What Does the CRC Teach About Demonic Possession?

What does the Christian Reformed Church teach about demonic possession? Does the CRC in general believe in exorcism?

One of the councils of Synod 2009, in response to study reports on Third Wave Pentecostalism, said: “Acknowledge the reality of the believer’s warfare against his or her sinful nature, temptations of the world, and demonic powers. With discernment and caution, be willing to engage in scripturally sound deliverance ministry against demonic powers in the authority and name of Jesus Christ” (crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/position-statements/pentecostalism).

Therefore, in answer to your question, yes, the Christian Reformed Church believes in the possibility of demonic attacks and conducting exorcisms, but it sounds a note of caution and discernment in both. Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, the CRC does not have a formal rite for exorcisms.

We need to avoid either extremes of, on one hand, denying the existence of demons altogether and, on the other hand, too quickly blaming demonic activity for any sinful or even mental health issues. We need, therefore, to be cautiously discerning whether something is truly demonic or not.

There is debate about whether demons can possess true Christians or merely oppress them, citing the Holy Spirit’s presence in the believer as preventing full demonic possession. Without going into the theological weeds of this debate, either still requires some form of spiritual deliverance.

In general, the Reformed tradition emphasizes the broader framework of spiritual warfare against “the devil, the world and our own flesh” (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 127), and places the works of deliverance and exorcisms in that broader context. Our emphasis falls on the power of the gospel, of scriptural truth, of prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit to empower believers through spiritual warfare. We must remember that Christ has already defeated Satan and will triumph fully at the second coming. We battle, so to speak, with confidence for ultimate spiritual victory.

John Algera’s book, Signs and Wonders: A Reformed Look at the Spirit’s Ongoing Work, has a helpful chapter, “At War with the Devil,” that summarizes a Reformed view on this subject.