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On Exorcism and Exorcists: An Evangelical View
Albert Mohler Blog ^ | November 15, 2010 | Albert Monler

Posted on 11/17/2010 10:49:20 AM PST by wmfights

A flurry of media attention was directed in recent days to a meeting on exorcism organized by Roman Catholic bishops. The meeting, held in Baltimore, drew fifty bishops and sixty priests who learned how to discern if an individual is truly possessed by a demon and how to conduct an exorcism when needed.

Rachel Zoll of The Associated Press reported that the program of the meeting was intended to “outline the scriptural basis of evil, instruct clergy on evaluating whether a person is truly possessed, and review the prayers and rituals that comprise an exorcism.”

Major media reported two different angles on the story, with some, such as Zoll, outlining the lack of enthusiasm among American Catholics for the rite and others, such as Laurie Goodstein of The New York Times, explaining that the handful of priests now qualified to be exorcists are “overwhelmed with requests from people who fear they are possessed by the Devil.”

Goodstein did report a significant hesitation on the part of many American Catholics and cynicism about exorcism on the part of many priests. Still, there is a growing demand among grassroots Catholics.

“Not everyone who thinks they need an exorcism actually does need one,” explained Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, the main force behind calling the event. “It’s only used in those cases where the Devil is involved in an extraordinary sort of way in terms of actually being in possession of the person.”

R. Scott Appleby, a professor of American Catholic history at the University of Notre Dame, told Goodstein that the effort is, in effect, a way of the church stressing its hierarchical spiritual power, since only priests and members of the hierarchy can perform the rite. “It’s a strategy for saying: ‘We are not the Federal Reserve, and we are not the World Council of Churches. We deal with angels and demons.’”

Bishop Paprocki said: “But it’s rare, it’s extraordinary, so the use of exorcism is also rare and extraordinary . . . . But we have to be prepared.”

So, why is there no evangelical rite of exorcism? We “deal with angels and demons,” too, right? The media attention to the Catholic meeting raises this issue anew.

Evangelical Christians do believe in the existence, malevolence, and power of the Devil and demons. About these things, the New Testament is abundantly clear. We must resist any effort to “demythologize” the New Testament in order to deny the existence of these evil forces and beings. At the same time, we must recognize quickly that the Devil and demons are not accorded the powers often ascribed to them in popular piety. The Devil is indeed a threat, as Peter made clear when he warned: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” [1 Peter 5:8]

The New Testament is also clear that very real cases of demonic possession were encountered by Jesus and his followers. Jesus liberated afflicted individuals as he commanded the demons to flee, and they obeyed him. Likewise, the Apostle Paul performed exorcisms as he confronted the powers of evil and darkness in his ministry.

A closer look at the crucial passages involved reveals no rite of exorcism, however, just the name of Jesus and the proclamation of the Gospel. Likewise, there is no notion of a priestly ministry of ordained exorcists in the New Testament.

The weapons of our warfare are spiritual, and the powers that the forces of darkness most fear are the name of Jesus, the authority of the Bible, and the power of his Gospel.

Evangelicals do not need a rite of exorcism, because to adopt such an invention would be to surrender the high ground of the Gospel. We are engaged in spiritual warfare every minute of every day, whether we recognize it or not. There is nothing the demons fear or hate more than evangelism and missions, where the Gospel pushes back with supernatural power against their possessions, rendering them impotent and powerless. Every time a believer shares the Gospel and declares the name of Jesus, the demons and the Devil lose their power.

Furthermore, there is absolutely no New Testament evidence that a believer in Christ can be possessed by demons. Tormented and tempted? Sure. But never possessed. Once we are united with Christ by faith and given the gift of the indwelling Spirit, there is no way a demon can possess us. As the Apostle John reminds us, “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” [1 John 4:4]

So, we should respect the power of the Devil and his demons, but never fear them. We do not need a rite of exorcism, only the name of Jesus. We are not given a priesthood of exorcists — for every believer is armed with the full promise of the Gospel, united with Christ by faith, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

Let the final word come from the Apostle Paul:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. [Ephesians 6:10-20]


TOPICS: Charismatic Christian; Evangelical Christian; General Discusssion
KEYWORDS: exorcism; yopios
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R. Scott Appleby, a professor of American Catholic history at the University of Notre Dame, told Goodstein that the effort is, in effect, a way of the church stressing its hierarchical spiritual power, since only priests and members of the hierarchy can perform the rite. “It’s a strategy for saying: ‘We are not the Federal Reserve, and we are not the World Council of Churches. We deal with angels and demons.’”

