Demon Possession and the Christian: A New Perspective

by C. Fred Dickason

Book Overview

'Puede un cristiano estar endemoniado? Contiene la respuesta a esta pregunta y muchas otras. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0891075216
• ISBN13: 9780891075219
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Crossway Books
• Length: 355 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

I was counseled by Dr. Dickason...

I am one of those 400 plus people...and I am a disciple of Christ, "well-educated" theologically raised in an evangelical church now serving in full-time missions. I have been set free. I can walk now, my mind is clear, I have a spouse and children. Many who knew me when I was deeply sick and depressed hardly recognize me now. No one could help me all those years, my pastors, my bible college profs....but God's hand was upon me. I am grateful for the simple, bold prayers and teaching of Dr. Dickason and his wife--my spouse was there and can attest to all that happened. We continue to praise God that He indeed is our deliverer.

A Christian CAN be demonized, not posessed

CAN A BELIEVER BE POSESSED OR DEMONIZED? In ignorance I have heard some say "I just stay away from the devil and not speak about him, I leave him alone and he leaves me alone" In ignorance I have also heard that a Christian can not be influenced or demonized. In Luke 13:10-17 we see a believing woman in Church who had been demonized, having a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years and is delivered by Jesus and immediately praise's God, then Jesus went on to call her "a daughter of Abraham", (NOT a descendent of Abraham) What is a daughter of Abraham? We read in Galatians 3:7 "Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham" Who is and who is not a child, or children of Abraham? Read :Luke 13:10-17, Luke 9:9-10, John 8:37-39, Acts 13:13-26, Romans 4:12-18, Galatians 3:6-9, Galatians 4:21-31 A Crippled Woman Healed on the Sabbath Lk 13:10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, Lk 13:11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. Lk 13:12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." Lk 13:13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Lk 13:14 Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath." Lk 13:15 The Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Lk 13:16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?" Lk 13:17 When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing. Many seem to forget the scriptures, and let their theology and seminary teachings get in the way of the truth. Why do so many fellow Christians seem so vicious when the topic of a Christian having an evil spirit comes up? Think about this: If Satan wanted mans attention, don't you think he would have revealed himself to the world openly thousands of years ago? He is the great deceiver, who wants to be thought of as someone who does not exist, and contradict Gods word. He hates to be thought about and acknowledged, for as long as he can roam, steal, kill, destroy, and lie he goes unchallenged! For too many years Gods people have let Satan hide and tried to ignore or take the defense.!!!!! Why is it that when someone wants to attack with authority that Christ gave to his Church that they are attacked by the same Church? Think about it!! It is as if those who believe one can not be a Christian and have an evil spirit is on Gods side, and those who do agree are on the other side. Though the Bible does not say a Christian can not be demonized, it doe

Dickason Presents a Solidly Scriptural View

I have read a number of books on the subject but none with the solid logical approach taken here. Dickason is candid in clearly differentiating what can and can't be completely established via scripture. At the same time he does not neglect evidence from many years of counseling experience much of it involving bible college students (very serious Christians.) Far from being a harbinger of conflict with scripture (as suggested by one reviewer), this is a refreshing concern for clearly drawing source boundaries when developing the doctrine. I think perhaps Dr. Dickason's early training as an engineer may explain the character of his approach. It evidences clear logical progression and careful classification and handling of the emprical evidence as is common in the sciences. Dr. Dickason is very careful with his theology as well. This too would be expected, having served many years as the Chair of the Department of Theology at the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. If not the oldest it is certainly one of the oldest and most conservative Bible colleges in the nation and the world. I would have to consider Dr. Dickason one of the foremost experts in the world in this subject area. This book is a must read for every serious Christian. For more general theological treatement of angels in general, I recommend his book "Angels Elect and Evil."Christian marriages and families are falling on all sides today because our materialistic society has all but rejected the truth about the war going on in the spiritual realm. According to the Bible, Christians war on three fronts: the world, the flesh, and the Devil. We are suffering defeat today because that latter front is all but neglected in practical teaching. This book goes a long way towards restoring some balance. I recommend it without reservation.

Excellent study

This may be the best book on this topic. With all the involvement in occult experiences that resulted from the Pentecostal/charismatic "renewal", there is now so much evidence about Christian demonization that the old a priori idea according to which "Christians cannot be demonized" should be hold by anyone serious and honest. Dickason covers a lot of studies and gives a comprehensive view.What lacks are philosophical considerations about the functionning of demonization in the soul, as opposed to the epistemological understanding of the mystical experience (Christian philosopher Maritain built a brilliant epistemology that encompassed mystical experience). Also a distinction should be drawn between the initiation of occult experiences (where one seeks the experience by making his mind and body control open to a spirit, at least at the first time) and the mystic experience (where the experience is not sought the first time, or sought without offering one's mind,etc.)Responsible Christians who are in touch with the charismatic movement may not want themselves or their friends to be exposed to demonization, they will then do well to read this book and other ones such as George Birch's The Deliverance Ministry (Cases of deliverances of spirits of tongues and others caught during charismatic experiences) or the books by Kurt Koch (Occult Bondage, etc.), or Felicitas Goodman's "How about Demons? Possession.." (Goodman is not Christian, but possibly the world's most eminent academic specialist on demon possession and she classifies pentecostal/charismatic experiences in her branch.)

completely theologically accurate

Dr. Dickason is right on the money. This book is usefull and practical. The enemy does not want you to read this book.