Redacted: The Secret History of Exorcism

by David M. Miller

Redacted examines the evolution of the ministry of deliverance, tracing its roots from the Gospels to the twentieth century. 

This in-depth exploration reveals the contours of Jesus’ and the apostles’ ministry, and how their practices influenced the fervent exorcisms of the pre-Nicene Church, igniting widespread revival. From there, Redacted follows the decline of exorcism from the fourth to the eleventh centuries, where it almost entirely disappears. When it is brought back during the High Middle Ages, the practice takes on a highly ritualized form that departs from the Apostolic model. The Reformation saw exorcism’s contentious duality between charismatic and ritual forms, before they were both entirely snuffed out with Protestantism. Yet, the twentieth century witnessed its resurgence, beginning at Azusa St. and growing within the Charismatic movement. Redacted identifies the historical connection between deliverance and revival and makes the case that deliverance ministry is essential for revival today.

218 pages, Paperback

Published July 23, 2024

Reviews

[Matthew C.]

Miller pointed out a few details from the early church that I hadn't paid much attention to previously--such as the public nature of exorcism. I'm still uncomfortable with exhibitionism in exorcism, but he does make good points. (I should also add that public exorcism seems to be much more widely accepted outside of Western culture. See, for instance, Robert Bennett's accounts of the Lutheran Church in Madagascar's exorcisms in I Am Not Afraid.)

Miller also provides a handy summary of the history of exorcistic practices in the 20th century among neo-Pentecostals like Derek Prince, Lester Sumrall, Frank Hammond, and Win Worley. If you are looking for a compare/contrast essay on these schools of thought, Miller's book is a very readable introduction.

Miller does provide some overview of historic Roman Catholic practices, but he does not interact much with high church Anglican deliverance ministry (see, for instance, the compendium Deliverance edited by Canon Michael Perry), which would have several differences with the neo-Pentecostal brands of exorcism.

That said, there is only so much territory one can cover in a book like this, and I found the whole volume very approachable. Good job David.

[Michael Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Miller does an excellent job showing the long history of deliverance ministry in the Church. Starting with Jesus' deliverance ministry, then to the Apostles and early church, all the way through the Middle Ages, Reformation, Great Awakening, up through the Pentecostal movements which led to today's Charismatic movement, Miller traces the reasons for deliverance being snuffed out, reignited at various times, and ultimately redacted from history.

I was most surprised to learn that the idea that Christians can't be demonized is a very novel idea, only being mainstream for a couple centuries at best.

I highly recommend this book.