March News

Published items illustrating the growing impact of neopagan and occult religion on Western culture.

Just a Slight Adjustment

The ladies at Bewitching Wares in Otsego, MI, no longer charge for psychic readings. After being fined for violating a city ordinance, they now offer free readings . . . in conjunction with other paid services. Now with paid services “using God’s energy to help heal people from physi8cal and emotional illness,” the psychic readings are thrown in for free. “We do sell healings,” said Melissa Lesterhouse, owner of the shop. “But not healings.”

“I’m Very Very Spiritual”

So says Courtney Bibb, a former Macon, Ga, police officer who just opened the Energy Within Us, a New Age shop in Centerville. Courtney, who claims to have been clairvoyant from age 8 when she began communicating with spirits, offers services from meditation to crystal healings and Tarot Card readings. Despite operating in the “heart of the Bible belt” Bibb and her shop have been well received, and dozens of people showed up for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the shop opening sponsored by the local chamber of commerce. Yoga classes are only $10. However sessions on communicating with spirits run $35. In April Bibb will sponsor a ”Mind, Body and Spirit Expo” at a nearby shopping center, with some 35 exhibitors. She also is offering a free yoga and meditation session at a nearby Books a Million.

South of the Border

Mexican police just across the US border, caught up in a deadly war with drug traffickers, are turning to Voodoo, Santeria and witchcraft for protection. Secret gatherings with priests who slaughter animals and cast spells on full moon nights attract police all along the border, who are “running scared” from drug gangs. Many are being tattooed with voodoo symbols, in hopes the tattoos will repel bullets. One former Tijuana police officer, named Marcos, explained. “Sometimes a man needs another type of faith. I was saved when they killed tow of my mates. I don’t know why I didn’t die.”
More than 150 police officers were killed in Tijuana and Baja since 2007.

Heavens! Don’t ask for ‘Christian’ Names

In Kent [Great Britain] police have been told not to ask for ‘Christian’ names, for fear that practitioners of other religions might be offended. The Kent Police’s 62-page “Faith and Culture Resource Guide” instructs police to use “personal and family name” rather than “Christian name.” Apparently the police aren’t enthusiastic about this change in what in Britain is considered “plain English.” Local police officers have called the instructions “politically correct nonsense” and “just plain ridiculous.”

Wewelsburg Castle Opened to the Public

This triangular castle was the “spiritual home” of Germany’s SS during the Hitler era. This was the location where plans to exterminate the Jewish people and other “undermenchen” [sub-humans] were shaped by the SS leadership. It was also the focal point of pagan worship and ritual, the spiritual foundation on which SS mythology was constructed. SS leader Heinrich Himmler, who ran the death camps from Wewelsburg castle, assembled the largest collection of books on witchcraft outside the Berlin Museum. The Westphalia government partially funded the restoration, in hopes that “knowledge of such a criminal group will help preserve lives spent in peace and freedom.”

Pagan Communities Celebrate Spring

It’s called Ostara, better known as the Spring Equinox. That’s a day [March 21] when day and night are equal in length. For pagans Ostara marks the end of old man winter and ushers in spring, pictured as a young maiden. Among other things, spring is viewed as the start of the season of fertility and rebirth, and an ideal day to start a garden of herbs for use in magical potions. It’s also a great day to cleanse and charge crystals and set up your Ostara altar. If you’re into crystals in Salt Lake City you can attend the Crystal Allies Gem Club meetings, hosted by the Church of the Sacred Circle. Not far away The Utah Temple of Isis is planning an Osara festival. I suspect it wouldn’t be too hard to find an Ostara celebration in your community. I Googled “Ostara Celebration Raleigh” and sure enough, found one sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship right here on Wade Avenue. The invitation promises “ritual and music” in a liberal, interfaith setting, and urges, “Come, Celebrate.” And in Ashville, members of the Mother Grove Goddess Temple will celebrate with ritual led by a Wiccan priestess, to be performed in the parish hall of the Episcopal Cathedral of All Saints, in Biltmore Village. Again, members of all faiths are welcome.

Ritual Murder?

Angela Sanford, 30, who claims to be a Wiccan witch, is being held for murder in Albuquerque. The victim, Joel Leyva, was found naked and stabbed 13 times in the face and chest with a wiccan knife. Police theorize that Leyva was killed as part of a wiccan ceremony celebrating Ostara.

Eight New Holidays in NJ

On March 17th the New Jersey Board of Education voted to approve the list of religious holidays permitting pupil absence from school for 2010-2011. For the first time the eight Pagan/Wiccan holidays [or Sabbaths] were included on this list. In fact, this is the first time any state has added pagan holidays to the state calendar. This groundbreaking event is viewed as a precedent that other states are likely to follow. There’s now a move in New Jersey to change the rule which allows individual school districts to decide which holiday’s they will recognize with an excused absence.

Ouija Research

An article on Paranormal.com reports on a survey of views about Ouija. The three positions? (1) Its inherently dangerous and can open portals for evil entities. (2) Its only dangerous if used with evil intent. (3) Its harmless and effects, if any, are psychological in character. 65% thought Ouija evil, 35% harmless. What was interesting is that it’s not just the religious who view Ouija as evil. According to the article, “many of the top paranormal researchers believe the Ouija to be a dangerous instrument, to be avoided at all cost.”

Northern Colorado University Calling

An article in the university paper is “Calling All Pagans” to “express your beliefs, whatever they may be.” The article featured the university’s Pagan Student Alliance which meets every Tuesday. Tuesday the 9th the program was led by the club’s founder, Emma Lee, who led the group in a “guided animal meditation.’ Another student, 19-year-old Rachael Saccardi, “dabbles in herbalism.” She explained, “I like to make lucky charms to carry around with me. You can make brews to drink or do other things like bury them around your house for protection. It’s whatever works for you.” The article concluded with an invitation to find out more, and gave Emma’s email address.

