Dr. Alan Jacobs, professor of the honors program at Baylor University, and an evangelical Christian, has written a book entitled, “How to Think: A Survival Guide for a World at Odds.” The theme of the book is how to create better dialogue in an era of hostilities. As an academic, and a Christian, Jacobs laments being misunderstood by both intellectuals and secularists. To understand this dilemma, he references anthropologist Susan Harding who came up with the idea of what she called the Repugnant Cultural Other (RCO), categorizing other people and their viewpoints in such a way that no rational thought is needed when referring to them. In other words, if someone you disagree with belongs to the group defined as the RCO, you can be dismissive of them without having to dialogue. You can attack them any way you wish, and don’t have to take them seriously.
My point? This construct describes how the current Christian power structure in America treats those of us who believe in exorcism and deliverance, especially the idea that Christians can have demons. These arbiters of religious correctness (writers, TV evangelists, media owners) have unconsciously branded people like me the RTO, the “Repugnant Theological Other.” This label makes it okay for evangelical leaders, and entire denominations, to have group animosity toward any teaching that demons actively attack Christians because of curses and generational evil. To them, people such as me are “repugnant.” Too many Christian leaders who claim to be defenders of the “truth” are masking a desire to control those outside their group think. I gladly receive their disdain.
Remember what they said of Jesus when he demonstrated His power over Satan by casting out demons, “He [Jesus] casts out devils through Beelzebub” (Luke 11:15). Jesus was not part of the ruling system of religion, and to the Pharisees Christ was “repugnant.” To the critics of deliverance ministry, please consider whether your opinion about exorcism results from carefully considered study or simply the desire to keep the favor of your ingroup. Or to quote the Apostle Paul, “If I pleased men I would not be the servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10).
An encouraging word: RESIST THE DEVIL
The craftiness of the devil and demons should not make any Christian fearful. The Word is filled with promises of protection from every evil device of darkness. Resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7); No weapon forged against you will prevail. (Is. 54:17); Nothing will harm you. (Luke 10:19). There are many, many more assurances of God’s grace prevailing when the Enemy strikes, if we are walking before the Lord without willful sin. Satan can and should be resisted with ease. Lay every fear aside. God delivers and protects those who fully trust in Him. Pray, proclaim your authority in Christ, resist, and Satan will turn away.
Bob Larson has trained healing and deliverance teams all over the world to set the captives free and Do What Jesus Did® (Luke 4:18). You can partner with Bob and support this vision to demonstrate God’s power in action by calling 303-980-1511 or clicking here to donate online
.
