Devon DickREV. DR. Donald Stewart of the Portmore Lane Covenant Community Church responding to last week's article, in his 'Demon possession: another perspective' showed his expertise, having done his doctoral thesis at the prestigious UTCWI on a similar issue and also having exorcised 'hundreds (possibly thousands) of fellow Jamaicans.' He is definitely more familiar with demons than I am.
However, I have some knowledge about the issue from what the Bible states and I am consoled that none of my assertions were contradicted by Brother Donald from the Bible. For me the Bible is still adequate for faith and practice and the principles and prescriptions will suffice. Therefore, I read the passages having to do with demon possession. Nevertheless, there can be different interpretations about a particular passage.
RHETORICAL QUESTION
The doctor claims through a rhetorical question that one can catch demons in the same way one gets influenza, 'If the common flu virus can enter our bodies at will and cause serious illnesses without invitation, why then should demonic spirits... have to wait in line for us to call them in?' If I was a betting man or a magician I would bet one million dollars that Dr. Stewart cannot support his claim with one scriptural reference. In Mark 5, the story of the demoniac, the demons had to ask permission to go into pigs. They could not go into animals uninvited!
Dr. Stewart, a better medical imagery would be the AIDS virus and not influenza. The AIDS virus can be caught through unprotected sexual contact, exchange of body fluids or infected needles!
Dr. Stewart then went into a building imagery to challenge my statement that 'The Holy Spirit and demons cannot reign in the same temple' by saying, 'It is possible for light and darkness to exist in the same building, provided they are separated by a thick wall... the human being is a complex creature of body, soul, emotions, heart and mind...' Apparently, pastor Donald feels that demons could control the head while the Holy Spirit controls the heart? Where is the biblical precedence? Brother pastor, the Bible says 'you cannot serve two masters'. You cannot serve God and mammon. You cannot be ruled by both God and demons at the same time. And remember that 'greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world'.
MERIT
Donald also disputes the claim that 'demon possession is found where it is expected'. That was not my quote. I only said it has merit. The author of that quote points out that most of the demon possession was found in Galilee and asks why? I do not agree with his conclusion but he also points out that exorcism is NOT listed as a spiritual gift and that there is no recorded exorcism in the gospel of John.
In addition, there is merit in the observation based on some reactions to last week's article. One person said that based on the number of murders, Jamaica is possessed. Another person blamed sexual immorality in the Park to 'possession' of the Emancipation Statue while someone else said that some persons are always serious because they have a demon in them. I do not share those views neither do I believe in these sex demons and demons of laughter.
Finally, Dr. Stewart blames my conclusions on lack of clarity in defining exactly what I mean by demon possession. Let me re-state, that demon possession is 'when an alien, evil spirit takes control of someone'. Dr. Stewart claims that, 'the term demonised which means to be under the influence, control or bondage of demonic powers, is a much preferred, biblically-accurate and theologically accepted expression'. Which scholars are saying so? In addition, control and influence are two different things and should not be used in the same sentence. When Jesus said to Peter 'get thee behind me Satan' was Peter demonised because he was influenced by Satan to say that Jesus would never die?
And just perhaps, Pastor Donald, if more persons recognise the power of Christ's death on the Cross in disarming powers then you might not have to 'free', possibly, thousands from bondage.
The Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church.
