Exorcism in Mark’s Gospel: Implications of Jesus’ Perspective for Today

Abstract

Exorcism is a theological term which has engaged the minds of some New Testament Scholars in recent times atleast in last three decades. It is a universal phenomenon. Research has discovered that some churches especiallyorthodox ones have not paid much cognizance to this aspect of Jesus’ ministry. This paper is an attempt to investigatewhat exorcism is and how is this ministry being addressed by the contemporary church using St. Mark’s narratives asthe framework. Humans daily demands for a paradigm shift by the church to also engage in deliverance ministryinstead of the focus on “prosperity message.” The Church should be aware that prosperity message can not havedesired effect until lives of humans enjoy maximal health that can make life worthy living. Jesus in St. Mark’sGospel showed examples of how and what the Church of God should address on the presence of evil spirits ordemonic forces in the world of evil that is ravaging the lives of many within God’s creation. This paper tried toidentify salient areas of concern in addressing the issue of exorcism especially in the 21st Century Church. The realityof the existence of evil spirits and demonic forces which cannot be contended. If human person needs to achieve hisdestiny in life according to God’s purpose, then issues that can hinder the fulfilment of that destiny should be keenlyaddressed by individuals or the church to whom the gift of exorcism is deposited.