Randy Alcorn talks about Hell and the misconception the demons will take pleasure in torturing humans there. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class, available at http://www.epm.org/store/product/eternity-101/
I recently hosted a book club for Safely Home. Most people really enjoyed it, and it seemed to give everyone a lot of food for thought on Heaven. But the one complaint I heard several times was the part about the Buddhist monk who appears to be demon possessed. People said they felt it was too forced and bizarre. Can you give any insight as to where that scene comes from? Randy, did you know of a particular event like this?
Deliverance Ministry:
A Consensus Statement from Pentecostal, Charismatic and Historic Evangelicals
The following paragraphs represent a sixth draft of a statement of principles developed by a diverse group of pastors and professors representing various evangelical traditions. I am the primary author of this document, but it has been developed with extensive interaction in the group. The group has taken the name Rogue Fellowship. Under the initiation of Doug Shearer, senior pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship of Sacramento, CA, we are unofficially representing a broad section of evangelical traditions to address various practices and beliefs in the churches. Our common burden is to address such contemporary church issues as demonic deliverance, political involvement, inner healing, modern day prophecy, worship styles, etc. One goal is to make statements where we all agree on both rights and wrongs in these areas. We intend to address issues and practices rather than specific groups. We are amazed to find how much agreement we can get on issues such as binding demons, an area where there are vast differences within the group.
How should a Christian respond to mental illness? How do you determine if there is demon possession or if it is genuine mental illness, in which case, the person is still acting in sinful ways based upon biological problems. Of course some mental illnesses are said to be chemical imbalances but I’m more curious about our response to severe mental illness. Also, closely related to mental illness is brain damage victims and a change in behavior as a result. How is the Christian community supposed to respond to sinful behavior that is a result of brain damage?
My good friend, seminary professor and theologian, Gerry Breshears, has written/compiled three different articles related to this subject. He has done extensive research and has firsthand experience in dealing with demon possession.
Model #1: Gospel Encounter
Model #2: Power Encounter
Model #3: Truth Encounter
Lord Foulgrin’s Letters weren’t meant to fall into our hands. But thanks to Randy Alcorn’s imagination, we have the opportunity to read the correspondence between Lord Foulgrin and Squaltaint, two of Satan’s demons. The object of these letters is a man named Jordan Fletcher. It’s Squaltaint’s duty to keep Fletcher out of the kingdom of God.
This book may sound similar to C. S. Lewis’ classic, Screwtape Letters, but there are significant differences. Alcorn creates an earthly setting in which we view the lives of the Fletcher family. Each earthly vignette is followed by one of Foulgrin’s letters in which he analyzes and strategizes with his underling, Squaltaint.
God gave Lucifer a capacity of true free choice which involved the possibility of sin. It is possible for a being with free choice—even living in a perfect environment and without having some exterior temptation, such as Satan provided for Adam and Eve in the garden—to make a choice contrary to God’s will.
I believe you are quite correct to say that you are hesitant to “invite darkness” by pursuing a perceived demon. This is an area of spirituality that no one should ever “pursue” out of curiosity.
As for righteous angels, I’ll never forget driving too fast as a teenager, looking down at something that distracted me, and then looking up to see all yellow in front of me.
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