A review by bibliomaniac33
The Return of the Gods by Jonathan Cahn
3.0
This one is a bit tricky to review.
I should probably preface this by saying that I do believe in spiritual battles and that demons are real.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph 6:12
I simultaneously believe in human nature and free will.
This book was a good reminder that The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Eccles 1:9
There were many new to me concepts here, particularly the origination of many of the gods of antiquity. I've got a degree in anthropology and read quite a bit of history, yet I was completely ignorant that the Greek and Roman gods and goddesses had their roots reaching all the way back to Mesopotamia. I honestly kept pausing and googling because I couldn't believe so many of the things I was reading..........but they all panned out as fact. On face at least.
That is where the stars get shaved off. This book is a case in point of, "I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail."
I say that not to be dismissive, but rather, cases made became a little heavy handed and seemingly forced as the book wore on.
The parallels presented between antiquity and present day are striking enough on their own. The repetitive cycles of human nature, specific sins, and yes, demonic influence, become quite obvious.
It isn't necessary to stretch to the level that Cahn does as the book goes on.
By the end I was ready to hear "altars to Ishtar were constructed of wood, and Pride floats are sometimes constructed of wood, therefore Pride floats are providing a portal for a return of the goddess. Behold." This was particularly the case for everything that occurs in the modern month of June.
Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar. Sometimes a demon is a demon.
But pretty much always, subtlety is better than a hammer when it comes to long form writing.
Don't shy away from this book if you find the premise interesting, as it seems like a basic enough introduction to the concept that ancient ills don't stay buried, and perhaps ancient demons don't either. Just be prepared for that fact to be hammered home.
Nails abound, and you may feel a bit clobbered yourself by the end chapter.
I should probably preface this by saying that I do believe in spiritual battles and that demons are real.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph 6:12
I simultaneously believe in human nature and free will.
This book was a good reminder that The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Eccles 1:9
There were many new to me concepts here, particularly the origination of many of the gods of antiquity. I've got a degree in anthropology and read quite a bit of history, yet I was completely ignorant that the Greek and Roman gods and goddesses had their roots reaching all the way back to Mesopotamia. I honestly kept pausing and googling because I couldn't believe so many of the things I was reading..........but they all panned out as fact. On face at least.
That is where the stars get shaved off. This book is a case in point of, "I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail."
I say that not to be dismissive, but rather, cases made became a little heavy handed and seemingly forced as the book wore on.
The parallels presented between antiquity and present day are striking enough on their own. The repetitive cycles of human nature, specific sins, and yes, demonic influence, become quite obvious.
It isn't necessary to stretch to the level that Cahn does as the book goes on.
By the end I was ready to hear "altars to Ishtar were constructed of wood, and Pride floats are sometimes constructed of wood, therefore Pride floats are providing a portal for a return of the goddess. Behold." This was particularly the case for everything that occurs in the modern month of June.
Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar. Sometimes a demon is a demon.
But pretty much always, subtlety is better than a hammer when it comes to long form writing.
Don't shy away from this book if you find the premise interesting, as it seems like a basic enough introduction to the concept that ancient ills don't stay buried, and perhaps ancient demons don't either. Just be prepared for that fact to be hammered home.
Nails abound, and you may feel a bit clobbered yourself by the end chapter.