Binding & Loosing: Exercising Authority Over the Dark Powers [Paperback]

I have read and gone over again this book by Foster and and King. While I beleive they are sincere in thier belief I think they have stilled missed the boat on what binding and loosing means as used by Jesus in Matthew 16 and Matthew 18.

I gave the book one star for their attempt to take a somewhat scholarly approach to the issue of binding and loosing. But I have a problem with some of thier quoations and the conclusions they reach.

One of the scholars they quote is Richard Hiers and his article on Binding and Loosing in The Journal of Biblical Literature. Hiers wrote an impressive article giving his view of Jesus words and quotes much from the intertestamental literature showing usage of the binding concept in Judaism as applied to demons. But as Joel Marcus wrote in his article "The Gates of Hades and the Keys of the KIngdom" (Catholic Biblical Quarterly #50 1988)Hiers, "in the end... admits that his interpetation of binding and loosing does NOT hold for Matt.16:19 and 18:18 in their Matthean context" This is not mentioned by Foster or King in the book.

Also Scholar Craig Keener is quoted in the book as saying "Many early jewish sources report that satan or demons were bound or imprisoned after God subdued them" (p.26). Keener does write this in His "IVP Bible Background Commentary: New testament" (a book I highly recommend by the way) But the authors of the book do not give the full quote which states:

"Many early Jewish sources report that Satan or Demons were bound or imprisoned after God subdued them; magical texts often speak of binding demons by magical procedures. Here however (the reference is to Matthew 12:29) the parable about tying up a protective householder means that Jesus had defeated Satan and could therefore plunder his possessions - free the demon possessed" (p.80).

The way Keener is quoted in the book it would lead one to beleive that he is supporting the view that binding and loosing refers to spiritual warfare and overcoming demonic powers. Keener how ever in his commentary on Matthew 16:19 and 18:18 holds to the commonly held scholarly position that this refers to rabbinic-like authority given by Jesus to his disciples to make decisions where the church is concerned.

Also the use of anecdotes is in my opinion also misleading. It can give the impression that "it- binding and loosing- must be true. It worked for someone else!"

However the standard must be the word of God. We must judge all by it. If practicality and "how well it works" are the only criteria then anything goes and we have no reliable way to learn fact from fiction.

Those in the New Age also can point to examples of their techniques working for others: are we therefore to embrace their doctrine as good?

No.

Stories of overcoming difficulties and problems in no way supports the idea that the view of Binding and loosing presented in the book is correct.

Also they use later Christian authors and leaders in the Church to support thier view. However you cannot use writings from the 3-4 century to interpet a first century text. Not before you prove that in the first century this was the accepted meaning. If you can show that in the first century binding and loosing was used by Jesus and the disciples as the authors propose then appeal to later texts is acceptable. In my opinion this usage was not proven.

One could ask "Why did not Paul in II Cor. 12:7-10 resort to binding and loosing in order to deal with the messenger sent from satan?" What is recorded is that Paul prayed to the Lord -he did not bind or loose. And the Lord did not say to Paul "Paul I gave you the Keys - you take care of the demon- bind it and if that doesn't work then loose it!"

In the Gospels and Acts we see Jesus and his disciples casting out devils. We do not see them or read where they tell demons "You are bound" or "you are loosed". (The only exception might be where Jesus speaks to a woman and says "You are loosed from your infrimity" and even there Jesus speaks to the woman not to the demon). In Acts we see or read of NO instance where an apostle states "I bind you satan" or "I loose you!" as is practiced in the Charismatic community today (of which I am a part and the assitant pastor of a charismatic church).

The article by Joel Marcus quoted above is very good and demonstrates that the idea of authority being given to the disciples to make decisions based on Torah for the new Jesus movement (the Church)is the best interpetation. I recommend reading his article.

I beleive that as believers in Christ we have authority over demons when we are tempted to sin (we can resist them as Jesus did see James 4:7)and when neccesary we can cast them out. But binding and loosing as the authors propose: the evidence from the first century just doesn't support their thesis (and my docotrate is in First century Christianity).

So I can't recommend their book

I would recommend the book "3 Crucial Questions on Spiritual Warfare" by Clinton Arnold for a balanced and scholarly approach to the topic.

Written by true men of God, this book not only dispels myths concerning its subject matter but also proclaims, through Scripture and modern day accounts, the unique power and authority bestowed upon us to the Glory of our Precious Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus. If you are a true child of God, I highly recommend the purchase of this book...it's all very real...and you may be "astounded". Praise God!