The Return of the Gods by Jonathan Cahn (2022) — an eye-opening (if not manipulative) book for discerning readers only.
Although I’ve read Jonathan Cahn before (The Harbinger), I wouldn’t say that I’ve intentionally searched out his books. I picked up this latest one by fervent recommendation from a men’s group I join each Tuesday. These men are all past retirement, in love with Jesus, yet perpetually bemoaning the direction of our culture, so it’s no surprise that this book struck a nerve!
Book Summary
Summed up in a sentence, this book describes how the United States, in kicking God out of the schools and public life in the 1960s, has since replaced the one True God with three ancient deities (Baal, Ishtar, and Molech), each of whom has wreaked havoc upon our culture and morality.
Cahn’s 52 chapters get into the nitty-gritty of “ancient mysteries” that have been playing out in American headlines for the past 60 years. This book is not a prophecy in the foretelling sense (thank God—I’d have dropped it in the trash were that so) but is in the warning sense. It’s a book meant to open our eyes to the “principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness in heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:10-13)
“Foolish Controversies”?
Now before I go further, I need to mention that I’m a Conservative Christian holding to a literal interpretation of the Bible with a few decades of study under my belt. I’m not charismatic. I’m not a ride-the-latest-fad kind of guy. I like to think that I’ve developed a healthy dose of Scriptural discernment that protects me from heresies, “foolish controversies” (2Tim 2:23), “doctrines of demons”, etc. That being said, I approached this book with my guard up. After all, we live in a time when mainstream Christianity claims we can have “our own personal demons” that we need to pray to (in the name of Jesus): “Spirit of gluttony, I defy thee in the name of Jesus!” What unbiblical, dangerous hogwash!
I don’t know if that’s Cahn’s background or belief, but he did write a whole book on demons, so I was wary. And as I read the book, I remained so.
There’s no doubt Cahn’s an intriguing writer who knows how string his readers along like cattle, but to what end? What’s with this insatiable appetite for “ancient mysteries”? Why study the mythological lore of civilizations past, the goddesses and their underlings all by name? Is there really anything behind the countless coincidences he cites or are they again (as in The Harbinger) just a spiritual twist of Lincoln-Kennedy happenstance?
Intriguing Introduction
The first bunch of chapters that describe the three demons, their background, and possible influence on our modern culture is admittedly fascinating. I don’t know how many times I’ve told my wife flat-out lately: “Our culture sucks!” And it’s not just the deification of the LGBTQ+ lifestyle and community and how it’s being forced into our homes everywhere we look. It’s the more subtle wackiness too, like our collective and sudden inability to define “woman” (a fascist fad which lasted whole year until Roe v. Wade was overturned, and women suddenly got their gender back). Truth hasn’t gone anywhere, but holy crap is it being attacked—-and with utterly flagrant nonsense!
So yeah, these first chapters absolutely drew me in and connected a lot of dots for me. Our culture has long been possessed by spiritual wickedness, and the demonic leaders behind it may very well have names (though I wouldn’t go as far as Cahn and call them out—see Jude 8-10). I believe that demons exist, that they can oppress, and that they can even possess the heart of an unbeliever. But those of us who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God have no room in the heart for such infiltration. While we certainly need to be wary of their influence, we’re called to do one thing when it comes to spiritual warfare: to protect ourselves and to stand in defense with Truth (see Eph. 6:10-20). For an excellent sermon on this passage and the difference between “deliverance” and “discipleship,” I recommend this short sermon by Dr. Greg Mazak.
Manipulative Middle
While I thoroughly enjoyed the opening background chapters of this book, Cahn totally lost me with his description of the Stonewall riots in New York City being the gateway for Ishtar to enter America and possess her. His methods for drawing out the coincidences were manipulative, highlighting key points from history (i.e. the lion’s head symbolism for Ishtar) and then discovering their correlations in the modern stories (that a bar 2 doors down happened to be named “The Lion’s Head”). To dedicate so many pages to coincidences and to formulate his explanations the way he does borders on the behavior of a charlatan.
