#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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are Demon Possessions and Exorcisms in the New Testament Literal?

Are Demon Possessions and Exorcisms in the New Testament Literal?

December 11, 2025

Questions about whether references to demon possessions and exorcisms in the New Testament are literal, how to talk to young children about ghosts, an

How Could One Person Trust Another Person on the Topic of God?

How Could One Person Trust Another Person on the Topic of God?

Questions about how one person could trust another person on the topic of God, how STR obtained information about God that others haven’t obtained, an

How Can We Know Who Is Teaching the Same Gospel Paul Taught?

How Can We Know Who Is Teaching the Same Gospel Paul Taught?

February 16, 2026

Questions about how we can know who is teaching the same gospel Paul taught, and whether or not Jeremiah 1:5 supports the idea that we pre-existed in

Did God Create Us So He Wouldn’t Be Alone?

Did God Create Us So He Wouldn’t Be Alone?

November 3, 2025

Questions about whether God created us so he wouldn’t be alone, what he had before us, and a comparison between the Muslim view of God and the Christi

What Do You Think About Churches Advertising on Social Media?

What Do You Think About Churches Advertising on Social Media?

January 19, 2026

Questions about whether there’s an issue with churches advertising on social media, whether it’s weird if we pray along with a YouTuber, and whether C

Does God Hear the Prayers of Non-Believers?

Does God Hear the Prayers of Non-Believers?

February 26, 2026

Questions about whether or not God hears and answers the prayers of non-believers, and thoughts about a church sign that reads (as if from God), “Just

Did Jesus Prove He Wasn’t Sinless When He Overturned the Tables?

Did Jesus Prove He Wasn’t Sinless When He Overturned the Tables?

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

How Should I Respond to an LGBTQ Person Who Says He Feels Good About Who He Is?

How Should I Respond to an LGBTQ Person Who Says He Feels Good About Who He Is?

Questions about responding to an LGBTQ person who says he feels good about who he is, and whether—since we all have sin in our life we don’t consider

What About Those Who Never Heard the Name of Jesus?

What About Those Who Never Heard the Name of Jesus?

December 22, 2025

Questions about what will happen to those who never heard of Jesus or were brought up in a different faith, whether there’s biblical warrant to think

The Resurrection Standoff: Licona vs. Ehrman on the Unbelievable Podcast

The Resurrection Standoff: Licona vs. Ehrman on the Unbelievable Podcast

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

Brian Miller: Fine-Tuning and the Multiverse Theory

Brian Miller: Fine-Tuning and the Multiverse Theory

Knight & Rose Show

Wintery Knight and guest host Terrell Clemmons welcome Dr. Brian Miller to discuss the the evidence for fine-tuning in physics and cosmology and the m

How Do You Justify Calling Jesus the Messiah?

How Do You Justify Calling Jesus the Messiah?

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

Who Wrote the Gospels? Michael Licona vs. Bart Ehrman - Part 1

Who Wrote the Gospels? Michael Licona vs. Bart Ehrman - Part 1

Did Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John write the gospels that bear their names? The texts themselves do not name them as the authors and were published and

How Can I Explain Modesty to My Daughter?

How Can I Explain Modesty to My Daughter?

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

What Is the Role of the Holy Spirit in Our Lives if He Doesn’t Give Us Instructions?

What Is the Role of the Holy Spirit in Our Lives if He Doesn’t Give Us Instructions?

February 23, 2026

Questions about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives, advice for someone who believes in God intellectually but struggles to understand how to hav