Satanic Slaying

In Utica NY investigators of the death of Kimberly Simon in 1985 say the last hours of her life were spent with a group of men who “worshipped the devil, tortured cats, used hallucinogenic drugs and sexually abused women.” DNA on Simon, a 16-year-old high school student, is being compared with that of a number of “persons of interest.” An episode featuring the murder on America’s Most Wanted aired on FOX on Saturday, March 13.

A Plethora of Pagans?

A humorous item in a Connecticut paper focused on the upcoming Spring Equinox—Ostara to pagans—describes the local pagan community as “fairly interesting if occasionally goofy” folks. What’s interesting is that the writer notes that in his town “they’re sprinkled about the neighborhood like elf-dust.” Apparently in Connecticut there’s an overabundance, excess, surfeit and superfluity of pagans, as the P word in the heading suggests.

Practicing Religion?

Shop teacher Dale Halferty at Guthrie Center High School in Iowa, was placed on administrative leave when he objected to one of his students opted to build a Wiccan Altar during class. Dale’s argument: “this kid was practicing his religion during class time.” Earlier Halferty had told another student he couldn’t make a cross during class, because he believes in the separation of church and state. School officials are conferring with their attorney, although both state and federal law as well as school policy do not discriminate against a student who expresses religious beliefs through school assignments.

A response in the Des Moines Register from a parent claims that her daughter “doesn’t want to go to school due to the fear” the altar has created. She characterizes Wicca as being “on the dark side” and understands her daughter’s fears.

An Alternate View

A Montana judge has ruled that the rights of a high school student were not violated by the school, which refused the valedictorian permission to speak at her high school graduation after she refused to remove references to God and Christ from her speech. He ruled that the school district’s policy barring religious references during graduation speeches was constitutional, and that the District’s actions were neither “taken in response to Griffith’s personal religious beliefs, nor were they unlawfully discriminatory.” Apparently school sensitivity to students’ references to faith isn’t limited to Montana. In New Jersey a school principle went further, and cut off Jennifer Chau in the middle of her graduation speech.

An Appealing Faith?

It is to Eygld Svala Arnarsdottar. If this reporter’s name didn’t give her away, she’s on the staff of the Icelandic Mail and Guardian, and the religion she finds appealing is Asatruarfelagid, the Pagan Society of Iceland. What she likes about it is that it’s more than a religious association. Its purpose is also to keep old Norse traditions alive and protect Iceland’s “cultural heritage.” Besides, its members are very tolerant toward other cultures and religions. Even though Iceland has been Christian for a thousand years, Eygld reminds readers that “the Icelandic settlers believed in the old Norse gods and there is so much in our couture that originates in paganism.” She finds that celebrating the sun makes more sense than celebrating the birth of the Christian savior in the middle east some 2,000 years ago. She finds Jesus sympathetic, but “Christ has no part in my life, while the sun is its very source.”

Nine Years Make a Difference

When the first pagan society was formed at Syracuse University nine years ago, people would snicker when the group performed rituals on the Quad. Today, according to Mary Hudson, recently recognized as the first pagan chaplain at Hendricks Chapel, students “quiet themselves” when they notice rituals taking place. Pagan students have been thrilled at Hudson’s appointment as chaplain, though some others expressed doubts. Hudson is one of two pagan chaplains at universities in the United States. The other is Cynthia Collins, of the University of Southern Maine. While Hendricks knows only 11 officially pagan undergrads at Syracuse, her e-mail listserve for SPIRAL, the Student Pagan Information Relations and Learning group, has more than 100 students who “may not have declared their religion.”

Maori Attempt at Exorcism Fatal

In New Zealand an attempt to free a 22-year old woman from a makulu (a native curse) resulted in her death from drowning. Two men held her under water while 40 family members looked on. The woman had been dead for nine hours before the police were called. The ritual was held because the woman’s relatives believed a curse had been put on her after another member of her family stole a taonga (a treasured religious artifact). Dr. Hone Kaa, archdeacon of the Anglican Maori Church, explained that “you may have to hold the person down because the spirit may fight within the person to stay, so you need others around you to restrain them.”

Principalities and Powers, #9

The ninth in a series of studies of references to demons in Paul’s epistles.

Dark Kingdom

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath
Ephesians 2:1-3

Background

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is the New Testament’s clearest and most extensive treatise on spiritual warfare against demons, identified in the epistles by names familiar in the Hellenistic [Greek speaking] world. In the present paragraph the Apostle describes the state of those living in Satan’s kingdom under his sway. With vivid imagery the Apostle sketches the hopeless state of the unsaved, who are helpless to overcome the spirit now at work in them.

The chapter however moves on to describe God’s intervention . . . and intervention which infuses life into those who are spiritually dead and raises them up with Christ Jesus. Lost and hopeless in ourselves, we who have been saved are fashioned anew, shaped by the Creator for good works which he has prepared in advance for us to do.

Thus while the chapter’s flow makes it one of the most positive and hope-filled in the Bible, the initial verses paint a dark picture of the human condition. Mankind roots happily in the mud, unaware that they are governed by Satan and evil spirits.

Observations

1. “you were dead in your transgressions and sins” This is the state of the unconverted. Their deadness is spiritual not biological. Dead, humankind is as unresponsive as corpses, deaf to God’s voice, unable to respond to him or please him.

2. “you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air” John tells us that “the whole world lies in the wicked one.” The word for world here is kosmos, a term which when used theologically depicts the tangled beliefs, attitudes and values of a lost humanity. Here Paul links the “ways of this world” with the “ruler of the kingdom of the air.” Satan and his agents have crafted a world that resonates with mankind’s sin nature, appealing to “—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does.”

3. “the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” There are two ways in which we can take this phrase. “The spirit . . . now at work” is taken by some as the attitude, the outlook or mind-set, of lost human beings. In this view the phrase is equivalent to a historian’s depiction of “the spirit of the age of reason.”

