Demonology in the Writings of the Ante-Nicene Fathers

In 1984 as a part of a Graduate Course in Biblial Studies I took on a project in which I composed a paper that was a survey on what the Ante-Nicene (Before the Council of Nicea) church Fathers believed about demons. Perhaps some of their teachings leave us nothing more than another area of debate, but I believe their perception of the influence of demons on human behavior if not absolutely accurate does at least indicate what they thought regarding the cures for certain behaviors (conditions).

Just to let you know, all of the writers that addressed the subject of the origin of demons believed they were initially the offspring of the Sons of God and Daughters of men spoken about in Genesis 6. Those offspring were known as the men of renown and began the race of giants on the earth. The sons of God are seen as fallen angels. The same ones referred to in Jude 6 who abandoned their own domain and left their proper abode, who are already bound in chains because of that activity.

They concluded that when these offspring died since they were a mixed breed, their spirits would wander the earth looking for bodies to subvert (find pleasure through). I am not declaring my conclusions I am just reporting what was taught during this era. One of the more well-known fathers, Tertullian, believed demons even faked healings. First they would afflict someone then they would command the application of new remedies and when that was done they would withdraw their hurtful influence which then looked like a cure. Another writer said they would destroy the disease they had produced. That way they would get you to follow their methods. But here are a few things that they believed would help you resist demonic influence.

It was believed that immoderation gave opportunity to demons. As long as one partook of eat and drink in moderation the mercy of God did not give demons the liberty to enter man. But when immoderate "as if invited by the will and purpose of those who this neglect themselves," they received power because these thus partaking had broken the law of God. I believe it is very common for people to feel out of control when they have given themselves over to excess. The concept of Divine protection through Godly living under the commands of God, was a concept taught and understood in these writings. They attributed demons with causing madness of anger, excessive grief which leads to suicide and lust. Therefore one of the ways to resist demons was through abstinence and fasting.

Demons were not seen to have unlimited power, Origen stated that true Christians submitted to God and His word would suffer nothing from demons because that Christian is mightier than them. So who did they have influence on. Those who continue in sin, who practice immoderation and those who make no strong opposing effort for their own salvation. In a writing called The Recognitions of Clement it was written that the weakest Christian when submitted to God is stronger than the strongest demon, and there is a measure of faith which drives the demon from the soul, but that the demon remains "in the portion of infidelity." Soooooo... fudgin' on holiness and righteous living opens doors to demonic influence and control. If you love God you will keep his commands and if you keep His commands you close doors to possible demonic influence. There is great motivation and reward for holy living.

Exposing ourselves to the ungodly; porn, filthy movies, ungodly philosophy or rebellious sinful behavior makes one vulnerable to demons (as in I just couldn't control myself). I would say many marriages are destroyed through the exposure to porn and may I say the philosophies and depictions portrayed in your everyday soap operas. To the degree that we leave the Truth of God and His Word we expose ourselves to someone else's control.

Amazingly, it really is true what David declared in Psalm 19:9-11, that the judgments of the Lord are true, they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, sweeter than honey, by them we are warned, and in keeping them THERE IS GREAT REWARD!!