In Christianity, deliverance ministry refers to the activity of cleansing a person of demons and evil spirits in order to address problems manifesting in their life as a result of the presence of said entities and the root causes of their authority to oppress the person. Adherents to this theological concept attribute physical, psychological, spiritual and emotional problems that people suffer to the activities of the oppressing spirits following the example of Jesus Christ given in the gospel. The practices and many of the underlying beliefs of these ministries are not accepted by all Christians.
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Methods
Deliverance ministries focus on casting out the spirit or spirits believed to cause an affliction. The method of casting out varies. Some adherents directly recite Biblical examples in prayer intended to command a demon to depart an afflicted person, and do not believe an ordained clergy is required to perform the deliverance.
Ministries also organize the removal from homes of items that are believed to harbor demons, including fantasy or horror novels, and artworks / artifacts depicting pagan gods. Members are instructed to burn items that are related to idol worship, "demon drawing" symbols and music that summons demons.
For some Christians, deliverance ministries are activities carried out by specialist individuals like Bishop Larry Gaiters and Rev Vincent Bauhaus or groups aimed at solving problems related to demons and spirits, especially possession of the body and soul, but not the spirit as ministries like Ellel Ministries International, Don Dickerman Ministries and Neil T. Anderson explicitly teach that a Christian can not have demons in their spirit because the Holy Spirit lives there, though they can have demons in their body or soul due to inner emotional wounds, sexual abuse, or Satanic ritual abuse. This is usually known as partial possession or demonic infestation, as opposed to outside demonic oppression which does not reside in any of the 3 parts of a person: body, soul, spirit.
How it is different from exorcism
Though many people confuse deliverance with exorcism, they are not the same. Exorcisms are carried out through the use of various rituals of exorcism, such as the Roman Ritual, and often utilize attendant sacramentals such as holy water, while deliverance involves the ongoing counseling of the individual through various programs.
Deliverance ministries seek to remove any influences that allow the demon to take control over the individual. The individual must take responsibility and be involved in the process.
Some Deliverance Ministers do use crucifixes, holy water and anointing oils as well as their Bible. Some Deliverance Ministers also use the term "Exorcist", wear the clerical collar (which was first used by the Presbyterians) and also incorporate a stole. Contrary to belief, the term "Exorcist and Exorcism", clerical collars and stoles are not reserved strictly for Catholic religion.
Popularity
Though Christian deliverance has occurred from the time of Christ, the rise of deliverance ministries in the United States appears to have occurred almost immediately following the release of the film The Exorcist in 1973, and the film has been credited with creating interest in casting out demons, even though the practices of deliverance ministries differ widely from the highly ritualized exorcisms carried out by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.
Frank Hammond and his wife Ida Mae have been called "perhaps the most influential practitioners of deliverance ministry." Their 1973 book Pigs in the Parlor: A Practical Guide to Deliverance is one of the most influential on the topic, and has sold over a million copies.
Controversy
This relatively modern movement within Christianity has been marked by some controversy. Some Christians argue that all people, including believers, can be in dwelt by demons, and others argue that only non-believers can be inhabited. Some have labelled deliverance ministry a departure from orthodoxy and a hurdle to spiritual growth, whilst others have seen it as supported by the Bible and an aid to Christian Sanctification.