About this course
Many people around the world believe in evil spirits and other spiritual powers that can influence human lives. Beliefs and practices such as witchcraft, animism, sorcery, magic, and the evil eye are found across many cultures and religions. These beliefs are often deeply connected to how people understand the spiritual world. Satan uses fear and deception to turn people away from God and encourage dependence on spirits, magic, and rituals.
Missionaries working among people from different religious and cultural backgrounds will often encounter these worldviews. Yet many missionaries are unfamiliar with them. This course helps missionaries understand these beliefs and practices so they can respond wisely and communicate the gospel more effectively.
The course explores topics such as cessationism, the “excluded middle,” the names and tactics of Satan, different perceptions of the spiritual world, mana, animism, idolatry, magic, taboos, and the evil eye.
This course also examines the believer’s authority in Christ and how to stand firm against spiritual opposition. The Bible teaches that spiritual beings are real, but that Jesus has authority over every spiritual power. Christians do not need to live in fear. We can trust God, know His Word, and stand confidently in the victory Christ has already won.
The course is self-paced, and you can go through the content at your own pace. The course has 13 videos in total. You have to successfully complete the final assessment and the course survey to able to generate your digitally signed certificate.
There are short multiple choice quizzes after most videos. These are intended to help you process and understand the material, not to serve as “tests” or exams. There are also reflection questions and discussion forums after most videos.
Course Staff
Dr Henry Vermont
Dr Henry Vermont: Instructor and course co-developer
Dr Don Fisher
Dr Don Fisher is a life long teacher with a doctorate in Education. He taught in Bible schools in Indonesia for 14 years. He has travelled and taught in a number of countries and written several books on Bible study methods. Although he is technically retired, he and his wife are still active in ministry.
Betsy Vermont
Betsy Vermont: Course co-developer
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