EFC Doctrinal Position on Exorcism

Another project in the "Christus Victor" course involved an investigation of the doctrinal position of my denomination on the topics of exorcism, Satanism, and witchcraft.  This is the outcome of the investigation. It is very preliminary, but I am already encouraged to learn what God has done in EFC and through EFC. I am looking forward to God's gracious working upon the body of Christ in our own local congregation. My desire is to see people would not only be amazed of Jesus' "authority and power" (Luke 4:36) but worship Him for who He is!

********

Evangelical Formosan Church (EFC) is a denomination that began forty years ago with a vision to reach the Taiwanese-speaking immigrant community in the United States with the gospel, as Formosa is one of the traditional English names for Taiwan.  As an evangelical denomination, the church places a strong emphasis on the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ both locally and globally. Today, EFC congregations exist in many cities around the United States and Canada, as well as in Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, and Costa Rica, all seeking to share the love of God with their communities in Mandarin, Taiwanese, and/or English.

The denomination considers itself not to be a charismatic church but is open to the use of charismatic gifts. The Faith and Order of the denomination 台福基督教會信仰法規實踐 （http://www.efcga.org/Docs/Download/FaithandOrder3.pdf) does not have official statements on Satanism witchcraft, etc., but exorcism is mentioned twice, though very briefly, in the section “Concerning the Ministry of Healing 關於醫治事奉” under “Church and the Gifts of the Spirit 教會與靈恩” (page 65-70).  Other sections of "Church and the Gifts of the Spirit 教會與靈恩" contain guidelines on how to avoid conflicts in the church when using three charismatic gifts that might otherwise bring controversy: prophecy/word of knowledge/ word of wisdom, healing, and tongue-speaking.

Under “Ministry of Healing is Jesus’ Command 醫治事奉是耶穌的吩咐”, it states that healing was one of the important aspects of Jesus’ ministry on earth. He taught people, proclaimed the good news of the kingdom, and healed every disease and sickness (Matt 9:35). Jesus then gave the authority to the disciples to heal and to drive out demons so that the disciples would do the same (Matt 10:1). Since EFC church obeys the great commission of Jesus, making disciples of all nations, we should participate in His ministry, and in obedience to His will and command, we should evangelize, teach, pray for the sick, and drive out the unclean spirits. Under “Minister in love and in team 在愛及團隊中來服事”, “driving out the unclean spirits 趕逐邪靈” is grouped together with physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, and relational healing.

The practice of each individual church also reflects the diversity of views within the denomination regarding the issues of healing and exorcism. Some churches have a form of healing ministry that involves occasional pastoral prayers during worship. Some churches invite special speakers for a healing seminar once every few years. There may also be churches led by pastors who believe in the cessation of the spiritual gifts. The denomination has no official exorcist, and public exorcism is unheard of.

One of founders of EFC is Rev. Dr. Felix Liu, who is currently the president of Logos Evangelical Seminary (http://www.les.edu/big5/index.asp), the flagship (and only) seminary of the denomination, holds a D. Min. from Fuller Theological Seminary. In the early 1980s, he was trained on church growth at Fuller and audited the Signs and Wonders course offered by John Wimber and C. Peter Wagner. He also visited the healing meeting at John Wimber’s Anaheim Vineyard Christian Fellowship.  He took courses from Dr. Charles Kraft on inner healing and spiritual warfare. Part of his doctoral dissertation, “The Relationship Between Forgiveness and Christian Holistic Healing in Biblical Study and Pastoral Ministry 從聖經的研究及實際牧會看饒恕及基督教全人醫治的關係”, was later published in Chinese. The book《主啊！我要痊癒》(published by 天道出版社 on July 7, 2011), discusses various aspects of holistic healing, including the theological basis and methodology of holistic healing. Exorcism is treated as an integral part of divine healing.  It stresses the importance of confession and forgiveness. The book contains a section on how to pray to drive out unclean spirits. It also records one example of exorcism on a seminarian by Dr. Liu.  Dr. Liu continues to spearhead training on holistic healing at the seminary.

In conclusion, though the practice of each church varies, EFC as a whole is considerably open to holistic healing and exorcism. This is unique and refreshing among conservative evangelical denominations. Rev. Dr. Liu’s research, ministry, and teaching have greatly blessed EFC and continued to influence other Chinese churches beyond EFC through a generation of ministers trained by Logos Evangelical Seminary. 

Movie Theology: Good vs Evil in Narnia and Potter

I just finished a summer intensive course called “Christus Victor.” One of the assignments from the professor was to watch two movies – how cool was that! One is from The Chronicles of Narnia series, and the other is from the Harry Potter series. Then I wrote a report to compare these movies with regard to their assessment of good and evil.  I also needed to see how the whole subject of witches, warlocks and witchcraft was treated. So I borrowed three DVDs:  The Chronicles of Narnia:  The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (referred to as Narnia below) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (I and II) (referred to as Deathly Hallows below) and enjoyed watching them with my family and friends, who gave me many insightful comments.