I was tempted to put the book down at this point, when page after page drew out further coincidences, one right after the other (and it’s “more nails in the coffin”—he could have “uncovered” fifty more “ancient mysteries” from the same event and I still wouldn’t be convinced). But I’d already invested so much time that I wanted to know his conclusion. To what was he going to call his readers? Was he going to ask that we stand up and defy these demonic powers? Was he drawing us in to seek deliverance from their oppression by exorcising them in the name of Jesus?
Christ-focused Conclusion
No! Hallelujah, no. The final chapter of the book is a call to Christ, the One whose death on the cross has the power to free the individual from sin and bring redemption and reconciliation. I’ll quote his statement at length, because it was unexpectedly spot-on.
He was, in the modern world, as much as He had been in the ancient, the only antidote to the gods—the only answer. As it was in the ancient world, so too in the modern—in Him alone was the power to break their chains, pull down their strongholds, nullify their spells and curses, and set their captives free…It was that absence in the ancient pagan world that allowed them to rule and thrive. And it was that same absence in the apostasy of the modern world that allowed the gods to return. So in order to achieve dominion, the gods had to separate nations, cultures, and civilizations from God—and also individuals. If one is separated from God, one is subject to the gods, to the powers of darkness. But the power of Yeshua, Jesus, is the opposite. It is the power to end the separation, to remove everything that has separated us from God, starting with sin—as all have sinned. And a single sin is enough to create an infinite separation from the One who is infinitely good. And an infinite separation requires an infinite answer to bridge the gap. And so only an infinite life and an infinite love, the life and love of God given in Yeshua, in sacrifice on the cross, can fill the gap, end the separation, and bring reconciliation and redemption. (216)
As in The Harbinger, Cahn missed another opportunity to delineate from Scripture the call to faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. In fact, He doesn’t even emphasize the deity of Yeshua (which is either an oversight or a red-flag to heresy). How does one come from darkness to Light? How does one get adopted into the family of God? Passages like John 3:16, Romans 10:13, Ephesians 2:8-9, and Titus 3:5 are all very clear. Believe that Jesus is the eternal Son of God who chose to enter this world as a Man, live the perfect life we couldn’t, take the wrath for sin we deserved, and defeat both sin and death through his resurrection to life.
Belief that leads to repentance. It’s that simple. Cahn could have fit that in somewhere, I’m sure, so I have to wonder why he didn’t.
Overall, I found this to be a very eye-opening book, though in hindsight, I remain wary. I’ve passed it on to others whom I know to be discerning, so I look forward to hearing their takes on it too.
Ephesians 6 is clear. Our culture is certainly being influenced by principalities and powers, and only those protected by the whole armor of God will be able to stand in the evil day. Donning the belt of truth is Step One for each of us, but if that doesn’t result in our also fastening on the helmet of salvation, then eternal death is the only possible end. I pray that it isn’t so for you.
©2022, 2025 E.T.
Check Out More from Jonathan Cahn:
- The Harbinger (2012)
- The Return of the Gods (2022)
Everyone is entitled to their opinion but this is just my personal story with no agenda other than the hope my experience will help someone. Ironically, my story starts from a place I placed myself because of poor choices and a disregard for the law as a consequence of my addiction. While serving a year in Federal prison, “the return of the gods” by Jonathan Cahn was the most impactful book i read from a total of about 80 titles. He has knowledge of truths that are nothing sihort of miraculous. I can say confidently from a deep spiritual/person experience while reading this book that God speaks through Mr. Cahn. I’ve only read one of his books but I’m looking forward to discovering others. But no one should take my word for it, I encourage anyone to read the book return of the gods and see for themselves. God Bless
Thank you for the time spent in reading and compiling this review that seems accurate and fair. Far too many speculations regarding the spiritual with far too little logic in this book. Too many Christians get wrapped up in fighting demons both imaginary and real rather than being light for Christ.
thank you for your insights of things yet to be understood .
