OpenTheo

#215 Should we take the devil seriously?

Ask NT Wright Anything — Premier

#215 Should we take the devil seriously?

April 18, 2024
Ask NT Wright Anything
Ask NT Wright AnythingPremier

A bit of a twist today as we answer listener's questions that have come in asking: are we meant to take Satan literally? Join Tom Wright as he unravels some of the intricate threads of the New and Old Testaments to uncover the biblical portrayal of the devil. We're looking at some of the questions and looking at biblical passages where Jesus confronts and challenges the forces of darkness, asking what role does the Devil play in affecting ministry and what power does Satan really have? Do we over-think the devil and the supernatural when we avoid heavy metal music, particular pop stars or ban Harry Potter books - where is the line between genuine caution and a kind of 'satanic panic'? What practices should we avoid that should be recognised as 'evil'? And remembering Jesus' ultimate defeat of Satan and death on the cross. Enjoy this thought-provoking discussion that we hope sheds some light on this complex and often misunderstood (or sometimes avoided) topic of 'evil', 'satan' and 'the devil'. Originally Aired: 30 December 2019 More shows, free eBooks & newsletter: premierunbelievable.org • Subscribe to the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast: https://pod.link/1441656192 Discover More: • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/courses • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate The Ask NT Wright Anything Podcast is a production of Premier Unbelievable? in partnership with NTWright Online and SPCK Publishing

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditCopy Link

Transcript

More From Ask NT Wright Anything

#216 Dear Tom: What does the Bible say about the Spiritual Gifts?
#216 Dear Tom: What does the Bible say about the Spiritual Gifts?
Ask NT Wright Anything
April 25, 2024
Tom discusses the relevance of spiritual gifts like prophecy and speaking in tongues within our modern context, dives into the significance of signs a
#217 Dear Tom: I've got questions about Marriage (Replay)
#217 Dear Tom: I've got questions about Marriage (Replay)
Ask NT Wright Anything
May 2, 2024
Tom delves into the complexities of marriage, addressing personal and burning questions from our listeners. From pondering the nature of married relat
#219 Title Why don’t I hear from God any more? (Replay)
#219 Title Why don’t I hear from God any more? (Replay)
Ask NT Wright Anything
May 30, 2024
Join Tom today as he sits down to answer a fresh batch of questions from listeners who are having trouble hearing from God. Nicole asks why 'Ask and y
#214 Is the Old Testament history or metaphor? (Replay)
#214 Is the Old Testament history or metaphor? (Replay)
Ask NT Wright Anything
April 11, 2024
Tom answers listener questions about the Old Testament. Can the truly trust the Old Testament? When was it all written? Is the Old Testament more spir
#213 Which Bible Translation is the best one? (Replay)
#213 Which Bible Translation is the best one? (Replay)
Ask NT Wright Anything
April 4, 2024
Listeners ask questions on which Bible translations we should deem as the best ones and which ones we should use on a daily basis. What makes a good t
#212 The New Testament in its World with special guest and co-author Mike Bird
#212 The New Testament in its World with special guest and co-author Mike Bird
Ask NT Wright Anything
March 28, 2024
Today's episode features a special guest - renowned Australian Bible scholar, co-authored and friend of Tom's, Mike Bird. Together, they delve into th
More From "Ask NT Wright Anything"

