This book is not too doctrinally sound and could cause someone to stumble in their walk. I've read a few books like this before and the main concern is that it takes the focus of sin off the person and places it on a demon. The personal accountability is easy to let go right out the window. There are several points I want to make about this book. Anderson is not all bad though.

He talks about not flagellating one's self in sin but see yourself as a new creation in God. He does understand salvation and has a good write up on the Fall of Genesis 3. However, Anderson falters a lot. He trades exegesis for eisegesis clearly many, many times. For one example, his bad interpretation of Romans 7 makes Paul a demon possessed man. He also does not treat his eisegesis to explain why we should seek freedom from demons if Romans 7 says that God allows Paul to maintain his thorn of flesh (this is the same issue a lot of charismatics have with wanting health/wealth/prosperity preaching but not the fact that the apostles or Jesus had none of what they're selling).

The biggest problem I see with Anderson is his minority view that a believer can be possessed. His teachings pretty much treat believers as non-believers. He is inconsistent when he says that demon possessed believers pull back even from his touch as the Holy Spirit resides in him. But what about the Holy Spirit that resides in that believer? No writing is done on this. While he doesn't come out and say yes or no it is hard to see Anderson believing in the perseverance of the saints.

The focus for Anderson seems to be more on Satan than on God. Anderson has an almost Gnostic view that the physical being is under Satan's influence but it's the mind/soul/spirit that is under God's. His eisegesis on this is terrible. He says not to talk to demons but to ignore them, but he doesn't do this himself. He devalues the focus on being a new creation in Christ and instead focuses more on Satan. Less on the Word to sanctify but more on Satan to gain freedom.

And that's the biggest rub in this book. The word or teaching of sanctification is not mentioned once throughout it. The focus is more on not having demons attack/influence the believer as much. The Bible and prayer are more incantations to recite than anything. He has no treatment on personal sin but all responsibility seems to be greatly geared towards Satan.

Again, a book that is not doctrinally sound and would cause someone to stumble in their faith. Final Grade - F


A great Biblical study on the topic can be found here however - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvtELOGbkTg ( )

Case 4 shelf 4

Featuring a new introduction by Neil T. Anderson, this freshly re–covered edition of his bestselling book The Bondage Breaker (more than 1.2 million copies sold) leads readers away from the shadows and shackles in their lives and toward the freedom that comes when they

realize they have the right to be free
confront the power of Satan
fight the temptation to do it their way
trade deception for grace
affirm their identity in Christ

Neil Anderson ultimately helps people break negative thought patterns, control irrational feelings, and break out of the bondage of sinful behavior. Those struggling will discover how to embrace the promise of Jesus to win the spiritual battles that confront them.

Doctrinal Theology - Apologetics

A book whose conclusion is at odds with much of the material covered. Although Anderson acknowledges that not everyone with emotional issues is in bondage to demonic forces, he does assume that almost anyone with personality abnormalities is linked to having invited a binding spirit into their lives at some time prior. The conclusion is that "exorcising" anyone is dangerous to the person afflicted and not as effective as simply praying often for the same person. An interesting book at many places, but not comprehensive and dated by its focus on New Age threats to christian living and spirituality. ( )