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Professor of Systematic Theology,
The Theological School of Finland
Sanna Urvas holds a PhD in ecumenical studies and an MTh from the University of Helsinki, and a MA in dance from Theatre Academy, Finland. She is a professor of systematic theology at The Theological School of Finland.
Specialising in global Pentecostal theology, Dr Sanna approaches her work from an ecumenical perspective. Her areas of expertise include Eastern patristic theology, ecotheology, mariology, demonology, and Black Pentecostalism. She is an active member of the Christian Unity Commission and the Creation Care Task Force under the Pentecostal World Fellowship.
In Finland, Dr Sanna has spearheaded the establishment of two theological societies, including Societas Theologarum, where she holds a leadership position.
Pentecostal communities believe in the power of the Holy Spirit in a healthy and empowering way. However, beliefs about the power and influence of demons—especially over Christians—often lead to unhealthy practices within deliverance and exorcism ministries. This paper examines selected worldviews underlying these beliefs, which distort the biblical trust in the love and sovereign care of God for his own people. These observations examine Platonist dualism and the warfare worldview, which have become prevalent among Pentecostals and Charismatics, alongside the hermeneutical analysis of Michael Heiser’s Divine Council perspective. Within these worldviews, there are systems that do not rest on a biblical foundation. For example, the spiritual legal system that underlies interpretations of curses and demonic presence is based on a hermeneutical methodology which prioritises human experience over biblical authority. The aim of this paper is to establish sound principles for both theological and exegetical hermeneutics.
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