Our translators however have clearly chosen to view the “spirit” as a “who.” In fact, this “who” is none other than the “ruler of the kingdom of the air” whose craft has fashioned the world system to appeal to fallen human nature. To say that this ruler, Satan, “is now at work in those who are disobedient” does not require him to be personally active in humans. Satan, unlike God, is not omni-present. So Satan works through his agents, those fallen angels who followed him in rebellion and whom we know as demons or, in the epistles, as principalities and powers and dominions and rulers, etc.

The fact that Satan’s agents are now actively involved in the lives of “those who are disobedient” underlines the helpless state of humanity. Lost humankind is not only spiritual dead. They are under the influence of spirit beings they have no capacity to resist.

What Paul is doing in this introductory passage is establishing the utter helplessness of human beings; the utter hopelessness of mankind’s situation apart from God’s personal intervention.

4. “gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts.” Strikingly, human beings do not even try to resist the spirits’ influence. They drive us down a path that we take willingly, even eagerly.

Let’s not assume that this passage is speaking of gross sins and heinous actions. Like the moderns who speak blithely of their “spirituality” and seek contacts in the spirit world to make their path easier, humankind embraces spirits who promise benefits that often appear to be “good.” Yet the driving forces in human and evil spirit alike are sinful cravings and twisted desires.

5. “Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.” This phrase sums up God’s judgment of fallen angel and fallen humanity alike. Their very nature cries out for, demands, the wrath of God.

Yet God “because of his great love for us” has acted in Christ to provide us with life, and free us from Satan’s grasp.

Conclusions

Paul has no illusions about the spirit world. He knows that an invisible war rages between the defeated hosts of Satan and the conquering armies of Christ. While on the cross Jesus sealed Satan’s doom, the denizens of the spirit world continue to ride their human victims mercilessly. They take every advantage provided by our own sinful nature and by the world’s system of values which Satan has shaped to match mankind’s cravings. Our only hope is found in the saving work and saving grace of God.

Principalities and Powers, #8

The eighth in a series of studies of references to demons in Paul’s epistles.

Far Above Them All

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church (Ephesians 1:18-21).

Background

When the Apostle Paul entered Ephesus, he walked the streets of what was then the first city of Asia. It was the financial center of this Province of the Roman Empire. Most importantly, it was the religious center of Asia Minor. Ephesus was the site of the massive Temple of Artemis, or Diana, and throughout the region Artemis was considered the most powerful deity of all. While citizens of the eastern empire worshipped many gods, Artemis was chief among the rulers, the authorities, the powers and dominions who were believed to populate the spirit world and, in a significant sense, to determine the fate of individuals.

Different gods and demons, those entities known at the time as rulers and powers and dominions and authorities, were believed to be the source of health or illness, wealth or poverty, good luck or bad luck. It was vitally important to individuals that they have some means of influencing these supernatural beings. Thus magick and sorcery were closely associated with the religion of Ephesus and the entire Eastern Empire. The gods and demons alike must be propitiated by means of offerings, and if possible controlled by
means of magick.

During the months that Paul preached and taught in Ephesus many turned from idols to Jesus. The sale of magical amulets and silver good luck charms bearing the image of Artemis fell of so much that the silversmiths in Ephesus rioted. And new Christians who had depended on magical arts brought out their books of incantations and magical spells and burned them.

Something had freed them from their fear of the supernatural beings that had terrified them all their lives.

Observations

1. “rule and authority, power and dominion” The first thing to note is that the Bible treats the supernatural beings the Ephesians feared as real. As noted in an earlier blog, what the Gospels call “demons” and “evil spirits” were known as rulers, authorities, powers, principalities, dominions, etc., in the Hellenistic [Greek speaking] world. Paul never discounts these beings or their evil influence. Later in Ephesians Paul writes that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (6:13). Demonic entities are real, and they do have an influence on our lives and experiences.

2. “that you may know the hope to which he has called you.” Paul’s prayer recorded in chapter 1 of Ephesians has a focus. He prays that the eyes of the Ephesians’ heart may be opened to the hope that they have in Christ. It’s important that we understand the meaning of “hope” in Scripture. Hope in the Bible has no relationship to “doubt,” as it does often when we use it. When we say, “I hope I can make it,” we’re really saying, “I’d like to come, but I’m not at all sure I’ll be able to.” Doubt, in this expression, is an essential element of hope.

Not so in Scripture. In the Bible “hope” is a settled confidence that what God promises he will perform. “Hope” is the conviction that God is both able and willing to do for us what he has said he will do. Thus “hope” is intimately linked to promise, and confidence in promise to the reliability of the One who has given it.

Paul’s desire for the Ephesians is that they might realize all that God has provided for them in Christ, and take this provision to heart so that they will be freed from bondage to those spirits which held them captive when they were unsaved.

3. “raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.” The Ephesians have feared the power of their demon-gods. And those deities and evil spirits have had certain powers over them. But Paul invites the Ephesians to contemplate the power that of God. That power raised Jesus from the dead, and exalted him to a place at God’s right hand.

In the first century being at the “right hand” of a ruler or deity symbolized power and authority. We use the same imagery in our saying, “He’s the president’s right hand man.” What Paul is saying is that God’s power is so great that he raised Jesus from the dead, exalted him to the highest post in heaven as God the Father’s “right hand man.”

4. “far above all rule and authority” What then is the relationship between the resurrected Jesus and the demonic powers that the Ephesians have feared and struggled to manipulate by magic and sorcery? It is simply this: There is no comparison between Jesus’ power and the power of demons. Christ is “far above” them. They are at best cringing subordinates.

In the language of the day Artemis was given the title pantokrator, a term which translates as “all powerful.” She was foremost among the supernatural beings, and those sorceries and incantations which called upon her name were considered to be the most power magick of all. But Jesus has a title that is far above “every name that is named.” Jesus is Lord, and as Lord he dominates every power in the universe. And that was not only true in Paul’s time. It’s is true now, and for ever and ever.

