Review by Choice Review
On the surface, this book provides a much needed study of the demonic in New Testament literature and thought. Chapters 2 and 3 offer very useful summaries of demonology in Greek and Jewish literature of that same era, and theses sections alone commend the study. Many will find the author's handling of New Testament materials less helpful, especially the opening chapter where the gospel material is discussed. There, Luke's account is the main object of investigation, with Matthean and Marcan references brought in only for additional or parallel information. No serious form, source, or redaction critical analysis has been attempted. Moreover, in dealing with NT materials outside the gospels, critical considerations are likewise inadequate, e.g., Pauline authority seems assumed for books such as Ephesians and I Timothy. Nevertheless, Ferguson has compiled helpful information (within and outside NT texts) on a subject that is clearly important for understanding early Christian thought. Especially useful are his references to primary texts in Jewish, Greek, and patristic literature. Serious readers will surely want to consult other and more critical studies-e.g., a very detailed survey in T.H. Gaster's ``Demon, Demonology'' in The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, v.1 (1962) and also very helpful discussions in H. Koester's Introduction to the New Testament, especially v. 1 (CH, May '83). Undergraduate and seminary libraries will want to add this volume to their collections.-R.F. Berkey, Mount Holyoke College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
