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'''''Evil Spirits Intellectualism and Logic''''' is a theological treatise by the 20th-century American Baptist Association clergyman [[L. L. Clover]]. The book seeks to refute [[secular humanist]] views regarding [[evolution]], personal sin, and the societal and moral breakdown of [[Western Civilization]].  

'''''Evil Spirits Intellectualism and Logic''''' is a theological treatise by the 20th-century American Baptist Association clergyman [[L. L. Clover]]. The book seeks to refute [[secular humanist]] views regarding [[evolution]], personal sin, and the societal and moral breakdown of [[Western Civilization]].  

The book was published through the [[Louisiana Missionary Baptist Institute and Seminary]], an institution which Clover founded in 1952, originally in his own home. At the time of his death in 1975, a year after the publication of this book, Clover had been preaching weeklong revival services in Camden in his native [[Arkansas]]. From 1948–1964, Clover was the pastor of the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Minden, [[Louisiana]]. Thereafter, he was president and [[Emeritus|president emeritus]] of LMBIS, a still functioning seminary in Minden. He was a native of [[Clark County, Arkansas|Clark County]] near Arkadelphia, Arkansas.<ref>Billy Hathorn, "[[A. T. Powers|Austin Toliver Powers]] and Leander Louis Clover: Planting the American Baptist Association in Northwest Louisiana during the Middle 20th Century," ''[[North Louisiana History]]'', Vol. XLI (Summer-Fall 2010, pp. 140–142</ref>

The book was published through the [[Louisiana Missionary Baptist Institute and Seminary]], an institution which Clover founded in 1952, originally in his own home. At the time of his death in 1975, a year after the publication of this book, Clover had been preaching weeklong revival services in Camden in his native [[Arkansas]]. From 1948–1964, Clover was the pastor of the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Minden, [[Louisiana]]. Thereafter, he was president and president emeritus of LMBIS, a still functioning seminary in Minden. He was a native of [[Clark County, Arkansas|Clark County]] near Arkadelphia, Arkansas.<ref>Billy Hathorn, "[[A. T. Powers|Austin Toliver Powers]] and Leander Louis Clover: Planting the American Baptist Association in Northwest Louisiana during the Middle 20th Century," ''[[North Louisiana History]]'', Vol. XLI (Summer-Fall 2010, pp. 140–142</ref>

According to Clover's denominational colleague, I. K. Cross, the founder of the defunct Eastern Baptist Seminary in Somerset, [[Kentucky]], the book ''Evil Spirits'' despite the passage of nearly four decades since its issue "makes a strong appeal to call man back to the authority of the Scriptures ... it bores to the heart of issues that confront all mankind ..."<ref>Preface, ''Evil Spirits Intellectualism and Logic'', (Minden, Louisiana: Louisiana Missionary Baptist Institute and Seminary, 1974), 108 pp.</ref>  

According to Clover's denominational colleague, I. K. Cross, the founder of the defunct Eastern Baptist Seminary in Somerset, [[Kentucky]], the book ''Evil Spirits'' despite the passage of nearly four decades since its issue "makes a strong appeal to call man back to the authority of the Scriptures ... it bores to the heart of issues that confront all mankind ..."<ref>Preface, ''Evil Spirits Intellectualism and Logic'', (Minden, Louisiana: Louisiana Missionary Baptist Institute and Seminary, 1974), 108 pp.</ref>  

Though Clover admits his admiration for scientific research and discoveries, he challenges scientists who proclaim that life came from  non-living substance or that the Bible story of [[Creation]] and the existence of a supernatural being is mythical. Such scientists, he claims, have departed from their field and "entered the realm of philosophy. ... When people knowingly or unwittingly ascribe all knowledge to scientists, they have become thoughtless and naive." Such a view, Clover asserts, is the problem of the intellect, rather than faith.<ref>''Evil Spritis'', pp. 34–35</ref>