5. “appointed him to be head over everything for the church.” This describes the relationship of the all-powerful, raised and exalted Jesus to believers. We’ve seen that he is greater than the most powerful of the evil spirit beings who have harassed and troubled the Ephesians all their lives. But what is that to us? Simply, this all powerful Lord has been appointed head over the church—over the people of God—for everything.

The word “head” can be an ambiguous term. We use it to refer to authority, as “George is the head of our team.” We use it in the sense of source, as “The headwaters of the Mississippi lie in Wisconsin.” But often in Scripture, and especially in Ephesians, “head” is used in an organic sense. Jesus is pictured as the head of a living body whose cells or limbs are the human beings who are linked to him by faith. As head of his body Jesus guides, directs, strengthens, and enables each individual member to function.

Here it’s helpful to take “head” in a dual sense. Jesus, as “head over everything” exercises his power to protect us, and as “head over everything for the church” he guides, directs, strengthens and enables us in all things.

No more fear

The result is simple. We will continue to struggle against the evil powers that operate in the heavenly realms. But we do not have to fear them!

Jesus will guard us. Jesus will guide us. And there is no way the powers that be can prevail.

Jesus freed the Ephesians from the grip of evil spirits they once feared. The showed their freedom by burning their books of magic and sorcery, by abandoning their spells and amulets. And today Jesus frees us. As the eyes of our hearts are enlightened and we realize the hope to which he has called us, we become free indeed.

Live Free!

The first Living Free Meetup group has been established, in Fullerton, California. What’s a “Living Free MeetUp group”? I’m glad you asked.

As I’ve worked on the FREEDOM WORKSHOP that I’ll be putting on around the country, one of my concerns has been follow-up. It’s great to learn the powerful truths in Ephesians about freedom from the chains with which Satan seeks to bind us. It’s great to try on the Armor of God and sense the freedom God provides. And that happens the Friday evening/Saturday of the FREEDOM WORKSHOP. But I’m aware that there’s a need for follow up if we’re to build on the freedom God provides.

That’s what “Living Free MeetUp Groups” are designed to provide. Take a look at the online description of the first meet-up group, established by James Kim of California State Christian University, which is sponsoring a FREEDOM WORKSHOP to be held in Fullerton on April 9th and 10th.

Living Free Meetup Group

“Here’s a video intro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcofZi3JygQ A support group for people committed to encouraging each other to live free from a sense of personal inadequacy, free from anxiety, free from bitterness, free form loneliness and free from addictive sins. We help each other apply principles of freedom found in St Paul’s ‘armor of God’ teaching in the New Testament book of Ephesians. Sponsored by California State Christian University and co-sponsored by your local Meetup.”

You can check out the site by going to MeetUP.com, entering “Los Angeles California” as the city, and “Live free” as the kind of meetup group.

How does it work?

Our goal is to encourage those who attend a FREEDOM WORKSHOP to get together afterward in small groups to “encourage each other to live free.” The frequency of these meetings will be determined by each group, but I suggest that groups meet at least every other week.

I’ll provide resources for the groups to use to guide application of the biblical principles explained in the WORKSHOP. It’s also possible that we’ll have video-tapes of WORKSHOP sessions available so the groups can review, and can orient others who want to join the Living Free MeetUP but couldn’t make it to the workshop. Newcomers will need orientation to the armor God provides so we can “stand against the devil’s schemes.”

MeetUPs and the Local Church

At the moment I expect most of my FREEDOM WORKSHOPS will be sponsored by local churches or groups of churches, for their own members and for outreach into the community. It would be ideal if these congregations would sponsor the MeetUP support groups. However I expect that some groups will have no local church affiliation per se, although members of such groups will be encouraged to connect with a local body of believers.

WORKSHOP first, then MeetUP

Why not just start Living Free MeetUP support groups apart from the FREEDOM WORKSHOP? The basic reason is that most believers simply don’t understand the Armor of God as it’s developed in Ephesians. Even those who have some grasp of the teaching typically haven’t learned how to apply that teaching in their own lives. In the FREEDOM WORKSHOP participants are taught the truths that are the basis of our freedom in Christ, and they experience applying those truths to their own lives. This combination of a common understanding and common experience is essential if people are to support each other in a commitment to continue to live free from Satan’s entanglements.

This is why I view attending the FREEDOM WORKSHOP as an essential foundation for the Living Free support groups. While in some churches that have taken deliverance seriously a base of understanding plus experience may exist, and Living Free groups could be established successfully, in very few churches is deliverance an integral part of the ministry. God willing, a combination of the FREEDOM WORKSHOP and Living Free support groups will help to make up for that missing element.

That ‘Ol Time Deliverance

“He screams and falls to the floor, twitching wildly. Shouts come out of his mouth! “We hate you!” is screamed in a strange, gravelly voice. Then his body is thrown about, as if he were experiencing a grand mal seizure, and green goo spews out of his mouth.”

I suspect this is the image most folks have of what happens when demons are cast out. And who can blame them. This is the image seen on movie and TV screens. It’s even like some of the images of casting out demons found in the Gospels. I can almost hear inspector LeStrad saying to Sherlock Holmes, “It’s a messy business, sir. A messy business.”

No wonder folks are uncomfortable with talk of exorcisms and of casting out demons. No one wants to be involved in such a business. And it’s not just messy. It’s scary!

Is it now?

One of the recurring themes I find in reading books raises a challenge to the idea that casting out demons is either scary or messy. Many portray deliverance ministry as a relatively calm process. Probably the primary reason for this is that today deliverance ministry recognizes the need for healing the emotions and correcting the concepts that give demons a foothold in persons’ lives. As these footholds are dealt with, the demons’ grip on an individual is loosened. When the time comes to challenge the demons and order them out in Jesus’ name, the demons (usually several) have been so weakened that they go without putting up a significant fight.

