Are there any differences between Protestant and Catholic theology concerning the distinction between demonic possession from mental illness?
Upvote:4
From this article by Got Questions Ministries, who describe themselves as "Christian, Protestant, conservative, evangelical, fundamental, and non-denominational", the answer to "How do we distinguish a psychological disorder from demon possession?" is
The short answer to this question is that the Bible does not speak to distinguishing between demon possession and a psychological disorder. Because God chose not to equip Christians for this task, we should probably assume this is not something we are called to do.
In the Gospels, for example in Matthew 9, there is a clear distinction between 'every disease and every infirmity' that Jesus healed and the casting out of demons.
In the Catholic Church, "before an exorcism is performed, it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness."
cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church 1673
1673 When the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism. Jesus performed exorcisms and from him the Church has received the power and office of exorcizing.1 In a simple form, exorcism is performed at the celebration of Baptism. The solemn exorcism, called "a major exorcism," can be performed only by a priest and with the permission of the bishop. The priest must proceed with prudence, strictly observing the rules established by the Church. Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church. Illness, especially psychological illness, is a very different matter; treating this is the concern of medical science. Therefore, before an exorcism is performed, it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness.2
1. Cf. Mk 1:25-26; 3:15; 6:7, 13; 16:17.
2. Cf. CIC, can. 1172.
More post
- 📝 Historically, what would happen if a church could not afford or provide wine for the sake of the Eucharist?
- 📝 What are the main arguments used by Christian pro-lifers to justify their stance against abortion?
- 📝 How is it that an unchanging and omniscient God can have "regret" as He did in Gen 6:7?
- 📝 How did the Holy Spirit come into existence?
- 📝 To whom does Pope Francis confess?
- 📝 What is "new" in the New Perspective on Paul?
- 📝 How do we know the unmoved mover for any given change must be singular and lack potential?
- 📝 A question about Faith and Law before Sinai
- 📝 Are there Old Testament references to the length of Jesus earthly ministry?
- 📝 What is the will of the (Catholic) Church when she baptizes?
- 📝 What does it mean that the Believers Eastern Church (in Asia) is an "Ancient-Future Church"?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for the concept that Jesus spent time in Hell?
- 📝 100 Year Anniversaries? - Sacred Heart of Jesus
- 📝 Why (and when) did the Apostles stop requiring exactly twelve apostles? Why was James not replaced?
- 📝 Why does "holiness" mean "set apart" (if it does)?
- 📝 When can our prayers change God's mind/will? Is it wrong to pray against the will of God?
- 📝 Will all glorified children of God take on the title/name of YHWH in the age to come?
- 📝 How do those who hold Jesus = God in the Trinitarian sense account for Paul's reticence to state this clearly and consistently?
- 📝 In "The Ball and the Cross" where did McIan go wrong?
- 📝 Who are the hypocrites associated with fasting in the Didache?
- 📝 How similar was the resurrected body of Jesus to his physical human body?
- 📝 Are scientific findings a test to Christians' Faith?
- 📝 Where did the Petrine title of "First Among Equals" originate?
- 📝 What evidence is there that the New Testament was originally written in Aramaic?
- 📝 Do Protestants believe it is easier for New Testament believers to fulfill the moral law than it was before Christ?
- 📝 Are there tenets of Rastafarianism that run counter to Baptist theology?
- 📝 Would every prayer without pre-written words be called mental prayer?
- 📝 In Oriental Orthodox sacramental theology can a mixed marriage be valid?
- 📝 Why do Catholics believe transubstantiated host may still affect the gluten sensitive?
- 📝 Did Jeremiah lie in Jeremiah 38:27
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 Are there any differences between Protestant and Catholic theology concerning the distinction between demonic possession from mental illness?
- 📝 What are the main differences between the Catholic and Protestant definitions of Biblical inerrancy?
- 📝 What differences are there between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox understanding of the sacrament of marriage?
- 📝 What are the main differences between Reformed Protestant Biblical Theology and Covenant Theology?
- 📝 Are there any Christian scholarly publications on the differences between the nature of humans pre-fall and post-resurrection?
- 📝 Are there theological differences between the Greek Orthodox church and the Coptic (Egyptian) Orthodox church?
- 📝 What are the differences between Roman Catholic and Irish Catholic?
- 📝 Are there any major Protestant denominations that meet every day and are together all the time like the early church was?
- 📝 Are there any differences between Jesus's commandments and God's commandments?
- 📝 Are there disagreements between Reformed Theology and the teachings of A.W. Tozer?
- 📝 What are the main differences between the Catholic Popes and the Mormon Prophets?
- 📝 Are there any examples where the non-believers demanding a miracle for the proof of Catholic faith and a saint succeeding in performing it?
- 📝 What are the differences between Catholic and Episcopal saints?
- 📝 Are there any reports of charismatic gifts in operation from the period between the 5th and 17th centuries AD?
- 📝 What are the differences between a non-Catholic Christian becoming Catholic and a Non-Christian becoming Catholic?
- 📝 Are there teachings of the Catholic Church on the similarity between Christ and the ram that Abraham sacrificed?
- 📝 Where did the Roman Catholic denomination in India originate, and why are there differences amongst Indian Christians?
- 📝 Are there any Christian groups or denominations that make a distinction between the gift of healing and just praying for the sick to get healed?
- 📝 What are the significant differences between the Priesthood of the Israelites and the Priesthood of the Catholic Church?
- 📝 What are the main differences between Jesusonians and Protestant christians?
- 📝 What are the main differences between 7th Day Adventists and Catholic/Protestant churches?
- 📝 What are the major differences between Eastern and Western Orthodox Christianities?
- 📝 What are the major differences between the NKJV and the ESV translations?
- 📝 What are the key differences between the Western and Eastern Christianity?
- 📝 Are there any secular historical references to the natural phenomena that occurred at the crucifixion and resurrection?
- 📝 What are the main differences between Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses?
- 📝 Are there any Catholic sects which disagree with the sinlessness of Mary?
- 📝 What are the differences between the roles of husband and wife in a Christian marriage?
- 📝 Are there any conflicts between how Jesus is described in the Book of Mormon vs how He is described in the Bible?
- 📝 What are the differences between the translation ideologies of the NASB and ESV?