exorcism
Definition
Exorcism (from Greek exorkizein, “to adjure, to cast out”) is the ritual expulsion of demons or unclean spirits from a person or place, in the name of a higher authority. In the New Testament Jesus drives out demons by his own word and authority (Matt. 8:16; Mark 1:25-27); he also grants this authority to his disciples (Luke 10:17-20). In this corpus exorcism is a secondary theme: George Warnock treats it through the “sons of Sceva” as a paradigm for authorized versus unauthorized expulsion; Watchman Nee places it within his soteriological framework of threefold deliverance.
Uses per Author
George Warnock
Warnock’s central biblical passage for exorcism is Acts 19:13-16: the seven sons of Sceva who attempt to drive out demons in the name of Jesus without themselves being recognized in the heavenly sphere. The demon responds: “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” Warnock uses this as a paradigm for the required authority:
“The sons of Sceva attempted to exorcize without being recognized for this in the heavenly sphere. The demon did not know them. True authority for exorcism is not a formula but a relationship — the demon recognizes those who are known by God in the heavenly registers.”
(Who Are You?, Chapter 5; Acts 19:13-16)
Warnock connects this with his broader thesis: Christ has stripped the principalities and powers of their armor (Col. 2:15). Exorcism for Warnock is the enforcement of an already-won victory, not the winning of a new one.
Watchman Nee & Witness Lee
Nee places exorcism within the framework of threefold deliverance: liberation from (1) sin, (2) the natural self, and (3) supernatural satanic power. Exorcism as demonic deliverance is for Nee the third dimension of God’s redemptive design:
“God’s intention is that through the new life He may deliver us from sin, from the natural, and from the supernatural — the satanic force of evil in the invisible realm. These three steps of deliverance are necessary; not one can be omitted. The Christian who limits salvation to the overcoming of sin falls far short of God’s purpose.”
(The Spiritual Man, Second Preface)
Nee emphasizes that exorcism requires discernment: not every supernatural phenomenon is to be resisted, but neither is any to be accepted uncritically. Scripture is the criterion.