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Exorcism: Fact or Fiction
Olson takes readers into the dark, secret world of the exorcist, revealing, from his own experience, how Satan ravages human souls and how victims can gain relief, peace, and wholeness through the exorcist's intervention. Olson demonstrates how exorcism can act as a devastating and overpowering weapon for Jesus Christ.
235 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 21, 2019
Although Ken Olson may seem like a discredited figure, having lost his Arizonia license for the practice of psychology after performing an exorcism, his book can indeed be scary. Especially for those raised in evangelical traditions. Exorcism: Fact or Fiction? isn’t completely about exorcism. Quite a bit of the book lays out the Evangelical view of the world—the victory of Christ over the Devil, and what the life of the righteous might look like—rather than dealing directly with the titular topic. Those looking for dramatic descriptions of exorcisms won’t find too much of that here.
Much of the book, as I note elsewhere (Sects and Violence in the Ancient World), is a period piece of the satanic panic of the 1990s. This time period saw many cases erupting in the news of satanic groups victimizing children particularly. Daycare centers were especially vulnerable to such accusations. When investigations turned up little evidence that such things were really happening, Evangelicals tended to say that it was because Satan was good at covering his cloven-hoofed tracks. The assumption of guilt hung over anyone accused—that’s why it was deemed a “moral panic.” These have happened throughout history, including the witch hunts of the Middle Ages. It’s important to read books like this to learn about that mentality.
Even after describing some of his own exorcisms, along with the very literalistic interpretation of the Bible, Olson returns to the descriptions of the very prevalent (as he sees it) satanism that lurks behind modern problems with demons. He sees possession as being much more common than the Catholic Church does. The literalism of the author does mean that accepting his conclusions will require dropping back into a more ancient worldview. It would be unwise to suggest that satanism doesn’t exist, but to see it as a widespread secret cabal is also, it would seem, unwise. Still, we don’t know what people are up to behind closed doors. The internet gives us more a window into that world, but that’s a panic of an entirely different sort.
Much of the book, as I note elsewhere (Sects and Violence in the Ancient World), is a period piece of the satanic panic of the 1990s. This time period saw many cases erupting in the news of satanic groups victimizing children particularly. Daycare centers were especially vulnerable to such accusations. When investigations turned up little evidence that such things were really happening, Evangelicals tended to say that it was because Satan was good at covering his cloven-hoofed tracks. The assumption of guilt hung over anyone accused—that’s why it was deemed a “moral panic.” These have happened throughout history, including the witch hunts of the Middle Ages. It’s important to read books like this to learn about that mentality.
Even after describing some of his own exorcisms, along with the very literalistic interpretation of the Bible, Olson returns to the descriptions of the very prevalent (as he sees it) satanism that lurks behind modern problems with demons. He sees possession as being much more common than the Catholic Church does. The literalism of the author does mean that accepting his conclusions will require dropping back into a more ancient worldview. It would be unwise to suggest that satanism doesn’t exist, but to see it as a widespread secret cabal is also, it would seem, unwise. Still, we don’t know what people are up to behind closed doors. The internet gives us more a window into that world, but that’s a panic of an entirely different sort.
March 27, 2015
Here we have the story of a Lutheran pastor turned psychiatrist turned exorcist. Olson’s account is gripping, well-written, and very practical. It is not for the spiritually immature or faint of heart. He shows you evil for what it really is.
He is correct to note how Babylonian and Egyptian magick informed later occultic narratives (Olson 28ff). He has an excellent section on the Santiera cult and Wicca.
As with other sensitive, yet Evangelical exorcist accounts, driving out demons is only part of the programme. The soul must be healed as well. This is where Olson’s role as a Christian counselor helps. St Paul tells us not to give the devil a foothold.
