What do Christians today misunderstand about the devil—and why does it matter for how we understand the gospel?
In this episode of The Faith (In)Forming Podcast, I sit down with theologian Philip Ziegler to explore a topic many churches avoid: the doctrine of the devil. Drawing from his book God’s Adversary and Ours, Ziegler offers a deeply biblical and theological framework for understanding Satan—not through speculation, but through the life and work of Jesus Christ.
Together, we discuss:
This conversation will expand your understanding of the gospel—not just as personal salvation, but as a cosmic story of Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the devil.
If you’ve ever wondered:
This episode is for you.
If this conversation resonates, you may also enjoy my book, The Mystery of Faith, where I explore how the gospel is far bigger, deeper, and more transformative than we often imagine.
The Faith (In)Forming Podcast is a space for deep, thoughtful conversations on theology, culture, and the Christian life.
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00:00 – Introduction: Why Talk About the Devil?
01:00 – What Led Philip Ziegler to Study This Topic
06:45 – Why the Church Stopped Talking About the Devil
14:50 – Avoidance vs. Weaponization
16:50 – Understanding the Devil Through Jesus
24:30 – The Temptation of Christ Explained
28:30 – Exorcism and the Meaning of “Life”
33:30 – Shalom, Chaos, and the Story of Scripture
35:20 – The Cross as the Ultimate Exorcism
40:00 – Expanding Our Vision of the Gospel
41:10 – What This Means for the Christian Life Today
49:00 – Ordinary Faith as Spiritual Resistance
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