Casting Out Demons

This is the second part of our study on demons. The Gospel records of Matthew, Mark and Luke are filled with stories of Jesus casting out demons. This is in contrast with the rest of the Bible where it is not mentioned. Richard joins Tim to discuss the history between the Testaments and why this should be. They then turn their attention to the parables of Jesus and show how he made the demon-idol connection in his parables and healings. As an example, we consider the case of the Gadarene demoniac Legion and how he reflected the nation of Israel.

The first part of our demon study is here https://essentialbiblestudies.podbean.com/e/demons-idols-and-superstition/

Key Verse:

“And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.” (Mark 5:15)

Outline:

Introduction

• Review of last podcast: the idol-demon connection
• But why the sudden demonology of the Synoptic Gospels?

A short history of the time between the testaments

Demon miracles as parables

• Jesus’ ministry of parables (Matt. 13:34-35; Mark 3:22-23)
• The parable of the seven evil spirits (Matt. 12:43-45) is about that “evil generation”
• The Gadarene demoniac as a parable of Israel (Mark 5)
  • Among the tombs eating swine’s flesh (Isa. 65:2-5)
  • Always in the mountains crying and cutting himself (1 Kings 18:28)
  • Bound with fetters and chains like Israel’s captivity (e.g. 2 Kings 25:7)
  • Pigs (unclean animal) drowned in the depths (Micah 7:19) and then sitting in his right mind (the final healing of Israel Zech 13:2)
• The language of casting out demons the same used of natural illness (Luke 4:35,38)

Conclusion - God is more powerful than demons

Cover Art:

Old Babylonian plaque showing seven demons and Lamashtu, a feared female demon.

https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010120468

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