It is significant that many Christians who profess a belief in demons, act as if they do not. They usually treat illnesses as if they were natural in origin (rather than supernatural), including those illnesses which the New Testament writers apparently attributed to demonic possession. Additionally, they interpret certain New Testament passages which appear to be speaking of illness caused by demonic possession, as if the passages are speaking of mental illness. This method of interpreting the text is known as ‘demythologization’, and it is ironic that Christians who believe in demons typically denounce such a method as invalid, whilst employing it themselves and denying this undermines their case.
Tom Farrar is a case in point. In his most recent response to me on the topic of satan and demons, he demonstrates that his response to illnesses which he believes the New Testament attributes to demons, would be the same as Christians who do not believe in demons.
If I were struck blind or became insane I would definitely pray about it and/or hope others would do so. I would also seek professional medical treatment and there is no contradiction here for two reasons: (1) God is sovereign and omnipotent in both the physical and spiritual realms. (2) Physical afflictions always have a physical dimension but may or may not have a spiritual dimension as well.
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Author: Jon Burke
Keywords: Exorcism, Exorcised, Exorcise, Exorcize, Demons, Devils, Demon possession, Possessed by a demon, Possessed by a devil, Fallen angels, Fallen demons, Mental illness, Mental illnesses, Epilepsy, Demonology, Satanology, Sicknesses, Sickness, Illness, Ancient medicine, Supernatural evil, Demonic, Demonic possession, Exorcise a demon, Exorcize a demon
Bible reference(s): Matthew 4:24, Matthew 7:22, Matthew 8:16, Matthew 8:28, Matthew 8:31, Matthew 8:33, Matthew 9:32, Matthew 9:33, Matthew 9:34, Matthew 10:8, Matthew 11:18, Matthew 12:22, Matthew 12:24, Matthew 12:27, Matthew 12:28, Matthew 15:22, Matthew 17:18, Mark 1:32, Mark 1:34, Mark 1:39, Mark 3:15, Mark 3:22, Mark 5:15, Mark 5:16, Mark 5:18, Mark 6:13, Mark 7:26, Mark 7:29, Mark 7:30, Mark 9:38, Mark 16:9, Mark 16:17, Luke 4:33, Luke 4:35, Luke 4:41, Luke 7:33, Luke 8:2, Luke 8:27, Luke 8:29, Luke 8:30, Luke 8:33, Luke 8:35, Luke 8:36, Luke 8:38, Luke 9:1, Luke 9:42, Luke 9:49, Luke 10:17, Luke 11:14, Luke 11:15, Luke 11:18, Luke 11:19, Luke 11:20, Luke 13:32, John 7:20, John 8:48, John 8:49, John 8:52, John 10:20, John 10:21, 1 Corinthians 2:4, 1 Corinthians 10:20, 1 Corinthians 10:21, 1 Timothy 4:1, James 2:19, Revelation 9:20, Revelation 16:14, Revelation 18:2
Source: “When Demonology Fails: Strategies of Denial,” Berea Portal.
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