“Prayer is the key that unlocks heaven's door.”
— A character emphasizes the power of prayer in spiritual warfare.
Archivist's Choice
This Present Darkness
Frank E. Peretti (1986)
Genre
Thriller / Fantasy / Spirituality
Reading Time
500 min
Key Themes
See below
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In the quiet town of Ashton, a skeptical journalist and a pastor uncover a New Age conspiracy, finding themselves in a war where angelic and demonic forces fight for human souls.
Synopsis
Reporter Marshall Hogan comes to Ashton to investigate local problems, just as a young woman, Susie, dies mysteriously. As Marshall investigates, he uncovers a New Age conspiracy led by Lucius, which seeks to control the town through seemingly good plans that hide demonic influence. Meanwhile, Pastor Hank Busche, a man of faith, has visions and learns about the unseen spiritual battle around them, as angels and demons fight for the people of Ashton.
Physical and spiritual conflicts merge when the conspirators attack Marshall's newspaper and kidnap his daughter, Sandy. Hank gathers a group of people to pray, and their prayers help angelic forces counter the demonic attack. Marshall, now with a new spiritual understanding, goes on a rescue mission. This leads to a confrontation at the hospital where Lucius's demonic nature is revealed. Prayer and action lead to the demons' retreat and the cult's defeat, bringing awareness and hope to the town. The ongoing spiritual battle continues.
Reading time
500 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Suspenseful, Spiritual, Confrontational, Hopeful
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy thrillers with a strong spiritual warfare theme, appreciate clear depictions of good vs. evil, and are looking for a story that emphasizes the power of prayer and faith.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer secular thrillers, are uncomfortable with overt Christian themes and explicit angelic/demonic interactions, or dislike stories with a clear moralistic tone.
Plot Summary
The Arrival of Marshall Hogan and the Town's Unrest
Marshall Hogan, a cynical, experienced journalist, moves to Ashton to run the local newspaper, The Ashton Clarion. He arrives with his daughter, Sandy, still sad about his wife's death. Ashton looks perfect, but Marshall quickly feels tension. Strange things happen, like animal killings and unexplained deaths. At the same time, Professor J. Gordon Guthrie of Ashton University promotes his New Age philosophy, The Universal Consciousness, which becomes popular and influences local places, including the university and the police. Pastor Hank Busche of the local church, a religious man, feels a growing spiritual pressure and unease, noticing his church's spiritual energy decline and apathy increase, despite his efforts to preach.
The Mysterious Death of Susie and the Growing Darkness
Susie Hathaway, a young woman in the Universal Consciousness group, dies in unclear circumstances, officially called a suicide. However, her friend, Susan Jacobson, thinks it was murder and tells Marshall, which makes him investigate. Meanwhile, Pastor Hank Busche worries more about the spiritual darkness he senses. He prays more intensely, joined by a small group of his most committed church members. Unknown to them, their prayers bring powerful angels to Ashton, while the town is already full of demons, led by the Prince of Ashton, who are running the Universal Consciousness movement and controlling key town figures. A car accident involving a young student, also linked to the New Age group, further raises Marshall's doubts about the town's problems.
The Spiritual Realm Revealed and Hank's Vision
During a prayer session, Pastor Hank Busche has a spiritual vision. He sees a demon attacking his prayer group, then sees strong angels, led by Tal and Armoth, fighting the demons. This vision confirms Hank's belief that a spiritual war is happening over Ashton. He realizes the effects of the Universal Consciousness movement—the apathy, the moral decay, the strange events—are signs of spiritual oppression. This discovery makes Hank stronger, firm in his decision to fight this unseen enemy through prayer. He understands the battle is not against people, but against spiritual forces of evil, confirming the biblical truth he preaches.
Marshall's Investigation and the Conspiracy Unveiled
Marshall Hogan's investigation continues. He finds that the Universal Consciousness is not just a philosophy but a cult, the 'Horde,' led by Professor Guthrie and a hidden figure named Lucius. This group is slowly taking control of Ashton's main places: the university, the police, and even the mental hospital, where they perform bad procedures on those who disagree. Marshall learns that Susie Hathaway was killed because she tried to expose the cult. He connects the strange events, the police doing nothing, and the wide influence of Guthrie's teachings, realizing that a strong, planned effort is happening to control the townspeople, taking away their free will and spiritual independence.
