"Cast out Demons"...

The third in the series on actions of disciples of Jesus. What does this mean, "cast out demons" - are we to be like "The Exorcist" and literally make demonic entities leave their possession of people, or is there another possible meaning that makes sense in our modern (or post-modern) age? What if anything does this have to do with our health, wellness and wholeness (HW2)?

I think that everyone has a mental picture of what a demon looks like. That Hollywood creation that has wings, a pointed tail, horns, talons, etc. Something malevolent that is seeking to do all the protagonists harm and that lives in "hell". Is this how theologians understand demons - and is this a correct interpretation of scripture? I refer the curious reader to the works of Walter Wink, John Howard Yoder and Paul Tillich for some much needed exposition. However, these are often unapproachable for most persons. So I also refer you to a blog (experimentaltheology.blogspot.com) and postings on demons by Richard Beck.

Most scripture is silent on demons - what they look like and how they act. We have a few Old Testament and New Testament references, but for the most part demons are associated with worldly powers and institutions - those creations of humans that often supplant the teachings of scripture and allow us to sin (sin here meaning anything that fractures our relationship with God). In this way, the institutions and the lifestyle created by humans are the things that become demonic - that possess us and keep us from taking care of the widows and orphans.(see the book of Isaiah) It is in fact, what all of the prophets railed against - those ways of living that were not "right".

Thus, the need to be able to recognize demons (as Jesus was able to), to name them, and to circumvent their power over us both individually and as a community. For those of you familiar with Jesus stories, think of the three temptations of Christ by Satan. They were all worldly or ego-inflating temptations (ones we struggle with today) that he quoted scriptural truths to prevent them from gaining control. Demons were always afraid of Him because he could see them and their false teachings and send them away. Oh, that we had the same vision!

Thus our ability to cast out demons comes from our ability to use our relationship with God to keep ourselves centered on what is important. Loving our neighbors as ourselves and our God with everything we have within us. In this way we form loving communities that can help to cast out the demons of society and to root out the causes of social injustice. In this way we will improve our HW2 - in fact, in my opinion and world view, it is the only way we can truly and finally improve our HW2.

Wishing you the peace and joy of the season.
Dan