Rev. Dr Martin Israel’s paper Exorcism and Deliverance presents a theological and psychological exploration of spiritual healing and the persistence of consciousness after death. Written for the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Spirituality Special Interest Group, it reflects Israel’s dual background as both priest and physician. His approach integrates Christian theology, comparative religion and pastoral psychology, focusing on the moral and spiritual causes of suffering and the role of divine love in liberation.
The Nature of Exorcism and Deliverance
Israel distinguishes exorcism and deliverance as two interconnected yet distinct processes. Exorcism refers to the breaking of a pathological link between a living person and a discarnate spirit, often a deceased individual who remains attached to the material world. Deliverance follows as an act of grace, in which the spirit is lifted into the love of God and released to continue its journey toward spiritual progress.
Unlike traditional dramatic portrayals of exorcism, Israel’s approach is contemplative, compassionate and pastoral. He insists that it is not the exorcist’s personal power that heals, but the presence and love of God invoked through prayer and ethical intention. The minister’s task is to mediate divine compassion, creating a spiritual environment in which both the afflicted person and the attached entity can find peace and release.
Moral and Spiritual Vulnerability
According to Israel, attachment by unquiet spirits occurs most readily in those who are morally or emotionally weakened. Individuals who live ethically, serve others and maintain spiritual discipline are less likely to be affected. This belief establishes a moral continuity between life and afterlife, suggesting that one’s inner state determines post-mortem conditions. Deliverance thus serves both as a pastoral act and as an expression of divine justice, where love and repentance enable progress.
Israel’s view of purgatory reinforces this moral continuity. He conceives of purgatory as an intermediate state of education and refinement through suffering. In this, he parallels Buddhist teachings on craving and release, noting that suffering is a teacher guiding souls toward detachment and compassion. The Buddhist path, he argues, demonstrates an advanced understanding of suffering as a means of liberation.
Comparative Theology and Reincarnation
A central theme in Israel’s essay is the theological contrast between the Semitic and Eastern religious traditions. He observes that Judaism, Christianity and Islam largely reject reincarnation, while Hinduism and Buddhism affirm it as a central principle of spiritual evolution. This distinction, he suggests, reflects two different conceptions of divine purpose: one linear, moving towards final judgement and salvation, and the other cyclical, emphasising continual rebirth and learning.
However, Israel’s interpretation is somewhat schematic. While his generalisation holds true for mainstream doctrine, it overlooks the diversity within these traditions. Jewish mysticism, for example, includes beliefs in the transmigration of souls (gilgul), and some early Christian sects, such as the Gnostics, considered the soul’s journey through multiple lives. In contrast, Islam and orthodox Christianity focus on a single earthly existence followed by resurrection and divine judgement.
The Christological Dimension
Israel identifies Jesus Christ as the “human face of God” and as the supreme exemplar of deliverance. He recalls the Gospel narrative of the Gadarene swine, where Jesus commands evil spirits to leave a man and enter a herd of pigs. For Israel, this story illustrates the authority of divine compassion. Yet he distances his own practice from such direct command. His method brings the afflicted person into the loving presence of God rather than confronting the entity through force. Healing arises through divine compassion rather than spiritual combat.
Israel’s theology is inclusive and universalist. He maintains that no single religion holds exclusive truth and that sincere devotion in any faith can open the soul to divine healing. The essence of deliverance, he writes, lies in love of God and neighbour, the moral foundation of all true religion.
Ethical and Social Reflections
Hell, in Israel’s framework, represents isolation from love and divine communion, while purgatory represents the transformative process of learning and purification. He also idealises Buddhist societies as examples of compassion and peace, asserting that no major wars have occurred in Buddhist countries. Though historically inaccurate, this claim reflects his admiration for Buddhist ethics of non-violence and detachment. His broader point is that moral cultivation leads to harmony both in life and after death.
The paper integrates theology, moral philosophy and pastoral psychology. Its aim is not to promote sensational exorcism rituals but to provide a thoughtful, ethically grounded understanding of spiritual affliction and healing. Israel’s approach prefigures later developments in pastoral care that recognise the interplay between spirituality and mental health.
