My new book, "An Exorcist's Field Guide to Blessings, Consecrations and Eradication of Malevolent Entities" is now available on Amazon HERE.
It is a guide for the Lay person to perform a simple customizable ceremony for a house or building consecration or a blessing. I also include how to proceed if there is a possible malevolent entity involved. It is designed to be used in the field as you perform the ceremony, with readings and prayers in English, Latin, Gaelic and even the African Jula language. You can customize the ceremony to your needs.
When talking about this project, many have voiced their concerns as to a lay person performing this ritual. I do understand their concerns. Trying to perform such a rite without understanding or guidance can make matters worse. However this is first and foremost a ritual of faith. It requires faith, no matter the training or experience of the officiant. You can have the most experienced professional accomplish nothing if that person does not have faith in the power of God over evil. Likewise a novice can quickly become a seasoned spiritual warrior when a ceremony is mixed with a bit of faith.
"if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:19-21
I also have heard the argument that only Clergy should attempt this ritual. I understand this, especially if you are from a Roman Catholic tradition. But one of the primary principles that Martin Luther proposed with the Protestant Reformation was the priesthood of the believer. Our mediator to God is Christ Himself, we need no man to intercede for us. Likewise so with rituals. As a believer in Christ by faith you can preform all the sacramental duties of the church, while academic training and a proven character through denominational affiliation is for building up stable church leadership. But according to Protestant tradition, you do not need a Seminary degree to pray a prayer of faith, to anoint someone for healing, to celebrate communion, to baptize, perform a wedding (of course you have to have legal authority for a binding wedding) or any other ritual within the Christian Tradition. All you need is belief and faith in Christ.
Until Next Time (hopefully a full story by the end of the week!)
Pastor Swope
14 comments:
Just wondering...Jesus didn't perform any rituals to rid those possessed of demons. All he did was speak them away. Why must everyone who considers themselves "christians" always make religion out of what is supposed to be a personal realationship with GOD? Jesus rebuked the pharisees and sadducees because of religious ritual and dogma. A true Christian follows the teachings of Christ, not makes his own. And that is the problem with "christianity" today - it's not Christianity. It's only religion, which is exatly what Jesus taught against. Therefore, it's not the teachings of Christ but the teachings of men for their own purpose - not his!
Thanks truthseeker,
A ritual like this would just follow what Jesus would have done.
Jesus did not rebuke the Pharisees and Sadducees because of ritual or dogma, He chastised them because of their condescending attitude that made them think they were better than others and morally superior because they were following the form without the substance. Jesus never condemned the form, He actually participated in Jewish ritual. What He condemned was attitude not form.
Hi Pastor Swope,
Just got a copy for my wife, Sly over at paranormaland.com.
I'm just hoping she does not read this before the book gets here. :)
truthseeker: You might as well ask why hitting the golf ball is made into such a ritual, with advice about the direction of your feet, the placement of your hands, how you hold your head, keeping the left arm straight, etc. Isn't the objective just to hit the ball a long way in the right direction? Yes, but experience has shown that there these "rituals" help the golfer do what he is trying to do. There are centuries of experience to draw upon.
In the case of exorcism, there are three principle actors: Jesus Christ, the Church, and the exorcist. Demons can only be cast out by the power of Jesus, period; but for this to be an exorcism (properly so called), both the exorcist and the ritual must submit to the authority of the Church, which is the Bride of Christ. Personal holiness and good judgment in the exorcist are also very important. The rituals are the result of two millenia of experience and are designed to address practical issues while keeping the exorcist focused on Jesus (otherwise he can find himself in deep water, like Peter did when he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves); they also make the ritual a prayer not just one of the exorcist, but one of the whole Church.
(As for the teaching authority of the Church, that all boils down to the fact that Christ appointed specific men to teach authoritatively in His name. There is plenty of easy-to-find Biblical evidence for this, but this is not the place and I do not have the time to go into it in detail now.)
One last comment: From a Catholic perspective, Protestant clergy are in fact laymen, just like the members of their congregations. However, the power to cast out demons has in principle been granted to all Christians; when done by laymen, it is properly called a prayer of deliverance, not an exorcism, and (by appealing to the authority of Jesus) it can be very effective. But since it is a private prayer, and not a prayer of the whole Church, the personal holiness of the individual praying is more important.
All of this is discussed in the two books by Fr. Gabriele Amorth, chief exorcist of the diocese of Rome.
I like your last paragraph there, Pastor Swope. Too many people forget this and end up practically worshipping their charismatic pastors and priests.
I think that this will be a good tool. However; the story of the seven sons of one Sceva comes to mind.
Good post, Swope---your manual definitely belongs in any serious exorcist's library!!! Personally I prefer the Cetholic rite "version" myself. :)
Thanks Gnostalia,
Yes, I do agree. That is why you need faith, not just an intellectual assent. The 7 sons were Jewish, but saw the power of Christ and tried to do a ritual without the personal faith. Of course the same can happen, and I do assess hindrances to faith and precautions very strongly in the work.
Thanks Cryptidsrus,
Actually it is included as a reference in the back of the book!
Seems like an interesting read.
I too was thinking of the seven sons before I read them mentioned in the previous posts.
Your faith needs to be rock solid if you want to challenge the filthy devil and his minions.....or you will pay a very dear price.
Christian Junction
Pastor Swope,
I just wanted to point out, because I have seen this misspelling so many times nowon your blog, but it's "perform", not "preform". And I'm not trying to be a know-it-all, just offering a bit of constructive criticism, that's all, so please do not be offended.
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Well said,Howard.
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