Posted on 11/16/2010 7:17:47 AM PST by marshmallow
With renewed attention on the rite of exorcism, one theologian has chosen to articulate the evangelical stance on the ritual that few practice today.
The existence of the devil and demons are real but a rite of exorcism is unnecessary, said Dr. Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in his popular blog Monday.
The only weapon Christians need is the name of Jesus, he stressed.
"Evangelicals do not need a rite of exorcism, because to adopt such an invention would be to surrender the high ground of the Gospel," Mohler wrote.
This past weekend, a group of Catholic bishops held a closed-door conference in Baltimore to discuss the theological foundations of the rite of exorcism and to present, in detail, the practice and use of the rites associated with exorcism.
Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield, Ill., who organized the conference, said that demon possession is rare but that they have to be prepared.
"The real hope here and the purpose is to provide some training so that really every diocese could have its own resources to handle such inquires," he told ABC News.
Not all Catholic priests are on board with Paprocki's efforts.
One priest who sent the National Catholic Reporter a copy of the invitation letter by Paprocki back in May wrote: "CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS? IN 2010."
Mohler does not deny accounts in the New Testament that show clear and real cases of demonic possession. Jesus and the Apostle Paul liberated afflicted individuals, he noted.
But the evangelical leader pointed out that no rite of exorcism was performed in those cases and there was no notion of a priestly ministry of ordained exorcists. The only thing involved in casting out demons from an individual was "the name of Jesus and the proclamation of the......."
(Excerpt) Read more at christianpost.com ...
**Evangelical: We Don’t Need Rite of Exorcism, Just Jesus**
Then why does the Bible relate stories of Jesus casting out demons.
He blessed the Apostles — the first priests — and that blessing continues down to the present day.
Yes, there are demons in this present world, make no mistake about it.
I’m not that familiar with the rite of exorcism, but I have been to healing Masses, and no special effects were used there. Just laying on of hands and praying for people to be healed through the power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
They are certainly in the White House.
I agree that the name of JESUS is all we need. Many years ago I was be stalked by a man. I was beside myself. My husband said that the next time he called, just say Jesus as many times as I could, he hung up after the third Jesus, and never bothered me again.
So. Baptist believe in the laying on of hands for healing as well.
Yes! there is.
"But there are also many other things which Jesus did; which, if they were written every one, the world itself, I think, would not be able to contain the books that should be written." John 21:25
I’m not taking the side of the RCC, but be very careful in how you approach this subject. Christ, after all, wasn’t a completely “normal” human and had authority that we don’t realize exists and likely never will this side of eternity.
We are told to rebuke demons in the name of Christ because it’s only through Him that we are given any authority at all. After all, He’s the vine and we’re the branch. Without Him, we’re nothing at all.
Other than that, I agree with what you said.
Can Satan cast out Satan?
Agreed, that Jesus didn’t use holy water.
He’s the One who makes things and people holy so that they can be employed for good.
But can we also agree that you are not Jesus? So maybe you might need what He didn’t need? Namely, invoking Him? He authorized his disciples to cast out demons by prayer and fasting and invoking his name.
That’s what the exorcism rites do. Albert Mohler couldn’t be bothered to discover that. Otherwise he might have wasted his breath on something else.
Proof that anyone can get a doctorate.
Take another look, Al. The apostles and the 70 disciples were “authorized” by Jesus. It’s explicit: he sent them out with authority under His name. When some of His disciples asked why they were unsuccessful with some cases of demonic possession, he instructed them how to do it the next time.
Looks like authorized exorcists to me.
Mohler can’t see the nose on his face.
That isn't the understatement of the year. It's not even the biggest understatement of the entire history of the universe since Creation ... It's the understatement of Eternity.
Have you any idea who and what Jesus IS.
Jesus told us exactly who and what He IS:
"Before Abraham was, I AM."
Jesus Christ is Lord. Jesus Christ is God. He isn't a human person at all, He is a Divine Person. He had and has ALL authority.
Without Him, we’re nothing at all.
Exactly.
Exorcism is part of the authority given by Christ to Peter and the Apostles.
"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
I seem to remember Him using mud and spittle once, but I guess that doesn’t count.
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