Part 4 Chapter 44 Summary and Analysis

Part 4 of the Leviathan introduces the Kingdom of Darkness and, in chapter 44, the spiritual darkness and the misinterpretation of it in the Scripture. The Kingdom of Darkness is a "confederacy of deceivers" who go around poisoning the minds of other people and extinguishing their faith in nature, the gospel, and God.

There are four causes of spiritual darkness. The first is not knowing or studying the scriptures correctly. For example, some Christians believe that the Church is an edifice and that the Pope is vicar general of Christ within the church which is not true. The Pope has limited power and his power is only to teach.

The second is introducing heathen ideologies to people such as demons, fairies, phantasms and the like and also mistaking consecration for conjuration. To consecrate is to offer, give or dedicate something to...