Psychology

The Bible is rife with accounts of supernatural activity. One can read about encounters with demons, along with angelic host. Scripture clearly promotes the idea that there is a God and angelic beings, and conversely, Lucifer and demonic beings. Many argue that modern psychology has done away with the demonic. Can we really believe demons exist? Are the accounts in the Bible accurate that describe people being possessed and under the control of dark spiritual forces? Were the writers just attempting to make sense out of what they experienced? Could these accounts be describing people with psychosis rather than possession? Is belief in the demonic akin to believing in fire-breathing dragons, elves, and unicorns?

Only meager amounts of information can be found on this topic. There is a lack of credible evidence put forth against demonic possession, we instead simply find  musings that mental illness must surely account for what has been labeled as the activity of demons. Why must this be the case? Is there any evidence to the contrary? Having an extensive background in both Psychology and Theology I feel somewhat qualified to put forth some thoughts about this issue.

It is certainly understandable that demonic possession could be confused with psychosis, especially the more severe schizophrenia. Often, psychotic episodes are religious in nature. I have had dealings with people experiencing delusions of grandeur who believe they are Jesus Christ. I have also worked with people that claim they see demons and angels or have communicated with such beings. It is tempting to read the accounts in scripture of demonic activity through modern eyes and attempt to psychologize the text, but we do so to our detriment.

First, we must lay the groundwork and understand what psychosis is. It is a break from reality where the individual has a distorted picture of what is real and lacks the ability to ground himself with an accurate picture of his world. When we examine the DSM-IV’s (Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria for schizophrenia we find that the following symptoms may be present:

• Delusions – A false belief based on incorrect inference about external reality that is firmly sustained despite what almost everyone else believes and despite what constitutes incontrovertible and obvious proof or evidence to the contrary
• Hallucinations – False or distorted sensory experiences that appear to be real perceptions. These sensory impressions are generated by the mind rather than by any external stimuli, and may be seen, heard, felt, and even smelled or tasted.
• Disorganized speech – Language may be difficult to understand. Ideas presented may be incoherent. The person may switch quickly between unrelated topics. The person may be long winded or have difficulty reaching a conclusion. Some may use made up words.
• Disorganized behavior – This could range from child-like silliness to unpredictable agitation.  There could be a problem the tasks of daily living or maintenance of hygiene.  The person may be inappropriate, unpredictable, or easily agitated.
• Catatonic behavior – A marked decrease in reactivity to the environment, sometimes reaching an extreme degree of complete unawareness, maintaining a rigid posture and resisting efforts to be moved, active resistance to instructions, bizarre postures, or purposeless and unstimulated motor activity.
• Social or Occupational Dysfunction – There is a failure to achieve interpersonal, occupational or educational achievement that is within the grasp of the person. Interpersonal relationships and self care often experience decline.

Now that we have a general idea of some of the symptoms of psychosis, we must examine biblical accounts of possession and see if they coincide with a psychotic break. We will also do well to notice how the text attempts to distinguish between the two in its descriptions.

First, let’s focus our attention to passages like Matthew 4:24, “Then the news about Him spread throughout Syria. So they brought to Him all those who were afflicted, those suffering from various diseases and intense pains, the demon-possessed, the epileptics, and the paralytics.” Here a distinction is made between disease and possession. Psychosis is a neurological problem rooted in biology. Though the exact cause of psychosis is unknown, many believe there may be certain genetic factors that predispose one to psychosis along with biological risk factors that may contribute to the onset of the disorder. There is obviously a problem with certain levels or interactions of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, that are part of the problem. We also notice in this passage that epilepsy is contrasted with demonic possession as well. Why would the writers not mistake this as the work of demons?

We find a psychotic disorder present in Daniel 4. This passage is told in first person by Nebuchadnezzar, king of ancient Babylon. He experiences a psychotic break and believes himself to be an ox. He lives outdoors and behaves like a wild animal. He eats grass and his hair and nails grow long. This is a psychological disorder that has been documented in modern times and still occurs today. It is called boanthropy, and the person who experiences this disorder believes they are a cow and act accordingly. Some people are deluded into believing they are wolves and this is known as lycanthropy. Many believe that the legend of werewolves arose from people experiencing lycanthropy. The symptoms that King Nebuchadnezzar exhibits very much indicate that psychosis is present. A delusion is active, disorganized behavior is noticeable, and social and interpersonal dysfunction are implied. He was relieved of his position temporarily and lived in the fields. Here we see no appeal to label his symptoms or behaviors to the credit of demons.

When we examine the interactions of Jesus with those possessed, such accounts as can be found in Matthew 8, Mark 5, and Luke 4, we find information that one would consider as aberrant with a psychotic disorder. During the interactions Jesus has with those possessed there does not seem to be any disorganized speech or problems communicating. We find that the demoniacs are rational in their interactions with Christ. This does not seem to line up with psychosis.

It is interesting that the ones experiencing demonic possession have direct knowledge of who Christ is, and it coincides with who Christ claimed to be. They also exhibit special knowledge and superhuman strength, which would coincide with supernatural activity being present.

We also notice in the account of the man possessed by many demons in Matthew 8, Mark 5, and Luke 8, that when the demons are exorcised they are transferred to pigs, which in turn behavior erratically, run into the sea and drown themselves. Psychosis would not be considered transferable in such a manner. We can note that the pigs act in the same self destructive way as the man did while he was possessed. Would any modern mind be tempted to say that these pigs were schizophrenics? Hardly!

If one does deny that these accounts in scripture are the result of the demonic and ascribe them to diseases of the mind, one still has to account for the fact that Jesus heals them. Or should we now ascribe Jesus as being brilliant in psychiatry?

I would also like to posit experiential evidence, as well, that these accounts are accurate, and that a distinction can be made between psychosis and the demonic. I spent a considerable amount of time working in a psychiatric hospital. I encountered vast amounts of psychosis. Some of the individuals I worked with experienced spiritual delusions and hallucinations. Majority of the time it was simply psychosis. Yet, on few occasions  I met individuals that raised an awareness within me that something was  present that naturalistic explanations could not account for.

A close examination of the text leaves no room for skepticism about spiritual agents at work. The explicit testimony of scripture is that spiritual beings do exist. When read the accounts of these beings at work in the Bible, and we can see distinctions made between illness and demonic activity.

We would do well to pay attention to these distinctions. Many Christians today see demonic presence where it is not. They see the demons behind depression, psychotic disorders,  substances abuse, etc. They find demons hiding behind every door and under every rock. We must have a correct understanding between mental health and spiritual activity. We should seek a correct understanding of reality by not attributing to the work of demons that which we do not understand, but neither using psychology to account for things we also do not fully understand. C.S. Lewis gives us a proper perspective when finding this balance. “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors.” We mustn’t ignore the existence of demons, but we err when we see them hiding in every alley way.

Walk good. Love wise. Be blessed.
Josh

Have any thoughts? I would very much be interested in hearing them!