Re: [TruthTalk] Adam - sin - and the rest of us

[Judy Taylor]

On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 00:49:49 -0400 "Debbie Sawczak" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: I am thinking that a one-to-one association between demonic activity and conditions affecting certain parts of the brain is a mistake.   Where these conditions can be adequately explained by observable physical imbalances, malfunctions, damage, or whatever, why would one ascribe them, as a category, to demons?   jt: Probably because demons are the ones who carry out the curse and these types of conditions certainly can not be called a blessing whether or not we are able to observe them.   I have no doubt that such physical dysfunction or damage can be initiated by demons, but must it be in every case of the disorder, or even in most cases? That is, if some cases of schizophrenia are actually demonic possession or oppression, must that be typical?   jt: The consistency is in that we call these conditions dis-ease and they are exactly that causing disruption in the life of the victim and those around them.   Demons can probably cause eczema and bowel cancer too. As for healings, God can heal any condition miraculously, but his doing so (no matter the words of the prayer) is not in itself evidence that the condition was caused by demons, even though the healing has spiritual significance.   jt: Eczema, bowel cancer along with everything else is included in the curse of Deut 28, there are no exceptions.  When Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil I don't believe he was opposing God and getting things off people that God put on them.  He came with one Kingdom that is supposed to overthrow the other.      I think we should not be in haste to chalk stuff up to demons, nor to conclude that a mentally ill person has been spiritually weak or negligent, has been giving footholds to the devil, or needs to repent. It becomes a way of blaming the individual or casting aspersions on her spiritual integrity.   Blaming and pointing the finger indicates ignorance rather than the wisdom that comes from above.  However, we will receive nothing from God until we begin to see things as He sees them and call things what He calls them. He insists that we deal with these issues His way.  So long as we would rather hang on to ignorance and pride calling it God's blessing regardless - we've got it.  But look at the cost to families and societies.  In the US Medicine is huge, it's our largest business costs people a fortune with meager results, the only constancy is escalating cost.   It is also a way of denying that we are intrinsically physical beings. Though not reducible to chemicals and tissue, let's face it, if the chemicals or tissue are messed up, we are disabled to just that extent, whether it is colour blindness or PMS, diabetes or dementia, arthritis or bipolar disorder. Disability limits the choices open to us. What exactly is the extent to which it does so in each case? We don't know. Not knowing, we believe the best of people.  Debbie   jt: We don't know unless we are the one who is disabled Debbie and the fruit of disability is never ever love, joy, and peace.  Why are we too proud to reach out as like the woman with the issue of blood and "touch the hem of his garment"?  Being demonized is being victimized.   From: ShieldsFamily   It would be impossible for anyone with Alzheimer’s or severe dementia to do anything like acknowledge responsibility or repent.  One of our pastors is a youngish (mid 40’s?) man who has Parkinson’s.  It doesn’t affect one mentally.  izzy   From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Judy Taylor Sent: Monday, August 22, 2005 7:59 AM To: truthtalk@mail.innglory.org Subject: [TruthTalk] Adam - sin - and the rest of us   At Pleasant Valley they are successful when they find the spiritual root or the reason for the curse to be there - followed by the victim acknowleding, taking responsibility, and repenting before the Lord.  Deliverance and freedom are then easy and for something like Alzheimers they would pray for a creative miracle to restore brain tissue.  I don't know that they pray for these as yet though because when I was there they were still doing research on Parkinson's, Alzheimers etc.  A cousin of my husband just died from a stem cell disorder which is a lot like these two and is called Supra Nuclear Palsy - have you heard of it Izzy?   From: "David Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Izzy wrote: > Would you expect such success in casting out > demons in cases of Alzheimer's, where there is > atrophied brain tissue?   I've never thought of Alzheimer's being caused by evil spirits.  In Alzheimer's there is definite organic destruction of brain tissue.  I suppose it could be caused by an evil spirit.  I've just never thought of it that way.  I've looked at it as an aging process gone awry, and would categorize it more with stroke victims than bipolar / schizophrenia. Obviously, my faith might tend to fall short in this scenario due to my lack of knowledge.  I would approach this more as a healing situation than a need for deliverance, but I'm teachable if this is not the case.   Peace be with you. David Miller.   ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man."  (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org   If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed.  If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.