This Present Darkness
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This Present Darkness
Peretti’s novel plunges headfirst into the unseen spiritual battles shaping a small town, a premise that immediately distinguishes it from standard thrillers. The author’s strength lies in his vivid depiction of the supernatural realm, making the conflict between angels and demons palpable. The sheer scope of the unseen war, extending from local coffee shops to cosmic confrontations, is compelling. However, the character development occasionally feels secondary to the plot's theological underpinnings, with some figures serving more as conduits for spiritual concepts than fully realized individuals. The portrayal of the New Age plot, while central, sometimes leans into broad strokes, which, while effective for narrative propulsion, might lack nuance for some readers. The climax, involving a direct spiritual confrontation, remains a powerful sequence, vividly illustrating the book's core ideas. It's a potent, if sometimes unsubtle, exploration of faith in action against pervasive darkness.
📝 Description
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Frank E. Peretti's 1986 novel, This Present Darkness, depicts a literal spiritual battlefield.
This Present Darkness, published in 1986, details an unseen conflict between angelic and demonic forces over the town of Ashton. The story follows a local pastor and a skeptical journalist as they uncover a hidden plot. Peretti's narrative imagines a reality where spiritual entities directly influence human lives and decisions.
The novel engages with themes of spiritual warfare, portraying prayer as a potent force against malevolent spiritual influences. It examines how New Age philosophies can manifest and impact society, presenting them as potentially deceptive. The characters must learn to discern the true sources of spiritual power and influence at play in their community.
Published in 1986, This Present Darkness taps into a vein of Christian esotericism that views spiritual realities as actively engaged in the material world. It aligns with perspectives that emphasize the power of prayer and spiritual warfare, concepts found in various Christian mystical traditions. The book's depiction of unseen intelligences influencing human affairs also resonates with broader occult and Gnostic ideas about spiritual hierarchies and cosmic battles, though framed within a specific evangelical worldview.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Gain a narrative understanding of spiritual warfare concepts, particularly the role of prayer as depicted through the pastor's actions, offering a fictional lens on a theological practice. • Examine the fictional critique of New Age philosophies as presented through the "Satanic New Age" plot, providing a specific literary example of religious opposition. • Experience the visceral depiction of angelic and demonic conflict, a core element of the book's supernatural thriller genre, highlighting the clash between forces as detailed in the narrative.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When was Frank E. Peretti's 'This Present Darkness' first published?
Frank E. Peretti's 'This Present Darkness' was first published in 1986, marking its entry into the contemporary Christian fiction landscape.
What is the main conflict in 'This Present Darkness'?
The main conflict involves a spiritual war between angelic and demonic forces influencing the inhabitants of Ashton, a small town, and a New Age plot to control humanity.
Who are the main protagonists working against the plot?
The main protagonists are Dale, a skeptical local reporter, and Pastor Jim, a prayerful leader who begins to understand the supernatural forces at play.
What kind of 'New Age plot' is depicted in the book?
The book depicts a New Age plot aiming to subjugate the townspeople through spiritual manipulation and eventually control the entire human race, often involving elements like astrology and occult practices.
Does 'This Present Darkness' have sequels or related works?
Yes, 'This Present Darkness' has a sequel titled 'Piercing the Darkness,' which continues the narrative and explores further aspects of spiritual warfare in Ashton.
What is the setting for 'This Present Darkness'?
The novel is set in the fictional small town of Ashton, which becomes the focal point for a large-scale spiritual conflict.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
Spiritual Warfare
The novel vividly portrays an ongoing, literal conflict between angelic and demonic forces, unseen by most humans. This war is fought not with physical weapons but through influence, temptation, and spiritual power. Peretti illustrates how these entities actively manipulate events, thoughts, and emotions in the human realm, with the town of Ashton serving as a microcosm for this larger cosmic struggle. The narrative emphasizes that humans are participants, whether aware or not, in this battle for souls and allegiance.
The Power of Prayer
Prayer is depicted as a potent spiritual weapon and a direct channel of communication and intervention in the unseen war. Pastor Jim's persistent intercessory prayer is shown to have tangible effects, disrupting demonic plans and bolstering angelic efforts. The book suggests that sincere, focused prayer is not merely a passive religious act but an active, strategic engagement against spiritual opposition, capable of shifting the tide of battles.
New Age Deception
Peretti presents a critical view of New Age philosophies and practices, framing them as tools of spiritual deception orchestrated by malevolent forces. The narrative's antagonists utilize elements such as astrology, self-deification, and New Age gurus to subtly gain control over individuals and society. The book warns against the seductive allure of these ideologies, suggesting they lead away from true spiritual reality and toward subjugation.
Spiritual Discernment
A crucial theme is the necessity of spiritual discernment – the ability to distinguish between divine and deceptive influences. Characters like Pastor Jim and Dale, the reporter, must learn to look beyond the surface of events and recognize the underlying spiritual dynamics at play. The novel encourages readers to develop their own discernment, questioning the origin of ideas and motivations to avoid falling prey to manipulation.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“Angels were God's messengers and warriors.”
