N. T. Wright posits that research on supernatural phenomena within the past two millennia has been limited. William Placher contends that some postmodern theologians have diverged from early Christian and Reformation theologies, adopting contemporary perspectives on healing through a process known as the domestication of transcendence. This domestication has led many contemporary Western theologians to deny the existence of supernatural activities attributed to supernatural beings. Conversely, advocates such as Craig S. Keener, who align with the perspectives of African and Asian scholars on supernatural healing, have endeavored to revive early Christian theology on healing within evangelical communities.
This paper will explore the theological perspectives of Athanasius, Luther, and Calvin by examining their tenets on the influence of spiritual entities on illness and healing. Subsequently, it will delve into Placher’s theory of the domestication of transcendence and discuss the views on supernatural healing among postmodern theologians such as Craig S. Keener and other Western scholars. Finally, I will propose some principles for spiritual combat based on Revelation 3:20.