Critical Notes and Contemporary Context
Contemporary Church of England practice in deliverance ministry aligns with Israel’s emphasis on discernment, compassion and collaboration. Modern guidelines require consultation with diocesan advisers, medical professionals and safeguarding officers. These standards help ensure that spiritual interventions occur responsibly and complement, rather than replace, clinical care. The Roman Catholic Church similarly defines exorcism as a sacramental act, performed under strict ecclesial authority, and interprets purgatory as final purification rather than punishment.
Israel’s contrast between reincarnational and resurrection-based faiths is broadly accurate but simplifies internal variations within Judaism and Christianity. Jewish Kabbalistic thought, for example, includes belief in soul migration, and some early Christian mystics entertained similar ideas. His statement about Buddhist nations and war, while rhetorically effective, is not supported by historical evidence, as modern scholarship demonstrates that Buddhist institutions have at times been involved in conflict.
From a psychological perspective, Israel’s metaphysical assumptions, including personal survival, discarnate agency and divine intervention, are theological constructs rather than empirically verified facts. Within pastoral care, however, such beliefs serve a therapeutic and meaning-making function, helping individuals interpret suffering and recovery within a moral and spiritual framework. This integration of faith, psychology and compassion remains a hallmark of Israel’s legacy.
Overall Evaluation
Rev. Dr Martin Israel’s Exorcism and Deliverance is a concise and profound contribution to modern spiritual theology. It avoids sensationalism and instead promotes a balanced, compassionate and ethically responsible model of spiritual healing. The paper’s greatest strength lies in its synthesis of Christian pastoral practice with insights from Eastern spirituality, its emphasis on divine love over dogma and its insistence that both the afflicted and the spirit deserve compassion and release.
Its limitations lie mainly in its generalisations about religious traditions and its occasional overstatement of historical facts. Yet, as a theological and pastoral document, it remains deeply humane. Israel’s integration of theology, psychology and universal compassion continues to offer valuable guidance to those working at the intersection of spirituality and mental health. His inclusive approach harmonises with contemporary deliverance practice and stands as a bridge between mystical insight and modern pastoral care.
Read the full text Rev. Dr Martin Israel’s “Exorcism and Deliverance”
Rev. Dr. Martin Spencer Israel (1927–2007) – A short biography
Martin Spencer Israel (born 30 April 1927, Johannesburg – died 23 October 2007) was a South African-born British pathologist, medical educator, and Anglican priest, renowned for his contributions to Christian spirituality. An outstanding student, he earned his medical degree in 1949 and later moved to the United Kingdom, where he worked as a hospital pathologist in the early 1950s. Israel went on to teach pathology at the Royal College of Surgeons of England (University of London) from 1957 to 1981, building a distinguished medical career alongside his growing interest in theology.
Raised in a Jewish family, Israel developed a deep fascination with Christianity, Eastern mysticism, and spiritual healing during his young adulthood. He discovered what he felt was a gift for spiritual healing and psychic communication, leading him to practise the healing arts even as he pursued his scientific career. In 1975, at age 48, he formally converted to Christianity and was ordained as an Anglican priest in the Church of England. He initially served as a curate (assistant priest) while continuing his pathology work. Soon, he became priest-in-charge of Holy Trinity with All Saints, Kensington (London), a post he held from the late 1970s until his retirement in 1996. During these years, he emerged as both the spiritual leader of that parish and a practising exorcist licensed in the Diocese of London. Israel was appointed a diocesan consultant on exorcism to the Bishop of London, reflecting his special ministry in deliverance within the Anglican Church.
Theologically, Martin Israel is regarded as a modern Christian mystic and spiritual director. His work emphasised the integration of spiritual insight with psychological understanding and pastoral care. He was deeply involved in healing ministry and the contemplative tradition, often drawing on insights from Eastern religions in dialogue with Christian thought. Israel served as President of the Churches’ Fellowship for Psychical and Spiritual Studies (CFPSS) from 1983 to 1998, a role that underscored his engagement with the interface of spiritual experience and psychic phenomena. He also actively participated in broader conversations on spirituality and mental health. For example, he contributed to the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Spirituality Special Interest Group, delivering a paper on “Exorcism and Deliverance” to psychiatrists exploring the spiritual dimension of clinical care. In these and other forums, Israel advocated for recognising the spiritual component of human nature alongside scientific materialism, and he became, as the Church Times noted, one of the most sought-after spiritual guides in Britain.
