Customer Reviews

The Dark Sacrament: True Stories of Modern-Day Demon Possession and Exorcism

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

During more than 40 years as an ordained minister and pastor I have read and studied scores of books about the devil, demons and exorcism. "The Dark Sacrament" is definitely one of the best available on the subject and a most welcome addition to my library.

Speaking from my own experience in exorcism and deliverance, the stories which are reported ring true and authentic. Although the accounts of demonic possession may seem bizarre to the uninitiated, they are reported in a balanced manner, without being sensationalized. Also, the authors give the facts without imposing their own theological interpretations or pre-conceptions. I personally found the profiles of the exorcists involved in these cases, both Protestant and Catholic, very interesting and revealing, giving insight into the kinds of people God uses to cast out demons.

If you have already read many books on the subject, you'll still find new things to discover in this well-researched and easy-to-read volume. If demonic possession is an area about which you know very little, I cannot think of a better book that gives an understandable and accurate overview of this enormously fascinating subject.

J. Stephen Conn, Author
The Devil Called Collect: The Exorcism of Jessica Leek

This book is an extremely valuable addition to the library of anyone interested in demonic oppression, possession, and exorcism. At a length of 338 pages, the ten case studies offer detailed personal accounts in a variety of demonic manifestations: "generational" evil, oppressive human spirits, demonic use of the occult as leverage for oppression and possession, ancient dwelling of a powerful demon disturbed by a modern dwelling, puzzling and tragic possessions of children at early ages, the inevitable ouija board tragedies, plus others. Essentially, the cases are differing scenarios with the common thread of pastoral assistance. Some of the accounts are truly disturbing, and many don't have a "happy" or even a satisfying ending; like other books on this subject (Malachi Martin, Gerald Brittle/Ed and Lorraine Warren, John Zaffis), this is not for children. The case reports are well written and lead the reader through a process of discovery similar to that taken by the exorcists as they unravel the role of both humans and the demonic. One case study has some twists based upon the Irish tradition of prayer to help souls of the dead move on from the chains of their earthly sins, yet another fresh and challenging perspective. The dedication and personal beliefs of the exorcists also come through the text, which adds to the richness of the case studies. Never preachy or condescending, the authors and people who have shared their experiences have given us a true gift in illustrating the cold cruelty of the demonic as well as the greater power of God's love.

The book: an introduction and 338 pages in 10 case studies divided into those supervised by Anglican Canon William Lendrum and Catholic Father Ignatious McCarthy, plus appendices (history of exorcism, prayers to the archangel Michael, a prayer attributed to St. Patrick, and prayers of exorcism), a bibiography, and relevant notes for each case.

This book is more than just a collection of "scary stories." The authors have divided it into two parts: one includes the exorcisms performed by an Anglican minister and the other by a Catholic monk. All the instances of demonic possession are from Ireland and almost all are very recent (some instances started decades ago but written of only recently).
The most intriguing part is the stories are not just a quick narrative about what happened. We get the story, but we also get a kind of recap from the minister who performed the exorcism, or deliverance. This latter part provides an explanation of what the minister's thoughts were of the case. More unsettling that a minister's description of a particular spirit is that minister refusing to describe exactly what he saw.
Included with the stories (where the names have been changed to protect the victims' privacy) are some prayers at the back of the book. There are also notes on the text as well as an introduction talking about exorcism historically and recently. This is where I wish there was more. In the introduction, the authors mention the Mason murders and state "evidently the crime was satanically motivated." In reading transcripts from the trial, I see no mention of Satan. Granted, the crimes were heinous and depraved, but what is the evidence that shows this was satanic? Or, what does the author define as "satanic"? The notes don't tell us.
The book can be unnerving. The authors make a connection between materialism and an increase in demonic possession. This book does provide new material for readers on the subject.

I finished The Dark Sacrament (2007 - TDS) after completing The Rite (2009) by Matt Baglio. Although TDS provides interesting, if sometimes credulous, contemporary stories, it lacks some of the theological background and detail provided by The Rite. This is true even though it provided in Appendix I (Exorcism and History) a very general historical sketch of exorcism. Nonetheless, the introduction at the front and the reader's notes at the back are somewhat useful and provide references to other resources. The discussion of "deliverance" in the introduction as it relates to exorcism, which is "largely a Catholic rite", is worthy of consideration, including the excesses found in some deliverance teachings which find demons "at the root of every human foible".

Two things that set this book apart from some of the other books related to exorcism and deliverance are the inclusion of both Protestant and Catholic approaches as well as inclusion of cases involving ghosts as well as demons. Regarding the approaches, one must keep in mind that the cases are taken, in part, from the experiences and points of view of two exorcists (although other ministers are sometimes involved) and some of their interpretations of the facts may not be shared by other exorcists if they were involved in the same cases. Regarding the inclusion of ghosts as human earthbound souls/spirits (also called "the restless dead"), there is debate regarding their true nature among Christian theologians, both Protestant and Catholic, including whether or not they can "possess" individuals. Some so-called "ghosts" may, in fact, be deceptive demons and some Christians view all ghosts as demons. Note that the subtitle of TDS refers to true stories of "demon possession and exorcism", although some of the stories involve apparent ghosts that are "exorcised" from haunted houses if not from individuals.

