War on the Saints: A History of Satanic Deceptions in Christianity and the Conflict Between Good and Evil

by Jessie Penn-Lewis

War on the Saints is Jessie Penn-Lewis's masterwork, wherein she outlines the occurrences of Satan within the Christian world, and the eternal battle between good and evil.

The book aims to prepare and assist Christians who are caught unguarded against the onslaught of evil and deception which has ensued for thousands of years. In so doing, the reader will - assuming they heed the advice upon these pages - be better equipped versus the various obstacles, trickery and evils that Satan and his ilk will hurl in the path of the righteous.

Penn-Lewis firmly believed that the devil was a master manipulator, with a keen knowledge of when and who to target in his schemes. Several of the chapters within this book detail the different techniques employed by Satan, and how to guard against them. Quotations of Scripture abound, boosting the author's authority and lending much credence to her arguments.

Notably, War on the Saints was one of the first texts of modern Christianity to discuss in detail the process of spiritual warfare. Penn details the idea that Christians could equip their soul to defeat and extinguish evil in others by demonstrating the true virtues of Jesus Christ as the savior of man. Thus, the reader may consider this book something of a battle manual of the spirit.

This edition of War on the Saints contains the full text, together with the original table diagrams which are important to understand the points Penn-Lewis makes later in the book. Controversial from the moment it was first published, this book has seen itself abridged by censorious publishers who wish to present a sanitized version of the original text.

Genres: Christian, Prayer, Christianity, War, History, Theology

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Jessie Penn-Lewis (1861–1927) was a Welsh evangelical speaker and the author of a number of Christian evangelical works. Her religious work also took her to Russia, Scandinavia, Canada, the United States, and India.

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Some More On the Ain'ts" could be an alternative title.

Let me clarify: Undoubtedly Mrs. Jessie Penn-Lewis could be classified as a Pentecostal, yet she is that rare breed, which other Pentecostals despise: a thinking Pentecostal. I first heard of her in Roberts Liardon's book "God's Generals". There she was painted as a dubious figure who kidnapped Evan Roberts, who was then held captive in Mr. and Mrs. Penn-Lewis' home.

Now, I believe this is what happened: "God's Generals" admits Evan Roberts had some sort of nervous breakdown. It's not surprising, given his errant theology of non-theology. He placed experience above all, including the Word of God. Roberts Liardon painted the picture that Mrs. Penn-Lewis perhaps had an unwholesome relationship with Evan Roberts, and that she took advantage of using his name, to further her own writing career. Well, it's a blessed thing that she did do the latter.

I consider Mrs. Penn-Lewis an honest critic of the Welsh revival. She was witness to a great many unscriptural, ridiculous and dangerous things accredited to the Holy Spirit. In this book, she lays out proper doctrine, side-by-side with the heretical goings-on she witnessed, and which Evan Roberts no doubt facilitated. The evidence points that what Evan Roberts was doing in her household was being rehabilitated, being educated, being taught the true Gospel of Christ. Anyone can have an experience. Without the foundation of the Word beneath us, experience cannot be trusted. LSD gives an experience.

I don't agree with everything in "War on the Saints" but I do agree with much of it. Anyone worried by the influx of superstitious heretical mysticism into Pentecostalism, into now what is called the Charismatic movement, would garner much from this read. Mrs. Penn-Lewis was not a Calvinist, was not a cessationist, nor a skeptic. She was a Spirit-filled woman on a mission to right what went wrong at the closing of the Welsh Revival. Many actually blame her for stamping out the revival. To that I can only shake my head in unbelief. A person, such as Evan Roberts, running on fumes and gasses will naturally exhaust and collapse. Mrs. Penn-Lewis was there to pick up the man, and make sense of it all.

Mrs. Penn-Lewis calls for a return of reason and logic into the sphere of Charismata. It is a call that has gone unheeded. The consequence is tragic: doctrines of devils, and no end to deception, delusion, and false prophets. I firmly believe the Great Falling Away will on one side be liberal theologians who deny the Truth, and on the other, those Charismatics who have twisted the truth, to fit their experiences. The people in the middle, who balance intellect, emotion, and will, placing not one over the other, walk the narrow path, with the Sword of the Spirit firmly grasped, the belt of Truth holding their trousers up.

This is a warning to the Charismatic Christian:

Matthew 7:22,23: "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

[Nannette Serra · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first books I read after becoming a Christian in 1968. I kept it as a reference book after that. The major lesson learned was to always pray for discernment and to try the spirits. It is very easy to confuse the voice of the Lord with that of the world system (peer pressure), my own flesh (old nature) and the Devil and his demons. Penn-Lewis' book is a guide for the Christian who wants to have discernment.

[Heidi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish.

I had very mixed feelings reading this book. While I saw some good and insightful points here and there, the doctrine behind seemed completely new and even dangerous. Not something I could easily find in the Bible. The contradictions within the text and Penn-Lewis' teachings altogether messed with my mind quite seriously, so I had to stop reading it.

