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'''Exorcism''' is the [[Christian]] ritual of expelling [[demon]]s who are possessing a human being.
'''Exorcism''' is the [[Christian]] ritual of expelling [[demon]]s who are possessing a human being. When portrayed in the movie ''[[The Exorcist]]'', it terrified audiences and quickly set a box office record in ticket sales.
==Exorcism in the Bible==
==Exorcism in the Bible==
==Practice in the Christian Church==
==Practice in the Christian Church==
==== Eastern Orthodoxy ====
==== Eastern Orthodoxy ====
In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], [[demon possession|demonic activity]] is inextricably associated with [[disease]] and [[blight]].<ref name="John Anthony McGuckin">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=u4i8jv0b7IkC&pg=PA138&dq=orthodox+exorcism&lr=&cd=20#v=onepage&q=orthodox%20exorcism&f=false|quote= In the Orthodox service books the prayers of exorcism attributed to '''''Basil the Great''''' are still in use, for common as well as particular cases of need. In the Latin church the rite of exorcism is now very rarely used, and then only with episcopal permission. The exorcism prayers continue the ancient association of sickness and blight with demonic activity, and the blessings of beasts and fields in the Orthodox service books to this day make a regular pairing of the ideas.|title= The Westminster handbook to patristic theology|publisher =[[Westminster John Knox Press]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> As a result, exorcisms are quite common, even finding their way in rituals involving the blessing of [[Field (agriculture)|fields]].<ref name="John Anthony McGuckin"/> The exorcism ritual, found in the ''[[Euchologion]]'', is that of [[Basil of Caesarea|St. Basil the Great]].<ref name="John Anthony McGuckin"/> The [[baptism]] liturgy in Eastern Orthodoxy also contains an exorcism ritual.<ref name="Irving Hexham">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=79uJxu1TMFYC&pg=PA49&dq=orthodox+exorcism&lr=&cd=14#v=onepage&q=orthodox%20exorcism&f=false|quote=In the Orthodox Church exorcism is practiced prior to baptism.|title= Pocket Dictionary of New Religious Movements |publisher =[[InterVarsity Press]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref><ref name="Moine de l'Eglise d'Orient - Baptism">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=J7abX63aB4IC&pg=PA44&dq=orthodox+exorcism&lr=&cd=16#v=onepage&q=orthodox%20exorcism&f=false|title=Orthodox Spirituality: An Outline of the Orthodox Ascetical and Mystical Tradition|quote=In the Orthodox rites of Baptism, this liberating action of Christ is expressed in the denial of Satan by the catechumens and in the exorcisms of the priest.|publisher =[[St Vladimir's Seminary Press]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref>
In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], [[demon possession|demonic activity]] is inextricably associated with [[disease]] and [[blight]].<ref name="John Anthony McGuckin">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=u4i8jv0b7IkC&pg=PA138&dq=orthodox+exorcism&lr=&cd=20#v=onepage&q=orthodox%20exorcism&f=false|quote= In the Orthodox service books the prayers of exorcism attributed to '''''Basil the Great''''' are still in use, for common as well as particular cases of need. In the Latin church the rite of exorcism is now very rarely used, and then only with episcopal permission. The exorcism prayers continue the ancient association of sickness and blight with demonic activity, and the blessings of beasts and fields in the Orthodox service books to this day make a regular pairing of the ideas.|title= The Westminster handbook to patristic theology|publisher =[[Westminster John Knox Press]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> As a result, exorcisms are quite common, even finding their way in rituals involving the blessing of [[Field (agriculture)|fields]].<ref name="John Anthony McGuckin"/> The exorcism ritual, found in the ''[[Euchologion]]'', is that of [[Basil of Caesarea|St. Basil the Great]].<ref name="John Anthony McGuckin"/> The [[baptism]] liturgy in Eastern Orthodoxy also contains an exorcism ritual.<ref name="Irving Hexham">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=79uJxu1TMFYC&pg=PA49&dq=orthodox+exorcism&lr=&cd=14#v=onepage&q=orthodox%20exorcism&f=false|quote=In the Orthodox Church exorcism is practiced prior to baptism.|title= Pocket Dictionary of New Religious Movements |publisher =[[InterVarsity Press]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref><ref name="Moine de l'Eglise d'Orient - Baptism">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=J7abX63aB4IC&pg=PA44&dq=orthodox+exorcism&lr=&cd=16#v=onepage&q=orthodox%20exorcism&f=false|title=Orthodox Spirituality: An Outline of the Orthodox [[Ascesis|Ascetical]] and Mystical Tradition|quote=In the Orthodox rites of Baptism, this liberating action of Christ is expressed in the denial of Satan by the catechumens and in the exorcisms of the priest.|publisher =[[St Vladimir's Seminary Press]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref>
