I am currently reading the Chinese edition of Kim Ki Dong's "Demonology" (controversial!) and it is quite entertaining and eye-opening. Dr. Kim Ki Dong, who appears to love Christ Jesus and teaches with an inspiring combination of convincing reason, moving passion, and solid experience, had been attacked and his followers disassociated as heretic for decades. Despite trials, oppositions and difficulties, he keeps going and doesn't seem to be doing so for entirely selfish reasons. To me as a reader, he expended extraordinary amounts of time, experience, care, prudence, honesty and effort into this book (or series, depending on your edition). I searched for an English edition, which turns out to be rare, expensive, and without reviews; found here: Biblical, Theological and Phenomenal Studies on Demonology. Click here for link to other works by him and his church, translated into English (I will add these to the English Resources section). The Chinese edition is free online and thus much more accessible. I really wish to have a good discussion with others who have carefully read it.
This is my review on Dr. Kim Ki Dong's "Demonology" on Amazon.com:
"I have not read the English edition and thus cannot vouch for it, but after having read the Chinese edition, I am eager to share this very unusual writing with others for discussion. Regardless of whether I agree 100% with the author, I am impressed with the ideas he presents, the clarity of his presentation, and the real case studies/stories he testifies regarding Jesus' authority transforming hundreds of thousands of people's lives, freeing them from physical torment arising from spiritual causes.
Kim has several decades of deliverance experience and is a seemingly honest pastor and PhD of Theology in Korea. Because of his works and claims on demonology, he endured decades of prosecution, accusations, disassociation and attack as "heretic". His ministry is still active today.
Even if we do not accept his "theories," or believe some of his claims, this makes for fascinating conjecture worthy of serious thought and consideration, and a great incentive for us to study the Bible thoroughly. At the very least, it makes for fantastic entertainment. I can see this being great material for a movie/literary franchise.
If you engage in international ministry in East Asia, this book can help you understand more of the spiritual realities that people suffer in the local cultural context.
I think it's worth reading. Give it a chance. I'd love to hear reviews on the English version."
I wrote another defense for his work on a Chinese blog page:
“主要我們相親相愛,把握好對方所分享的互相學習,而不是熱腦地批判誰對誰錯。因為我們每個都眼裡有需要拿出來的木樁!
金牧師寫的東西我覺得很好、值得我們認真推敲、自己也要好好讀聖經求真,張大眼睛觀察身邊的事情。就算金牧師講的有些地方也許較難接受,但是總體來講並不是異端,是有可取之處 能學到很多。是需要很細心的讀、體會、也要禱告讓聖靈給我們智慧;誰能說我們對這些都很懂呢?誰肯定知道全部真相呢?若不開始好好學習,尊重別人的經驗,也自己謙卑地研究聖經和觀察聖靈做的功,而只是批判,那是很可惜的。” (See original post/comments in Chinese here. 原文)
The gist of my defense of personal accusations against Dr. Kim: it's not for the church to mutually attack one another but to love one another (as the Lord commanded). When claims are based on prudence, Bible study, works by the Holy Spirit, and testimonies of abundant real-life experiences, which is what Dr. Kim seems to have, we should carefully and respectfully, humbly not pridefully consider them. Kim provides good information and teaching worthy of careful review and contemplation. After all, we all have a wood plank in our eye that needs to be removed. Also, knowledge about spiritual warfare is scarce and in high demand for Christian edification and practical living. So... we should build each other up in truth, not tear each other down with shaming and ridicule.
Anyway I welcome your comments, thoughts and discussions. I personally benefited a lot from reading Kim Ki Dong's Demonology. It in particular, he answers very clearly the "problem of evil and suffering," and dissects the Job story with incisive clarify. Read it and post here for discussion, friends!
This is my review on Dr. Kim Ki Dong's "Demonology" on Amazon.com:
"I have not read the English edition and thus cannot vouch for it, but after having read the Chinese edition, I am eager to share this very unusual writing with others for discussion. Regardless of whether I agree 100% with the author, I am impressed with the ideas he presents, the clarity of his presentation, and the real case studies/stories he testifies regarding Jesus' authority transforming hundreds of thousands of people's lives, freeing them from physical torment arising from spiritual causes.
Kim has several decades of deliverance experience and is a seemingly honest pastor and PhD of Theology in Korea. Because of his works and claims on demonology, he endured decades of prosecution, accusations, disassociation and attack as "heretic". His ministry is still active today.
Even if we do not accept his "theories," or believe some of his claims, this makes for fascinating conjecture worthy of serious thought and consideration, and a great incentive for us to study the Bible thoroughly. At the very least, it makes for fantastic entertainment. I can see this being great material for a movie/literary franchise.
If you engage in international ministry in East Asia, this book can help you understand more of the spiritual realities that people suffer in the local cultural context.
I think it's worth reading. Give it a chance. I'd love to hear reviews on the English version."
I wrote another defense for his work on a Chinese blog page:
“主要我們相親相愛,把握好對方所分享的互相學習,而不是熱腦地批判誰對誰錯。因為我們每個都眼裡有需要拿出來的木樁!
金牧師寫的東西我覺得很好、值得我們認真推敲、自己也要好好讀聖經求真,張大眼睛觀察身邊的事情。就算金牧師講的有些地方也許較難接受,但是總體來講並不是異端,是有可取之處 能學到很多。是需要很細心的讀、體會、也要禱告讓聖靈給我們智慧;誰能說我們對這些都很懂呢?誰肯定知道全部真相呢?若不開始好好學習,尊重別人的經驗,也自己謙卑地研究聖經和觀察聖靈做的功,而只是批判,那是很可惜的。” (See original post/comments in Chinese here. 原文)
The gist of my defense of personal accusations against Dr. Kim: it's not for the church to mutually attack one another but to love one another (as the Lord commanded). When claims are based on prudence, Bible study, works by the Holy Spirit, and testimonies of abundant real-life experiences, which is what Dr. Kim seems to have, we should carefully and respectfully, humbly not pridefully consider them. Kim provides good information and teaching worthy of careful review and contemplation. After all, we all have a wood plank in our eye that needs to be removed. Also, knowledge about spiritual warfare is scarce and in high demand for Christian edification and practical living. So... we should build each other up in truth, not tear each other down with shaming and ridicule.
Anyway I welcome your comments, thoughts and discussions. I personally benefited a lot from reading Kim Ki Dong's Demonology. It in particular, he answers very clearly the "problem of evil and suffering," and dissects the Job story with incisive clarify. Read it and post here for discussion, friends!