So here it is – the report. I want to put it out here for those of you who may be interested to do a night of movie theology with your children or friends.

There are quite a few similarities regarding good and evil in both films.

First, the major plot in both films reflects a dualism and centers around a conflict between good and evil.

Second, the major villain in the plot is the representative of evil, and this individual (the White Witch in Narnia and Voldemort in Deathly Hallows) are portrayed (at least initially) in ways that clearly reveal their evil and corrupt character – they are proud, arrogant, cruel, selfish, scheming, and, at the same time, inherently insecure because they are threatened by the existence of forces for good that they know could bring about their end.

Third, the major heroes in the plot are the representatives of good (the four Pevensie children in Narnia; Harry Potter and his friends in Deathly Hallows). Their characters are cast in terms that show them to be good, demonstrating kindness toward others and faithfulness to one another and to their mission to overcome evil, though, like humans, they have their flaws.  Initially, they appear weaker than the evil they confront, but they gain help and encouragement from others on the side of “good” who are stronger than they are (Aslan in Narnia and Dumbledor in Deathly Hallows).

Fourth, both films show that ultimate power does not reside in witchcraft, but in love. In Narnia, Aslan came to free the Narnians from the oppression of the White Witch. The Narnians were eventually freed, because he suffered and died in the place of Edmund.  In Deathly Hallows, Harry Potter is, in some way, more powerful than Voldemort because his mother’s love protected and preserved him.

Fifth, in both films, good triumphs in the end, partly as both major villains are “tricked” into playing a role in their own demise.  In Narnia, the White Witch put Aslan to death thinking she had triumphed but did not realize that, in doing so, she brought about the destruction of the Stone Table and the reversal of death itself; in Deathly Hallows, Voldemort killed Harry Potter and thought he had triumphed but did not realize that, in doing so, he destroyed part of his own soul that resided inside of Harry Potter.

Of course, the differences between Narnia and Deathly Hallows are also very apparent.

First, Narnia portrays the concept of the transcendent. The Emperor-beyond-the-Sea, who created Narnia and sent Aslan, is the representative of the transcendent.  Deathly Hallows has no representative of the transcendent.  Everything and every character are about us, this life, here and now.

Second, in Narnia, the standards of good and evil (right and wrong) are built into the very nature of the world in which the story is set (these standards are referred to as the deep magic; these were also established by the Emperor-beyond-the-Sea). In Deathly Hallows, it is not apparent that a clear standard exists to define good and evil.

Third, in Narnia, the only witch is the major villain, the White Witch.  Her witchcraft is despised and feared. It is only employed by the White Witch for evil purposes. In Deathly Hallows, witches are a type of being (similar to ordinary humans in many ways) who can be either good or bad, just as the non-magical humans (Muggles). Witchcraft/sorcery is viewed as a neutral force that can be used either for good or evil and is utilized by essentially everybody in the wizard community.

In conclusion, the Narnia series reflects the Judeo-Christian worldview of C. S. Lewis, whereas the Harry Potter series is perhaps more a reflection of a postmodern worldview.  Even though postmodern culture rejects the existence of an absolute standard of good and evil, and many people today have given up belief in a transcendent God, the success of stories in the fantasy genre, including The Lord of the Rings, the Harry Potter series, and Narnia, remind us that there is definitely a place for Christocentric fantasy films such as Narnia to speak to today’s society to communicate biblical truths in a culturally relevant manner.

新年更新 Renewal in the New Year（1）

在年終歲首的時刻，回想過去的一年，難免有遺憾，傷心，悔恨；展望新的一年，心中有不免忐忑不安：新的一年真的會有更好嗎？身體會更健康嗎？關係會更和睦嗎？工作、學業會更順利嗎？社會會更和諧嗎？世界會更有和平嗎？

 作為神的兒女，我們知道，這些答案不能從我們本身來找，不能從人類本身來找。答案在上帝。世界無論如何變化，最終要成就上帝的旨意。上帝對世界，人類，祂所有創造的旨意，便成了我們今天生命的指南針，也是我們帶著盼望面對2013年的真實的基礎！

 上帝對世界，人類，祂所有創造的最終的旨意是甚麼？

 使徒約翰曾看到異象，聽到上帝的宣告：

 那位坐在寶座上的說：“看哪，我把一切都更新了！”祂又說：“你要寫下來，因為這些話是可信靠的，是真實的。” （啓21:5）

上帝要讓我們可以肯定，無論我們看到多少邪惡，多少苦難，我們的努力多麼無助於事，祂要將“一切都更新”！ 這是祂對這個世界、人類最終的心意，在永恆中的心意。

 而且祂的話語“是可靠的，是真實的”！ 儘管歷史反反復復，人類抗拒反叛， 上帝的旨意不能因著人類的反叛而改變。 作為這位信實而大有能力的上帝所愛的兒女，我們因此可以對2013年有信心，我們可以昂首迎接新年！

上帝要更新甚麼？答案在從啓示錄22:1-4。親愛的朋友，你要不要思考一下，我們下次再談。