A question about exorcisms.

[SinsMael]

How do Christians make sense of exorcisms in other religions? Are exorcisms in other religions compatible with a Christian worldview? Would they necessarily “work”?

 

[EvanF]

Well, we know that when Jews who had not faith in Jesus attempted to cast out demons in his name, the demons scoffed at the attempt and beat up the would-be exorcists. So if even naming the one who actually has authority to cast out demons isn't sufficient to extend that authority to an exorcist, I don't see how someone who neither names nor has faith in him could possibly accomplish an exorcism.

 

[MyCrows]

How do Christians make sense of exorcisms in other religions? Are exorcisms in other religions compatible with a Christian worldview? Would they necessarily “work”?

Substitute the word "exorcisms" with say, "miracles", "spiritual experiences", "visions" , etc., and I think the answer is largely the same. The enemy is good at his job, and part and parcel of his doings is deceiving and keeping people deceived.

 

[davejonescue]

I think this can hinge on what you think about Saul "calling up" Samuel. If one believes in that case Samuel was instead a demonic apparition, then this means that demons can and do mimic "spiritual/occult" things as part of their stratagem for evil enterprise. In the case of other religions, one of the obvious reasons would be to give a sense of legitimacy to that religion and its teachers, thus keeping its adherents blind to the truth, and making the skeptic possibly believe.

 

[Nomos]

How do Christians make sense of exorcisms in other religions? Are exorcisms in other religions compatible with a Christian worldview? Would they necessarily “work”?

Without the means to differentiate mental illness from demonic possession, I would interpret such as the former. Demonic possession seemed to surface and center around the public ministry of Jesus.

 

[Jerusalem Blade]

Hello Fran – welcome to PuritanBoard!

I'd say – in reply to your question re "exorcisms in other religions" – they would be demons casting out demons, part of the ongoing show of deception other "religions" are.