01In brief
Martin Spencer Israel (1927–2007) was a South African-born physician, pathologist, Anglican priest, mystic, educator, and author whose career combined medical science with Christian spirituality. Born in Johannesburg, he earned his medical degree in 1949 and studied and taught pathology at the Royal College of Surgeons from 1957 to 1981. Ordained as an Anglican priest in 1975, he later served as a spiritual leader and practicing exorcist at Holy Trinity and All Saints Church in Kensington, London. He wrote more than fifty books, only a few of them devoted to pathology.
02Early Life
Martin Spencer Israel was born on April 30, 1927, in Johannesburg, South Africa.[1] He received his medical degree in 1949 and worked as a pathologist at a British hospital in the early 1950s.[1] From 1957 to 1981, he studied and taught pathology at the Royal College of Surgeons, maintaining a long career in medical education while developing his spiritual interests.[1]
03Career
Alongside his medical career, Israel developed interests in Christianity, Eastern mysticism, and alternative forms of spirituality.[1] He believed he possessed abilities in healing and psychic communication and began practices described as the healing arts, while continuing his work as a pathologist and educator.[1]
In 1975, Israel was ordained as an Anglican priest.[1] He served as a curate while continuing his pathology work, and later became a priest at Holy Trinity and All Saints Church in Kensington, London.[1] He remained there until 1996 as a spiritual leader and practicing exorcist.[1] From 1983 to 1998, he was president of the Churches' Fellowship for Psychical and Spiritual Studies, and he also served as a consultant on exorcism to the Bishop of London.[1]
04Legacy
Israel died on October 23, 2007.[1] He authored more than fifty books, only a few of which concerned pathology.[1] His spiritual writings included The Pain That Heals: The Place of Suffering in the Growth of the Person (1981), The Dark Face of Reality: A Study of Emergent Awareness (1989), Dark Victory: Through Depression to Hope (1995), Happiness That Lasts (1999), and Learning to Love (2001).[1] His bibliography reflects the combination of medical training and spiritual inquiry that characterized his public career.
05Controversies
The Encyclopedia.com obituary notice characterizes Israel's 1975 ordination as the point when he “formally rejected his Jewish roots.”[1] This wording reflects the source's interpretation of his conversion. The same source presents healing and psychic communication as talents; more cautiously, these are documented as claims and practices rather than independently verified findings.[1] His roles as a practicing exorcist and consultant on exorcism to the Bishop of London are biographically documented.[1]
Sources
- 1Encyclopedia.com (accessed September 16, 2026)
IsraelPedia Question & Answers
Who was Martin Israel?
Martin Spencer Israel (1927–2007) was a South African-born physician, pathologist, Anglican priest, mystic, educator, and author whose career combined medical science with Christian spirituality. Born in Johannesburg, he earned his medical degree in 1949 and studied and taught pathology at the Royal College of Surgeons from 1957 to 1981. Ordained as an Anglican priest in 1975, he later served as a spiritual leader and practicing exorcist at Holy Trinity and All Saints Church in Kensington, London, and wrote more than fifty books.
How did Martin Israel combine his medical and spiritual careers?
Martin Israel pursued both careers simultaneously for many years. While working as a pathologist and educator at the Royal College of Surgeons, he developed interests in Christianity, Eastern mysticism, and alternative forms of spirituality, and began practices described as the healing arts. He was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1975 and continued his pathology work alongside his clerical duties.
What role did Martin Israel play as an exorcist?
Martin Israel served as a practicing exorcist at Holy Trinity and All Saints Church in Kensington, London, where he remained as a spiritual leader until 1996. He also served as a consultant on exorcism to the Bishop of London.
What organization did Martin Israel lead from 1983 to 1998?
From 1983 to 1998, Martin Israel served as president of the Churches' Fellowship for Psychical and Spiritual Studies.
What books did Martin Israel write?
Martin Israel authored more than fifty books, only a few of which concerned pathology. His spiritual writings included The Pain That Heals: The Place of Suffering in the Growth of the Person (1981), The Dark Face of Reality: A Study of Emergent Awareness (1989), Dark Victory: Through Depression to Hope (1995), Happiness That Lasts (1999), and Learning to Love (2001).
What is the significance of Martin Israel's 1975 ordination in terms of his Jewish background?
According to an Encyclopedia.com obituary notice, Martin Israel's 1975 ordination as an Anglican priest was the point when he "formally rejected his Jewish roots." This characterization reflects that source's interpretation of his conversion rather than an independently established biographical conclusion.