parts of different beliefs, but the overall tone is sincere, candid and sober. "Disarming the darkness" is one of the few perfect books that the enemy (the devil) prefers not to be promulgated. The enemy savors thoughts of his non-existence by people on earth, so books like this-like real believers-are the salt in his wounds. This is one enemy, the authors indirectly point out, who is beyond mercy and for whom we should not feel the least bit sorry. Merely acknowledging the enemy's existence is half the battle (to a greater spiritual understanding); the other half is "disarming" his three favorite tactics: misuse of money, sex and power. I'm glad I found this book. I am very critical of "religious" (more importantly: spiritual) books, as I am with myself when it comes to these matters. Miller and Peterson's book offers reassurance that believers are tuned to the same frequency before we get off the sinking ship. I found it surprisingly short, only 160 pages, wishing the book was longer. I hunger for words like this. I look forward to a second edition. "Disarming the Darkness" should be required reading for all Christians, and also for those who are considering conversion in the slightest. Get it, read it!

This book, like many of Miller's works, blends imagination and 'humanness' with the wonderfully liberating foundation of the Word. There are so many off-the-wall presentations dealing with the influence of evil in our lives, this book is a joy to experience. Without underestimating the power and presence of the Evil One in the world, Miller clearly puts the proper perspective on the Christians stand. For Miller, the operative word here is Christian. If you are not fully given to Christ and open to the protection and leading of the Holy Spirit, you can expect problems and pain. If, on the other hand, we are true vessels for Him ... there is no fear and no risk. Calvin Miller is an expert in practicality and scripture ... a perfect blend.