Meet the exorcist schoolgirls who spend their time casting out DEMONS around the world (Bob Larson)

Daily Mail ^ | 11th August 2011 | Jeff Maysh

[Quix]

I don't know if there's more than one Bob Larson currently well known, or not.

The one I'm familiar with from 40 years ago wrote:

LIVING ON THE GROWING EDGE.

I thought he had a lot pretty accurately.

Of course Charismatics believe in

"The Priesthood of the Believer."

and that all authentic Christians are called to:

Mark 16:15-18:

14Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

15He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

19After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Yes, I'm aware of the 'earliest manuscripts' 'out' that some groups hold to. I don't think much of it. Mark 16:17-19 is consistent with Paul's teaching in such matters . . . e.g. I Cor 12-14.

[dfwgator]

[dadgum]

It depends.
There are varying degrees of demonic oppression.
Outright possession is rare.
Frightening? No. Tiring? Yes.

Suffice it to say, the Holy Spirit, indwelling the believer is infinitely more powerful than our defeated enemy.

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[Quix]

At least 2 can play at this game. Match you a pic and raise you a pic:

The critical issues vis a vis such phenomena--in my experience are:

1. Does the person want free of demonic oppression/possession?

2. Is the person helping to free them confessed up, repented up, prayed up, maybe fasting and prayed up; anointed for the task; Grounded well in The Word and trained and experienced in spiritual warfare a la the Blood of Jesus; the Name of Jesus and the Word of God.

3. Are they prepared to be persistent.

4. How long the possession/oppression has been going on can be some clue to the degree of the challenge.

I haven't found a lot of other factors near as critical as the above.

[stfassisi]

I doubt the girls have the necessary discernment to effectively diagnose the difference between mental illness or demonic activity.

I think you're correct about this. I can't imagine what kind of parents would allow their daughters to be put in such danger.

Perhaps the parents should be examined for mental problems

[dangerdoc]

When did exorcists break evil spells? The whole concept of breaking evil spells with a Bible and a Cross is kind of a Voodoo thing.

[lawley]

The whole thing seems to be a feeble attempt at glorifying exorcism. Best to be careful about serious stuff like that.

[verity]

Utter nonsense.

[adorno]

If casting out demons works...

I know of a house...

It is white...

And it’s in Washington, DC...

[AnneM62]

The evil one is sending out counterfeit exorcists. That way when someone really needs an exorcist...

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[Quix]

Actually, even 40 years ago the scientific psychological and sociological RESEARCH documented that your assumptions on that score are generally speaking 99% or so of the time

WHOLESALE WRONG.

Experienced pastors, deacons, elders and even laymen and women did quite well at discerning the difference between demon possession/oppression and mental illness. And, they could generally detect when both were a factor.

If I had my dissertation handy, I’d give you the references. I’ve misplaced it in the chaos somehow.

[Quix]

It appears that this topic is being trashed by a lot of inexperienced unBiblical ignorance.

Perhaps some of you have a perspective worth contributing.

[Quix]

A lot of folks have been praying toward that end.

[OpusatFR]

“Experienced pastors, deacons, elders and even laymen and women did quite well at discerning the difference between demon possession/oppression and mental illness”

Really.

Makes one wonder what a five year FP/IM Psych residency is good for nowadays.

[johngrace]

I remember reading about him coming to the local area. He had set crazy prices(50 dollars and up) at certain levels to learn his teachings. All we can is go back to the apostles Peter or Paul, would they charge you to be delivered. Think of all the Great saints Catholic or otherwise who are from history. They do not charge money. If anything it's called a donation. Just crazy.

I wear sacramentals myself( An exorcism medal)They are a living prayer and anointing. I believe this comes mostly from scripture. Almost any blessed object. Notice what Paul did with just anointed cloth in this scripture.

Acts 19:11-12

11And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

12So that from his body were brought unto the sick Handkerchiefs or Aprons, and the diseases Departed from them, and the Evil spirits went Out of them.

"One of the most remarkable effects of sacramentals is the virtue to drive away evil spirits whose mysterious and baleful operations affect sometimes the physical activity of man. To combat this occult power the Church has recourse to exorcism and sacramentals."

[Quix]

Yes.

Really.

In terms of the psych residency . . . depends on one’s goals.

Even the profession’s own research has shown that a LOT of laymen, grandparents, etc. are great at helping others through emotional, mental, relationship problems somewhat on a par with highly educated professionals.

IIRC, there’s never been any research to demonstrate that

AS A CLASS OF PEOPLE,

credentialed, licensed folks were significantly to greatly better at a range of things than sensitive, communicative, discerning, caring lay persons.

Sure, I’m thankful for my PhD. It enhanced my skills, effectiveness with more difficult cases and life a lot. However, I did a lot of good, effective counseling before I had the PhD.

And with some sorts of cases, nothing sort of a Damascus road experience or major deliverance or a residential 3 year program . . . will do a whole lot of good, on average . . . unless some other sort of miracle occurs and the person decides they have had enough of living in that kind of pain and begins to do some opposite things to their usual.

[stfassisi]

Experienced pastors, deacons, elders and even laymen and women did quite well at discerning the difference between demon possession/oppression and mental illness. And, they could generally detect when both were a factor.

Prove it ! Plenty of this is quackery with people claiming they exorcised a demon and taking advantage of the mentally ill for self gain and fame.It could be them who are demoniacally influenced and being mislead by thinking God is leading them

[OpusatFR]

“Even the profession’s own research has shown that a LOT of laymen, grandparents, etc. are great at helping others through emotional, mental, relationship problems somewhat on a par with highly educated professionals.”

There is a vast difference between laymen “helping others through emotional, mental, relationship problems somewhat,”
and a diagnosis of mental illness and its treatment.

You stated, “Experienced pastors, deacons, elders and even laymen and women did quite well at discerning the difference between demon possession/oppression and mental illness”

That’s absolute balony.

At any other time, I wouldn’t bother replying to one of your posts. However, the idea that one can determine demon possession from mental illness simply from “discernment” by a layman needs to be trashed.

There is enough suffering from mental illness, especially untreated mental illness caused by biological problems without some ridiculous statement that anyone can tell who is demon possessed and who is sick.

That nasty bit of false piety and spiritual abuse had ended or so I thought.