Note that this is a preliminary version. I will add some more this
evening, but this will get you started. -Alan
Koch, Demonology Past and Present
Gospel of Mark read exorcisms carefully
The Exorcist (movie)
T he Exorcist
Relationship between movie and historical incident
differences
was boy not girl
possible reasons for change
more shocking - esp. language
more obvious personality change
self abuse scene
more priests involved
no levitation, monstrous visage or head spinning
surprising similarities
telekinesis, marks on body, lesions, contortionist positions
voice change
use of Latin by possessed boy
although no suggestion of understanding
insanity or death of (some of the) priests
Relationship between book and movie
role of house servants downplayed
Theme and purpose of book/movie
Who won?
Evil only appears to triumph
Demon defeated by death of Karras
Karras as sacrificial Christ figure
Cannot re-enter the girl
literary reference to Gerasene demoniac
Karras receives absolution before death
Personal spiritual transformation of
Mother
Girl
Father Karras
Does vicarious encounter with spiritual evil lead
to being drawn to spiritual good (e.g. God)?
Possession in the New Testament
Gerasene Demoniac
Luke 8.26-39 // Matt 8.31ff // Mark 5.1-20
desert places & tombs
demon takes over possessed's personality (seize & drive)
demon gives unusual strength
knowledge of name gives power over spirits
Jesus demands demons name
demons may try to conjure/manipulate Jesus
by use of his name/identity (Mk 5.7)
could possess animals
destiny is abyss (see Matt 8.29)
symptoms of possession
demon possession distinct from mental illness
(lunacy) and epilepsy
*Matt 4.23 (also: Acts 10:38, Mark 1.32,
Luke 6.17, 7:21, 13.32, 8.12)
In the Bible:
Spirit of infirmity: 13:10-16
convulsions: Luke 9.37-43 // Mark 9;17-29
blasphemy/vulgarity
supernatural knowledge
vomiting or foaming a mouth
clairvoyance
personality change
physical strength
separates from society
refuses to wear clothing
melancholia
husbands keep dying
In The Exorcist or Koch
voice change
change of appearance
contortions
aversion to anything sacred
ability to speak unlearned languages
self destructive behavior (cutting, etc.)
levitation
symbols/words appear on skin
telekinesis
Messianic Secret
Mark 1.21-28 (first miracle in Mark)
Luke 4:31-37, 41 demons have supernatural knowledge of Jesus
Mark 3:11f
Why does Jesus command silence??
see also:
Acts 16;16-18 (&ff)
Jas 2.19
Exorcism:
Disciples as exorcists
Luke 9.12, 10.17-20, Acts 5.16, 8.7
of Asmodeus from Sarah by burning fish parts: Tobit 7.17-18
of evil spirit from Saul using music: 1 Sam 16.14-23
using Jesus name:
Luke 9.49f
Matt 7.21-23
Acts 19.11-16 (Jewish exorcists)