Throughout his life, Martin Israel was a prolific author of books that reflect his dual expertise in medicine and mysticism. He wrote over fifty books on spirituality, pastoral care, and theology. His writings often addressed themes of inner healing, the meaning of suffering, prayer, and the struggle for faith and wholeness. Notably, Israel approached topics like exorcism and demonic oppression in a thoughtful, classical manner, viewing deliverance as an extension of pastoral healing. At the same time, he tackled psychological afflictions such as depression and anxiety from a spiritual perspective, emphasising hope and transformation. His legacy as an author and teacher has had considerable influence on Christian mysticism and deliverance ministry in the late twentieth century.
Major Publications of Dr. Martin Spencer Israel
-
Exorcism: The Removal of Evil Influences (1997) – A comprehensive study of exorcism and the deliverance ministry in a modern context.
-
The Pain That Heals: The Place of Suffering in the Growth of the Person (1981) – Explores how personal suffering can lead to spiritual growth and healing.
-
The Dark Face of Reality: A Study of Emergent Awareness (1989) – A work on developing spiritual consciousness and confronting the mysteries of faith.
-
Dark Victory: Through Depression to Hope (1995) – Integrates psychological insight and spirituality, offering guidance through depression toward hope.
-
Happiness That Lasts (1999) – Discusses the nature of enduring spiritual joy beyond temporary pleasures.
-
Learning to Love (2001) – Reflects on Christian love and spiritual maturation in personal life.
Each of these works exemplifies Israel’s blend of clinical knowledge with profound spiritual insight, contributing to the fields of pastoral theology, Christian mysticism, and the practice of healing and deliverance in the Church.
Read the full text Rev. Dr Martin Israel’s “Exorcism and Deliverance”
Feng Shui of the Psyche: Creating Harmonious Inner Architecture Through Spiritual House Cleaning
Spirit Release in Feng Shui Context: Finding Balance in Our Inner and Outer Worlds
References
Encyclopedia.com. (n.d.). Israel, Martin 1927–2007 (Martin Spencer Israel). In Contemporary Authors Online.
https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/israel-martin-1927-2007-martin-spencer-israel
Israel, M. (n.d.). Martin Israel – Spiritual Guide (personal website). Internet Archive capture (2014).
https://web.archive.org/web/20140221030811/http://www.martinisrael.u-net.com/
Royal College of Psychiatrists Spirituality SIG. (n.d.). Themed Publications Archive (featuring “Exorcism and Deliverance” by Rev. Dr. Martin Israel). https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/members/special-interest-groups/spirituality/publications-archive/themed-publications-archive
Church Times. (2007). Obituary: The Revd Dr Martin Israel. Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20071121075630/http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=47088
The Telegraph. (2007). The Rev Dr Martin Israel. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1568882/The-Rev-Dr-Martin-Israel.html
Catechism of the Catholic Church. (1992/1997). Article 12, “The final purification, or purgatory,” paras. 1030–1032. Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
Church of England, House of Bishops. (2012). Guidelines for good practice in the deliverance ministry [1975, rev. 2012]. Church of England.
Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2025a). Hinduism: Karma, samsara, and moksha. Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2025b). Reincarnation. Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2025c). Four Noble Truths. Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2025d). Resurrection. Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2025e). Islam: Eschatology, doctrine of last things. Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Israel, M. (2003). Exorcism and deliverance. Royal College of Psychiatrists, Spirituality Special Interest Group.
Jewish Virtual Library. (n.d.). Kabbalah: An overview. American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise.
Royal College of Psychiatrists, Spirituality Special Interest Group. (n.d.). Publications archive. RCPsych.
Saiya, N., & Manchanda, S. (2025). Monks behaving badly: Explaining Buddhist violence in Asia. International Security, 49(4), 119–159.
Shofar Review. (2005). Reincarnation in Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism. Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Jewish Studies, 23(3), 120–123.
The Holy Bible. (n.d.). Matthew 8:28–34; Mark 5:1–20; Luke 8:26–39.