Jesus was a very powerful exorcist. This is a well established historical fact. The accounts of his exorcisms are indeppendently testified to in Mark, Matthew and Luke.
The stories of Jesus casting out demons also pass the test of contextual credibility. The first century Mediterranean World records several significant miracle workers and exorcists with strong followings such as Pagan Apollonius of Tyana along with several Jewish holy men.
The people of that day believed strongly in miracles and demons. What you find in the New Testament Gospels about demons is the Jewish cultural beliefs of that day and not sound theology. The demand of the people of that time made it nearly impossible to be a holy man without performing some miracles and exorcisms. Mat. 12: 27, 7: 22 and Acts 19:13 acknowledge the reality of Jewish miracle workers and exorcists besides Jesus.
Jesus’s exorcisms were interpreted apocalyptically, that is as a sign that the Kingdom of God was present in Jesus and he and his followers thought it was coming on earth in their own generation. This is the reason for the urgency in the New Testament. Urgency for good is good but on the coming of the Kingdom on earth Jesus, Paul and his first disciples were wrong. The New Testament acknowledges this in its later writings as the Rule of God is interpreted as being in the hearts of believers.
Now, are demons and the devil supernatural spirits that can invade human bodies? No! They aren’t existent as the culture of Jesus’s day believed.
The devil and demons are symbols of psychological and spiritual forces of self-destructive and self-defeating power that exist in all humanity. In this sense they are very real but they have no literal historical existence. The only Satan or demon you will ever see is the one looking back at you from your mirror. But that one can and will destroy you if you are not careful.
Satan and demons as we see them in the New Testamnet were really a late historical development in biblical thought. They came into being in literature and culture in the two centuries preceding Christ.
These destructive forces can be exorcised by grace through faith. If I were dealing with a primitive culture that believed in demons as they did in Jesus’s day I would attempt to exorcise them in literal terms to help the people.
I believe I would have some success. I know I have been successful in casting out my own and others’ demons of fear and insecurity through faith in God’s grace. By God’s grace of acceptance may we all be successful in doing the same.
Mr. Petty, thank you so much for this article.
Over 15 years ago, I was under severe stress from caring for my Mother, as her sole and primary care provider. My Mother had diabetes and was a stroke victim. I went through with her, 2 major stokes(she had already had 2 other strokes) and over 100 transient strokes, congested heart failure, reoccurring UTI’s , and broken limbs from falls. I got lost in worry with caring for her and not caring for myself. Well, after 4 years, this proved too much for me, and I, did, in fact, find myself inside of a mental institution from having a mental breakdown. While I was loosing my mind, my behaviors became very absurd to those around me. And, living in a small town, rumors surfaced saying I was possessed by demons or I was a Witch. As with all rumors, they do get back to the one who is being talked about. I can not tell you what this did to me. I was hurt beyond hurt. I felt the community I loved so dearly had turned against me. To me, the people gossiping were the demons I feared. I found out from the doctors, that because I never got or took time outs the chemicals in my mind became unbalanced from the onslaught of adrenaline, thus causing my mind not to function correctly. They also said, that most people assuming this type of responsibly would have been hospitalized after 2 years . I can only say, that, because of my love for God and his for me, I have come through this with an amazing heart that is open and understanding of those around me. I would never want to put others through what I went through by speaking negatively about a situation I am not a part of. I stand by the words, you never know how you will react until you are in that person’s shoes.
In conclusion, my devil was fear and the voices I heard fear say came from an unbalanced mind not an educated mind. Furthermore, I am very familiar with the voice of the Holy Spirit. Where the voice of fear pulled me down, the Holy Spirit lifts me up and gives me direction to do good deeds for the betterment of God’s children.
Thank you for allowing me to tell my story. I am a bit nervous about posting, but, perhaps my life experience will help someone .
answer to dot: Thank you for writing. I am sure your story will be helpful to others. I find it helpful for myself. I believe you know how to cast out your demons such as fear and may you continue to overcome them. I am very glad for your sharing your story. i am glad you overcame your reluctance and shared it. God bless you.