"Protestant" Demonologist/Excorcist?

[Chickfula1]

In a very hypothetical situation, would it be right or "ok" for a Non-Catholic man, typically Protestant of some sort, to dedicate his life to the study of Demons, the Occult and, if necessary, carry out exorcisms? Or should we leave it all to the Catholics (mainly the exorcisms part)?

C.S. Lewis once said, "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them."

 

[Locutus]

In a very hypothetical situation, would it be right or "ok" for a Non-Catholic man, typically Protestant of some sort, to dedicate his life to the study of Demons, the Occult and, if necessary, carry out exorcisms?

no more a problem than dedicating his life to any other supernatural phenomena, I shouldn't think. some folk chase Big Foot, some chase Aliens, some chase Demons.

my only reservation would be ... is there any money in it?

 

[FutureAndAHope]

I would suggest that you don't need to study the occult to perform exorcisms, Jesus never studied demons, he just sought the power of God through prayer. To be able to cast out a demon you need to spend a lot of time getting to know God, and praying. The better you know God the better you will be at helping people get free.

 

[Audacious]

I feel as if demonic possession isn't something you can treat very well. How do you diagnose it? How do the symptoms present? The Bible doesn't tell us these things in any reliable or concrete fashion.

I struggle to imagine how, exactly, this kind of thing must work. It doesn't really make any sense from a clinical perspective.

 

[Nithavela]

In a very hypothetical situation, would it be right or "ok" for a Non-Catholic man, typically Protestant of some sort, to dedicate his life to the study of Demons, the Occult and, if necessary, carry out exorcisms? Or should we leave it all to the Catholics (mainly the exorcisms part)?

C.S. Lewis once said, "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them."

Knock yourself out.

When you come to, seek counseling.

 

[GoldenKingGaze]

Ken Fish described a difference between exorcism and deliverance ministry. Deliverance is better. Kinder.
Some people do it as mains. Look for your calling.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I feel as if demonic possession isn't something you can treat very well. How do you diagnose it? How do the symptoms present? The Bible doesn't tell us these things in any reliable or concrete fashion.

I struggle to imagine how, exactly, this kind of thing must work. It doesn't really make any sense from a clinical perspective.

A family I know had their daughter committed because of behavioral problems that were completely out of control. The girl died while in their care (cause never revealed). The attending nurses all opined that she was 'demon possessed'. No other diagnosis was ever given.

 

[Nithavela]

A family I know had their daughter committed because of behavioral problems that were completely out of control. The girl died while in their care (cause never revealed). The attending nurses all opined that she was 'demon possessed'. No other diagnosis was ever given.

http://www.thelocal.de/20151210/violent-exorcism-leaves-woman-dead-in-hotel-room

 

[OldWiseGuy]

http://www.thelocal.de/20151210/violent-exorcism-leaves-woman-dead-in-hotel-room

Sounds more like manslaughter than exorcism.

 

[Nithavela]

Sounds more like manslaughter than exorcism.

What's the difference between an exorcism where someone dies and manslaughter?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

What's the difference between an exorcism where someone dies and manslaughter?

No marks on the body?

 

[Archivist]

Or should we leave it all to the Catholics (mainly the exorcisms part)?

Except Roman Catholics are not the only ones who practice exorcism. So do the Lutherans and Anglicans, both Protestents.

 

[roamer_1]

if necessary, carry out exorcisms?

Why is that weird?

The more charismatic branches do it all the time. Russ Dizdar is the only name that comes to mind... He's into that whole deliverance thing, and he's all over youtube.

 

[Locutus]

Why is that weird?

The more charismatic branches do it all the time. Russ Dizdar is the only name that comes to mind... He's into that whole deliverance thing, and he's all over youtube.

So are other varieties of lunatic. Youtube has been a wonderful outlet for the whimsical.

 

[Dave-W]

In a very hypothetical situation, would it be right or "ok" for a Non-Catholic man, typically Protestant of some sort, to dedicate his life to the study of Demons, the Occult and, if necessary, carry out exorcisms? Or should we leave it all to the Catholics (mainly the exorcisms part)?

