Demon Possession and Psychopathology

Abstract

This paper is an inquiry into demon possession, exorcism and psychopathology. In the history of the belief in demon possession and the practice of exorcism, belief in demons, evil and good spirits, possession, etc have always been part of human belief systems. Many church fathers testify that exorcism was practised in the various periods of Church History. The Catholic Church and the various Orthodox traditions advocate exorcism. However, it is the rationalism and the emergence of the scientific view of the world that questioned the belief in the demonic. However, the 20th and 21st century has seen a resurgence of these beliefs and practices particularly among Christians. Since exorcism played an important role in the ministry of Jesus and his disciples, it should have an integral part in the ministry of the Christian Church as well. The paper presents some tentative guidelines as to how the reality that there are two distinct conditions must be incorporated into the pastoral ministry and the missional approach of the contemporary church. Discernment and diagnosis is important in cross-cultural mission situations.