What is an Absalom spirit?
The existence of a “spirit of Absalom,” or an “Absalom spirit,” is a concept tied to certain views of demonic oppression. In some versions of the Charismatic faith, demons are considered to be the cause of almost every malady, particularly spiritual ones. So-called deliverance ministries claim the ability to exorcise those evil spirits, thereby removing…
Is it possible to sell your soul to the devil?
In the fanciful tale of Dr. Faustus, a man makes a deal with the devil: in exchange for his body and soul, the man is to receive supernatural power and pleasures for 24 years. The devil agrees to the trade, and Dr. Faustus enjoys the pleasures of sin for a season, but his doom is…
Who or what is Metatron?
Metatron is a mythical angel mentioned in some Jewish writings. One version of the myth says that Metatron was created by God as a high-level angel with many responsibilities. A second myth claims that Metatron was originally a human named Enoch, a man who ascended to heaven a few times and was eventually transformed into…
Are there descendants of the Nephilim in the world today?
There is much mystery surrounding the Nephilim. Most of the information about them comes from Genesis 6:4: “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.” Almost everything about…
Who were the Rephaim?
There are several passages in the Old Testament that speak of the Rephaim (or Rephaites), and the context describes them as giants. The name of these people literally means “terrible ones.” The Hebrew word Rephaim has two distinct meanings: first, in poetic literature it refers to departed spirits whose dwelling place was Sheol. It is…
Is there an angel named Gadreel?
There is no angel named Gadreel in the Bible. The idea of an angel named Gadreel comes from the mythical and apocryphal Book of Enoch. Much of the content of the Book of Enoch deals with angelology and demonology, and a large portion of the book is devoted to filling in the backstory of Genesis…
What is a Delilah spirit?
A “Delilah spirit,” or “a spirit of Delilah,” is a concept held in some versions of the Charismatic faith. Applying a thin veneer of Scripture and engaging in enormous amounts of speculation, those who believe in so-called deliverance ministries may point to a “Delilah spirit” as the cause of a host of specific ill effects.…
Is there an archangel (or angel) named Uriel?
Archangels are created beings that appear to be the leaders of other angels and creatures in the heavens. The canonical Bible, the one read by most Christians and Protestants, names only one archangel: Michael (Revelation 12:7). Many scholars suggest that Lucifer was also an archangel before being thrown out of heaven (Ezekiel 28: 17). Uriel…
Can a Christian today perform an exorcism?
Exorcism (commanding demons to leave other people) was practiced by various people in the Gospels and the Book of Acts—the disciples as part of Christ’s instructions (Matthew 10); others using Christ’s name (Mark 9:38); the children of the Pharisees (Luke 11:18-19); Paul (Acts 16); and certain exorcists (Acts 19:11-16). It appears that the purpose of…
What are marine spirits?
Marine spirits is a phrase used in some expressions of the Charismatic faith, and it’s associated with beliefs related to demonic oppression and possession. So-called deliverance ministries may seek to exorcise “marine spirits” and other types of evil spirits about which they speculate. In most cases, marine spirit is meant as a generic term rather…