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Dr. Clyde M. Narramore, graduate of Columbia University, New York City, is a psychologist and Consultant in Research and Guidance with one of the largest school systems in America. __________________________________________________ Demon Possession Q. Recently, a so-called Christian psychologist was speaking of the cases of demon possession in the New Tes tament. He suggested that they were cases of mental illness and that call ing them demon possession was just an accommodation to the thinking of the people of those days. I note in Matthew 17:14-18 that epilepsy seems to be attributed to the presence of a demon. Are the cases described as demon possession in the New Testament ac tually mental disease? Is there a real ity d is tin c t from mental disease which may be called “demon posses sion” ? If so, which cases in the New Testament would fall into each classi fication? Do missionaries who report “ demon possession” actually deal with invisible spiritual powers or is it just mental disease? A . I am glad you have asked this question. A complete answer would require much more space than al lowed on this page, but I can at least touch upon the subject, then suggest some references which may prove helpful to you. I would like to have been in on your conversation with your psychol ogist friend, because I definitely be lieve in demon possession. What did he have to say about the cases in which the demon-possessed person recognized Jesus and reacted to Him? There are many examples of this. One example is Mark 1:24, “what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to de stroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.” Psychotics may think they’re Napoleon or some one else, but they don’t recognize another person whom they have never seen, much less recognize truth about that person— truth which is concealed from normal people. There are many other things that might be pointed out. The New Tes tament classifies cases of mental ill ness quite apart from demon posses sion. See Matthew 4:24. “ And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick peo ple that were taken with divers dis eases and torments, and those which
Clyde M. Narramore, Ed.D.
were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.” Here we see clearly that the Scrip tures do not refer all mental disor ders directly to the work of the demons. Although you feel that Matthew 17:14-21 refers to an epileptic, I might say that whether the case was or was not epileptic in nature, it cer tainly is not epilepsy as we know it. Epileptics are not indwelt by Satan, nor are they controlled by spirits. The person referred to was one in dwelt by a devil (a foul spirit). Symptoms of disease and difficulties may be similar, yet the cause of the disease and the true diagnosis may be very different. Missionaries and others are still encountering cases today. Just recent ly I heard a fine, reliable Presbyter ian minister tell of a case of a demon iac who was cured in a Chinese church by the prayer of the Chris tians. Before he was cured, one of the Christians stood behind him and asked him what his name was, and he shouted out, “ Legion!” This man had never heard of Mark ,5:9. If it puzzles you that intelligent people are frequently not persuaded of the accuracy of the Scriptures, read 1 Corinthians 1, 2. Following are some r e f e r enc e s which you might like to read: The International Standard Bible Ency clopedia, a discussion by Louis Mat thews Sweet, published by Eerdmans, 1952; Demonism Verified and Ana lyzed: by Hugh W. White, published by the Presbyterian Committee of Publication, Richmond, Va.; Lectures in Systematic Theology, by Henry C. Thiessen, published by Eerdmans, 1952. Clumsy Q. Our 13-year-old boy is very clum sy. He is always stumbling, dropping things and bumping into people. His father makes fun of him and criti cizes him. Don’t you think he just makes matters worse by doing this? A . You’ll never help your boy by embarrassing and criticizing him. It will make the situation worse. Fur
thermore it’s not the Christian thing to do. In God’s Word we are taught: “ Fathers provoke not your children to wrath.” Boys and girls have a tendency to be awkward at your son’s age. This comes from uneven growth, especially in the hands and feet. Not long ago I talked with a man who said that when he was 13 years old he wore size seven shoes, but before the year had ended, he wore size 11! He also said that all during that year he was fearful of falling, so he managed to stay near objects large enough to catch him, in case he should fall. He told me that he didn’t realize at the time what his difficulty was. He was so ashamed of his clumsiness that he never told anyone how inferior he felt. No doubt your son will be less clumsy as he grows older. But now is the time to encourage him to de velop better coordination. Show him how to walk so that he will not shuf fle his feet. Demonstrate how to pick up and hold different objects. Try to interest him in games, typing, swimming, etc. The more experience he has in using his hands and feet, the better control he will have over them. Another suggestion — encourage him in his spiritual development. There is nothing that will give a person more confidence and poise, than being saved, and growing in spiritual stature. Understanding Our Boys & Girls A new book by Clyde M. Narramore Suggestions for parents and teachers in out line summary form. Describes growth and development characteristics at each age level. Covers physical growth, actions and reaction, special needs and how adults can be most effective. Includes psychological case studies of 1) a boy who was lazy, 2) a high school girl who didn't get along with parents, 3) a boy who caused trouble at school and home. 64 pages • $1 postpaid Dr. Clyde M. Narramore
P.O. Box 52-M Pasadena, Calif.
JUNE, 1955
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