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exorcism
exorcism The expulsion of evil spirits. It was the belief in the 1st cent. CE, and long afterwards, that evil spirits could take possession of a person and cause mental and physical illnesses, especially epilepsy. By exorcism, which could take the form of an incantation, the demon might be expelled and the sufferer cured. Jesus cast out spirits (Mark 1: 25; 9: 25) and the disciples were given the same power (Matt. 10: 1, 8), which they made use of (Acts 19: 13–16), though exorcism is not included by Paul in any of his lists of spiritual gifts. Some of the Pharisees, however, were exorcists (Matt. 12: 27), and Paul attributes some human ailments to Satan (2 Cor. 12: 4).
Indeed belief in demons and demon possession was common amongst Jews of the 1st cent. CE, and in Hellenistic literature there are accounts of exorcists extracting a demon from the nose of a demoniac with a ring. Jesus' exorcisms were effected by word only. They are not mentioned in the gospel of John, but the undoubted fact of this aspect of Jesus' ministry witnesses, like his pre-critical views on the OT (e.g. Mark 12: 36), to the distance of his world from ours. There has nevertheless been a revival of the practice of exorcism in some modern churches of a conservative outlook; sometimes there is cooperation with medical and psychiatric opinion. |
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W. R. F. BROWNING. "exorcism." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. W. R. F. BROWNING. "exorcism." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-exorcism.html W. R. F. BROWNING. "exorcism." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-exorcism.html |
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exorcism
exorcism , ritual act of driving out evil demons or spirits from places, persons, or things in which they are thought to dwell. It occurs both in primitive societies and in the religions of sophisticated cultures. The term is applied to all those acts that seek to dispel or frighten away demons or spirits, as distinguished from those rites that aim at propitiating or evoking their assistance (see magic and shaman ). Exorcism may be applied to a particular person or thing or may be used in a more general way. In central Europe during Walburga's night (or Walpurgishnacht, May 1), the traditional witches' sabbath, witches and demons are exorcised from the town by use of holy water, incense, and loud noises of all kinds. The scriptural justification for exorcism is found throughout the New Testament, and many instances of Jesus' ability to cast out devils are recorded. |
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"exorcism." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "exorcism." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-exorcism.html "exorcism." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-exorcism.html |
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exorcism
exorcism. The practice of expelling evil spirits by means of prayer and set formulas was common among Jews and pagans. From NT times the Church has exorcized persons possessed of an evil spirit. The RC Church provides for such a rite, but restricts its use to priests specifically authorized by the bishop. A revival of the practice of exorcism in the C of E led to the issue of guidelines by the Abp. of Canterbury in 1975; on the basis of these, diocesan bishops formulated policy for their own dioceses.
Exorcism has also been applied to catechumens; it is included in the 1972 RC Order for Adult Initiation and the 1969 Order for the Baptism of Infants, though in the latter case it may be omitted. The Baptismal exorcisms are prayers asking for the restraint of the powers of evil. |
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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "exorcism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "exorcism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-exorcism.html E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "exorcism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-exorcism.html |
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exorcism
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T. F. HOAD. "exorcism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "exorcism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-exorcism.html T. F. HOAD. "exorcism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-exorcism.html |
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Exorcism
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JOHN BOWKER. "Exorcism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Exorcism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Exorcism.html JOHN BOWKER. "Exorcism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Exorcism.html |
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