Devon Dick
The Friday Star's headline (November 3, 2006) was 'Demons Possess Students' in reference to Shortwood Teachers College.
The Star validated its headline by describing the signs of demon possession in the girls as 'frothing at the mouth', 'jumping all over the place ... barking like a dog', speaking a 'different language' and in a 'coarse voice'. One little girl who was allegedly possessed, was said to be very strong. However, in the same story, the reporter quoted Bishop Ade-Gold who said, "The affected students were influenced by demons, but were not possessed. He said the difference was that the students were aware of what was happening, which is quite different from what happens when someone is possessed when they are not conscious."
Possessed or influenced?
The question is: Were the Shortwood Students possessed by demons or influenced by demons? The Star reporter was unable to get a report from the administration of the college, which would have been helpful in determining what had happened. In addition, what is the view of the students who were said to be possessed?
Demons, apparently, are getting very popular and influential in Jamaica. A few days previously, The Gleaner's front page was about a lady who was demon-possessed at a Seventh-day Adventist crusade.
Also, a Jamaican church leader, Rev. Dr. Donald Stewart, said in The Gleaner July 22, 2006 that, "Some decent, lovely people in our midst are even in bondage to incubus and succubus spirits - demons which sexually molest, and rape them in the privacy of their homes and bedrooms; the incubus-demonic spirit taking the form of a male that sexually harasses females. The succubus-demonic spirit taking the form of a female that sexually harasses males." Are there no homosexual demons? Since it is claimed that demons can rape females, can they also impregnate females? Who named these demons and when were they born?
I believe that the Bible is adequate for faith and practice. Therefore, these teachings that bear no resemblance to any Biblical teaching, experience or practice are difficult to swallow.
Useful distinction
However, I found Ade-Gold's definition and distinction between 'possession' and 'influence' useful. In fact, my feeling is that much of what is called demon possession is really demon influence. In addition, I do not believe that a demon can rape a woman.
The New Testament does not offer a study of demons as a subject. It is, therefore, open to different understanding and interpretation. Therefore, one should heed the warning of Dr. Burchell Taylor, senior pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, who said that those who make pronouncements and claim to act on the basis of the New Testament must recognise that "the New Testament has no theory or doctrine of demons." (Demons, Demon Possession and Exorcism 2000).
Related to Satan
Demons are related to Satan and Satan is represented as the embodiment and source of evil, which is in opposition to God. Satan acts through his agents, the demons. These demons have knowledge, power, can speak and identify Jesus (Matt. 12:44 and Mark 1: 23-24).
Demons are unclean, evil spirits that can have an impact on human life. According to the New Testament, certain illnesses such as blindness, deafness, muteness, epilepsy and physical deformity were caused by demonic influence (Matt. 9: 32, 12: 22, 17:14-16 and Lk. 13:10-17). This manifestation is subject to healing.
Then there is demon-possession, where the human personality comes directly under the control of the demonic power. The person becomes totally subjected to the demons and is a mere host for the demons. This occurrence requires exorcisms.
Based on the report, there was no demon possession among the Shortwood students.
Rev. Devon Dick is pastor of Boulevard Baptist Church and author of "Rebellion to Riot: the Church in Nation Building."
