Fox Releases Trailer For The New TV Series “The Exorcist”

Fox Releases Trailer For The New TV Series “The Exorcist”

Naturally I would be cautious of such TV dramatization of exorcisms and the nature of pastoral care that takes place in an ongoing TV series.  One might say that this could bring discussion and awareness to a very rationalistic culture, especially to a culture that cannot even decide on what is "evil."  None the less, I'm interested and very much looking forward to the series with the anticipations of evaluating "Hollywoods" perception of the spiritual world and how they proclaim Christ in a secular TV program.

Angels and Demons - Worldview Everlasting

The Joyful Exorcist, How One is Joyful in the Face of Evil

I just this past week I taught the last of 8 hours of study called, "The Joyful Exorcist, How One is Joyful in the Face of Evil."  I had a group of about 45 people.

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

The battle has been won!!!!

I don't mind the dramatics during an exorcism.  But the experienced exorcist is not always dramatic but is simply calm and collective knowing this, though there is a battle in the room, the battle has been won. Much like a preacher preaches with confidence of the Gospel in the midst of a world of sin.  The Gospel is the victory Christ has won for us upon the cross as He died for our sins for us and for our salvation and raised alive from the grave on the third day.  So the exorcist walks in the room as a victor in Christ and not a if there is a battle to be won.  This is a huge mistake in many books on spiritual warfare as the book frequently centers so much on us or the possessed and not on Christ.  Everything should be centered in Christ.

The picture above shows St. Michael with the "old man" namely the devil under his foot.  In St. Michael's right hand is a sword depicting a battle but in his left hand is a scale depicting that the judgment has taken place.  This narrative is described in Revelation 12 where the battle scene takes between the birth of Christ and the battle won in the blood of the Lamb (Christ).

This is why I love the seal of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne where you see the cross coming down upon the head of the snake! (Genesis 3:15) It reminds us that Christ has won the battle!

So your house is haunted ... a very brief response.

Among the many questions and concerns that come my direction is the question of what to do about a house that appears to be haunted. A very brief response ...

For a moment ignore the haunting and ask yourself a question, "Who are you as a baptized Christian?" Many things in this life, both visible and invisible and the very nature of our sin attract our attention away from examining ourselves, of living a life of repentance (Mk 1:15) and trusting in the Gospel, namely in Christ.

In other words, life has its distractions that take our attention away from our life in Christ. As an example, the psalmists didn't always have the answers to their problems and life experiences but they simply turned and confessed God who is the Author, Redeemer and Giver of Life.

The meaning of life was not what we make of life but what God has made of our life in Christ. We know this life under God's grace and forgiveness in Christ as baptized Christians. When we approach life experiences, we do so with this in mind. We know that we are God's child and belong not to the world but to God in Christ.

The devil wishes to draw our attention elsewhere other than Christ.  He does this by creating fear of things in this life, in death or of the devil, and not a fear (respect), love and trust in God above all things. In the midst of an apparent battle, the battle has been won in Christ.

More to be said but don't miss the point.

Secondly, call your pastor. Nothing better but to have your Christian pastor visit the house and your family and take it from there.

Not a baptized Christian, hmmmmm, either enjoy the ride, it may or may not be too pleasant, or set up a visit with your neighborhood Lutheran Pastor (Missouri Synod) or some faithful local baptized Christian pastor.

If you have a question regarding baptism, the Bible does not treat it as an option.  An example is found in quite a few verses but one could quickly look at passages as Acts 2:38 ff or Rom. 6:1-5 ff. But if you have any question why I consider it important, please ask.  Peace!!!

In Christ,
-Curate

What books should you read on Angels and Demons?

I will add more and modify this list so please stop back.  Also, I will add more of my book lists on this blog.  More of my lists exist elsewhere at the moment.  

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

I found that the following books are helpful but not that I agree with everything in the following books:

99 Answers to Questions about Angels and Demons and Spiritual Warfare, by B.J. Oropeza

Angels, Elect and Evil, by C. Fred Dickason


A book I just ordered but looked through it and like what I saw is: Wizards that Peep, A Journey Into the Occult, by Siegbert W. Becker

Interviewed with Lutheran Hour: Men's Network on a program called: Great Deceiver

I really didn't contribute a lot to the program but here are the clips I'm in:

http://www.lhmmen.com/studyvideofull.asp?ID=23755&fid=2764&mode

and

http://www.lhmmen.com/studyvideofull.asp?ID=23755&fid=2766&mode

So enjoy,

In Christ,
Curate

The Devil Made Me Do It!

Here's an interview by the Canadian Lutheran Online, as they interviewed Dr. Bennett, with the title,  "The Devil made me do it."  Please check it out!

http://www.canadianlutheran.ca/the-devil-made-me-do-it/

What the devil do we make of him?

What the devil do we make of him? is my Facebook page, it is found here:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/418416181564629/