The Earliest Exorcists
The earliest accounts of exorcism date back to the dawn of civilization – in ancient Babylon, which is in present-day Iraq. Back around 2000 B.C., the Babylonian priests there attributed every last illness or mental disorder to evil spirits. And there are more early examples too:
• The ancient Egyptians also believed sickness and other evils came from demonic possession –
they ascribed charms and rituals to dispel them.
• The "Artharvaveda", a Hindu sacred text from around 1000 B.C. describes many rituals for casting
out demons and evil spirits.
• The ancient Persians also offer accounts of exorcisms being performed as early as 1000 B.C.,
through prayer and rituals.
they ascribed charms and rituals to dispel them.
• The "Artharvaveda", a Hindu sacred text from around 1000 B.C. describes many rituals for casting
out demons and evil spirits.
• The ancient Persians also offer accounts of exorcisms being performed as early as 1000 B.C.,
through prayer and rituals.
The Greatest of All
But the greatest exorcist to ever live was none other than Jesus Christ. He's perhaps better known as a healer, but many of his "healings" were actually casting out an evil spirit. Interestingly, Jesus never used rituals, sacred objects, or even prayer to perform an exorcism. He simply ordered the demons to come out, and they obeyed.
• He gave his disciples the power to perform exorcisms as well, but his skills far surpassed theirs, which
should come as no surprise.
• There are more than 25 mentions of exorcisms performed by Jesus in the bible
should come as no surprise.
• There are more than 25 mentions of exorcisms performed by Jesus in the bible
Later Periods
In the Middle Ages there was a renewal of belief in demonic possession and exorcism – unfortunately the techniques often were pain-based, like scourging (whipping) until the evil spirits were cast out.
In 1634, a very notable mass possession took place at a convent in Loudon, France. Seventeen nuns were overcome by dozens of different demons, which were later cast out in a public exorcism attended by thousands. Some questionwhether these were true possessions or the result of hysteria.
Exorcisms Today
Unfortunately, demonic possession's are alive and well.
• In 1974, Michael Taylor brutally murdered his wife and strangled their dog after an incomplete
exorcism the night before. Police found him wandering the streets naked, covered in blood.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Taylor_(Ossett)
• In 1980, a man taunted the demons possessing his fiance's brother – the demons attacked him,
possessing him instead. The eventually drove him to stab his landlord 5 times, one wound stretching
from his stomach to the his heart.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon_Murder_Trial
exorcism the night before. Police found him wandering the streets naked, covered in blood.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Taylor_(Ossett)
• In 1980, a man taunted the demons possessing his fiance's brother – the demons attacked him,
possessing him instead. The eventually drove him to stab his landlord 5 times, one wound stretching
from his stomach to the his heart.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon_Murder_Trial
Unfortunately, demonic possession's are alive and well.
• In 1993 the International Association of Exorcists was formed by Catholic priests - in 2000 it had
a membership over 200 strong.
• In 1999 the Catholic Church revised its Rites of Exorcism to allow non-Latin speakers to
perform them.
a membership over 200 strong.
• In 1999 the Catholic Church revised its Rites of Exorcism to allow non-Latin speakers to
perform them.
From the very first demonic acts in the Garden of Eden when Eve was tempted, to the modern murders and suicides caused by demonic oppression – the history of exorcism serves as a grim reminder of our never-ending battle against the forces of Satan.
Believe in Him.
Reverend Cotton Marcus