I want to be more clear, because apparently I have failed in that area:
I am not saying that people are not having experiences which they have interpreted as devil possession, etc. I am not saying that the Church shouldn't have a readiness and willingness to deal with these afflictions. I am saying that I do not believe exorcisms are the answer. The malarkey comment was in regard to "exorcisms," or repeating formulaic phrases thinking it will expel devils from people, etc.
Those with authority given to them in the Scriptures were able both to identify and heal (with the exception of the example of the one that could only come out by prayer & fasting, outside of Christ Himself giving the deliverance directly) those afflicted by devils. But the scriptures nowhere regulate that and tell us how so to do. It assumes that one is able to identify a person with devil possession, in order to deliver such an one from said devil. There are no instructions for such identification. What we do have instructions for are prayer, praise, preaching of the Gospel, helping those in time of need, etc.
I heartily affirm the "spirit-world," and that the devil -who is God's devil- walks about, like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. I agree with the Puritan minister Thomas Brooks that satan has devices by which he fans into flame those corruptions which still abide in us, and -therefore- we ought to be vigilant, knowledgeable of his devices, and takes James' advice in our dealing with him:
We have clear instruction on the means by which God calls, delivers, justifies, and sanctifies (or passes by, neglects, hardens, and damns) souls, and I do not believe any inexplicable experience -regardless of its intensity or bafflingness- is beyond the ability of these means (by God's Spirit and blessing) to handle. What I fail to see in the Scriptures are:
1. A clear indication that devil possession is ordinary and regular throughout redemptive history
2. An authority to cast out devils given to the people of God generally
3. A set of instructions on how to identify devil possession, and -subsequently- how to cast out said devils
In conclusion, I do not deny the supernatural. I do not deny the spirit-world. I do not deny inexplicable experiences occurring to people. I do not deny the harsh afflictions that these things are to these people, and I pity them and would see them delivered from such burdens by salvation through faith alone in Christ. But I deny that sense (sight, hearing, touch) is the ultimate indicator of truth and, rather, that we are to walk by faith, which may sometimes mean denying our perception of a thing, and dealing with it by way of God's prescribed means, trusting Him with the results. It is also true that God may give a people over to their own delusions, such that they would believe a lie (for example, that Satan and God are in a cosmic battle against one another, rather than God limits and orders the devil and his devils to His own purposes and glory).
I consent, also, that many people do not share the same axiom I do with regard to devil possession, etc. Ergo, I do not necessarily expect anyone to be convinced by my paltry attempts to explain the position.
I am not saying that people are not having experiences which they have interpreted as devil possession, etc. I am not saying that the Church shouldn't have a readiness and willingness to deal with these afflictions. I am saying that I do not believe exorcisms are the answer. The malarkey comment was in regard to "exorcisms," or repeating formulaic phrases thinking it will expel devils from people, etc.
Those with authority given to them in the Scriptures were able both to identify and heal (with the exception of the example of the one that could only come out by prayer & fasting, outside of Christ Himself giving the deliverance directly) those afflicted by devils. But the scriptures nowhere regulate that and tell us how so to do. It assumes that one is able to identify a person with devil possession, in order to deliver such an one from said devil. There are no instructions for such identification. What we do have instructions for are prayer, praise, preaching of the Gospel, helping those in time of need, etc.
I heartily affirm the "spirit-world," and that the devil -who is God's devil- walks about, like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. I agree with the Puritan minister Thomas Brooks that satan has devices by which he fans into flame those corruptions which still abide in us, and -therefore- we ought to be vigilant, knowledgeable of his devices, and takes James' advice in our dealing with him:
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
We have clear instruction on the means by which God calls, delivers, justifies, and sanctifies (or passes by, neglects, hardens, and damns) souls, and I do not believe any inexplicable experience -regardless of its intensity or bafflingness- is beyond the ability of these means (by God's Spirit and blessing) to handle. What I fail to see in the Scriptures are:
1. A clear indication that devil possession is ordinary and regular throughout redemptive history
2. An authority to cast out devils given to the people of God generally
3. A set of instructions on how to identify devil possession, and -subsequently- how to cast out said devils
In conclusion, I do not deny the supernatural. I do not deny the spirit-world. I do not deny inexplicable experiences occurring to people. I do not deny the harsh afflictions that these things are to these people, and I pity them and would see them delivered from such burdens by salvation through faith alone in Christ. But I deny that sense (sight, hearing, touch) is the ultimate indicator of truth and, rather, that we are to walk by faith, which may sometimes mean denying our perception of a thing, and dealing with it by way of God's prescribed means, trusting Him with the results. It is also true that God may give a people over to their own delusions, such that they would believe a lie (for example, that Satan and God are in a cosmic battle against one another, rather than God limits and orders the devil and his devils to His own purposes and glory).
I consent, also, that many people do not share the same axiom I do with regard to devil possession, etc. Ergo, I do not necessarily expect anyone to be convinced by my paltry attempts to explain the position.