The Demonologist
This page is to elucidate exactly what a Demonologist is as there are a few misconceptions about them in circulation. This is due, in part, to our Western mindset and post-modern influences. Post-modernism replaces truth with relative truth, dissolving the lines separating what is true from what is false and what is real from what’s not real. In essence, reality is constructed by personal reality. This reinterpretation of reality has, unfortunately, infiltrated evangelical churches throughout America, dismissing various religious truths which explain everything for everybody. American Christianity is far less acquainted with demonology and authentic spiritual warfare than was the Body of Christ during any other period in Church history.
Having been a part of the evangelical community for over thirty-five years, I am familiar with the reaction of others when one mentions demonology, more specifically, the function of a demonologist. The bewildered look on their faces implies that the vast majority of church attendees or American Christians have never directly encountered the enemy of God and humanity. They have not personally experienced this horrific dimension of the spirit world. Given the Christian context, their reality is a double-edged sword.
Many believe that one’s faith makes one safe from the demonic. This is a faulty generalization and if one were truly effective in the ministries to which one they were called, they, too, would not be a stranger to authentic spiritual warfare. It may sound as if I am being harsh but that is not my intention as I am only sharing Biblical truth. It is also
difficult for our Western minds to dismiss the materialist/naturalistic worldview that prevents our grasping such a spiritual reality; thus, giving only mental accent or lip service to the invisible war that surrounds us. God’s mercy apparently extends quite far for many, and, for that, I am thankful.
Very few are called into this ministry, and, more often than not, against their will. Several times I have tried to remove myself from this field. There are only two offices mentioned in the New Testament and a Biblical Demonologist is not one of them. God is raising them up, as very, very few pastors are involved in the work. The desire to be a demonologist is extremely problematic. Desiring to be a minister is one thing and desiring to be a demonologist is another thing altogether.
The late Malachi Martin once said that close contact with the opposite of humanness, causes something to die within oneself. Some part of one’s humanness will wither from such close contact and it is rarely, if ever, revitalized. When you take that into consideration, I cannot help but to believe that rational thinking will preclude one wanting to interact with pure evil, risking both their sanity and physical life. This is a field that only God is in control of from the beginning to end, leaving no room for those who desire this ministry regardless of motive. Oddly, and I speak from experience, that part of you that dies cries for the rest of you to die with it.
The term demonologist often conjures up the thought of summoning demons, and understandably so, as there are different types of demonologists. The Biblical demonologist, however, studies demons from a theological standpoint - not a magical one. He studies how mankind is affected by them and intercedes on the behalf of those influenced or held captive by them. A religious demonologist systematically studies demons and devils and beliefs about the same, their powers, limitations, origins, reason for existence, etc. It is the branch of theology relating to those beings that occupy the demonic realm of the spirit world. In stark contrast to the occult demonologist’s intent and purpose, a religious demonology studies for the exclusive purpose of elimination.
How does one become a demonologist? In today’s world one can easily purchase his or her ordination into the ministry without regard to moral, spiritual, and educational qualifications or the local church’s examination process and approval. One can also purchase bogus degrees on the internet. With any of the foregoing, a person can present oneself as something or someone he or she is not. The same holds true for the title “Demonologist.” The paranormal community is inundated with those who have read a couple of books and/or who have not been mentored by someone knowledgeable and experienced in the field, who called themselves demonologists. The self-appointed
pose a grave danger not only to themselves, but also to those being helped. The Roman Catholic Church requires that a demonologist be appointed by the church.
One must be a born-again Christian, indwelt by the Holy Spirit and called by God. This also holds true for those functioning along with the demonologist. In this field, there are no bystanders or curious onlookers. One must have the support and understanding of family members as they, too, will be attacked. Not only will you be attacked, you will also be followed home. Be wary of diabolical confusion also as this is almost a constant. These attacks and confusion are attempts to dissuade you from interceding on the behalf of others and meddling in the affairs of the demonic.
You must have special protection and intervention by God. Adam Blai, a well-known Catholic Demonologist, states, “You must have special supernatural protection and intervention from God in order to survive, remain sane, and be effective in religious demonology. It is not the human person or the priest who drives a demon from a person's home or body. It is not the human will that makes a demon stop throwing objects around the room or causing horrible thoughts and pains in the people there. There is no personal power or authority in humans: all intervention, protection, and authority come from God on a moment-by-moment basis.” This is not a field for someone to place themselves into of their own accord nor is it for the fainthearted or weak-minded. This spiritual reality will turn your world upside down and attempt to destroy you.