Though Clover admits his admiration for scientific research and discoveries, he challenges scientists who proclaim that life came from  non-living substance or that the Bible story of [[Creation]] and the existence of a supernatural being is mythical. Such scientists, he claims, have departed from their field and "entered the realm of philosophy. ... When people knowingly or unwittingly ascribe all knowledge to scientists, they have become thoughtless and naive." Such a view, Clover asserts, is the problem of the intellect, rather than faith.<ref>''Evil Spritis'', pp. 34–35</ref>

   

   

Clover writes that the Bible "is far above the imagination of man. Its clairvoyance is astonishing. Its philosophy of life, geared to the best interest of all mankind, has never been equalled by the man-made philosophy."<ref>''Evil Spirits'', pp. 40–41</ref> and consistent with [[Matthew 24:35]], "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My word shall not pass away."<ref>[[Book of Matthew]] 24:35</ref>

Clover writes that the Bible "is far above the imagination of man. Its clairvoyance is astonishing. Its philosophy of life, geared to the best interest of all mankind, has never been equalled by the man-made philosophy."<ref>''Evil Spirits'', pp. 40–41</ref> and consistent with [[Matthew 24:35]], "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My word shall not pass away."<ref>''Matthew'' 24:35</ref>

   

   

The Bible is the collective work of some forty different writers over a period  of 1,500 years who came from diverse ranks,<ref>''Evil Spirits'', p. 41</ref> some well-educated, others farmers or fishermen. Clover rejected the "skeptic [who] says the Bible contains many contradictions; this is said through ignorance ..." Clover asserts that Scripture reveals no contradictions, but "a harmonious completeness!"<ref>''Evil Spirits'', p. 41</ref>

The Bible is the collective work of some forty different writers over a period  of 1,500 years who came from diverse ranks,<ref>''Evil Spirits'', p. 41</ref> some well-educated, others farmers or fishermen. Clover rejected the "skeptic [who] says the Bible contains many contradictions; this is said through ignorance ..." Clover asserts that Scripture reveals no contradictions, but "a harmonious completeness!"<ref>''Evil Spirits'', p. 41</ref>

   

   

Clover rejects the claim of scientists who determine than mankind is the product of chance. The existence of the galaxies, suns, moons, and stars, he finds, is proof of law, design, and intelligence: "To believe that all this came through the medium of chance is to believe there is effect without adequate cause...."<ref>''Evil Spirits'', p. 44</ref>Clover challenged evolution with a line from [[I Corinthians]]: "For the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God."<ref>''[[1st Corinthians]], 3:19</ref>

Clover rejects the claim of scientists who determine than mankind is the product of chance. The existence of the galaxies, suns, moons, and stars, he finds, is proof of law, design, and intelligence: "To believe that all this came through the medium of chance is to believe there is effect without adequate cause...."<ref>''Evil Spirits'', p. 44</ref>Clover challenged evolution with a line from [[I Corinthians]]: "For the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God."<ref>''1st Corinthians'', 3:19</ref>

==Fate of modern man==

==Fate of modern man==

Clover describes modern man as "stubborn, with his seared conscience, blind eyes, worldly wisdom, and earthly interest" and unable to explain the evidence for the existence of God. Clover asserts that the "inexorable laws of nature" are reflected in "the sands of time", "the low rumble of thunder," and the "beauty in the golden sunset."<ref>''Evil Spirits'', p. 65</ref> To buffet this argument, Clover cites [[Psalm 19]], "The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament showeth His handiwork."<ref>[[Psalm 19]]</ref>  

Clover describes modern man as "stubborn, with his seared conscience, blind eyes, worldly wisdom, and earthly interest" and unable to explain the evidence for the existence of God. Clover asserts that the "inexorable laws of nature" are reflected in "the sands of time", "the low rumble of thunder," and the "beauty in the golden sunset."<ref>''Evil Spirits'', p. 65</ref> To buffet this argument, Clover cites Psalm 19: "The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament showeth His handiwork."<ref>[[Psalm 19]]</ref>  

