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{de} Otto Everling.Die paulinische Angelologie und Dämonologie: ein biblisch-theologischer Versuch <German> (1888) (Göttingen, Germany: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1888).

Abstract

Everling' book was the first to attempt to connect Paul's angelology and demonology to contemporary Jewish parallels such as 1 Enoch, Jubilees, and the Wisdom of Solomon. He shows that angelology and demonology are component parts of Paul's cosmology and that Paul's views had earlier analogues in Jewish theology.

"Otto Everling’s Die Paulinische Angelologie und Dämonologie (Paul's angelology and demonology, 1888) offers one of the earliest systematic studies of Paul’s theology of supernatural beings, arguing that Paul’s understanding of angels and demons forms an integrated part of his broader cosmology. Drawing comparisons with Jewish apocalyptic and pseudepigraphic literature—especially 1 Enoch, Jubilees, and the Wisdom of Solomon—Everling contends that Pauline angelology and demonology reflect patterns deeply rooted in contemporary Jewish thought ... Everling frames his work as a biblically‑theological experiment, examining key Pauline passages where terms like ἀρχαί (archai, “rulers”) and ἐξουσίαι (exousiai, “authorities”) appear. He interprets these not merely as metaphorical or political terms but as references to hierarchical spiritual beings influencing cosmic order and human affairs. Through rigorous exegesis of Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, and Colossians, the study maps out the structure and function of these spiritual powers within Paul’s theology (e.g. Colossians 1:16; Romans 8:38; 1 Corinthians 15:24) ... Everling’s approach is both descriptive and analytical: he reconstructs Paul’s cosmological framework while critically situating Pauline thought in dialogue with Second Temple Jewish traditions and early Christian debates on demonic influence and angelic hierarchy. The result is a foundational contribution to Pauline studies, pioneering later scholarly discussions on "principalities and powers" and their theological implications."--ChatGTP

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