"The epileptic demoniac"

[Olddad]

The symptoms of the boy with the evil spirit in Mark 9:14-29 is so like epilepsy that it is hard to see it in any other way. How do modern Christians interpret this boy's condition?

[scourge39]

The symptoms of the boy with the evil spirit in Mark 9:14-29 is so like epilepsy that it is hard to see it in any other way. How do modern Christians interpret this boy's condition?

He might've been suffering from epilepsy that was caused by a demon.

[*Hope*]

Epilepsy does not equal Evil Spirit.
Evil Spirit does not equal Epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition which causes convulsions (ranging from very mild, to severe). An evil spirit can cause convulsions, however we must be very careful not to attribute diseases and disorders to evil spirits or sin. Remember when Christ was asked why a boy was blind and whether sin had caused it. He said neither, but so that God could be glorified.

How does a modern Christian interpret this verse? We believe what the Scripture says, that he was attacked by an evil spirit :)

[tango]

The symptoms of the boy with the evil spirit in Mark 9:14-29 is so like epilepsy that it is hard to see it in any other way. How do modern Christians interpret this boy's condition?

Sometimes spiritual things manifest themselves in very similar ways to physical things. In the case you mentioned the boy had an evil spirit and displayed symptoms similar to epilepsy.

In other cases people hear God talking to them, or indeed hear evil spirits talking to them. This is very similar to one of the symptoms of schizophrenia.

There's nothing wrong with looking at modern medical progress and likening it to Biblical situations, but we have to be careful not to ignore the fact that symptoms we can describe aren't caused by something deeper. If something doesn't respond to medicine but does respond to exorcism then we know what the problem is.

[Sold Out]

The symptoms of the boy with the evil spirit in Mark 9:14-29 is so like epilepsy that it is hard to see it in any other way. How do modern Christians interpret this boy's condition?

You can take the same logic and put it in reverse (as Scourge39 did).

I think Satan & his imps don't get enough credit as a cause of diseases & mental conditions.

[apothanein kerdos]

Epilepsy does not equal Evil Spirit.
Evil Spirit does not equal Epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition which causes convulsions (ranging from very mild, to severe). An evil spirit can cause convulsions, however we must be very careful not to attribute diseases and disorders to evil spirits or sin. Remember when Christ was asked why a boy was blind and whether sin had caused it. He said neither, but so that God could be glorified.

How does a modern Christian interpret this verse? We believe what the Scripture says, that he was attacked by an evil spirit :)


I think this is the best way of looking at it. For one thing, he shows symptoms of it, but it doesn't mean he had it. Notice that when the boy saw Jesus, he immediately fell to the ground and began to convulse. Epilepsy is "random" in that only certain things can trigger it. If there were a purely natural explanation, then why the immediate reaction to Jesus?

[Nyoka]

Olddad This boy does seem to have symptoms of epilepsy but many types of convulsive attacks can be like epilepsy too. Weather this was or wasn't doesn't really matter as the bible said that it was caused by a demon. Please don't judge who is demon possessed and who isn't based on one piece of scripture. I am epileptic and I have suffered from being called demonically oppressed by a lot of Christians for some years now.

I was born with epilepsy as it is inherited from my fathers side and my mother hemorrhaged when she was carrying me - the hemorrhage triggered it. I have been on medication since I was very little. When I became a Christian, and many many times after, well meaning Christians tried to exorcise the demons from me and nothing happened. Medication is the ONLY thing that controls my attacks so I do not believe my attacks are from demon possession. We as believers need to realize that not every illness, disease or trouble is from satan and satanic attacks. Some of it 'just is' because we live in an imperfect world in an imperfect state.I am tired of having to defend myself each time I am accused of being demon possessed. I am tired of church groups who will have nothing to do with me because I won't let them carry out an exorcism on me.

Sorry for ranting but having epilepsy I have lived this and sometimes it gets me.

[Olddad]

Olddad This boy does seem to have symptoms of epilepsy but many types of convulsive attacks can be like epilepsy too. Weather this was or wasn't doesn't really matter as the bible said that it was caused by a demon. Please don't judge who is demon possessed and who isn't based on one piece of scripture. I am epileptic and I have suffered from being called demonically oppressed by a lot of Christians for some years now.

I was born with epilepsy as it is inherited from my fathers side and my mother hemorrhaged when she was carrying me - the hemorrhage triggered it. I have been on medication since I was very little. When I became a Christian, and many many times after, well meaning Christians tried to exorcise the demons from me and nothing happened. Medication is the ONLY thing that controls my attacks so I do not believe my attacks are from demon possession. We as believers need to realize that not every illness, disease or trouble is from satan and satanic attacks. Some of it 'just is' because we live in an imperfect world in an imperfect state.I am tired of having to defend myself each time I am accused of being demon possessed. I am tired of church groups who will have nothing to do with me because I won't let them carry out an exorcism on me.

Sorry for ranting but having epilepsy I have lived this and sometimes it gets me.

Dear Nyoka,

I support your posting wholeheartedly. It demonstrates why responsible Christians should reject a simple-minded belief in evil spirits. There are clear medical explanations and effective treatments for the symptoms that were once attributed to demon possession. This superstition has caused you and others a lot of unnecessary suffering. It is time to cast it aside.

[apothanein kerdos]

Dear Nyoka,

I support your posting wholeheartedly. It demonstrates why responsible Christians should reject a simple-minded belief in evil spirits. There are clear medical explanations and effective treatments for the symptoms that were once attributed to demon possession. This superstition has caused you and others a lot of unnecessary suffering. It is time to cast it aside.

:rolleyes:

Except there is no way to prove that the boy had epilepsy. As I succinctly showed, he has other attributes that would rule out epilepsy.

Just because a horse looks like a donkey doesn't mean I'm going to get a cavalry full of donkeys.

[Reynolds357]

The symptoms of the boy with the evil spirit in Mark 9:14-29 is so like epilepsy that it is hard to see it in any other way. How do modern Christians interpret this boy's condition?
Epilepsy caaused by a demonic spirit.

[VerticalReality]

It was a physical issue caused by a demonic spirit. It happened then, and it still happens today.

[Olddad]

I have noted the flurry of postings to defend the idea of demon possession. If Christians interpret Mark 9:14-29 and other passages literally I would implore them to remember the following facts:


There are effective treatments for epilepsy. Please don't use this text to accuse epileptics of demon possession.
There are effective treatments for most mental illnesses. Please don't accuse the mentally ill of demon possession.
Tourette's Syndrome is a medical condition. Please don't accuse someone with this condition of demon possession.
If anyone has symptoms that you would associate with demon possession, please don't rely on your own private reading of the New Testament. Seek a qualified medical opinion.


These actions will at least control and reduce any harm done by a belief in evil spirits.

[Tanya~]

This thread has run its course and for that reason it is being closed.