I recommend this book, but also recommend comparing it with other books on the topic, including some that focus primarily on Christian angelology and demonology from a scriptural perspective. There are several good books in this regard, including (from a conservative Protestant perspective) Sense & Nonsense About Angels & Demons (2007) by Kenneth D. Boa & Robert M Bowman Jr., and Powers of Evil: A Biblical Study of Satan & Demons (1998) by Sydney H.T. Page, the latter also recommended by the former. I also recommend reading books about Satan, Satanism and the Occult in general from a folklore/popular culture perspective such as the complementary studies by Bill Ellis - Raising the Devil: Satanism, New Religions, and the Media (2000) and Lucifer Ascending: The Occult in Folklore and Popular Culture (2004). The second book includes a chapter on the Ouija board which plays a role in a couple of the stories in TDS. Since perspectives on exorcism rely on perspectives of these other topics, such studies will help balance one's approach to the subject of exorcism. All else said, The Dark Sacrament is interesting (but sometimes morally disturbing) to read as a collection of stories, regardless of whether one believes all, some or none of what one reads, but for those who are having similar experiences, they will be comforted to know that they are not alone and ministerial assistance is available.

Fairly interesting accounts of some recent devilry in Ireland - up to 2007. Some stories are sure to scare you. The main focus is on two different (and busy) exorcists and some of their recent cases. The author provides a very nice account of exorcism through the ages as the last chapter of the book. It's a good companion read after "The Demonologist" (which WILL scare you SILLY - guaranteed)!!!! But after reading the aforementioned this seemed a little pale in comparison. I would still recommend it for anyone interested in the demonic and how to safely coexist in a world where evil is just about everywhere. As with "The Demonologist", this book also had me thinking very much about the good in the world and the existence of angels as well as these terrible troubled spirits or these demons who have never lived. My heart really went out to some of these people (the poor woman and her evil, evil husband on the Dingle peninsula in particular, and the woman who left her body at will).
All-in-all, a very good read but I highly recommend "The Demonologist" first and foremost. (If you do read "Demonologist", make sure you have some good friends nearby that you can call on).

If you know a skeptic you want to scare, you might want to get this book. But I can't think of any other reason to purchase it.

It's not that the book isn't well written and thoroughly researched. It's not that I doubt the authenticity of the stories told. In fact, The Dark Sacrament is powerfully written by a journalist who knows his business. And it's based on interviews with people living today. And it relates exorcisms conducted by two well known Irish churchmen, one an Anglican priest and the other a Roman Catholic monk. The book in fact delivers just what the subtitle promises: "True stories of Modern Day Demon Possession and Exorcism."

For anyone interested in demonization, it sounds like a must buy. Especially when one reads the comment of the highly respected Ben Witherington III of Asbury Theological Seminary, who writes the following endorsement: "This is perhaps the best account written in my lifetime about this difficult and troubling subject, and I would commend it to one and all."

But the more I read, the more I disagreed with Witherington. The problem is, these stories are just too "out there." Apparitions. Howling banshees. Demons casting a chill over a house constructed over an ancient altar. A demon incubus that torments a housewife for some fifteen years. Flying Bibles, smashed religious pictures, friendly and frightening ghosts. Doors that open and close by themselves. Frightening moans and groans. They're all in here, along with a child taken over by demons through play with a discarded Ouija board. And boy, these stories raise the hackles. You definitely don't want to read them when you're alone at night!

And that's the problem with this book. Like so many TV shows exploring the paranormal, this book focuses on the external and the just plain frightening. The impression one has is that demonization is primarily a matter of weird things happening around us. And that's simply not the case. It's far more typical that demons remain hidden, and affect our lives in ways that most people are unlikely to suspect. The demon that gains access through a traumatic experience and finds expression in exaggerating natural fears ruins far more lives than howling banshees or flying pictures. The demon that gains access through early abuse and finds expression in exaggerating natural anger or distrust of God and others is far more destructive than a cold "presence" sensed in an empty room.

So, as I said, I recommend staying away from The Dark Sacrament. It's difficult enough for believers to take demons seriously without reading a book that give the impression demonic presence is always marked by the obviously supernatural and the especially scary.

Are the stories in this book true? I don't see any reason to doubt them. Are the stories about typical demonic activity? That I do doubt. Will reading this book provide insight into the invisible war's impact on your own life? Not at all.

This book had me hooked from the first page. It was well written, and fast moving. The stories in this book detail how the unseen dark forces invade our lives, and tells how the people in these circumstances battled the evil one. I found it very informative. It will give you a healthy respect for the powers of darkness, and show you just how horrific a life can be transformed by the presence of evil.

This was a great book. The intro was a bit slow, but once you started reading the tue stories, it renews your faith in God and say your prayers at night!

I have read numerous books on the topic of demonic manifestation. This is my all-time favorite.
It is the best written of all of them, and the fact that they have **** out the curse words is important to me, knowing what I do about the power of words. Sadly, others, including the wonderful Malachi Martin, have not done so, and I think it will prove to be a grave mistake.
This book is excellent and what makes it especially great is that it is about contemporary cases. All take place in Ireland during the 2000's. The conclusion of the book contains a bit of folklore and history.
One of the greatest things about books like this is that the authors usually include some prayers at the end, and the prayers in this book are wonderful and should be used by those willing to wield the weapons of faith, love, and prayer in the spiritual battle going on around us.

This book is awesomely scary and it takes alot to scare me. The things that have happened to these people are unreal but still believeable. The book leads the reader thru the beginning of the infestation all the way to the end, if there is one! After reading this book it makes you think how easily a person could fall into evil. It not only covers people possessed but also homes that are haunted by evil. This is not a light read by no means proceed with care!