Evangelicals do not need a rite of exorcism, because to adopt such an invention would be to surrender the high ground of the Gospel. We are engaged in spiritual warfare every minute of every day, whether we recognize it or not. There is nothing the demons fear or hate more than evangelism and missions, where the Gospel pushes back with supernatural power against their possessions, rendering them impotent and powerless. Every time a believer shares the Gospel and declares the name of Jesus, the demons and the Devil lose their power.


1 posted on 11/17/2010 10:49:24 AM PST by wmfights
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To: drstevej; OrthodoxPresbyterian; CCWoody; Wrigley; Gamecock; Jean Chauvin; jboot; AZhardliner; ...
ping
2 posted on 11/17/2010 10:51:43 AM PST by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
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To: blue-duncan; Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus; John Leland 1789; smvoice; Iscool; GiovannaNicoletta
Ping to the power of THE GOSPEL
3 posted on 11/17/2010 10:54:53 AM PST by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
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To: wmfights

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2627932/posts

similar discussion earlier


4 posted on 11/17/2010 10:56:15 AM PST by LearnsFromMistakes (Yes, I am happy to see you. But that IS a gun in my pocket.)
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To: wmfights; Dr. Eckleburg; blue-duncan; metmom; 1000 silverlings; Alex Murphy; bkaycee; boatbums; ...

There are times that K scares the devil out of me. Does that count?


5 posted on 11/17/2010 11:03:56 AM PST by blue-duncan
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To: wmfights
So, why is there no evangelical rite of exorcism? We “deal with angels and demons,” too, right?

Because evangelicals don't have "rites." They have the authority of the priesthood of the believer.

6 posted on 11/17/2010 11:08:25 AM PST by Oberon (Big Brutha Be Watchin'.)
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To: Oberon
They have the authority of the priesthood of the believer.

That must be why there are something like 23000 different brands of Evangelical Protestantism.

Some brands believe they are saved regardless of their sins, others that believe they have no free will, and so on.

Here's the common denominator: they all believe like crazy, and they do it on their own authority.

7 posted on 11/17/2010 11:19:35 AM PST by agere_contra (...what if we won't eat the dog food?)
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To: Oberon
They have the authority of the priesthood of the believer.

Which is very different than the ministerial Priesthood of the ordained.

8 posted on 11/17/2010 11:22:15 AM PST by A.A. Cunningham (Barry Soetoro is a Kenyan communist)
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To: agere_contra

“That must be why there are something like 23000 different brands of Evangelical Protestantism. “

True, but there is a wide variety in Roman Catholicism, too.

You have the gay group, whose name escapes me, and the Latin Rite, Catholics Pro-Choice, and you could cite the various Jesuits/Franciscans/etc., all the different orders. You may say they are all under one authority (the Pope or the Holy See); but Protestants would say the same, they are under the authority of Jesus and the Bible.

Of course liberal Protestants, those who deny Christ, would not claim to be under the authority of anything. Then again, neither would liberal Catholics.

I was just reading here on FR five minutes ago about ecclias in - Holland? - groups of Roman Catholics doing their own thing because of a priest shortage.


9 posted on 11/17/2010 11:39:20 AM PST by Persevero (Homeschooling for Excellence since 1992)
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To: agere_contra

I will grant you any number of arguments against Protestantism... but the doctrine of the priesthood of the believer goes back to the Nicene Creed and the first ecumenical council.


10 posted on 11/17/2010 11:39:42 AM PST by Oberon (Big Brutha Be Watchin'.)
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To: A.A. Cunningham
Which is very different than the ministerial Priesthood of the ordained.

Absolutely.

11 posted on 11/17/2010 11:42:37 AM PST by Oberon (Big Brutha Be Watchin'.)
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To: Persevero
True, but there is a wide variety in Roman Catholicism, too.

