DEMONOLOGY: HISTORY, WHAT IT STUDIES AND FAMOUS DEMONOLOGISTS - HISTORY - 2025

The demonology is a branch of theology that studies the nature and characteristics of demons. This discipline makes lists in which it classifies these evil spirits, establishing hierarchies, origins, histories and modes of operation.

In this respect, it is a specialty similar to angelology, which performs the same task but refers to angels. In addition to investigating and analyzing these hidden forces, in some cases demonologists also take care of combating them, either by performing exorcisms or practicing other types of rituals.

Demons can torment and possess people. Source: pixabay.com

For most religions, as well as for occultism and popular folklore, demons are non-human beings, generally powerful and of a malevolent nature that inhabit certain spaces or things. These are spirits that can torment people and even possess, dominate and subdue them.

In the same way, following certain practices or using black magic, they can also be invoked. In some cases they agree to carry out orders or grant wishes, in exchange for requests or sacrifices.

In Christianity, demons are usually fallen angels who were cast out of heaven for disobeying or rebelling God's command. Their wings were torn off and condemned to roam the Earth until the arrival of the Last Judgment.

History of demonology

Oni (demon) ritual mask used in tsuina (oni yarai) exorcism. Japan, Edo period.

Demonology has been present in most civilizations since ancient times. In almost all cultures the figure of one or more evil beings with supernatural powers appears, which is opposed to the kind and protective divinities.

The Egyptians, for example, believed in the existence of demons that devoured the souls of men to take them to another life. In Ancient Greece, meanwhile, it was considered that there were good and bad spirits.

In the Judeo-Christian tradition these evil forces are angels who were expelled from heaven, either for revealing themselves against God or for falling into sins such as lust or vanity. The best known of them is Lucifer, also called Satan or Satan, who reigns in hell and seeks to spread evil on Earth.

In the same way, in Islam there also appears a demonic figure that is opposed to God, called Shaytan or Iblis. Something similar happens in Buddhism and Hinduism.

Demonology in the Modern Age

During the Modern Age, between the 15th and 18th centuries, demonology had a strong development as a consequence of the growth of witchcraft.

Many people, especially women, were accused of invoking or being possessed by demons and condemned to burn at the stake by the Holy Inquisition. This institution, which functioned within the Catholic Church, was in charge of persecuting heresy.

Around this time one of the most famous books on demonology in history emerged, the Malleus Maleficarum (Hammer of the Witches) by Jakob Sprenger and Heinrich Kramer. First published in Germany in 1487, it describes the actions of demons with the support of witches and sorcerers, and the danger they represent to the faithful.

In addition, it explains how to recognize and prosecute a witch, even using torture to obtain information, which served as the basis for the trials on heresy that were carried out in the following 200 years after her appearance.

What demonology studies

Demonology studies the origin, nature, characteristics, and powers of different demons. To do this, she analyzes their stories and ways of acting and manifesting themselves, and the relationship they establish with men, animals and other entities and divinities.

In many cases, the information is obtained from historical research. In others, from his own experience in dealing with spirits and the interrogations of his servants or people who have invoked them using black magic.

On the other hand, this discipline also studies and examines the way to drive them away and combat them in case of apparitions, and the way to make them release and leave bodies or things when there are possessions.

Classification of demons

When classifying these evil spirits, Christian demonology generally uses a system similar to that of angelology, based on the type of angel they were before being expelled from heaven.

Thus, within the first hierarchy are those demons that were seraphim, cherubim or thrones; in the second there are those who were dominations, virtues or powers; and in the third, those who were principalities, archangels or angels.

Basics in demonology

Demon

It is a powerful spirit with a malevolent nature that inhabits a certain space. It can torment people and even possess, dominate and subdue them.

Demonic possession

It is the case when a demon enters a person's body and makes him speak and behave as he wants. Possessed men and women often suffer from cutting wounds and a change in their facial expressions. They also tend to use unfamiliar vocabulary and language and show disgust for Christian symbols and more force than normal.

Demonic pact

It is a kind of contract that is made with a demon. Usually this grants a request in exchange for sacrifice, submission, or worship.

Exorcism

It is the action or religious ritual by which a demon is expelled from a possessed body or from a place where it is found.

Famous demonologists

Bernardo Rategno da Como (1450-1513)

He was an Italian inquisitor and preacher, belonging to the Dominican order. He carried out several trials against witches and wrote a manual of inquisitorial procedures widely used in his time and later.

Martin del Río (1551-1608)

He was a Belgian Jesuit theologian who wrote the Disquisitionum magicarum libri sex, one of the most famous works on magic, witchcraft and the occult of all time.

Gabriele Amorth (1925-2016)

He was an Italian priest who served as an exorcist in the diocese of Rome and wrote several books and participated in radio and television programs speaking on this subject.

Ed Warren (1926-2006)

He was an American demonologist who, together with his wife Lorraine, who was a psychic and clairvoyant, investigated several famous paranormal phenomena, such as that of the Annabelle doll and the haunted house of Amityville, which were reflected in several movies.

References

1. De Plancy, J Collin (2015). Infernal Dictionary Deluxe Edition. Abracax House.
2. Karmer, Heinrich and Spreger, Jacobus (1975). Foreword to Malleus Maleficarum (The Hammer of Sorcerers). Editorial Orión. Buenos Aires. Argentina.
3. Stoddard, Eowyn (2013). Dealing with Demons. The Gospel Coalition. Available at: thegospelcoalition.or
4. Elmer Towns (2015). Demons in the Bible. Different Types and How They Attack. Bibles Sprout. Available at: biblesprout.com
5. Demonology, Wikipedia. Available at: Wikipedia.org