At one time those in deliverance ministry tended to challenge demons immediately, in a face to face, and power confrontation. While Jesus is the more powerful and most demons were successfully expelled, the experience was draining on victim and exorcist alike. And, unfortunately, those issues in the victim’s life which gave the demons their foothold were not dealt with. That meant demons often regained entry to the individual’s life through the same doorways they had entered initially.

It’s far better for everyone [except the demons, of course] to first deal with the issues in a person’s life that provided demons with their foothold. By this I mean such things as the impact of early abuse, curses, unforgiveness, etc. These issues can be dealt with using what Paul calls the “weapons of our warfare,” which “are not carnal but spiritual.” These spiritual weapons are such powerful armaments as forgiveness, confession, repudiation of past commitments, etc. More equipment in our arsenal of spiritual weapons is developed in Ephesians where the “Armor of God” provides the interpretive key.

As deliverance ministers have come to understand this and to focus on healing the damages which provided the demons with their initial access and with their foothold, casting out demons is hardly the “fight to the finish” it’s been portrayed to be. Also as Christians have come to better understand their authority, it has become more common to command the evil spirits not to harm the victim or to manifest in disruptive ways, as well as command them not to harm the exorcist. Thus in most cases casting out demons has become a somewhat “ordinary” event.

But, the Gospels!

If we read the Gospels we’re likely to get a more violent picture of demonization and of exorcism. There we see demons that cripple and blind, demons that strike persons speechless, or try to kill them by making them fall into fire. In the Gospels we meet the demon possessed man of Gadara, raving, hostile, supernaturally strong, and on the rampage. If demons behaved as they did in first century Galilee and Judea, how can they behave as they’re portrayed in “Are You There, Demon?” in this blog?

That’s a fair question. And there is a pretty fair answer. That answer is rooted in the fact that Scripture describes three periods in sacred history when the Invisible War between God and Satan, angels and demons, broke into the open. At three points in history the supernatural was visible to all involved.

The Exodus. Around 1440 B.C. God used Moses to free Israel from bondage in Egypt. There was open warfare between the God of Israel and the gods of Egypt, with the Lord launching a series of plagues which not only devastated the once-fruitful land but in the process exposed the powerlessness of the demon-deities on which Egypt’s prosperity was thought to depend.

8th Century Israel. Driven by Jezebel and Ahab, the northern kingdom of Israel was under intense spiritual attack. The Jewish people wavered between commitment to the demon-god Baal, and commitment to the Lord. The royal family imported hundreds of priests and prophets of Baal to spread the false religion. God countered with miracles performed by the prophets Elijah and Elisha. Again the authentic God’s power was demonstrated and the counterfeit deity put to shame.

1st century Judah. Christ was born in fulfillment of prophecy and began to present himself to Israel as their Messiah. Intense demonic activity marked the period as Satan launched his army of demons to oppose Jesus. Despite Christ’s demonstration of his power by casting out demons and by other miracles, Satan was successful in engineering Jesus’ execution, never dreaming that the Savior’s crucifixion would become Satan’s own death warrant.

Two things are significant for us. First, these three periods in history are the only periods characterized by open spiritual warfare. I say “characterized,” because it is certainly possible that incidents of miracle and incidents of open warfare have occurred at other times and places. But the kind of thing we see in the Exodus period, in 8th century Israel, and in Judah/Galilee during the time of Christ and immediately afterward, is not normative. So simply because we can derive symptoms of demonization from the Gospel accounts does not mean that those demonized in our day will exhibit the same symptoms.

Second, as we move into the Epistles demons, now spoken of in the “powers” vocabulary of the Hellenistic world, are portrayed as seeking to cripple believers in more subtle ways. And rather than emphasize power confrontations, the epistles focus our attention on what we can call “spiritual attacks” and offers us a range of “spiritual” weapons. While there may be incidents where demonization involves a serious physical illness or debility, such symptoms are not necessarily normative. And while some exorcisms may feature an explosive power confrontation, explosive confrontations do not necessarily characteristic of how God or Satan works in this present age.

To sum it up, the “he screams and falls to the floor” demonization and deliverance may occur at times, but this is not normative. What does seem to be normative are hidden attacks on God’s people; attacks which can easily be passed off as a psychological quirk or problem, as the result of a damaged self-image or a lack of self-confidence, as a lack of self-control, as a consequence of childhood abuse. And what is called for to battle the demons who launch the hidden attacks is a kinder, gentler exorcism that focuses first on inner healing and then on expelling the weakened demons who feed on the problem.

In Conclusion

I hope no one is disappointed that I tend to disparage the spectacular, and discount the books that emphasize power struggles with demons who are always scary and who manifest in frightening ways.

I don’t doubt the accounts of such events. I just believe that these are the exceptions rather than the rule. The psychiatrist’s tale of the levitating woman of Massapequa attracts our curiosity and stimulates our awe. But I that suspect Satan chuckles as we focus our attention on the exception, and as a consequence totally miss the rule.

And the rule is that demons are quietly, secretively, at work, intent on ruining the lives and testimonies of Christians, unrecognized and unopposed by the leaders of our churches. If only we recognized that so many of the hurting in our congregations truly are victims of demons, we could easily cast them out.

So I wonder. What kind of impact would Christians who are unhindered by Satan’s demons have on our nation, and on the world? And what could the Lord do with churches that are committed conducting spiritual warfare with the armory that God has provided for us?

Are You There, Demon?

Solomon commented that there’s no end to writing books (Ecc. 12:12). I sometimes feel that there’s no end to reading them. Especially books on deliverance. Most of which I don’t recommend picking up, much less buying.

But every now and then I come across something in one of the books I read that shines a bright light on a dark and shadowy issue.

