Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dr. Bradshaw’s novel, Sinister Among Us, simply a good mystery that’s fun to read, or does the reader actually learn about demonology—Satan, the devil, demons, demon possession, and exorcism?
The reader definitely learns about demonology. In fact, Dr. Bradshaw wrote the novel specifically for the purpose of providing the layperson with an easy to understand introduction to demonology. Dr. Bradshaw has frequently addressed this in articles and speeches from a scholarly point of view. In response to encouragement to write about demonology for the layperson, he decided to do so in the form of a novel. It takes place on a college campus in southern Indiana where the president of the college is faced with a multitude of difficult and unusual problems. Unable to find a logical explanation for his troubles, he begins to explore the possibility that evil spirits are involved. As the story unfolds the reader is gradually exposed to what might well be described as a 101 course on demonology.
What is the difference between Satan, the devil, and demons?
Satan is derived from the Hebrew meaning “adversary.” Originally, Satan was not used as a proper name but as an impersonal adversary—the adversary or an adversary. The devil is the later Greek form of the earlier Hebrew word meaning adversary. In other words, “Satan” and “the devil” are synonymous. Satan (the devil) is portrayed as the leader of the evil spirits, which are called demons.
Do evil spirits—Satan, the devil, and demons—really exist?
The existence of spirits, whether good or evil, cannot be determined by human physical senses. By their very nature, spirits are outside the medium of material existence and cannot be seen, felt, smelled, heard, or tasted. One needs to think of spirits as more than immaterial beings. They are active and powerful forces that can influence the course of human events and natural history. Good spirits cause beneficial things to happen and evil spirits bring about bad things. Whether or not you actually believe in the existence of evil or good spirits will be determined, to no small degree, by your religious faith.
How did Satan become Satan?
Originally Satan was not an evil spirit, but was a member of the “court of God.” Satan was responsible to God and had to seek permission from God before he could do anything. In the beginning Satan’s responsibility was to look for evil among people on earth and report such activity to God. Over a period of several hundred years, however, religious literature portrayed Satan as gradually changing from a good spirit in the court of God to an evil spirit opposed to God. Satan began to enjoy seeing people punished for going astray and started submitting “trumped-up” reports that greatly exaggerated the evilness of human activities. Finally, Satan changed from being a good sprit that merely reported activity to an evil spirit that actually encouraged evil behavior and was responsible for it. From that time on Satan has been portrayed as the enemy of God and the leader and mastermind of all evil thought and activity.
Is demon possession for real, or just a way of making excuses for one’s bad behavior?
Again, the answer to this question will be influenced by one’s religious faith. Demon possession has been embraced by many religions since very ancient times. Men, women, boys, and girls are portrayed as being possessed by demons, with these victims being helpless to do anything about it. The word “possessed” implies being seized by violence against one’s will and captured or carried off by force and held in prison. One or more evil spirits can dwell within the person and control what he or she says and does. It appears that the demoniac—that is, the person who is possessed—is acting or speaking. Actually, it is the demon that is using the possessed person’s body to speak and act through. In many religions animals are also portrayed as being possessed, causing them, either directly or indirectly, to harm humans by erratic behavior.
How can you tell for certain that someone is demon possessed?
That’s a big problem. In this scientific and technological world we now live in, people have difficulty thinking in terms of evil spirits having control over human and natural events. The majority of professional psychologists and psychiatrists do not believe in demon possession. If a person actually is demon possessed, he or she is seldom accurately diagnosed by the medical world. Possessed persons usually end up going from one psychologist or psychiatrist to another in search of an accurate diagnosis. If they finally are diagnosed as being possessed, the demons have become so securely entrenched that the possessed persons are difficult to treat. For the most part, demon-possessed persons end up living unhappy and unproductive lives.
What are the most prevalent symptoms of demon possession?
In the initial stages of possession, demoniacs—that is, the persons possessed—are likely to be naïve and flirtatious, pleasant and vivacious, and overdramatic. Possessed persons usually have slightly strange faces, the skin being tightly stretched, resulting in very few wrinkles. They tend to speak more rapidly than is normal, sometimes in a ‘rapid-fire, machine-gun-like’ delivery. When speaking in this ‘rapid-fire’ mode, their vocabulary will be totally unrecognizable, more than likely using just made-up words.
In more prolonged cases of demon possession, the possessed person may have the ability to speak one or more foreign languages even though he or she has never studied them. And sometimes the possessed person will have an inexplicable knowledge of future events.
Demoniacs may have peculiar and exaggerated hand gestures unaccompanied by any apparent emotion. They are likely to be haunted by terrifying dreams. It is not unusual for them to suffer spells of severe depression and onslaughts of migraine headaches. When under duress, they may exhibit physical strength many, many times in excess of what their physical stature would lead one to expect. In fact, they can become so strong that it literally takes five or six people to subdue them.
How does one get rid of a demon?
Demons are cast out of people by performing an exorcism. “Exorcism,” when used in reference to getting rid of a demons, is derived from the Greek, meaning to “take hold of, capture, bind, cast out, drag away, throw out, carry off, rebuke, or expel.” It is forceful word that implies action that cannot be resisted. Casting out evil spirits is practiced among people of many religious faiths, and there are different methods of performing exorcisms. Most utilize one or a combination of forceful commands, invoking the names of a deity, prayer, devotional-type music, and the laying on of hands. Contrary to popular belief, most exorcisms that are effective over the long term take several days to perform and require the effort of several people working together.
Are there reputable exorcists, and if so, how do you locate one?
Most exorcists are located through word of mouth or by contacting a reputable religious organization. It is very unlikely that you will find a legitimate exorcist in the yellow pages.
Can Satan and the demons influence bad behavior in ways other that actually possessing a person?
Absolutely. Satan is portrayed as being responsible for all types of evil behavior—evil thoughts, words, and actions. Relatively few people are portrayed as being demon possessed, yet most people go astray in one way or another. For example, in the New Testament, Satan influences Judas to betray Jesus, yet there is no indication that Judas is actually demon possessed. Satan is the mastermind behind all evil activity and influences the human creature accordingly.
What qualifies Dr. Bradshaw as being an expert in demonology?
Dr. Bradshaw earned a Ph. D. degree at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, where he studied demonology. He was introduced to the study of demonology by Matthew Black, renowned Scottish scholar, who was searching for a reasonable explanation for the terrible atrocities of World War II. He could not believe that the human creature, in and of himself, was evil enough to be responsible for the terrible persecute of the Jewish people. He believed that extra-human forces—evil, demonic forces—had to be involved. At his urging, Dr. Bradshaw traced the historical development of Satan, the devil, and evil spirits from early Mid-Eastern literature and religious thought, through Hebrew and Jewish literature ranging over several thousand years, into the Christian era. Since then Dr. Bradshaw has become equally interested in demon possession and exorcism
Is Dr. Bradshaw an exorcist?
No. Dr. Bradshaw is a scholar of demonology. He does not claim to be an exorcist.
Is Dr. Bradshaw available to speak at conventions, seminars, churches, small groups, etc.?
Yes, Dr. Bradshaw is an accomplished public speaker. He is available to speak at meetings and conventions, to address small study groups, to participate in seminars, and preach in church services. He is known for his ability to speak of complicated subjects in a way that is easy to understand.
How do I get in touch with Dr. Bradshaw?
United States Postal Service:
William B. Bradshaw
P. O. Box 6665
Chesterfield, MO 63006-6665
Email Dr. Bradshaw Now