— This interpretation defines the role of angels in the book's cosmology: they serve as divine agents, conveying messages and actively engaging in spiritual combat.
“Prayer was a powerful weapon against the darkness.”
— This interpretation emphasizes the active, strategic role of prayer within the novel, presenting it as a potent force capable of countering malevolent spiritual influence.
💡 Key Ideas
Editorial paraphrase of the work's core concepts — not direct quotes.
The battle wasn't fought in the streets, but in the hearts and minds of people.
This quote captures the novel's core premise: that the most significant conflicts are not physical but spiritual, occurring within individuals' internal landscapes.
Demons sought to blind people to the truth of God.
This paraphrased concept highlights the perceived agenda of demonic forces within the narrative – to obscure spiritual reality and prevent people from recognizing divine influence.
New Age practices were subtle forms of manipulation.
This paraphrased concept reflects the book's critical stance on New Age movements, portraying them not as benign spiritual paths but as insidious methods of control.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
While not strictly adhering to a single esoteric lineage, "This Present Darkness" draws heavily from a popular, albeit often simplified, interpretation of Abrahamic angelology and demonology, particularly within contemporary evangelical Christian thought. It presents a dualistic worldview reminiscent of certain Gnostic or Manichaean frameworks, where distinct forces of light and darkness are in constant conflict for human souls. However, its theological underpinnings are rooted in a specific Protestant understanding of spiritual warfare, distinct from classical Hermeticism or Kabbalah.
Symbolism
The narrative employs potent, albeit often literal, symbolism. The town of Ashton itself becomes a symbolic battleground for spiritual control. Light and darkness are the fundamental symbolic forces, representing good and evil, divine presence and demonic influence. Angels often appear as agents of light or divine intervention, while demons are associated with shadows, deception, and chaos, visually representing the spiritual stakes involved in the unseen war.
Modern Relevance
Elements of Peretti's portrayal of spiritual warfare and the critique of New Age practices continue to resonate within certain segments of contemporary Christian and conservative religious communities. The novel's approach informs discussions about spiritual discernment and the perceived influence of non-Christian spiritualities in popular culture and societal trends. Thinkers and writers focusing on spiritual warfare apologetics or counter-cult ministries may still reference its narrative framework as illustrative of their concerns.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Believers interested in exploring fictional depictions of spiritual warfare and the practical application of prayer in overcoming unseen opposition. • Readers of supernatural thrillers seeking narratives with a strong metaphysical or theological undercurrent, focusing on cosmic conflicts. • Individuals curious about how New Age philosophies and practices have been portrayed critically in popular fiction, offering a specific literary example.
📜 Historical Context
Published in 1986, "This Present Darkness" arrived during a period of burgeoning interest in spiritual warfare within evangelical Christianity and heightened public awareness, and sometimes apprehension, regarding New Age movements. The contemporary Christian fiction market was expanding, offering a space for works that explicitly addressed theological concepts. Peretti’s novel tapped into this cultural moment, presenting a dramatic, literal interpretation of unseen spiritual battles. While not directly engaging with academic theological discourse, its popularity indicated a strong resonance with readers seeking fiction that validated their belief in an active spiritual realm. The book’s success contrasted with more abstract or allegorical approaches to faith in literature, offering a direct confrontation narrative. It gained significant traction within specific religious communities, becoming a touchstone for discussions on spiritual dynamics and the perceived threats of alternative spiritualities prevalent in the late 20th century.
📔 Journal Prompts
The influence of unseen forces on Ashton's populace.
Pastor Jim's reliance on prayer as a spiritual weapon.
Dale's initial skepticism versus his growing awareness.
The perceived methods of the "Satanic New Age" plot.
The symbolic significance of light versus darkness in the narrative.
🗂️ Glossary
Spiritual Warfare
The concept that there is an ongoing, unseen conflict between divine (angelic) and malevolent (demonic) forces for control over human lives and the world.
Intercessory Prayer
Prayer offered on behalf of others; in the novel, depicted as a direct and powerful means of engaging in spiritual warfare.
New Age Movement
A broad range of spiritual or pseudo-religious beliefs and practices that emerged in the 1970s, often incorporating elements of Eastern religions, astrology, and self-spirituality.
Spiritual Discernment
The ability to perceive and differentiate between divine and deceptive spiritual influences, often involving intuition and critical evaluation of spiritual phenomena.
Angelic Beings
In the context of the novel, divine messengers and warriors serving God, actively intervening in human affairs against demonic forces.
Demonic Forces
Malevolent spiritual entities depicted as actively working to deceive, corrupt, and control humanity, often through subtle manipulation and overt spiritual attacks.
Satanic New Age
Peretti's term for the New Age movement as depicted in the book, characterized as a deceptive front for demonic or Satanic influence aiming for global control.
This book appears in 1 collection
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