I had one of those moments reading the book Deliverance: Rescuing God’s People [Tate Publishing], by Pat Legako and Cyndi Gribble, two ladies who lead a deliverance ministry in a local church in Oklahoma. I can’t say this is a “must have” book, as I’ve just begun reading it and already have a few hesitations. But on one thing at least they’ve provided the best help I’ve run across.

Earlier in the “Diagnosing Demonization” series on this blog I suggest a number of clues that might alert us to the presence of demons in our own or someone else’s life. I wish now that I’d read this book first, because Pat and Cyndi provide the absolutely best brief discussion of this issue I’ve run across. Of course, they would tell us that these clues aren’t enough to establish the presence of demons. And they’re right. But for warning signs, or early indicators, Pat and Cyndi zero in on symptoms of which we all need to be aware.

What demons do

Before we look at the warning signs, let’s recap what demons do. Basically, demons are intent on making humans miserable and keeping Christians from become all God wants us to be. Ephesians says that God has “prepared beforehand” for each individual the good works that he intends us to “walk in.” Satan and his demons are intent on disrupting God’s plan for our lives, stealing our blessings, and destroying our hopes.

In some cases demons may do this by exploiting physical weaknesses and making us chronically ill. But they are more likely to try to disrupt our lives by attacking us through our thoughts and emotions. They particularly love to amplify thoughts such as “There’s no use my trying,” and emotions such as “I just feel worthless.” Using this strategy demons remain hidden, and we blame ourselves for our negative thoughts and feelings. And, of course, this makes us feel more and more guilty. It’s a win/win for a demon out to make us miserable and ineffective. And it’s a lose/lose for us.

Most Christians have no idea that many of their thoughts, feelings and behaviors are demon driven. It’s not that we don’t own those thoughts and feelings. We do own them, and we’re responsible for believing what are actually Satan’s lies. But without the involvement of demons who attach themselves to our thoughts and feelings, the negatives probably wouldn’t dominate us. And its domination by such deceiving thoughts, emotions, and actions that disrupt the lives of Christians.

So, are you there, demons?

What do these two ladies suggest are clues to the presence of demons?

1. Behaviors the individual can’t control. We’ve all heard the excuse, “I just can’t seem to help myself,” or “I really want to, but I couldn’t stop.” Whether it’s giving in to the urge for a chocolate bar or loosing control of our temper, there are times when anyone will feel that he or she has lost control. I suspect that in many cases this experience is completely natural. None of us are strangers to anger. And it’s well established that chocolate changes some of the chemicals that affect our mood. But for some people loss of control is chronic. Their temper flares at minor slights and they’re suddenly filled with rage. The urge to mow down on chocolate is uncontrollable, especially when trying to diet. When a person feels a certain behavior is beyond his or her control, or a loved one or friend seems to loose control over and over, it’s time to suspect that demons may be involved.

2. Sudden mood changes. Everything seems to be going along normally, and suddenly a wave of depression sweeps over us. Or we’re out to dinner with the family, everyone is laughing and chatting, and suddenly, out of the blue, someone says something harmless and we’re crushed by a sense of rejection and worthlessness. Or we suddenly find ourselves so angry we strike out verbally.

3. A craving for power. For most people this expresses itself in manipulation. A husband tries to manipulate his wife, a wife tries to manipulate her husband. Or an adult child manipulates mom into babysitting even though mom had other plans. In some relationships manipulation is the dominant pattern. Such behavior is often a sign of demonization.

This also is seen in those who resort to the occult in an attempt to control others or to control the future. The drive to gain power over individuals or situations and the behaviors that drive energizes are often demonic.

4. Persistent, uncontrollable bad habits. Lying, kleptomania, gossip, looking at pornography, shopping on line, gambling, smoking, all may become uncontrollable habits. The authors point out that bad habits in themselves are not indicators of possible demonization. But when a person has tried sincerely and often to break a habit he or she recognizes as bad, and continually fails, its likely there’s demonic involvement.

5. A pattern of victimization. Situation after situation in which people take advantage of the person, or in a person sees himself as a victim, may also be symptomatic of demonization. The victim has bought into Satan’s lies and is denying who he or she truly is, a person created in God’s image, a child of God through Jesus Christ.

So, who’s demonized?

Remembering that demons are hitchhikers, and looking over the clues identified in Deliverance: Rescuing God’s People, we’re likely to conclude that demonization is more common that we imagine. Actually, I believe it is. Demons usually don’t behave as they are portrayed in movies like The Exorcist. Instead they quietly attach themselves to our thoughts, emotions and behaviors, to strengthen tendencies they can use to mess up our lives.

I’m coming to the conclusion, reached both from study and experience, that most Christians could benefit from a deliverance session. Assuming, of course, that what we mean by “deliverance” is ‘freeing from the influence of Satan and his demons in our lives.”

Principalities and Powers #4

The fourth of a series of studies of references to demons in Paul’s epistles.

Turnabout

“For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men” (1 Corinthians 4:9)

“If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!” (1 Corinthians 6:1-3).

The Context

The Apostle Paul is frustrated. Despite the 18 months he spent teaching in Corinth, his converts there seem to have missed so many vital points. They are proud of their sophistication, yet their petty feuds over allegiance to this teacher or that makes it clear there’s much they just don’t understand. And they have the gall to be proud of themselves, never realizing that their reliance is on human wisdom and they are at best unspiritual, behaving as “mere men.”

In his frustration Paul pictures himself and the other apostles given the same treatment offered captives on display in a Roman general’s triumphal march through the city of Rome. At the front of the procession marches the conqueror, cheered by the multitudes. Trailing far behind him, marching in chains, the defeated foe are dragged along, jeered by the crowds.

Paul can envision it so clearly. This is the respect he’s received as an apostle, and from believers! Why, “angels as well as men” gather round to watch the spectecal.

