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All right, I have grown used to Cotton Mather being abused by liberal historians, but... Cotton Mather as a Marvel comic book villain? I don't even know how to respond to that. No, wait, I do: hang the witches, hang them all!
I was looking for sermons over in sermonaudio and came across Cotton Mather's description of demonic activity in New England. What are we to make of such stories?
True, though I wouldn't dismiss everything that they say; some of it, I believe, could go either way as either psychosomatic or supernaturally induced.
I was looking for sermons over in sermonaudio and came across Cotton Mather's description of demonic activity in New England. What are we to make of such stories?
There is a long and (often) monotonous account of it in his pamphlet Lithoblia here: LITHOBOLIA
Whilst we stood amazed at this Accident, one of the Maidens imagined she saw them come from the Hall, next to that we were in, where searching, (and in the Cellar, down out of the Hall,) and finding no Body, another and my self observed two little Stones in a short space successively to fall on the Floor, coming as from the Ceiling close by us, and we concluded it must necessarily be done by means extraordinary and praeternatural.
If we do so we will be forced to do the same with biology and geology and judge from a purely naturalistic perspective.
If we do so we will be forced to do the same with biology and geology and judge from a purely naturalistic perspective.
Another option is that the Scriptures require us to look at such phenomena from the perspective of all principality and power being made subject to the God-man, Colossians 2:9, 10.
I believe there is much our finite and fallen human consciences cannot understand or handle. 2 Kings 6:17.
So to what extent do you think there are demonic forces active at this present time? Do you hold to a complete cessation of all angelic/demonic activity?
The problem is with the interpretation that angels and demons act independently of human psychological factors.
I think I'm probably misunderstanding your statement above, so I wanted to ask for clarification. You seem to be saying that demons do not act independently. How would you describe a demon acting independently?
I think I'm probably misunderstanding your statement above, so I wanted to ask for clarification. You seem to be saying that demons do not act independently. How would you describe a demon acting independently?
In the world of phenomena as observed by humans, as the context of the discussion indicates. Obviously they act independently in their own sphere which is beyond human observation and interpretation, but that is not the sphere under discussion.
What would you think of the descriptions of demonic activity given both by the inspired writers, as well as through the accounts given by others, and recorded by the inspired writers? For example, the father of the demoniac who describes the demonic activity and insuperable strength of his son, or the description of the legion exiting one man and entering into the swine, etc.
So to what extent do you think there are demonic forces active at this present time? Do you hold to a complete cessation of all angelic/demonic activity?
I don't think there is any cessation or even abatement of said activity. The problem is with the interpretation that angels and demons act independently of human psychological factors. The tendency to set up demigods in this fashion is the very error the apostle counteracts in Colossians 2, which he calls "a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels." It fails to account for the fact that the magnifying of supernatural forces is in itself a devilish deception by which men's actions are influenced by lords other than Christ.
Aye sir. Once again, I am impressed. As i've said before, if I could, i'd move to Australia.
So if I am following you're argument correctly, you are saying that we set up demigods by ascribing a power to demons that they do not possess? And also that demons use the already present psychological factors of individual humans to their advantage?