The Attack on the Clarion and the Kidnapping of Sandy
As Marshall gets closer to telling the truth, the cult responds violently. Demons, controlled by Lucius, cause people to attack The Ashton Clarion offices, damaging equipment and destroying evidence. More sadly, Marshall's daughter, Sandy, is kidnapped by cult members and taken to the mental hospital, where they plan to use mind-altering procedures to break her spirit and force Marshall to give in. This personal attack makes Marshall more determined, changing his journalistic work into a fight to save his daughter and expose the evil in Ashton. He knows he faces more than just a human plot, though he still struggles to fully understand the spiritual side.
Hank's Prayer Warriors and the Angelic Counterattack
Seeing the serious situation, Pastor Hank Busche gathers his prayer group, urging them into a full spiritual attack. They pray with great intensity and unity, specifically targeting the forces of darkness and praying for Marshall, Sandy, and the town. In the spiritual world, these prayers become great power, helping the angels. Tal, Armoth, and their fellow angels, who were struggling against many demons, are strengthened. They launch a strong counterattack, pushing back the demons and creating chances for good people to act. Hank's church becomes the spiritual center of Ashton's freedom, showing how ongoing, faithful prayer affects the unseen battle.
Marshall's Rescue Mission and the Confrontation at the Hospital
With a growing understanding of the conspiracy and driven by fatherly love, Marshall Hogan, with trusted friends like Susan Jacobson and a former sheriff, starts a rescue mission to the Ashton Mental Hospital. They enter the building, where Sandy is held and subjected to the cult's manipulation. Inside, they meet the human agents of the Horde, including Dr. Langstrom, who oversees the 're-education.' In the spiritual world, the battle rages around the hospital, with angels fighting to clear the way for Marshall and protect Sandy, while demons try to stop them and keep control of the place. Marshall confronts Dr. Langstrom, demanding Sandy's release.
The Unmasking of Lucius and the Demonic Retreat
During the fight at the mental hospital, Lucius, the hidden figure behind Guthrie, is revealed for what he is. He is not just a human cult leader but a powerful, old demon, the Prince of Ashton, directly leading the entire demonic operation. As the angels, helped by the strong prayers from Hank's church, win in the spiritual battle, Lucius's power weakens. The demons begin to leave, their control over the human agents getting weaker. This change in the spiritual world directly affects the physical world, causing confusion among the cult members, making them open to Marshall's rescue efforts. Lucius's desperation is clear as his plan falls apart.
The Cult's Downfall and the Town's Awakening
With Sandy rescued and the cult's actions exposed by Marshall's newspaper articles and his friends' efforts, the human agents of the Horde are arrested. Professor Guthrie and Dr. Langstrom face legal problems for their crimes. The spiritual darkness over Ashton begins to lift. The townspeople, who were apathetic and deceived, start to see the truth. Many are shocked by what happened, leading to a spiritual revival in Hank's church and new interest in real faith. The battle, though won in Ashton, reminds everyone of the constant spiritual fight and the important role of prayer and watchfulness.
Restoration and the Ongoing Battle
Afterward, Ashton slowly begins to heal and rebuild. Marshall Hogan finds new purpose and faith, making up with his daughter and finding deeper meaning in his journalism. Pastor Hank Busche's church grows, becoming a place of spiritual strength and prayer. While the immediate danger is gone, both Marshall and Hank, along with their angel allies, know that the spiritual battle continues. The forces of darkness may have left Ashton, but they are not destroyed. The experience leaves them with a deep awareness of the unseen war and the constant need for prayer, faith, and standing firm against the cosmic powers of 'this present darkness.'
Principal Figures
Marshall Hogan
The Protagonist
Marshall transforms from a cynical atheist to a man who acknowledges and fights against spiritual evil, finding renewed purpose and a nascent faith.