{{quotation|Receive the exorcisms with devotion...Divine exorcisms, borrowed from the Scripture, purify the soul. —St. Cyril of Jerusalem<ref name="Moine de l'Eglise d'Orient - Exorcism">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=J7abX63aB4IC&pg=PA44&dq=orthodox+exorcism&lr=&cd=16#v=onepage&q=orthodox%20exorcism&f=false|title=Orthodox Spirituality: An Outline of the Orthodox Ascetical and Mystical Tradition|quote=St. Cyril of Jerusalem writes: "Receive the exorcisms with devotion...Divine exorcisms, borrowed from the Scripture, purify the soul."|publisher =[[St Vladimir's Seminary Press]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref>}}
{{quotation|Receive the exorcisms with devotion...Divine exorcisms, borrowed from the Scripture, purify the soul. —St. Cyril of Jerusalem<ref name="Moine de l'Eglise d'Orient - Exorcism">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=J7abX63aB4IC&pg=PA44&dq=orthodox+exorcism&lr=&cd=16#v=onepage&q=orthodox%20exorcism&f=false|title=Orthodox Spirituality: An Outline of the Orthodox Ascetical and Mystical Tradition|quote=St. Cyril of Jerusalem writes: "Receive the exorcisms with devotion...Divine exorcisms, borrowed from the Scripture, purify the soul."|publisher =[[St Vladimir's Seminary Press]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref>}}
==== Catholicism ====
The countless number of successful exorcisms documented over the centuries since the time of the apostles has been cited as a mark of the authentic Christian faith of the [[Catholic Church]].{{cquote|And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils...<br>—Mark 16:17b KJV<br>Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater ''works'' than these shall he do; because I go unto my father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do ''it.''<br>—John 14:12-14 KJV<ref>See also John 20:21-23; 1 John 4:14-15; 2:18-19; Matthew 10:40-42; 16:18-19; 18:5-6, 15-20; 25:45=46; Mark 9:37; Luke 10:16-20; John 15:1-6</ref>}} Catholic exorcists perform authorized exorcisms in the "Name of Jesus Christ the Lord" with permission of the local [[bishop]] after careful investigation of [[discernment]] has been conducted to make an informed determination of the case.{{cquote|In determining whether a person is possessed by the devil or his demons, the Church would first make sure he underwent thorough physical and psychiatric examinations. Eliminating these natural causes, Church officials would seek other signs: unexplainable physical phenomena, such as levitation or the uncaused movement of objects; displaying strength that surpasses one's condition; the knowledge and usage of archaic languages that the person would have no way of previously knowing, such as speaking Aramaic; and the secret knowledge of a person's life, particularly the exorcist, which no other person would know. Another sign is the vehement aversion to God, the Blessed Mother, the saints, the crucifix and sacred images, demonstrated by blasphemous remarks or sacrilegious actions. The devil also reveals his presence by acts of anger and violence, and through blasphemous, sacrilegious, profane and obscene remarks. The bishop would authorize an exorcism only after serious examination and a careful weighing of all of the evidence, and thereupon appoint a priest to perform the exorcism.<ref>[https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/demonic-possession-involves-body-not-soul.html Demonic Possession Involves Body, Not Soul, article by Fr. William Saunders - CERC Catholic education Resource Center (catholiceducation.org)]</ref> }}The prayers and ritual of exorcism have recently been updated, and the ancient form as set forth in the older ''Rituale Romanum'' is still used by permission.<ref>[https://www.sanctamissa.org/en/resources/books-1962/rituale-romanum/ ''Sancta Missa - Rituale Romanum'', Table of Contents: XIII. Exorcism (sanctamissa.org)]</ref> Prayer is addressed to God the Father, in the Name of Jesus Christ the Lord.<ref>[https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=683 Rite of Exorcism - Catholic online (catholic.org)]</ref> Invocation of the name of [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] has been found to be very effective, along with recitation of the [[Rosary]], and calling on the help of [[Michael (archangel)|St. Michael the Archangel]].<ref>[http://www.catholicapologetics.info/library/prayers/exorcism.htm Exorcism Prayer against Satan and the Apostate Angels - Catholic Apologetics (catholicapologetics.info)]</ref> See