Observations

“angels” It’s important to remember that demons are at times referred to as angels. Today’s demons were originally created as part of that great host of spirit beings God fashioned before he spoke the material universe into existence. Though demons are fallen angels, their origin as individual, ever-living spirit beings continues to define their nature. Their character has been distorted by their choice to follow Satan, yet in essence they must be classed as angels.

“”a spectacle to angels.” In 1 Corinthians 4:9 the angels who have gathered to enjoy the spectacle of the apostles’ humiliation are fallen angels, demons. Given all the conflict within the church at Corinth; given all the dissention and backbiting, it surely appears that the forces of evil are winning. The angels cheering on this apparent triumphal procession are hardly God’s angels, who would be more likely to weep at the sight.

“if any of you has a dispute” A little later on in his argument Paul illustrates the Corinthian’s lack of spiritual wisdom. There are disputes between believers in the Corinthian Christian community. And some, intent on winning, are resorting to courts run by unbelievers. Paul is shocked by this. The correct thing to do is to take the disputes to other saints for settlement.
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Digression #1
Jesus himself established the principles for resolving conflict within the Christian community. In Matthew 18:15-20 Jesus outlines what to do when one believer “sins against” another. The believer is to follow steps laid out by Jesus. The final step it to take the matter to the church.

Immediately following this paragraph is a saying nearly all commentators totally misunderstand. In our English versions that seems to promise that whenever two or three agree on what they ask for, they will receive it if they ask in Jesus’ name, because Christ will be there with them.

The trouble is, this teaching is not about prayer at all.

Our issue is with the word translated “ask, which is the verb aiteisthai. While the verb can mean ask, in legal contexts it means “pursuing a claim.” In the context of conflict resolution, which is what Jesus has been talking about, the actual promise is that when those with the conflict pursue their claim before “two of three” brethren, acting as judges, a satisfactory resolution will be achieved because Jesus will be present with them.

Paul, who knows isn’t forced to deal with our English mistranslation, understands this teaching of Jesus, and thus expects the Corinthians to take their law suits to the church rather than to pagan courts.

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Digression #2

Each ethnic community in the Roman Empire was considered subject to its own laws and customs. Members of each ethnic group took their legal disputes to their own courts, not to Roman courts. While Christians were not at this time considered a distinct ethnic group, it should have been natural for believers to turn to others in the Christian community when disputes arose.

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“saints will judge the world” The formula, “Do you not know,” implies a positive answer: “Yes, we know.” Paul has given the Corinthian Christians a vision of the future in which believers will fulfill a judicial function. The world, that social system that reflects Satan’s values and those of sinful human beings, will come under divine judgment. And believers will serve as judges. It follows that believers certainly are competent to judge the relatively “trivial matters” that cause conflicts in the Christian community today.

“we will judge angels.” Paul makes the same argument another way. The saints will judge [fallen] angels. Certainly then we are more than competent to judge “the things of this life.”

Implications

1. It may seem today that evil triumphs, and God’s people are objects of ridicule. The truth is that Christ’s ultimate triumph is assured. And we will have important roles in that triumph, serving as judges of the world and of fallen angels.

2. It may seem today that demons are powerful, and objects to be feared. But again, this view is flawed. Whatever powers demons have, Jesus is greater. And in the end, the redeemed will be lifted up in Christ and sit in judgment on them.

3. It’s important that believers recognize the importance of harmony in the believing community, and not allow disputes to go unresolved. And the appropriate way to resolve disputes is to bring them to fellow believers who will seek a fair settlement that maintains harmony within the body.

Diagnosing Demonization, #6

Follow-up Teaching

The demons are gone.
They’ve been cast out in the name of Jesus. And the person who has been freed feels a wonderful sense of release. A lightness. A bubbly joy,

But our ministry isn’t complete. It’s important to realize this, and to follow up with individuals from whom demons have been expelled. Satan hasn’t given up, and he and his demons will try to make a comeback. We need to equip those who have been freed with the spiritual resources they’ll need to remain free.

What should be involved in follow up? I think the following.
(1) A sure defense.
(2) A support group.
(3) Divine armor.

A sure defense

The Bible says, “resist the devil and he will flee from you.” When the demons seek to return, command them in Jesus’ name to depart. Those who belong to Jesus have been given authority, and to paraphrase Martin Luther, demons may fly around your head, but you don’t need to let them build a nest in your hair.
This basic equipment should be provided as soon as an exorcism takes place.

A support group

The longer demons have had a grip on an individual the more that person will be tempted to fall back into old patterns of thought and action. A person in this situation needs a support group where his or her struggles can be shared, and where he or she will receive concentrated prayer support. In truth, every Christian needs supportive relationships with other believers. But a person freed from demonic attachments is likely to need participation in such a group for at least a year.

Divine Armor

Paul in the Book of Ephesians describes armor that God has provided for those engaged in spiritual warfare. And, as Satan prowls seeking those he can destroy, every Christian needs to understand and wear that armor.

I’ve written about the Armor of God earlier on this blog, and as you know, developed a Friday evening/Saturday FREEDOM WORKSHOP that’s designed to help those who attend not just understand the armor, but put it on. This teaching is so vital that I’m going to summarize again what the armor is and why it’s important.

The helmet of salvation (Eph 1)
Satan is intent on making Christians ineffectual as well as miserable. He uses the sins others commit against us to distort our understanding of who we are. Ephesians 1 affirms our identity as those saved by the intervention of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. That intervention not only provided us with salvation but affirms that we have been chosen, forgiven, sealed and adopted into God’s family. We are Jesus’ people, and Jesus has been exalted far above every power in the material and spiritual universe. Knowing who we are and who Jesus is, we are no longer vulnerable to Satan’s lies, no longer weak or helpless.

The shield of faith
Ephesians 2 affirms faith as the gift of God, not a work but his work in and for us. Because God is trustworthy no circumstances or difficulties Satan may create can thwart our advance toward the good works he has planned for us beforehand. Satan may throw up obstacles, but we trust, and face each new day with confidence.