Unfortunate that you and the readers who support you…compromise the True revelation of God through His Prophetic messenger. May God grant you the eyes, ears and heart to see Him in the Prophetic words of Jonathan Cahn…many are called but few are chosen…
That kind of language would suggest that not only should this book be added to the canon as the 67th book of Scripture, but I’m also a lost heretic for not believing so. I’ll have to disagree 🙂
Thank you , you saved me from buying this book, i have all the answers in Gods written word the bible.
as a believer in the lord Jesus i must comment on this book although i have not read it, there is alot of speculation and guess work involved without not enough biblical facts to back it up. we must seek the holy spirit to guide us into all truth there are many motivational speakers out there who are very inspirational but are they truthful that is the key question?? the book harbinger is another book based on speculation instead of facts… as believers we dont want to put ourselves in the posistion that job did and this is where johnathan cahn has put himself he is very convincing but is it correct as believers we need the discernment of the holy spirit who is god and will never mislead us or lead us down the wrong path, some of the things he claims are not true but people are so desperate to believe things that are unbelievable which comes down to if its too good to be true then probably it is not, stick with the bible gods word and dont be drawn by your flesh in things that just dont line up with the bible…
You are wrong, a Holy Spirit filled person can have demons. May the Holy Spirit lead you to all truth. The Bible also speaks about gluttony. It is a spirit which I had to be delivered from. I am a Holy Spirit filled person. I have been Holy Spirit filled for over 35 years.
How can light and darkness dwell together? They may sin and their deal with their own inequities or be tempted to sin by darkness, but they most definitely can not have demons and The Holy Spirit dwelling within them.
ELLIOT. I THING YOUR REVIEW IS FAIR AND DESCERNING. GOD BLESS YOU BRO. I LIKE THE BOOK AD WELL. AS LONG AS WE KNOW THAT WE NEED NOT TAKE UP ARMS TO DO BATTLE WITH THE ENEMY BUT THANK GOD FOR THE GOSPEL WHICH IS GODS POWER UNTO SALVATION AND THE SPIRITUAL WEAPONS OF TRUTH THAT ARE INTRINSICALLY LINKED TO THE GOSPEL.
While I appreciate all kinds of feedback, the name-calling comments won’t get posted. I’m sifting them out daily. And if some of you really think I’m a “Satan follower” then I think you might need to read my review again!
If the ‘Gods’ are demons, why would Jonathan Khan capitalize God’s om his book title. Makes one woner whose side Jonathan is rerally on
I’m grateful for this review, as I ALMOST bought this pile of rubbish. Sheesh….
Thank you for this commentary. I was given this book by my mother in law who is obsessed with the end times. She is horrified that I am a post millennialist who believes the Great Commission succeeds through the work of the Holy Spirit and evil doesn’t win before Christ comes back to effectively “save us” again. I get tired of all the doomsday focus (12-12-12 she just knew the world was ending). I read the back cover and was turned off by the book but after reading various commentary it may not be as bad as I assumed. I’m not going to read it as I prefer to focus on Christs work not the that of pagan “gods” but glad to hear it may not be all that bad.
I used to be a real fan of Cahn but no more. I think he’s gone out on a charismatic limb. Yes, there are demons etc. but I couldn’t even get into this book. I found it ridiculous.
My brother. Heard about the book on Beck. Like you, conservative Christian, non-charismatic et. al. I much appreciated your balanced and insightful analysis. I have always been very skeptical of folks like Cahn who play upon the emotions and frustrations of Christ-followers, albeit with some fascinating information. I wholeheartedly agree that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. Just not sure if making connections with ancient gods is the best way to fight that. Belt of Truth, helmet of salvation. That’s THE winning combination. Thanks again.
Thank you for the response. Praise God for level-headed discernment and the Word that fuels it!
The book was handed to me by a brother in Christ who wished to know what I thought.
After reading the opening chapters, I couldn’t help being reminded of Paul’s letter to Timothy:
“As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrine.
nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.”
-1 Timothy 1:3,4 NASB
It gets worse the more you read, honestly. We must be watchful, as 1 Peter 5:8 charges, but I agree, this book is chock-full of “myths” and “mere speculation.” Thanks.
yes. many people turning to myths and extrabiblical angel stories/aliens
Rabbi Chan,
Be careful that when you go into too much detail about the works and sins of the devil that you are not doing his job for him. Are you sure the book should have written? We need to focus on the work and presence of the Lord.