*[https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/interview-with-an-exorcist Interview with an Exorcist, by Patrick Coffin 5/1/2013 (catholic.com)]
*[https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/why-the-devil-hates-mary-especially-during-exorcisms-93682 Why the devil hates Mary - especially during exorcisms (catholicnewsagency.com)]
==== Lutheranism ====
==== Lutheranism ====
The enemies of Christ charged that Jesus was most certainly in league with the Devil, [[Satan]], Beelzebub, saying that was the only reason he was able to cast them out. They reasoned that his purported exorcisms and miracles were done only with the approving cooperation and sponsorship of Satan, implying that his cures were fraudulently misleading acts with sinister purpose, that even if the exorcisms themselves were genuine, their motivation was solely evil and deceptive, as actions cleverly designed and arranged to lead astray from the truth into Satan's lies:
:"23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?<br>"24 But when the Pharisees heard ''it'', they said, This ''fellow'' doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.<br>"25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:<br>"26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?<br>"27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast ''them'' out? therefore they shall be your judges.<ref>See [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/12-27.htm multiple commentaries on Matthew 12:27]</ref><br>"28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.<br>"29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his houwe.<br>"30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not wutg ne scatteretg abroad.<br>"31 ¶ Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and [[blasphemy]] shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy ''against'' the ''Holy'' Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.<br>"32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the ''world'' to come.<br>"33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good: or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by ''his'' fruit.<br>"34 O generation of vipers, how can y, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.<br>"35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.<br>"36 But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.<br>"37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."<br>—Matthew 12:23-37 King James Version.
According to [[Martin Luther]], "The Devil's Fraud, Lies, and Deception",<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/ny4/djw/lutherantheology.lutherdevilsfraud.html The Devil's Fraud, Lies, and Deception, Martin Luther (angelfire.com)], ''from'' "Sermons on the Gospel of St. John", ''Luther's Works'', Vol. 24</ref> all of the purported exorcisms and miracles of the Catholic Church are fraudulent illusions and lying deceptions of the Devil, and only by the prince of demons do Catholic exorcists seem to cast out demons.<ref>Compare [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12%3A24-37&version=KJV Matthew 12:24-37 (KJV)]</ref>{{cquote|At times the devil also takes possession of a person and then lets himself be cast out by [[adjure|adjuration]], blessing, etc. All this he does for the purpose of confirming his lies and deceptions and of impressing the people, so that because of these apparently great miracles they are seduced into idolatry. This he has accomplished to date with pilgrimages and the idolatrous adoration of saints, at one place with the Sacred Blood, at another with this or that Mary. He has filled the entire country with shameful delusions and has prompted people to throng to such places and everybody to make vows there and transfer their trust from God to his lies. For in the end it was nothing but devilish deception with which he made fools of the people and persuaded them to believe that they had really been helped.}}