Clover writes that the skeptic cannot see the evidence of a "great, supernatural Being [with] eyes blinded to spiritual things by the god of this world. His thinking is confused by the wisdom of this world, and some have their conscience seared by a hot iron." Clover writes further that the skeptic is "obstinately fighting an inner conviction that would lead to God" and instead is driven by the "desire of the flesh."<ref>''Evil Spirits'', p. 66</ref>

Clover writes that the skeptic cannot see the evidence of a "great, supernatural Being [with] eyes blinded to spiritual things by the god of this world. His thinking is confused by the wisdom of this world, and some have their conscience seared by a hot iron." Clover writes further that the skeptic is "obstinately fighting an inner conviction that would lead to God" and instead is driven by the "desire of the flesh."<ref>''Evil Spirits'', p. 66</ref>

Clover sees Western Civilization "drifting to the brink of dreadful castastrophe." Such is not "melancholy pessimism," he maintains, but an "alarming fact." Man does have a soul. The salvation of that soul is not a myth that originated in a cave of cliff dwellers. ... It is a living, pulsating reality. ... the crying need for our world."<ref>''Evil Spirits'', pp. 85–86</ref>

Clover sees Western Civilization "drifting to the brink of dreadful castastrophe." Such is not "melancholy pessimism," he maintains, but an "alarming fact." Man does have a soul. The salvation of that soul is not a myth that originated in a cave of cliff dwellers. ... It is a living, pulsating reality. ... the crying need for our world."<ref>''Evil Spirits'', pp. 85–86</ref>

   

   

Clover maintains that the accumulation of luxuries and formal education has not cured the ills of society. Instead, such ills have multiplied and become "more audacious and malicious." He asserts that education and prosperity are desirable in themselves but cannot replace God. Professional educators who deny the existence of God are, in Clover's words, "unintentionally detrimental" to the best interests of society.<ref>''Evil Spirits.'' p. 86</ref>Clover questions the thrust of education, citing [[II Timothy]]: "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."<ref>[[II Timothy]], 3:7</ref>  

Clover maintains that the accumulation of luxuries and formal education has not cured the ills of society. Instead, such ills have multiplied and become "more audacious and malicious." He asserts that education and prosperity are desirable in themselves but cannot replace God. Professional educators who deny the existence of God are, in Clover's words, "unintentionally detrimental" to the best interests of society.<ref>''Evil Spirits.'' p. 86</ref>Clover questions the thrust of education, citing [[II Timothy]]: "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."<ref>''II Timothy'' 3:7</ref>  

Clover discusses the meaning of success from the standpoint of eternity, citing the biblical story of the rich man and the beggar:. While the rich man was a great success for a time and the beggar a failure, the difference between the two is seen in the word "eternity." Clover writes. "Time is fleeting [as] in an old hymn, 'Moments are passing and deathbeds are gathering; gathering for you and for me. . .' The man in torment [had] blinded his eyes to the saving grace of Jesus Christ."<ref>''Evil Spirits'', p. 103</ref> Clover describes millions of people as having in common: "an indifferent, critical, and rebellious attitude toward things spiritual and eternal." The world, he asserts cannot give inner peace; only the Almighty can heal the heart.<ref>''Evil Spirits'', pp. 105–106</ref>

Clover discusses the meaning of success from the standpoint of eternity, citing the biblical story of the rich man and the beggar:. While the rich man was a great success for a time and the beggar a failure, the difference between the two is seen in the word "eternity." Clover writes. "Time is fleeting [as] in an old hymn, 'Moments are passing and deathbeds are gathering; gathering for you and for me. . .' The man in torment [had] blinded his eyes to the saving grace of Jesus Christ."<ref>''Evil Spirits'', p. 103</ref> Clover describes millions of people as having in common: "an indifferent, critical, and rebellious attitude toward things spiritual and eternal." The world, he asserts cannot give inner peace; only the Almighty can heal the heart.<ref>''Evil Spirits'', pp. 105–106</ref>