You have the gay group, whose name escapes me, and the Latin Rite, Catholics Pro-Choice, and you could cite the various Jesuits/Franciscans/etc., all the different orders. You may say they are all under one authority (the Pope or the Holy See); but Protestants would say the same, they are under the authority of Jesus and the Bible.

Not exactly- the gay and pro-choice groups are dissident at the minimal, to the point of de facto schismatic in some cases. Jesuits/Franciscans and all the other religious orders have different charisms or missions, but they all believe in the same faith.

12 posted on 11/17/2010 12:11:04 PM PST by Pyro7480 ("If you know how not to pray, take Joseph as your master, and you will not go astray." - St. Teresa)
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To: blue-duncan
You betcha!
13 posted on 11/17/2010 12:57:41 PM PST by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
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To: agere_contra; Oberon
That must be why there are something like 23000 different brands of Evangelical Protestantism.

So what.

Jesus Christ will sort out who are His.

14 posted on 11/17/2010 1:01:56 PM PST by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
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To: wmfights

Too many gods about.


15 posted on 11/17/2010 2:39:29 PM PST by onedoug
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To: blue-duncan

Thanks for the ping.


16 posted on 11/17/2010 6:41:06 PM PST by Quix (Times are a changin' INSURE you have believed in your heart & confessed Jesus as Lord Come NtheFlesh)
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To: wmfights

Derek Prince was tops in such matters.


17 posted on 11/17/2010 6:43:16 PM PST by Quix (Times are a changin' INSURE you have believed in your heart & confessed Jesus as Lord Come NtheFlesh)
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To: wmfights

Derek Prince was tops in such matters.

Unger is good.

John Bevere also.


18 posted on 11/17/2010 6:44:17 PM PST by Quix (Times are a changin' INSURE you have believed in your heart & confessed Jesus as Lord Come NtheFlesh)
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To: wmfights
I have no idea why Dr. Mohler thinks the rite of exorcism would "surrender the high ground of the Gospel". I guess -- as much as I respect his opinion on some issues -- even he's not above making wacky (surreal, nonsensical) comments about Catholicism.

How can prayers that repeatedly invoke the name of Jesus Christ "surrender the high ground of the Gospel"?

Furthermore, there is absolutely no New Testament evidence that a believer in Christ can be possessed by demons.

Any Catholic exorcist will tell you that it's exceedingly rare -- almost unheard of -- for a believing, practicing Catholic in a state of grace to be possessed. (And for that matter, that would probably go for Christians of other confessions as well.)

On the other hand, the easiest, fastest, most efficacious way to become possessed is to start dabbling in the occult, or becoming personally involved with people who are involved in the occult.

19 posted on 11/17/2010 8:33:06 PM PST by Campion
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To: Campion
On the other hand, the easiest, fastest, most efficacious way to become possessed is to start dabbling in the occult, or becoming personally involved with people who are involved in the occult.

People who get involved in these generally do so with the knowledge they have crossed a line clearly established and understood. So I rather think the religions who "Borrow" Christian verbage and entice people into false religions by doing so are far more dangerous than an obvious occult.

Occults don't mask who they are...you know going in. But false religions who paint Christianity over their true agendas do far more damage to an individual. Their deceptions at creating a false front fall into line with the father of deceptions and how he works. Hidden rites or various steps to Godhood or enlightenment place an individual on a ladder to a counterfeit and imposter Godhead..no matter the title otherwise given. Generally and in time Spiritual encounters are encouraged and sought after...via testimonies of others who lay claim to such. People then follow thru and do encounter aperations and entities of the Spirit world fully believing these are of God when in fact the opposite is true.

Again and in time people's faith is then based on these experiences... and more and more are required to maintain their faith until they have fallen from grace. The road back is long and trying...some never do come back, rather are bound tightly for years and years. For this the testimony they might have otherwise had is lost forever.....oftentimes psycological issues develope as well.

My point is whenever people "believe" they are seeing the "unseen" spiritual world they had better look carefully at the road they are on and take heed....they leave themsleves open for demonic influence in every way.

20 posted on 11/17/2010 10:04:29 PM PST by caww
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