One should ideally have a sanctioning church although that is not a reality for all Christian demonologists. God can arrange a relationship between a demonologist and a sanctioning church even if that means the sanctioning authority lies outside one’s denomination. This support and backing is of utmost importance. Ideally, one should be trained by a pastor in demonology, spiritual warfare, counseling and certain other subjects. One can, however, be trained and mentored by another demonologist. Being mentored is an absolute must whether the mentor is a pastor or a lay demonologist. One cannot read books or watch movies and expect to survive in the field or to retain his sanity.
There must also be doors that have been opened by God along with opportunities and relationships, evidencing God’s orchestration. This is a calling – not a hobby - a lifestyle you cannot easily get out of. Does being called by God to be a demonologist make one special? No, no more than a pastor, missionary, evangelist, deacon, Sunday school teacher or janitor – we are all the same within the Body of Christ; with different gifts and callings. The demonologist must be humble in his calling.
You may already be asking yourself what are my credentials and that is a fair question. I have studied demonology prior to and subsequent to seminary where I studied systematic theology. In addition to studying demonology, I study Satanology, angelology, the New Age Movement and related subjects and keep abreast of world events and trends. I have been mentored in the past by a religious demonologist with the International Society of Biblical Demonologists, headquartered in Israel, and am presently mentored by another demonologist. My experience and continued work in the field and having been certified as a Demonologist by the Center for Research and Investigative Studies and New
Life Ministry Church (Ohio and Michigan Division). Lastly but most importantly is my dependence upon and my faith in Jesus Christ.
What exactly does a Demonologist do? The functionality of the Biblical demonologist includes evaluating places or people entangled with demonic entities and assisting ordained ministers with religious intervention against these spirits, although the lack of clergy in this field has many demonologists working independently. A demonologist stops an infestation and performs the spiritual work needed to evict demons from a location although some only evaluate and refer. Some demonologists assist clergy in in exorcisms. Only the clergy within the Catholic Church can actually perform the exorcism itself although, biblically, a lay person or lay demonologist can do so should a situation warrant it, but I say that with much caution as not all believers are necessarily ready to do so.
Ideally an ordained minister should be performing exorcisms and deliverances on the Protestant side of the house as he has been set apart for God’s service and authorized by the church or religious organization to perform religious functions of which exorcisms and deliverances remain a part. Unfortunately many of today’s seminary graduates are ill-prepared as the topic of demonology is approached academically and then only briefly. In addition to one’s academic training, integrating a pragmatic approach to demonology will provide the seminarian or Bible College graduate skills into one’s pastorate, benefiting those entangled with the enemy.
I mentioned that either a lay person or demonologist can perform either an exorcism or deliverance should a situation warrant it. The Bible clearly teaches the priesthood of all believers. Each believer is an heir to the Kingdom of God. We are called kings and priests – a royal priesthood – and because of this special closeness with God, no other earthly mediator is necessary.
When Christ died the thick temple veil covering the doorway to the Holy of Holies was torn in two by God. With the passing of the dispensation of law, God revealed to the world that the Old Testament priesthood was no longer necessary as people could now come directly to God through the great High Priest – Jesus Christ. Each believer has
direct access to the throne of God through Jesus Christ (Heb. 4:14-16). Each of us who are walking hand in hand with the Lord can be a vessel through which Christ can expel a demon. It is important to remember that it is not us evicting the demon but rather Christ – Lord of the spirit world.
Without exception, a demonologist must be completely submitted to God and not afraid to die in God’s service, as death is a real possibility. Your fear of dying can and will be used against you by the demonic. As put by Adam Blai, the demons will know of your fear and you will be crushed by that fear. Demons possess the wisdom of the ages and know every weakness you possess. These weaknesses can and will be used against you without exception and in the most twisted ways imaginable.
The Demonologist’s life is usually a solitary one as those not involved have difficulty relating to him and to what he does. He often experiences periods of loneliness as he has few close friends. As an opponent of the demonic, his identity is known within the spirit realm, and he is pitted against that which possesses the intelligence of the ages bent upon his destruction. He is a target of the demonic by virtue of meddling in its affairs on behalf of the vulnerable. It is a lifestyle that permanently alters the landscape.
Being a demonologist is not a 9 to 5 calling. You are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as dealing with clients and inquiries is a huge part of the lifestyle. If you cannot take calls after a certain hour of the night, being a demonologist is not for you. Most activity takes place at night and you are the one that the client is putting his or her faith and trust in. You must be able to help them if they are terrified in the middle of the night, especially if something is scaring them or keeping them awake.