[Allen Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very hard, but amazing, I read the abridged version, I am now going to read the unabridged. From angels to demons, from exorcism, the unforseen battle between good and evil, Possession, oppression & indwelling. To the subtle ways the prince of darkness uses fear against the believer and unbeliever to trap and render that person useless for God's kingdom.This was the most exhausting study I've ever read on this subject. 1 or 2 things I didn't agree with, but a must read for the mature Christian.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely more intense, meticulous, and fleshed-out than my usual reads, but super fascinating and thought-provoking. I didn’t always align with the author’s approach theologically (and the writing style was a bit tough to get through), but I appreciate how vigorously she tackled this topic.

[Conrad Carriker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was apprehensive about reading this book because of what happened later in Evan Roberts life. Jennifer LeClaire and Roberts I was apprehensive about reading this book because of what happened later in Evan Roberts life. Jennifer LeClaire and Roberts Liardon portray Jesse Penn Lewis in a negative light. She may have influenced Roberts in a very negative way.

She states that the Welsh Revival had some counterfeits and that there was a demonic influence on Christians. Does she prove her point in this book?

I gave it a read because Evan Roberts and Penn Lewis experienced one of the greatest revivals in history. I wanted to learn from their experience.

I went in with a skeptical bias.

There is a large focus in this book on counterfeit manifestations of the Spirit. Lewis delves deeply and somewhat logically into the degrees of possession and deliverance believers experience. She explains how she believes a Christian can open themselves up to false spirits.

Lewis has experience in these areas and brings a lot of scripture to the table. However, I am not sure if I am convinced that the scripture she uses actually supports her experience. She comes Close, but I am not persuaded. Neither am I dissuaded.

The book is worth a read if you are interested in counterfeit manifestations of the Spirit.

[Lee W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

In general I loved the book and agreed with most of its insights on spiritual warfare, though I was occasionally uncomfortable with the Pentecostal approach. The part I strongly disagreed with, and why I could only give the book four stars, is that at the end of the book the baptism of the Spirit is regarded as a baptism into the spiritual realm (as opposed to a baptism that is strictly with the Holy Spirit). This subtle distinction is why the author, and many Pentecostals, believe that real prophets can occasionally, if not often, tune in to the wrong spirit — thus overthrowing the biblical teaching on discerning and rejecting false prophets. There is no safe and consistent method for the rejection of false prophets if real prophets can give false prophecies.

[Sharda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive and thorough book on demonology and understanding the tactics needed for spiritual growth. I'm not gonna lie, it is very difficult to read and understand the first half of the book. It begs for simpler language. It draws out points into discussion... But I understand the authors wanted to REALLY explain things. PLEASE don't stop this book halfway...or you will be a paranoid wreck...it needs to be read from start to finish since the second half of the book balances out the discussion in the first half. Even the appendix is valuable. Lovely gift to believers.

[D.J. Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published in 1912 and written by the so-called godmother of the Welsh revival, you won't find this book written in an easy, current style of prose. But although the text rambles, it is a thorough and practical reference for the practicing deliverance minister. There are other excellent resources, but this book along with "Even the Demons Submit" (Johns/Kraybill 2006) are the two must-have books for both effectiveness and safety in practice.

[Samantha leonardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent a must read for all

We are in this time many are out there to lie and deceive in the churches today . This book will open your eyes to the deception going on in the churches and the warning and wrong spirit and the evil spirits . The need for truth and deliverance is great in these times .

[Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Through Discussion

I made lots of notes from this book. While I do not agree with the author on all her insights, I must say that Jessie was consistently and passionately through in her writing. This will be a "go to" book in the future. A good reference for the thinking Christian, whether agreeing or not.

[Sarah Nannette Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so informative and enlightening about the demonic influences and attacks upon the believers of Christ! I am more encouraged to trust in God’s Word and hold fast to it and pray that He would not let me be deceived by Satan and his demons.

[Lisa Lehmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult read because of the sentence structure, (the author is Welsh and writes in the structure of that language,) but well rounded and grounded information.

[Unesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for spiritual warfare and discernment for demonic activities in Christian life

[Rajesh Mallampati · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for every saved Christian. Reveals some important concepts on deception of believers and their forms.

[Stewart Nicholas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Undoubtedly one of the creepiest books in my library; definitely thought provoking and complex. I've never read it all the way through, but find I keep returning to it to scan through chapters of interest (like tonight). Enjoy :-)

[Royce Ratterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most books are rated related to their usefulness and contributions to my research.
Overall, a good book for the researcher and enthusiast.
Read for personal research
- found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.

[Julianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a difficult book to read. Not one to read quickly or to skim. I feel that this cannot be read until someone is ready to accept & deal head-on with spiritual,warfare and the brutal reality of it.

[Nicholas Maulucci · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good book with some interesting concepts.

[Gabriel Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute must read for the body of Christ, especially for the evil day in which we live.