As reported by The Christian Post, a Catholic bishop has organized a conference this past weekend in Maryland to discuss the practice of exorcism among bishops, saying it is important to “be prepared” for the rare necessity of extracting evil spirits. But the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminar Dr. Albert Mohler insists that evangelicals have no need for exorcisms and even says to require them gives ground to the enemy.
Mohler agreed that the New Testament provides several examples of demon-possession. But he points out that the name of Jesus, the authority of Scripture, and the proclamation of the Gospel was all that was ever necessary to extract evil spirits, and to require any other rites would deny the sufficiency of Christ’s name and the Gospel. “Every time a believer shares the Gospel and declares the name of Jesus, the demons and the Devil lose their power,” Mohler said. He also questioned whether or not Christians could even be possessed by demons after they join the family of God. “We do not need a rite of exorcism…for every Christian is armed with the full promise of the Gospel, united with Christ in faith, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit.”
