The Exorcism of Emily Rose

The Exorcism of Emily Rose was in theaters in September 2005 and now has been released on DVD. The movie was a successful conversation piece; it raised the spiritual consciousness of many and allowed more to ask questions about the spiritual aspect of life. I enjoyed it just as a movie, and I do not require movies to be theologically, historically or scientifically correct, unless the issuers claim such accuracy or truthfulness.

However, when a movie engenders discussion, some truth is probably called for, at least in the discussion. Especially does that seem true when discussing God’s limitations on the power of Satan.

Could a Christian girl be possessed by Satan or by a demon?

One of the leading commentaries on the Scriptures on this subject is by Merrill F. Unger, Demons in the World Today (Tyndale, 1972). Unger is known among Christians for his handbook, but this book is interesting, too. Some of Unger’s anecdotes are interesting but hard to judge as to value, simply because the subjective experience of someone else is hard to empathically assimilate. The Scriptures differ in that the Holy Spirit makes empathic assimilation possible. But Unger’s arguments from Scripture are intellectually satisfying. Unger died in 1980 and this book has been reissued under another title.

Unger’s argument is that a Christian, which by definition is someone indwelt by the Holy Spirit, cannot be possessed by Satan or by a demon, because the Holy Spirit will not share. Thus, if the movie Emily Rose was a Christian, which she seemed to be, then she could not be possessed by Satan or by a demon, because the Holy Spirit would not countenance an on-site competitor. Likewise, Christians can be reassured of their immunity to Satanic or demonic possession. Therefore, the premise of the movie was not Biblically sound, entertaining though it might have otherwise been, and would not be cause for fear on the part of Christians regarding unrestrained Satanic or demonic power to control the mind, body or soul of the Christian.

But, for non-Christians, the movie might very well be a warning. 2 Thessalonians 2: 9-12 (NIV): “…every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing.” The word “every” is ad infinitum, bearing of no exception, and so, too, might be the potential evil.