No called chooses the path of a demonologist. God will push one further down the path should he try to leave the field. There are many other areas of the paranormal to be involved in other than demonology. If God calls you, seek the mentorship of a Biblical demonologist.
Having been a part of the evangelical community for over thirty-five years, I am familiar with the reaction of others when one mentions demonology, more specifically, the function of a demonologist. The bewildered look on their faces implies that the vast majority of church attendees or American Christians have never directly encountered the enemy of God and humanity. They have not personally experienced this horrific dimension of the spirit world. Given the Christian context, their reality is a double-edged sword.
Many believe that one’s faith makes one safe from the demonic. This is a faulty generalization and if one were truly effective in the ministries to which one they were called, they, too, would not be a stranger to authentic spiritual warfare. It may sound as if I am being harsh but that is not my intention as I am only sharing Biblical truth. It is also
difficult for our Western minds to dismiss the materialist/naturalistic worldview that prevents our grasping such a spiritual reality; thus, giving only mental accent or lip service to the invisible war that surrounds us. God’s mercy apparently extends quite far for many, and, for that, I am thankful.
Very few are called into this ministry, and, more often than not, against their will. Several times I have tried to remove myself from this field. There are only two offices mentioned in the New Testament and a Biblical Demonologist is not one of them. God is raising them up, as very, very few pastors are involved in the work. The desire to be a demonologist is extremely problematic. Desiring to be a minister is one thing and desiring to be a demonologist is another thing altogether.
The late Malachi Martin once said that close contact with the opposite of humanness, causes something to die within oneself. Some part of one’s humanness will wither from such close contact and it is rarely, if ever, revitalized. When you take that into consideration, I cannot help but to believe that rational thinking will preclude one wanting to interact with pure evil, risking both their sanity and physical life. This is a field that only God is in control of from the beginning to end, leaving no room for those who desire this ministry regardless of motive. Oddly, and I speak from experience, that part of you that dies cries for the rest of you to die with it.
The term demonologist often conjures up the thought of summoning demons, and understandably so, as there are different types of demonologists. The Biblical demonologist, however, studies demons from a theological standpoint - not a magical one. He studies how mankind is affected by them and intercedes on the behalf of those influenced or held captive by them. A religious demonologist systematically studies demons and devils and beliefs about the same, their powers, limitations, origins, reason for existence, etc. It is the branch of theology relating to those beings that occupy the demonic realm of the spirit world. In stark contrast to the occult demonologist’s intent and purpose, a religious demonology studies for the exclusive purpose of elimination.
How does one become a demonologist? In today’s world one can easily purchase his or her ordination into the ministry without regard to moral, spiritual, and educational qualifications or the local church’s examination process and approval. One can also purchase bogus degrees on the internet. With any of the foregoing, a person can present oneself as something or someone he or she is not. The same holds true for the title “Demonologist.” The paranormal community is inundated with those who have read a couple of books and/or who have not been mentored by someone knowledgeable and experienced in the field, who called themselves demonologists. The self-appointed
pose a grave danger not only to themselves, but also to those being helped. The Roman Catholic Church requires that a demonologist be appointed by the church.
One must be a born-again Christian, indwelt by the Holy Spirit and called by God. This also holds true for those functioning along with the demonologist. In this field, there are no bystanders or curious onlookers. One must have the support and understanding of family members as they, too, will be attacked. Not only will you be attacked, you will also be followed home. Be wary of diabolical confusion also as this is almost a constant. These attacks and confusion are attempts to dissuade you from interceding on the behalf of others and meddling in the affairs of the demonic.
You must have special protection and intervention by God. Adam Blai, a well-known Catholic Demonologist, states, “You must have special supernatural protection and intervention from God in order to survive, remain sane, and be effective in religious demonology. It is not the human person or the priest who drives a demon from a person's home or body. It is not the human will that makes a demon stop throwing objects around the room or causing horrible thoughts and pains in the people there. There is no personal power or authority in humans: all intervention, protection, and authority come from God on a moment-by-moment basis.” This is not a field for someone to place themselves into of their own accord nor is it for the fainthearted or weak-minded. This spiritual reality will turn your world upside down and attempt to destroy you.