Sandals of peace
In the cross God decisively judged sin, taking our punishment on himself and demonstrating that justice will prevail. The cross frees us from the burden of pursuing judgment against those who sin against us. We leave justice to God, confident he repays every violation. Thus freed we forgive those who hurt and harm us, enabling us to be at peace with others, with God, and with ourselves. Satan whispers that we must punish evildoers. God frees us to forgive and tells us to leave judgment to him.

The helmet of righteousness
As Gods people know, assured of his love and furnished with the gift of faith, we reject sin and choose to live righteous lives. Satan entices us with the pleasures of sin. God calls us to the joy of holiness, and to freedom from sin’s bondage.

The belt of truth
In the light of God’s word we recognize reality for what it is. We are no longer blinded by the warped desires, values and passions of a world system shaped by Satan to appeal to the corrupt nature of sinful humanity. We exchange a life dedicated to the pursuit of the meaningless for a life that is meaningful and fulfilling,.

As the newly delivered understand and choose the way of life revealed in Ephesians, they are equipped to stand against the Devil and avoid his most subtle schemes.

The role of the local church

Ideally, all that I’ve covered in this series will take place in the local church. Leaders will teach and preach on spiritual warfare. They will take the spirit world seriously, and be open to prayer for healing and deliverance. And they will gear the church’s life not only to free captives, but to nurture every member to maturity in Christ.

Principalities and Powers, #7

The End will Come

“Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power” (1 Corinthians 15:26).

Evil entered the universe. And the day will come when evil exits it. Using the terms for evil angels [demons] familiar to first century readers [deominion, authority, power], Paul assures us that God is in control. The future is assured. The resurrected Christ will triumph, putting down Satan and his original followers, ending the rule of death, and bringing “everything” under the control of the Father and his Son.

The key word in this verse is “destroyed.” The Greek here is katargeo, which means to render ineffectual or inoperative, to abolish or nullify. Demons who once ruled this dark world as dominions and authorities and powers will be stripped of their influence. The “powers that be” are destined to become the “powers that were” and “the powers that are no more.”

Stripped of all authority the beings that terrified humankind will be exposed as the frauds they have always been, pretenders to the position which is occupied by God alone.

Paranormal thr [Christian] Movie

A Review

Don’t confuse this Paranormal, by Cross Shadow Productions located in Apex, North Carolina, with the Hollywood production of the same name. This is a film that asks whether today’s interest in paranormal phenomena “is a harmless fascination . . . or something more sinister.” The film answers that question, too. Unequivocally.

To put this film in perspective, come back with me some thirty plus years. There are only two or three channels on the TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and teenage Sue has been watching one while baby sitting for neighbors. As the last news show ends, she switches channels and finds a movie. It’s interesting. About archaeology, and Egypt. She watches, fascinated, as a sarcophagus is discovered. Then someone says something about Tannin leaves, and brews a tea. The next thing she knows there’s a mummy, all wrapped in dirty, ragged cloths, walking with a shambling gate, arms outstretched, intent on kidnapping the heroine. Sue is terrified. But she fascinated too. Despite her pounding heart, she can’t turn off the TV.

Today those mummy films seem funny rather than terrifying. But her reaction back then is typical of many youth today who go to movies wanting to be frightened. They want the thrill . . . the pounding heart . . . the jolts of adrenalin. . . the fright.

Matt Mitchell and the friends who created Paranormal intend to give them what young people seem to want. And more. Along with the scares, the movie raises the question of whether fooling with the paranormal might involve us in something far more sinister than we expect. Is it possible the occult isn’t a “harmless fascination” at all?

The movie Paranormal gets off to a slow start. Some young people with the kind of electronic equipment used in the paranormal research portrayed on a half-dozen documentary-type TV shows are in an old, abandoned hospital. Later we see them banter and watch a budding romance, and we wonder when will something happen. Don’t stop watching. The slow start is disarming, and as the story develops the pacing gets faster and faster and reaches a truly scary climax as the teens and the dad who’s the focus of this tale confront a real demon, and discover what’s actually behind authentic paranormal phenomena.

I won’t go into detail on the story and spoil the movie for you. I will say that the events that lead to the demonization of the dad of one of the young paranormal researchers are authentic doorways through which evil enters. And that the Christian wife and the preacher who are the “heroes” of the story portray an authentic biblical response to demons. What’s important about the movie is that along with its warning about the dangers of occult practices such as Ouija, the movie sets the stage for some significant discussion and Bible study. Recognizing this, Cross Shadow provides a free downloadable Bible study guide which can be used by families or by church youth group leaders who show the movie. As noted in the earlier interview with Matt, having a lock-in with a youth group, playing games till about 10 PM, then showing the 98-minute movie followed with a midnight Bible study on the issues it raises, is a fantastic way to use this film.

I do need to make a few observations. The film is formatted for wide screen, and it helps if your TV can adjust to this format. The actors do a good job, but the sound quality is a problem sometimes. At times the picture quality is a problem too, particularly when shifting from scene to scene. But if the technical quality doesn’t rise to the level of Hollywood, no one should be surprised. What this film is does do makes it is far superior to Hollywood’s offerings anyway.

I do need to add one caveat. The film conveys a palpable sense of evil. That sense of evil concerned one member of my household so much she was praying during much of the film against demons who might use the images as an entry point. I sensed that evil too, and thought it was totally appropriate. Satan is evil, and he seeks to ruin lives in just the ways this film portrays. I hope everyone who sees the film not only becomes aware of how evil enables the Devil to gain a hold on humans, but also realizes the need for reliance on Jesus Christ. Only he can save us from the evil in our lives and from the dark forces that roam the spirit world. This is a central theme in Paranormal, and Jesus is lifted up.

To find out how to purchase a DVD of Paranormal, go to www.Paranormalthemovie.com now.