- Deliverance ministry
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In charismatic Christianity, deliverance ministries are activities carried out by individuals or groups aimed at solving problems related to demons and spirits, especially possession. Leaders of and adherents to these ministries emphasize the activities of evil spirits in many physical, psychological, or emotional maladies that people experience. The practices and many of the underlying beliefs of these ministries are not accepted by all Christians.
Contents
Methods
Deliverance ministries focus on casting out the spirit or spirits believed to cause an affliction. The method of casting out varies. Some adherents directly recite Biblical examples in prayer intended to command a demon to depart an afflicted person, and do not believe an ordained clergy is required to perform the deliverance.
Ministries also organize the removal from homes of items that are believed to harbor demons, including fantasy or horror novels, and artworks / artifacts depicting pagan gods or frogs.[citation needed] Members are instructed to burn items that are related to idol worship, "demon drawing" symbols and music that summons demons.
For some charismatic Christians, deliverance ministries are activities carried out by individuals or groups aimed at solving problems related to demons and spirits, especially possession of the body and soul, but not the spirit as ministries like Ellel Ministries International, Don Dickerman Ministries and Neil T. Anderson explicitly teach that a Christian can not have demons in their spirit because the Holy Spirit lives there, though they can have demons in their body or soul due to inner emotional wounds, sexual abuse, or Satanic ritual abuse.[1] This is usually known as partial possession or demonic infestation, as opposed to outside demonic oppression which does not reside in any of the 3 parts of a person: body, soul, spirit.
How it is different from exorcism
Though many people confuse deliverance with exorcism, they are not the same. Exorcisms are carried out through the use of various rituals of exorcism, such as the Roman Ritual, and often utilize attendant sacramentals such as holy water, while deliverance involves the ongoing counseling of the individual through various programs.
Deliverance ministries seek to remove any influences that allow the demon to take control over the individual. The individual must take responsibility and be involved in the process.[2]
Popularity
The rise of deliverance ministries in the United States appears to have occurred almost immediately following the release of the film The Exorcist in 1973[citation needed], and the film has been credited with creating interest in casting out demons[citation needed], even though the practices of deliverance ministries differ widely from the highly ritualized exorcisms carried out by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. The same year, a Baptist minister named Frank D. Hammond and his wife Ida Mae Hammond published a book entitled Pigs in the Parlor[3] which was a 'hit' book on the subject. Derek Prince was also viewed as an authority on deliverance during his lifetime. He wrote "They Shall Expel Demons."[4]
Controversy
This relatively modern movement within Christianity has been marked by some controversy. Some Christians argue that all people, including believers, can be in dwelt by demons, and others argue that only non-believers can be inhabited. Some have labelled deliverance ministry a departure from orthodoxy and a hurdle to spiritual growth , whilst others have seen it as supported by the Bible and an aid to Christian Sanctification.
See also
References
- ^ "How Can Evil Spirits Live in a Believer?". Don Dickerman Ministries. http://www.dondickerman.net/id70.html.
- ^ Euteneuer, Thomas (2010). Exorcism And The Church Militant. Human Life International. pp. 135. ISBN 978-1-55922-060-6.
- ^ Hammond, Frank (June 1, 1973). Pigs in the Parlor: A Practical Guide to Deliverance. Impact Christian Books, Inc.. ISBN 978-0892280278.
- ^ Prince, Derek (May 1, 1998). They Shall Expel Demons: What You Need to Know about Demons - Your Invisible Enemies. Chosen. ISBN 978-0800792602.
External links
- Deliverance Ministry - Anglican
- Deliverance Ministry - Father Billy Clark - Demonologist
- Deliverance Ministry - Don Dickerman Ministries
- Deliverance Ministry - Ellel Ministries International
- Deliverance Ministry - Omega Man Radio Ministries - Shannon Ray Davis - Demonologist
- How Deliverance Ministries Lead People to Bondage
- Personal Freedom Outreach - Demons, Demons, Where Are All The Demons?
Categories:- Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity
- Spiritual warfare
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