I have a problem with Catholics doing "exorcisms." (Anglicans and Lutherans also for that matter)

That problem is that they get that role from some bureaucracy instead of gifting from the Holy Spirit. (and specifically the gift of discerning of spirits - see 1 Cor 12) They think a ritual will do the job when it is actually much more interactive and each situation is very different. You are dealing with real personalities that are all different from each other. Some are brilliant, some are stupid. Some are outgoing, some are reclusive. (the demons I am talking about; NOT the person being delivered) So without that spiritual gift, you have NO CLUE what is actually going on. Has the demon left? Is it in hiding? Is it the only one there or are there more? How did it get in? Those answers can only come from supernatural revelation.

As to some of the yahoos on YouTube claiming to do deliverance, they are often self-appointed and do not have that gift either.

 

[Archivist]

I have a problem with Catholics doing "exorcisms." (Anglicans and Lutherans also for that matter) That problem is that they get that role from some bureaucracy instead of gifting from the Holy Spirit. (and specifically the gift of discerning of spirits - see 1 Cor 12) They think a ritual will do the job when it is actually much more interactive and each situation is very different. You are dealing with real personalities that are all different from each other. Some are brilliant, some are stupid. Some are outgoing, some are reclusive. (the demons I am talking about; NOT the person being delivered) So without that spiritual gift, you have NO CLUE what is actually going on. Has the demon left? Is it in hiding? Is it the only one there or are there more? How did it get in? Those answers can only come from supernatural revelation. As to some of the yahoos on YouTube claiming to do deliverance, they are often self-appointed and do not have that gift either.

I'm not sure that you understand Lutheran exorcisms: http://steadfastlutherans.org/2010/...-the-exorcism -oh-never-mind-you’re-lutheran/

 

[Dave-W]

No I am not that familiar with the Lutheran practice. But so far I have only seen 3 groups that I give any kind of stock to: the first being the Lester Sumrall organization, the 2nd being the Derek Prince organization, and the 3rd being PRMI, Presbyterian Reform Ministries, Intl.

And I do not hang much with Sumrall any more. As a pioneer, he made great strides but there was a lot that he missed. His deliverances often became public fodder (like the girl in the Manila Philippines prison) Prince went much further into the functioning of the discernment gifting. PRMI seems to be the best around at this point. They utilize multiple people all with the Discernment gift and function as a team, away from any kind of publicity or public spectacle.

 

[Widlast]

In a very hypothetical situation, would it be right or "ok" for a Non-Catholic man, typically Protestant of some sort, to dedicate his life to the study of Demons, the Occult and, if necessary, carry out exorcisms? Or should we leave it all to the Catholics (mainly the exorcisms part)?

C.S. Lewis once said, "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them."

In the Roman Catholic Church there are priests who are specifically trained to investigate and perform exorcisms. I believe the same is true of the Eastern Orthodox and Anglican churches.
I have studied demonology, possession, and the occult over the years, and in my opinion, someone who is not trained should not attempt to challenge the possessed on his own. It is almost always guaranteed to turn out badly.

Many have the notion that "my Bible and my faith is all that is needed". When they actually face a devil they find they had no real faith and get beaten senseless with their own Bible.

 

[Dave-W]

In the Roman Catholic Church there are priests who are specifically trained to investigate and perform exorcisms. I believe the same is true of the Eastern Orthodox and Anglican churches.
I have studied demonology, possession, and the occult over the years, and in my opinion, someone who is not trained should not attempt to challenge the possessed on his own. It is almost always guaranteed to turn out badly.

Many have the notion that "my Bible and my faith is all that is needed". When they actually face a devil they find they had no real faith and get beaten senseless with their own Bible.

All the training in the world will not make up for a lack of discernment. You cannot "train" a gifting. It is like trying to make a concert pianist of someone who has no musical talent. They can be taught some skills, but they will NEVER be even a mediocre musician.

 

[Archivist]

No I am not that familiar with the Lutheran practice.

If you are not familiar with the Lutheran practice, how can you say that you have a problem with Lutherans doing exorcisms?