One should ideally have a sanctioning church although that is not a reality for all Christian demonologists. God can arrange a relationship between a demonologist and a sanctioning church even if that means the sanctioning authority lies outside one’s denomination. This support and backing is of utmost importance. Ideally, one should be trained by a pastor in demonology, spiritual warfare, counseling and certain other subjects. One can, however, be trained and mentored by another demonologist. Being mentored is an absolute must whether the mentor is a pastor or a lay demonologist. One cannot read books or watch movies and expect to survive in the field or to retain his sanity.
There must also be doors that have been opened by God along with opportunities and relationships, evidencing God’s orchestration. This is a calling – not a hobby - a lifestyle you cannot easily get out of. Does being called by God to be a demonologist make one special? No, no more than a pastor, missionary, evangelist, deacon, Sunday school teacher or janitor – we are all the same within the Body of Christ; with different gifts and callings. The demonologist must be humble in his calling.
You may already be asking yourself what are my credentials and that is a fair question. I have studied demonology prior to and subsequent to seminary where I studied systematic theology. In addition to studying demonology, I study Satanology, angelology, the New Age Movement and related subjects and keep abreast of world events and trends. I have been mentored in the past by a religious demonologist with the International Society of Biblical Demonologists, headquartered in Israel, and am presently mentored by another demonologist. My experience and continued work in the field and having been certified as a Demonologist by the Center for Research and Investigative Studies and New
Life Ministry Church (Ohio and Michigan Division). Lastly but most importantly is my dependence upon and my faith in Jesus Christ.
What exactly does a Demonologist do? The functionality of the Biblical demonologist includes evaluating places or people entangled with demonic entities and assisting ordained ministers with religious intervention against these spirits, although the lack of clergy in this field has many demonologists working independently. A demonologist stops an infestation and performs the spiritual work needed to evict demons from a location although some only evaluate and refer. Some demonologists assist clergy in in exorcisms. Only the clergy within the Catholic Church can actually perform the exorcism itself although, biblically, a lay person or lay demonologist can do so should a situation warrant it, but I say that with much caution as not all believers are necessarily ready to do so.
Ideally an ordained minister should be performing exorcisms and deliverances on the Protestant side of the house as he has been set apart for God’s service and authorized by the church or religious organization to perform religious functions of which exorcisms and deliverances remain a part. Unfortunately many of today’s seminary graduates are ill-prepared as the topic of demonology is approached academically and then only briefly. In addition to one’s academic training, integrating a pragmatic approach to demonology will provide the seminarian or Bible College graduate skills into one’s pastorate, benefiting those entangled with the enemy.
I mentioned that either a lay person or demonologist can perform either an exorcism or deliverance should a situation warrant it. The Bible clearly teaches the priesthood of all believers. Each believer is an heir to the Kingdom of God. We are called kings and priests – a royal priesthood – and because of this special closeness with God, no other earthly mediator is necessary.
When Christ died the thick temple veil covering the doorway to the Holy of Holies was torn in two by God. With the passing of the dispensation of law, God revealed to the world that the Old Testament priesthood was no longer necessary as people could now come directly to God through the great High Priest – Jesus Christ. Each believer has
direct access to the throne of God through Jesus Christ (Heb. 4:14-16). Each of us who are walking hand in hand with the Lord can be a vessel through which Christ can expel a demon. It is important to remember that it is not us evicting the demon but rather Christ – Lord of the spirit world.
Without exception, a demonologist must be completely submitted to God and not afraid to die in God’s service, as death is a real possibility. Your fear of dying can and will be used against you by the demonic. As put by Adam Blai, the demons will know of your fear and you will be crushed by that fear. Demons possess the wisdom of the ages and know every weakness you possess. These weaknesses can and will be used against you without exception and in the most twisted ways imaginable.
The Demonologist’s life is usually a solitary one as those not involved have difficulty relating to him and to what he does. He often experiences periods of loneliness as he has few close friends. As an opponent of the demonic, his identity is known within the spirit realm, and he is pitted against that which possesses the intelligence of the ages bent upon his destruction. He is a target of the demonic by virtue of meddling in its affairs on behalf of the vulnerable. It is a lifestyle that permanently alters the landscape.
Being a demonologist is not a 9 to 5 calling. You are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as dealing with clients and inquiries is a huge part of the lifestyle. If you cannot take calls after a certain hour of the night, being a demonologist is not for you. Most activity takes place at night and you are the one that the client is putting his or her faith and trust in. You must be able to help them if they are terrified in the middle of the night, especially if something is scaring them or keeping them awake.
No called chooses the path of a demonologist. God will push one further down the path should he try to leave the field. There are many other areas of the paranormal to be involved in other than demonology. If God calls you, seek the mentorship of a Biblical demonologist.