The [[Lutheran Church]] traces the practice of exorcism to the Scriptural claim that [[Jesus Christ]] expelled demons with a simple command (Mark 1:23–26; 9:14–29; Luke 11:14–26).<ref name="LCMS-Exorcism">{{cite web|url = http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/cyclopedia/02/display.asp?t1=E&word=EXORCISM| title = Exorcism|publisher = Lutheran Church Missouri Synod|accessdate = 2009–05–27}}</ref> The [[Apostle (Christian)|apostles]] continued the practice with the power and in the name of Jesus (Matthew 10:1; Acts 19:11–16).<ref name="LCMS-Exorcism"/> Contrary to some [[Christian denomination|denominations]] of [[Christianity]], Lutheranism affirms that the individual, both the believer and the non-believer, can be plagued by demons, based on several arguments, including the one that "just as a believer, whom Jesus Christ has delivered from sin (Romans 6:18), can still be bound by sin in his life, so he can still be bound by a demon in his life."<ref name="Kaohsiung Lutheran Mission-Exorcism">{{cite web|url = http://johnsmith.asia/can_christians.htm| title = Can a Christian Have a Demon?|publisher = Kaohsiung Lutheran Mission|accessdate = 2009–05–27}}</ref>
The [[Lutheran Church]] traces the practice of exorcism to the Scriptural claim that [[Jesus Christ]] expelled demons with a simple command (Mark 1:23–26; 9:14–29; Luke 11:14–26).<ref name="LCMS-Exorcism">{{cite web|url = http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/cyclopedia/02/display.asp?t1=E&word=EXORCISM| title = Exorcism|publisher = Lutheran Church Missouri Synod|accessdate = 2009–05–27}}</ref> The [[Apostle (Christian)|apostles]] continued the practice with the power and in the name of Jesus (Matthew 10:1; Acts 19:11–16).<ref name="LCMS-Exorcism"/> Contrary to some [[Christian denomination|denominations]] of [[Christianity]], Lutheranism affirms that the individual, both the believer and the non-believer, can be plagued by demons, based on several arguments, including the one that "just as a believer, whom Jesus Christ has delivered from sin (Romans 6:18), can still be bound by sin in his life, so he can still be bound by a demon in his life."<ref name="Kaohsiung Lutheran Mission-Exorcism">{{cite web|url = http://johnsmith.asia/can_christians.htm| title = Can a Christian Have a Demon?|publisher = Kaohsiung Lutheran Mission|accessdate = 2009–05–27}}</ref>
==Mark 9:38-40 and Luke 9:50 "He does not follow us"==
==Mark 9:38-40 and Luke 9:50 "He does not follow us"==
Jesus Himself counselled acceptance of the performance of genuine exorcisms done by those who do not belong to one's own group of believers, countering potential [[denomination]]al jealousies, competitions and oppositions to others' ministries as not being truly authentic or licit.
Jesus Himself counselled acceptance of the performance of genuine exorcisms done by those who do not belong to one's own group of believers, countering potential [[denomination]]al jealousies, competitions and oppositions to others' ministries as not being truly authentic or licit.{{cquote|And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. <br>Mark 9:38-40 (KJV)
And Jesus said unto him, Forbid ''him'' not: for he that is not against us is for us. <br>Luke 9:50 (KJV)}}
See [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/mark/9-39 multiple commentaries on Mark 9:39 (biblehub.com)] and [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/luke/9-50 multiple commentaries on Luke 9:50 (biblehub.com)]
See [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/mark/9-39.htm multiple commentaries on Mark 9:39 (biblehub.com)] and [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/luke/9-50.htm multiple commentaries on Luke 9:50 (biblehub.com)]
*Jesus also said{{cquote|Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither ''can'' a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.<br>Matthew 7:15-20 (KJV)}}
*Jesus also said{{cquote|Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither ''can'' a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.<br>Matthew 7:15-20 (KJV)}}
*The Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Philippians{{cquote|Some indeed preach Christ even of [[envy]] and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? nothwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.<br>Philippians 1:15-18 (KJV)}}
==Notable exorcists==
==Notable exorcists==
*[[Anneliese Michel]]
*[[Anneliese Michel]]
*[[Johann Blumhardt]]
*[[Johann Blumhardt]]
==See also==
*[[Spiritual warfare]]
==References==
==References==