Found on Facebook an article someone linked to their wall. Thought it was interesting.

The Devil Is No Longer in the Details: Church of England ‘Quietly Votes’ to Ax Satan From an Important Rite

Blog Article: Published Paper Blames Schizophrenia on Demons

One of my friends on Facebook pointed this article out to me.  I thought it was interesting but don't know what to make of it.  In any case, very interesting as I said.  Tap here for the article.

-Curate

Lectures by Dr. Bennett on exocism

Lectures on Issues Etc radio, by Rev. Dr. Robert H. Bennett, PhD., a foremost Lutheran scholar regarding the issue of exorcism.

Link to his site with links to his radio interviews

-Curate

Can anyone do an exorcism?

It was relegated finally to a particular priest with permission from the Bishop in order to keep the people from acting upon superstitious ideas.  There was evidence in early Christianity that laypeople did exorcisms. In the Bible, exorcisms were done by a variety of people.  One can refer to Matthew 10, Mark 9:38, Luke 11:18-19, Acts 16, 19:11-16.  We can also look at Justin Martyr, Minutius Felix, Origin, and Tertullian.  I believe Luther's theology would suggest that it is your baptism that makes you "eligible" to do an exorcism.

That being said, I recommend the local orthodox Lutheran pastor (no matter his past experiences) who receives good counsel from an experienced exorcist should be the one who acts as exorcist.  

Higher Things: Summer 2014

I will be teaching at two Higher Things events, the one in Utah and the other in Wisconsin.  For LC-MS youth, you can spend no better time but to attend this great events.

Click here for info!

My session:

Exorcism: "So you want to be  an exorcist," well, in any case, that is what the topic is anyway.  In the past, this session talked about angels and demons, and now this session will concentrate in another area of angelology, the makeup of an exorcism.  We will cover the false perceptions of an exorcism and how we can properly understand what an exorcism is all about from a distinctive Christian- Lutheran world view.

-----------
The other event well deserving to attend is Christ Academy High School for young men.  This summer may be our largest CA event in the 16 years of history.

Click here for info!

My session:

Christian Rhetoric:  What is involved with the theological conversation on the street?  We will cover rhetorical conversation, Christian apologetics and related topics.  

-----------
The other event well deserving to attend is Phoebe Academy High School for young ladies. This will be our second summer offering this opportunity to explore the service within the Church as a deaconess.

Click here for info!

In Christ,
-Curate

Supplementary Notes for my Fireside Chat tonight @ CTS

I will add to this after tonight's Fireside Chat

Books to Read or to Refer:

I Am Not Afraid: Demon Possession and Spiritual Warfare, by Robert H. Bennett

Others that are good (not that I agree with all their opinions):

99 Answers to Questions about Angels and Demons and Spiritual Warfare, by B.J. Oropeza
Angels, Elect and Evil, by C. Fred Dickason
Wizards that Peep, A Journey Into the Occult, by Siegbert W. Becker
Biblical Demonology, A study of Spiritual Forces at Work Today, by Merrill F. Unger

For you liturgical and patristic types:
The Angels and Their Mission, by Jean Danielou
The Angels and the Liturgy, Erik Peterson

For you that lean towards the Roman denomination:
Roman Ritual and Christian Burial, Exorcisms, Reserved blessings, Etc, (Latin and English) published by Preserving Christian Publications, Inc., Boonville, New York.

Angel and Demon Documentaries and the Like on Youtube, et al.

Angel and Demon Documentaries and the Like on Youtube, et al. (Tap Here)

Demonic Activity in Gary, Indiana?????

First Article

Second Article

Third Article (Fox News)

Fourth Article

Dr. Bennett's brief response

I will give my response in this post when I have time to give it.

In any case, this my brief response on house hauntings in general (click on text)

On My Coffee Cup : Growing up with the winter months

I like this long quote on a small coffee cup but I thought it would be appropriate for our day:

GROWING UP in a place that has winter, you learn to avoid self-pity.  Winter is not a personal experience, everybody else is as cold as you, so you shouldn't complain about it too much.  You learn this as a kid, coming home crying from the cold, and Mother looks down and says, "It's only a little frostbite. You're okay." And thus you learn to be okay.  What's done is done.  Get over it. Drink your coffee.  It's not the best you'll ever get but it's good enough.

America is a Sexually Liberated Culture

America is a sexually liberated culture. Lust needs no education or knowledge of history, no morals or ethics but only one's right of gratification of one's desires and benefits thereby!  It's the epidemic of individualism!  

-FB 5/23/13

Concordia Theological Seminary is about Community

Chapel services are clearly the center of our community at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.  This point is not a matter of pride, but a given, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.  Our belief in residential Seminary education at CTS is NOT a question of practicality but about a dynamic education grounded precisely of who we are and what we are as baptized Christians in the community of saints.

-FB Post 5/31/13