Criticisms:
I have two criticisms. One is of omission and the other is of commission. Orson has a very sensitive and astute understanding of the occult. He explains how Satanists psychologically destroy victim’s psyches, which creates split personalities. No argument here. He even noted how Satanism has infiltrated the higher level of societies. Again, no argument. He missed the coup d’etat by failing to point out that the CIA’s MK-Ultra Program (Monarch Mind Control) is the exact same thing, per method and goal, as Satanic ritual abuse. This is not accidental. Olson has a section on Crowley, yet Crowley himself was an Allied agent who shared intel with US and British governments.
The other criticism is more serious. Olson is correct that Jesus came to heal, but he errs in saying, “He did not come to give us sickness and suffering so that God can be glorified” (191). Well, it depends. Nobody, not even the most masochistic Christian, says Christ came to give suffering. That’s a red herring. I think Olson meant to say that “suffering is not so that God can be glorified.” If that is what he means--and to be fair that is not what he said--then he is wrong (cf John 9:1-2).
Conclusion:
The book is dated in some ways (published 1992). There is the scare over Dungeons and Dragons. I make no judgment either way on that phenomenon. Some of the descriptions of ritual abuse are quite graphic and would make G. R. R. Martin run away like a little girl. (This is why I wouldn’t make a good counselor. I would become vigilante on Day 1 and get arrested on Day 2.) Be forewarned. Yet, Christians need to be aware of how to handle this.
He is correct to note how Babylonian and Egyptian magick informed later occultic narratives (Olson 28ff). He has an excellent section on the Santiera cult and Wicca.
As with other sensitive, yet Evangelical exorcist accounts, driving out demons is only part of the programme. The soul must be healed as well. This is where Olson’s role as a Christian counselor helps. St Paul tells us not to give the devil a foothold.
Criticisms:
I have two criticisms. One is of omission and the other is of commission. Orson has a very sensitive and astute understanding of the occult. He explains how Satanists psychologically destroy victim’s psyches, which creates split personalities. No argument here. He even noted how Satanism has infiltrated the higher level of societies. Again, no argument. He missed the coup d’etat by failing to point out that the CIA’s MK-Ultra Program (Monarch Mind Control) is the exact same thing, per method and goal, as Satanic ritual abuse. This is not accidental. Olson has a section on Crowley, yet Crowley himself was an Allied agent who shared intel with US and British governments.
The other criticism is more serious. Olson is correct that Jesus came to heal, but he errs in saying, “He did not come to give us sickness and suffering so that God can be glorified” (191). Well, it depends. Nobody, not even the most masochistic Christian, says Christ came to give suffering. That’s a red herring. I think Olson meant to say that “suffering is not so that God can be glorified.” If that is what he means--and to be fair that is not what he said--then he is wrong (cf John 9:1-2).
Conclusion:
The book is dated in some ways (published 1992). There is the scare over Dungeons and Dragons. I make no judgment either way on that phenomenon. Some of the descriptions of ritual abuse are quite graphic and would make G. R. R. Martin run away like a little girl. (This is why I wouldn’t make a good counselor. I would become vigilante on Day 1 and get arrested on Day 2.) Be forewarned. Yet, Christians need to be aware of how to handle this.
May 19, 2022
This book was… wild to say the absolute least. I read it as someone outside the Christian faith to gain some insight into Christian literalism and the Satanic Panic of the 80s and 90s. In that way it was very informative, in a lot of other ways I found it egregious and grossly exaggerated. Some of the research sited in the book felt exaggerated, inconclusive, and vague. It was an interesting read though. Hopefully, Christian views on abortion and the LGBTQIA community have progressed since the 90s (but judging from current events probably not).
If it matters for this review - Although, I’m not a apart of the Christian faith now, I was raised Southern Baptist.
If it matters for this review - Although, I’m not a apart of the Christian faith now, I was raised Southern Baptist.
December 8, 2010
This book summed up the word 'Eh' for me. While it was chock full of interesting biblical facts and details, he barely touched on what i thought the book was supposed to be about: Exorcism. I thought it would be more of his first hand experiences, but i felt like I was just being preached to most of the time.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews