Results 1 - 5 of 5
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Personality disorder or demon possesion? | Mark 5:15 | bandaid | 211886 | ||
OOps. I meant Mark 5:1-20 Not sure about the ability to cast out demons?? I'd say that is outlined in several areas, and you are not sure? Let me ask one specific question at a time. Please do not answer if you don't know, so someone who does can. As far as Christs ability to cast out demons, the sign the man in the tombs presented by tearing his chains and gnshing himself with stones (cutting?) and screaming, perhaps was schizophrenia? Anyway, today most people would lock him up and give him Prozac or something. My question is, does anyone have any other proof in the bible that personality disorders are linked to demons or can help me with this study? Please leave this as an open question if you don't know. |
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2 | Personality disorder or demon possesion? | Mark 5:15 | jlhetrick | 211891 | ||
bandaid- The question is a valid one and proper, in my opinion, for this forum (though it potentially can take a course that is inappropriate). Being that my profession is related to the topic I have questions about this myself, and yes, the Scriptures have some significant points to make regarding this. Welcome to the Forum! The first thing I would like to point out is that the bible speaks of both demon possession and demon oppression. Without getting off topic, my basic understanding is that possession speaks to a indwelling and oppression speaks of a torment or negative influencing, not necessarily a indwelling. With that said, the Scriptures give examples of both and in both cases there can be physical ailments (we would qualify as medical problems) including muteness, epilepsy, blindness, etc. Furthermore, in many cases there seems to be a definite altering of personality as well. The Scriptures don’t use the term “personality disorder” (it wasn’t coined yet) but it does describe personality changes related to demon possession, and oppression as well as reverse changes after the healing. In the example found beginning in Matthew 17:14 the son has apparently been diagnoses by a physician (though we don’t know that for sure) and been given a very specific medical diagnosis (at least by his father). We do not know if the symptoms were in fact from a medical problem or the demonic activity but the passage apparently says two different things were accomplished by the Lord. The demon came out AND the boy was healed instantly. Was Christ accomplishing two works, casting out the demon and healing the boy of a medical condition? Not sure… it may be that the demon coming out and the boy being healed was the same thing (the language experts might help there). With this basic stuff in mind let’s go one or two steps further. Luke was a physician yet we don’t find him denouncing medical treatment after his believing. I don’t find anywhere in Scripture where seeking medical attention for physical symptoms is prohibited or even discouraged; though prayer and trusting God’s will in the matter is to be foremost and there is the function of the church as well. Lots more can be said but in the interest of time and space I will offer my conclusion in short. If one has serious symptoms of an illness why not seek medical attention? However, doing that without prayer and seeking God’s will is trusting in something other than God or at least ignoring the fact that He has authority over it all, including the results of treatment. I have found that many patients are uncomfortable with psychiatric diagnosis. I sometimes deal with this by pointing out that we are not so much treating the diagnosis as we are the symptoms. In other words, the cause may be this or it may be that. We all need healing from sin through the grace of God; this comes through faith in Jesus Christ. At times, our bodies will become sick; we may benefit from medical treatment. We should always encourage others to seek God through faith and prayer. We should never discourage them from seeking medical attention if they are ill. Hope this helps, Jeff |
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3 | Personality disorder or demon possesion? | Mark 5:15 | DocTrinsograce | 211894 | ||
Hi, Jeff... Good comments. I think that some of the problem is that we've let the world in general -- and psychology in particular -- hijack some of what has traditionally been a matter of the church. A good example is something like Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in children. The Bible calls that rebellion and foolishness, prescribing very specific remedies. As terminology is changed -- for economic and "scientific" purposes -- the clear connection with sin becomes completely obfuscated (camouflaged?). Dr. Richard Ganz, a professional who has been on both sides of the issue, wrote a wonderful book entitled "Psychobabble: The Failure of Modern Psychology and the Biblical Alternative." I highly recommend the book for anyone who seeks a proper understanding how secular approaches to "mental health" have interloped into the proper domain of the church. I appreciated how George Grant summarized Gantz' work with the observation that "the modern church seems to have replaced repentance with recovery, sanctification with serenity, and piety with therapy..." In Him, Doc |
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4 | Personality disorder or demon possesion? | Mark 5:15 | jlhetrick | 211915 | ||
Doc- as you know my career is in the field of psychiatry. I couldn't agree with you more. When I started my academic studies I was a Christian, active in the church. I was young both in age and as a Christian (at least as far as real bible study was relevant). It didn’t take me long (about two weeks) to realize that academia and Christianity were at odds. What made the struggle that much more was the knowing that God had called me to the task; I had to endure the education process in order to obtain my credentials. It wasn’t at all a waste of time. I could tell you story after story of the Lord showing up in class and speaking through me. A Christian friend once told me that he could only imagine how many had heard a portion of the word as a result of our being there. Students young and old, professors, guest speakers. I won’t go into it here of course. So, today I diagnose my patients according to the DSM IV criteria because that’s the only way I can bill their insurance provider. I treat them and provide psychotherapy and just can’t imagine how many the Lord is reaching through this. It’s a rare occasion when I have a patient that is not spiritually starved and the Lord constantly opens the door for me to witness. And He has even given me the skills to teach very practical advice that helps others to work through their issues. I’m blessed and thankful for the opportunity. God bless, Jeff |
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5 | Personality disorder or demon possesion? | Mark 5:15 | DocTrinsograce | 211984 | ||
Thank you. | ||||||