More on OpenTheo

Did Jesus Prove He Wasn’t Sinless When He Overturned the Tables?
Did Jesus Prove He Wasn’t Sinless When He Overturned the Tables?
#STRask
December 29, 2025
Questions about whether Jesus proved he wasn’t sinless when he overturned the tables, whether Jesus’ response to the Pharisees in Mark 3:22–26 was a b
The Resurrection Standoff: Licona vs. Ehrman on the Unbelievable Podcast
The Resurrection Standoff: Licona vs. Ehrman on the Unbelievable Podcast
Risen Jesus
October 22, 2025
This episode is taken from the Unbelievable podcast with Justin Brierly in 2011 when Dr. Bart Ehrman and Dr. Michael Licona address the question: Is t
Can You Provide Verifiable, Non-Religious Evidence That a Supernatural Jesus Existed?
Can You Provide Verifiable, Non-Religious Evidence That a Supernatural Jesus Existed?
#STRask
November 10, 2025
Question about providing verifiable, non-religious evidence that a supernatural Jesus existed.   * I am an atheist and militantly anti-god-belief. Ho
How Do You Justify Calling Jesus the Messiah?
How Do You Justify Calling Jesus the Messiah?
#STRask
December 18, 2025
Questions about how one can justify calling Jesus the Messiah when he didn’t fulfill the Hebrew messianic prophecies, and whether the reason for the v
Why Do We Say Someone Was Saved on a Particular Date If It Was Part of an Eternal Plan?
Why Do We Say Someone Was Saved on a Particular Date If It Was Part of an Eternal Plan?
#STRask
November 24, 2025
Questions about why we say someone was saved on a particular date if it was part of an eternal plan, the Roman Catholic view of the gospel vs. the Bib
Should You Believe Things You Can’t Fully Comprehend?
Should You Believe Things You Can’t Fully Comprehend?
#STRask
September 25, 2025
Questions about whether you should believe things you can’t fully comprehend, whether it’s just an arbitrary escape hatch to say God doesn’t require a
The Historical Perspective vs. The Theological Perspective on the Resurrection: Are Both Valid?
The Historical Perspective vs. The Theological Perspective on the Resurrection: Are Both Valid?
Risen Jesus
October 1, 2025
This episode is a discussion between Dr. Mike Licona and then PhD candidate Laura Robinson on the Capturing Christianity podcast. While both scholars
How Can I Explain Modesty to My Daughter?
How Can I Explain Modesty to My Daughter?
#STRask
November 27, 2025
Questions about how to explain modesty to a nine-year-old in a way that won’t cause shame about her body, and when and how to tell a child about a pre
Corey Miller: The Progressive Miseducation of America
Corey Miller: The Progressive Miseducation of America
Knight & Rose Show
September 27, 2025
Wintery Knight and Desert Rose welcome Dr. Corey Miller to discuss The Progressive Miseducation of America. They examine how universities promote scie
The Golden Thread of the Western Tradition with Allen Guelzo
The Golden Thread of the Western Tradition with Allen Guelzo
Life and Books and Everything
October 6, 2025
Dr. Guelzo is back once again for another record setting appearance on LBE. Although he just moved across the country, Allen still made time to talk t
Do Christians Need to Believe that Jesus was Raised Bodily from the Dead? Licona vs. Patterson
Do Christians Need to Believe that Jesus was Raised Bodily from the Dead? Licona vs. Patterson
Risen Jesus
October 15, 2025
In this episode, Dr. Stephen Patterson, New Testament professor at Eden Theological Seminary, argues against the bodily resurrection of Jesus, contend
How Could the Similarities Between Krishna and Jesus Be a Coincidence?
How Could the Similarities Between Krishna and Jesus Be a Coincidence?
#STRask
October 9, 2025
Questions about how the similarities between Krishna and Jesus could be a coincidence and whether there’s any proof to substantiate the idea that Jesu
Christmas Cranks and Christmas Blessings with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
Christmas Cranks and Christmas Blessings with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
Life and Books and Everything
December 17, 2025
If you are looking for a podcast where three friends talk about whatever they want to talk about and ramble on about sports, books, and grievances, th
How Do We Advocate for Christian Policy Without Making the Government Interfere in Every Area of Life?
How Do We Advocate for Christian Policy Without Making the Government Interfere in Every Area of Life?
#STRask
November 20, 2025
Questions about how to advocate for Christian policy without making the government interfere in every area of life, and the differences between the mo
Protestants and Catholics: What’s the Difference? With Chad Van Dixhoorn, Blair Smith, and Mark McDowell
Protestants and Catholics: What’s the Difference? With Chad Van Dixhoorn, Blair Smith, and Mark McDowell
Life and Books and Everything
November 26, 2025
How should Protestants think about the Catholic Mass? About the Eucharist? About the history and development of the papacy? In this panel discussion,