Pastor Hank Busche
The Protagonist
Hank grows in spiritual discernment and leadership, becoming a powerful intercessor and a key figure in Ashton's spiritual liberation.
Sandy Hogan
The Supporting
Sandy is initially vulnerable to cult influence but is ultimately rescued and experiences a spiritual awakening through her ordeal.
Lucius
The Antagonist
Lucius's power and influence in Ashton are ultimately broken by the combined efforts of prayer and angelic warfare, leading to his temporary retreat.
J. Gordon Guthrie
The Antagonist
Guthrie's reign of influence collapses as the cult is exposed, leading to his arrest and the unraveling of his power.
Tal
The Supporting
Tal, though initially struggling against the demonic tide, ultimately leads the angelic forces to victory, empowered by human prayer.
Armoth
The Supporting
Armoth consistently supports Tal and the angelic mission, his wisdom and combat prowess contributing significantly to the victory.
Susan Jacobson
The Supporting
Susan bravely assists Marshall in his investigation, risking her life to expose the cult and seek justice.
Dr. Langstrom
The Antagonist
Langstrom's cruel operations are exposed and shut down, leading to his arrest and the dismantling of his unethical practices.
Themes & Insights
Spiritual Warfare and the Unseen Realm
The book's main theme is the constant, unseen spiritual battle between good and evil. Peretti shows angels and demons as active in the world, directly affecting human thoughts, actions, and society. The struggles of characters like Pastor Hank Busche and Marshall Hogan are shown to have direct spiritual links, with angel wins tied to human prayer and demonic pressure linked to spiritual indifference. This theme is clear in Hank's visions of fighting angels and the demons whispering temptations to characters, showing that a spiritual conflict happens behind every physical event.
“"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."”
The Power of Prayer and Intercession
Prayer is shown not just as an act of worship but as a strong tool in spiritual warfare. The prayers of Pastor Hank Busche and his small church directly help the angels, allowing them to fight the demons and affect events on Earth. The more intense and united the prayers, the stronger the angels become, leading to clear progress in the physical world, such as the cult's influence weakening and Sandy's rescue. This theme highlights the idea that human prayer has a real effect on the unseen spiritual world.
“"Every time we prayed, it was like a trumpet call for the angels to advance."”
Deception and Spiritual Blindness
The book explores how deception, especially through New Age ideas like the Universal Consciousness, can cause spiritual blindness and control. Characters like Professor Guthrie and his followers are shown as spiritually misled or directly controlled by demons, leading them to accept harmful beliefs and do bad things. This spiritual blindness affects Ashton, causing apathy, moral decline, and an inability to see the cult's bad nature. Marshall Hogan's initial doubt and the townspeople's general lack of concern show how easily people can be deceived when they ignore spiritual truths.
“"The darkness was not merely an absence of light; it was a presence, actively blinding and deceiving."”
The Importance of Truth and Discernment
Against the theme of deception, the book highlights the role of truth and spiritual insight. Marshall Hogan's journalistic search for truth, even when dangerous, shows this theme. Pastor Hank Busche's reliance on biblical truth and his spiritual insight help him see the true nature of the battle. Exposing the cult's lies, through Marshall's reporting and Hank's spiritual understanding, leads to the town's awakening and freedom. This theme suggests that embracing truth, both facts and spiritual, is important for resisting evil.
“"The truth, like light, would expose the darkness, but it took courage to shine it."”
The Nature of Good vs. Evil
The novel presents a clear, two-sided picture of good versus evil, not as abstract ideas but as active, personified forces. Angels represent goodness, protection, and loyalty, while demons represent malice, oppression, and destruction. This theme is shown through direct fight scenes in the spiritual world and the different reasons for characters like Hank (seeking God's will) and Lucius (seeking to control humans). It shows a clear moral world where choices have lasting effects and fits with a traditional Christian view of spiritual realities.
“"There was no neutrality in this war. Every soul was a battlefield, every choice a weapon."”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Dual Narrative Perspective
Alternating between the physical and spiritual realms to show the interconnectedness of events.
