Exorcism as Performance Art

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;”
–Mark 16:17

So much of what so many know about exorcism, casting out demons and the demonic comes from a few sources: movies and churches (and church-related groups or media).

In modern America, there’s a third source of such “knowledge”: occult practitioners and others who are themselves involved in the demonic. This last group gets heavy promotion through the media, particularly television–especially from popular “ghost-hunting” TV shows.

So, much of what is “known” is superstition.

It’s little wonder that what most Americans know about the casting out of demons is basically performance art, staged for the cameras and performed for the folks watching at home.

[Performance art] largely refers to a performance presented to an audience, but which does not seek to present a conventional theatrical play or a formal linear narrative, or which alternately does not seek to depict a set of fictitious characters in formal scripted interactions. It therefore can include action or spoken word as a communication between the artist and audience, or even ignore expectations of an audience, rather than following a script written beforehand.

MORE: EXORCISM: 10 Observations on Casting Out Demons

The images which most frequently come to mind when an American hears of an “exorcism” are

1. That of a specially-trained Catholic priest with a bottle of “holy water,” a Bible and reading from a church-approved “exorcism ritual.”
2. One or more persons from a “deliverance ministry” who take charge over the situation. Many times this includes the quizzing of demonic entities to obtain information from them.
3. A witch, a wizard or a medium conducting a seance-type ritual which includes candles, various rituals and other occult props.

Is it any wonder that America suffers under the demonic?

Americans who have such a problem–as ancient, apostate Israel also experienced about the time of Jesus–labor under two layers of handicaps.

1- Americans are told there is no such thing as demonic power. Instead, they are fed stories concocted by the mystery of iniquity designed to keep them in the dark as to the true nature of their problem; stories such as addictions, mental health problems, chemical imbalances, brain chemistry, chakra imbalances, energy issues or some other stories manufactured to confuse and deceive.

2- IF an American DOES come to the conclusion that these stories are just stories (usually after suffering through years of failures), they usually wind up with one or more “exorcists.”

IF one doesn’t know the problem, one cannot possibly know the solution. But EVEN IF one does know the problem, IF one doesn’t know the solution, one cannot possibly get the problem solved either.

Many stories of modern “exorcisms” are featured in tabloid-type newspapers.

• Strange footage shows ‘possessed man transform into animal’ and lash out during extreme exorcism
• Japanese “Exorcism Holiday Plan” for dogs helps rid them of bad spirits in their unlucky years
• Chilling video shows ‘possessed’ young woman appearing to smile as she is told she’s dead during a disturbing exorcism
• Terrifying exorcism of teen accused of being POSSESSED by church pastor revealed 40 years later

Casting out demons has long ago become unhinged from its biblical requirements and descended into wild sensationalist media chatter.

Most exorcism as portrayed in popular entertainment, the media and “deliverance ministries” is performance art. There should be be awards (much like the Oscars) for Best Performing Exorcist.

(VIDEO) Man exorcised of ‘homosexual demons’

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
—Matthew 7:22-23

Make no mistake: there are demons.  And there is spiritual warfare.  But much “spiritual warfare” (as it is practiced very publicly) contains a LOT of nonsense.

OF COURSE, the church authorities invest all of the authority they can muster into these nonchristian exorcists.

Vatican endorses exorcists’ association – Why wouldn’t the Vatican endorse this?  Exorcism as a ritual takes the focus off of Jesus and puts it squarely on man, the efforts of man and the priest. Exorcism as portrayed/practiced by the Catholic Church makes a mockery of the sufficiency of Christ.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
—Hebrews 4:14-16

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
—2 Corinthians 12:9

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”
—Philippians 4:13
—End Times Prophecy Headlines: July 3, 2014

Though non-Christians can perform exorcisms which work AT LEAST PART OF THE TIME, to cast out a demon requires a Christian (rare) and the name of Jesus.

“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.”
–Luke 10:17

It is not the holy water, candles, assorted rituals, crosses or Bibles which rids a person of the demonic. All of these are stage props. All of these are quite useless.

All it requires for assured success is a Christian and the name of Jesus.

Simple enough–except that finding a Christian in America is like finding a needle in a haystack.

IMPORTANT NOTE: One can have a demon/devil cast out and STILL not ultimately solve one’s problems. IF the person who has had the demon/devil cast out does not take the proper steps, he can be assured the demon at some point return.

And it will have company when it comes back.

“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.”
–Matthew 12:43-45

Is the reader at the end of his rope?

Is he ready for the truth?

Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation

THE GOSPEL

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:”
—2 Corinthians 4:3

[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Time Prophecy Headlines: July 3, 2014, End Times Prophecy Headlines: July 2-3, 2016, End Times Prophecy Headlines: July 1, 2015 and End Times Prophecy Headlines: July 1, 2016.]

MORE

• Where do evil spirits come from?
• Weapons of Our Warfare: END TIMES SURVIVAL
• END TIMES SURVIVAL: We Fight Spiritual Battles, Not Physical Ones
• EXORCISM: 10 Observations on Casting Out Demons
• Spiritual Warfare: 10 Observations on Demons and Spiritual Warfare
• SPIRITUAL WARFARE: The Explosive Power of the Prayers of the Believer

RELATED ARTICLES

• Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
• Do You Know if You are Going to Heaven? Be Sure!
• Deceitful Workers are Victims of Deception Themselves
• END TIMES PREPARATION: 15 Ways to Prepare for the End Times
• End Times Survival, End Times Preparation
• 35 Most Important ETPR Articles

by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier

image: Wikimedia Commons/pd

© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-16. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Link Disclaimer: inclusion of links to other blogs/websites is not necessarily an endorsement of all content posted in those blogs/websites.