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.