Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Department

Seminary

First Advisor

Michael Gama, DMin

Second Advisor

Douglas Balzer, DMin

Third Advisor

MaryKate Morse, PhD

Abstract

This study seeks to propose evidences as to how and why the contemporary Christian church is satanically influenced, resulting in pain and suffering from devastating personal dysfunctions, interpersonal conflicts and divisions. This situation presents a great dilemma facing many, if not most, Christians in that they simply do not understand and are unaware of profound life altering significances of the spiritual battle being waged for souls and the satanic deceptions that draw people away from God. Satan, his fallen angels, and demons influence Christians and others through his primary tools of deceit and deception, delivered to the culture through media, radio, newspaper, television, blogs, Internet and social media, diabolically present the thesis of post-modernity, which centers on a self-fulfillment philosophy that adjudicates all morals, virtues, wisdom, and instruction by each person’s individual standards developed in one’s own mind. Satan’s deceptions fashion the post-modern consumer culture with God given free will and choice to discern what is right, what is wrong and what is best for each individual, based on one’s own understanding and desires. One of Satan’s deceptions is that his evil is presented as a thorn in God’s side and a menace to humankind as a result of personal sin. The thesis presented in this study, intends to clearly show how Satan, his fallen angels, and demons, coupled with their delivery of evil on humankind and the environment, does indeed ultimately bring glory to God and salvation to humanity. Expected outcomes encourage priests, pastors, professors, and teachers to become aware of deceptions masking satanic influences causing divisions in relationships and in churches. Mitigation measures discussed in Chapter Six, if exercised, will seek to stabilize and improve relationships among believers and the church family.

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