Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 11, No. 1, 1994, Page 49
the devil‟s work: frequent examination of conscience and repentance for sins, confession,
self-denial and fasting, and prayer.
The church also recognizes that on occasion devils can interfere in the material order,
especially by “possessing” certain persons. This phenomenon is rare, and the Church has
always treated it as such. Thus, in the Catholic Church an exorcism of evil spirits may be
undertaken only with the permission of the local Bishop and then only after a sober
investigation has ruled out all other possible causes of the aberrant behavior in question.
In reading the testimonies and accounts of cults, covenant communities, and
shepherding/discipleship groups from the Moonies to the Branch Davidians to the Sword of
the Spirit, we discover a strong and consistent emphasis on evil spirits. It is an emphasis
that differs significantly from that in traditional Christianity, and it becomes an important
tool for control of the lives of the members of these groups. In what follows, we will outline
the “demonology” typically used by the covenant communities.
Covenant communities are highly organized and committed groups of Christians who take
among themselves a solemn agreement or covenant, according to which they agree to
share their whole lives with each other under the authority of strong charismatic leadership.
Many such groups stress submission to community leaders in all aspects of life. They
characteristically emphasize a sharp distinction between roles of men and women. While not
separatists, they do keep a certain distance from the life of the surrounding culture and the
local Church. They consider their mutual relationships within the group to be the most
important in their lives. Many are ecumenical, although even in these the majority of
members are Catholic. This article analyzes the role and significance of the belief in evil
spirits in covenant communities arising from the Catholic charismatic renewal. It will point
out the distinctive and decisive role that the belief in Satan plays for the psychological
control of members.
The devil is the enemy of God, and as such he opposes everything that God tries to
accomplish. Most covenant communities regard the rebuilding of his people by means of
such communities as one of God‟s most important works. This means that these
communities directly thwart Satan‟s own plans of dividing God‟s people. Thus, these groups
purportedly threaten the devil‟s hegemony. His central strategy must necessarily be to
destroy these communities which so seriously threaten to restore the reign of God.
Some comments of People of Praise leader, Kevin Ranaghan, illustrate this well. In the late
1970s a sizable group of members left this covenant community, among them many who
had made the group‟s solemn commitment or covenant. Ranaghan explained that because
God was (purportedly) beginning a major work of healing and salvation through the
community, Satan was attacking it. His strategy was to undercut the factor that made the
community strong, namely its covenantal unity. By attacking the covenant he hoped to
render the community divided and uncommitted. Thus, he had sent a “quitting spirit” to sow
mistrust and disloyalty. The response to this, therefore, must be that each member renew
his commitment and resist every temptation to question his covenant relationship. Even to
think about leaving or to question the group‟s authority was to fall into Satan‟s devious plot.
Of course, such a position presumes that the group is tremendously important. It is not
claimed simply that since this community is good, the devil will oppose it. Any group can
claim this. Rather the community makes the stronger claim to hold a unique and distinctive
place in God‟s plan, a decisive role on which the salvation of men and the restoration of all
God‟s people depends.
According to traditional Christian teaching, the devil works by tempting people to sin. If he
works in this world, it is primarily by inspiring weak humans to sin. According to these
groups, however, the devil is fully capable of working his plans through good people who
the devil‟s work: frequent examination of conscience and repentance for sins, confession,
self-denial and fasting, and prayer.
The church also recognizes that on occasion devils can interfere in the material order,
especially by “possessing” certain persons. This phenomenon is rare, and the Church has
always treated it as such. Thus, in the Catholic Church an exorcism of evil spirits may be
undertaken only with the permission of the local Bishop and then only after a sober
investigation has ruled out all other possible causes of the aberrant behavior in question.
In reading the testimonies and accounts of cults, covenant communities, and
shepherding/discipleship groups from the Moonies to the Branch Davidians to the Sword of
the Spirit, we discover a strong and consistent emphasis on evil spirits. It is an emphasis
that differs significantly from that in traditional Christianity, and it becomes an important
tool for control of the lives of the members of these groups. In what follows, we will outline
the “demonology” typically used by the covenant communities.
Covenant communities are highly organized and committed groups of Christians who take
among themselves a solemn agreement or covenant, according to which they agree to
share their whole lives with each other under the authority of strong charismatic leadership.
Many such groups stress submission to community leaders in all aspects of life. They
characteristically emphasize a sharp distinction between roles of men and women. While not
separatists, they do keep a certain distance from the life of the surrounding culture and the
local Church. They consider their mutual relationships within the group to be the most
important in their lives. Many are ecumenical, although even in these the majority of
members are Catholic. This article analyzes the role and significance of the belief in evil
spirits in covenant communities arising from the Catholic charismatic renewal. It will point
out the distinctive and decisive role that the belief in Satan plays for the psychological
control of members.
The devil is the enemy of God, and as such he opposes everything that God tries to
accomplish. Most covenant communities regard the rebuilding of his people by means of
such communities as one of God‟s most important works. This means that these
communities directly thwart Satan‟s own plans of dividing God‟s people. Thus, these groups
purportedly threaten the devil‟s hegemony. His central strategy must necessarily be to
destroy these communities which so seriously threaten to restore the reign of God.
Some comments of People of Praise leader, Kevin Ranaghan, illustrate this well. In the late
1970s a sizable group of members left this covenant community, among them many who
had made the group‟s solemn commitment or covenant. Ranaghan explained that because
God was (purportedly) beginning a major work of healing and salvation through the
community, Satan was attacking it. His strategy was to undercut the factor that made the
community strong, namely its covenantal unity. By attacking the covenant he hoped to
render the community divided and uncommitted. Thus, he had sent a “quitting spirit” to sow
mistrust and disloyalty. The response to this, therefore, must be that each member renew
his commitment and resist every temptation to question his covenant relationship. Even to
think about leaving or to question the group‟s authority was to fall into Satan‟s devious plot.
Of course, such a position presumes that the group is tremendously important. It is not
claimed simply that since this community is good, the devil will oppose it. Any group can
claim this. Rather the community makes the stronger claim to hold a unique and distinctive
place in God‟s plan, a decisive role on which the salvation of men and the restoration of all
God‟s people depends.
According to traditional Christian teaching, the devil works by tempting people to sin. If he
works in this world, it is primarily by inspiring weak humans to sin. According to these
groups, however, the devil is fully capable of working his plans through good people who