The novel employs a dual narrative perspective, constantly shifting between the physical world of Ashton, where Marshall Hogan investigates and Hank Busche prays, and the spiritual realm, where angels and demons engage in fierce combat. This device allows Peretti to illustrate how earthly events are directly influenced by unseen spiritual forces and vice-versa. For example, a character's fear in the physical world might be accompanied by a demon whispering in the spiritual realm, or a prayer group's intercession might be shown as empowering a struggling angel. This technique makes the abstract concept of spiritual warfare tangible and immediate to the reader.
The Universal Consciousness (The Horde)
A New Age philosophy serving as a front for demonic influence.
The Universal Consciousness is presented as a seemingly benign New Age philosophy promoted by Professor J. Gordon Guthrie, which gradually reveals itself to be a sinister cult known as the 'Horde.' This serves as a primary plot device to demonstrate how spiritual deception can infiltrate society under the guise of enlightenment and progress. It allows the demons, led by Lucius, to gain a foothold and exert control over the town's institutions and its people, highlighting the dangers of embracing spiritual paths that deviate from biblical truth. Its progression from an academic concept to a tool for mind control drives much of the conflict.
The Mental Hospital
A symbol of institutional corruption and a site of spiritual oppression.
The Ashton Mental Hospital, run by Dr. Langstrom, functions as a critical plot device. It is not merely a medical facility but a place where those who resist the cult are 're-educated' through unethical means, including drugs and psychological manipulation. It symbolizes the perversion of legitimate institutions for evil purposes and becomes the primary location for the cult's most egregious acts, including the imprisonment and attempted indoctrination of Sandy Hogan. Its existence underscores the depth of the cult's power and the extent of the spiritual darkness gripping Ashton, making its eventual liberation a significant victory.
Prayer as a Catalyst
Human prayer directly influencing angelic power and spiritual outcomes.
Prayer is depicted as a direct, tangible catalyst for angelic intervention and empowerment. This device is central to the plot, as the strength and effectiveness of the angelic forces in the spiritual realm are directly proportional to the intensity and unity of the human prayers offered by Pastor Hank Busche and his congregation. When prayers are weak, angels struggle; when prayers are fervent, angels become mighty. This establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship, demonstrating the biblical concept of intercession as a powerful spiritual weapon and a critical factor in determining the outcome of the battle for Ashton.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“The real battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
— A central theme describing the unseen spiritual conflict.
“We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world.”
— A paraphrase of Ephesians 6:12, used to frame the novel's conflict.
“The angels are real, and they are at war.”
— Highlighting the active role of angels in the spiritual battle.
“There is a thin veil between the spiritual and the physical worlds.”
— Describing the interconnectedness of seen and unseen realms.
“Fear is the enemy's favorite weapon.”
— A character discusses how evil forces use fear to control people.
“In the spirit realm, prayer is like a thunderclap.”
— Illustrating the impact of prayer on spiritual beings.
“The darkness is not just out there; it's in here, in the hearts of men.”
— Reflecting on the internal struggle with evil and sin.
“Angels are warriors, not just messengers.”
— Challenging the common perception of angels as passive beings.
“When you pray, you enlist in God's army.”
— Encouraging active participation in spiritual battles through prayer.
“The world is a battlefield, and every soul is a prize.”
— Emphasizing the high stakes of the spiritual conflict.
“Evil thrives in secrecy, but light exposes it.”
— Discussing how truth and transparency combat darkness.
“Faith is the shield that quenches the fiery darts of the enemy.”
— Using biblical imagery to describe spiritual defense.
“The prayers of the saints are the weapons of heaven.”
— Highlighting the collective power of believers' prayers.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The novel follows reporter Marshall Hogan and pastor Hank Busche as they uncover a New Age conspiracy in the small town of Ashton, orchestrated by a secret society called the Universal Consciousness Society. Their investigation reveals a spiritual battle between angels and demons over the town's soul, with prayer as humanity's key weapon against demonic forces seeking global control.
