A Bird’s Eye View
Str Eph.4
l. 3 hri
st
ip :22
nC
: 27
off
to
sin
Ga
Pu
Engage truth
Exercise humble
authority and resist
James 4:7 (e.g. Jude 9)
The Divine Drama
Act 1: Creation
Act 2: Bondage through the fall
Act 3: God's people called to freedom
Act 4: Freedom established on the cross
Act 5: Freedom inaugurated in the church
Act 6: Final freedom: Christ’s return
Unit One:
The Divine Drama of Spiritual
Conflict in the Old Testament
Act 1: The Creation
Genesis 1-2
Event Themes
God's creation of the God is the sovereign
universe creator.
God’s creation of People are made in
humankind God's image; our
purpose is to glorify
Him.
Our Firm Foundation: God
God's Nature: Sovereign Creator
God's Identity: Loving, merciful Father
God's Goal: Unfold the Kingdom through
human history
Implications of God as Sovereign
Creator
He simply speaks, and what is spoken happens
Creation is God’s choice
Everything that exists does so only because God
chooses to allow it—that choice continues today
Nothing that God made is intrinsically evil—God
likes matter, since He invented it!
The world is to be utilized and enjoyed—while
also being respected as God’s creation
Our Firm Foundation: God
We are made in God’s image
We have the ability to choose
We provoke jealousy in Satan by virtue of
who we are
We were designed to connect to the one
whose image we bear
We must worship—either God or idols
Act 2: The Fall
Genesis 3-11
Events Themes
The temptation, fall, Satan's nature and
and banishment of purposes
Adam and Eve (Gen.
The battle for the
3)
mind
The fall of the nations
(Gen. 11)
The Fall: Concluding Observations
Satan cannot coerce; he can only convince
In contrast to God, Satan is a “discreator”
Adam and Eve were tempted to take a generous
provision of God and pervert it. Core of temptation:
question who God is and who we are.
After succeeding in his quest, Satan disappears from the
scene (he deserts his victims)
Immediate results of the fall include guilt, fear, unbelief,
brokenness in relationships, and struggle with an enemy
The fall continues through Genesis 11, when the nations
show they have fallen.
Our Antagonists:
Satan and Demons
Their Nature: Rebellious
creatures
Their Identity: Parents of
lies and murder
Their Goals: Destruction of
those made in God’s image
Satan’s Nature
Toward Death
Sifter/ Tempter Deceiver Sinner Destroyer
Accuser
Tester Liar Murderer
Matt.4:3
Luke 22:31 1 Th. 3:5 Rev.12:10 Jn. 8:44 1 Jn.3:8 Jn 10:10a
Morphing Truth
God’s
Truth
Satan’s Lie
A Dualistic Fantasy:
What Satan Would Have Us Believe
Theistic Truth: God Is in Control!
The Human Side
Our Nature: God imaging saints who sin
Our Identity: Children of God
Our Goal: Delight in God forever
Universal Human Needs
Appetites: Tied to physical nature
Significance: Connecting to the One we
image
Security: A place of rest; a sense of
control
Idols: God Replacements
Near Idols: The Search for Security
General orientation
Dominion over Creation
Control
Accessible and tangible
Examples
Money, possessions, lifestyle
Expertise, competence
Health, diet, fitness, body-beautiful
Result: Enslave and overpower us
Idols: God Replacements
Far Idols: The Search for Significance
Core issues:
Trust: Relating to God
Meaning and purpose in life
Less accessible, more overarching
Examples:
Hope of happiness or immortality
Progress as an inevitable force
Self-esteem
Results: Evaporate when we need them most
Satan’s Intended Path
Domination
Deception
Destruction
The Enemy’s Chief Strategy:
Destruction of Relationships on All Fronts
Act 3: God’s People Called to Freedom
Genesis 12-Malachi
Events Themes
God calls apart a people God calls people on the
(Gen. 12-22). basis of His mercy, which
Moses with Pharaoh He longs to lavish on us.
(Exodus 7-9) Our responsibilities
Saul's encounters (1 Sam. towards God
16-19; 28) The different levels of
Job's trials (Job 1-2) spiritual conflict
Daniel's vision (Dan.
10:4-11:1)
Job’s Trial
Satan further revealed:
A limited degree of freedom (to roam)
Accusation is his primary work
He can only act within restricted boundaries
He cannot believe in any person’s integrity
After proven wrong, there is no repentance
He has some control over nature and health
God’s concern is not with Satan but Job
Job defeats Satan not by direct engagement or
expulsion, but by perseverance!
Daniel’s Vision
Satan’s forces:
A hierarchy of demonic powers
Some ability to hinder angels on assignment
God’s forces (angels):
In this instance were overwhelming in appearance
(Daniel faints)
Battle the demonic on behalf of God’s people
Daniel:
Only hears of the battle; does not directly participate
His focus is prayer—but not engaging “territorial
spirits”
Fronts of Warfare
Local Church
Cosmic Each Other
Cultural/
Personal Systemic
Personal Strongholds
Se
s
i te
cu r
pe t
ity
Ap
Truth
Significance
World View
Corporate Strongholds
(Local)
Organizations
Family/
Kinship
Associations
Systemic Strongholds
Law/Politics
Economics
Education
Religion
