The Devil/Satan

[removeduser_426582376423734]

Both the words "Devil" and "Satan" mean "the accuser", the first in Greek, the latter in Hebrew. But what is s/he/it? Many have had theories upon the source and purpose of the Devil. These "theodicies" have attempted to explain why God allowed the Devil into the world. If God is both omniscient, and omnipotent, why does the Devil exist?

Epicurus stated that God cannot let the Devil exist, whilst knowing about him, or whilst being able to stop him. However, many have disagreed.

The Devil is an opposing force to God
Saint Augustine stated that the Devil tempted Eve into taking the Forbidden Fruit. This, in effect, caused the Fall of Humanity, as many already know. However, Genesis does not say that the serpent is the Devil. So, this theory means that, either St Augustine has discovered what the Bible has not, or the writers of the Old Testament purposely left that part out. But why? We do not know.

In more recent times, John Milton wrote a series of writings called "Paradise Lost", where the theory arose that Satan was a cherub that rebelled against God.

The Devil is an instrument of God
If God created the universe out of nothing, as Genesis states, then the Devil was created by God. Therefore, the Devil cannot be evil, for he was created by the ultimate source of good. So, what is he then? Many believe that he serves God in a higher plan. In the book of Job, God allows the Devil to test Job's faith. This must mean that the Devil takes orders from God, and is his instrument upon Earth.

The Devil is a myth
Rudolf Butmann, a theologist, believed in the idea of "demythologisation". This ideal forces us to give up the myth of the Devil, and makes us believe that we are responsible for the evil in the world, and it is our duty to rid this from the Earth. However, Jesus himself refers to the Devil, and talks to demons (as well as exorcises them, e.g. Legion "for we are many") thus this theology is moot.

What do you think? Is the Devil real? Is he a myth? Why is he on Earth?

[Darkragnar]

Its all very Personal , if you want to believe that the devil donst exist then he dosnt , if you want to believe hez part of gods plan then thats what hes doing, if you believe hes the Opposite of God then he is the opposite of god.
It all ultimatley boils down to your own belief and what you were raised up to believe.

For example lets take my Case ,
I think that the Devil is part of GOds plan,according to me the Devil is what makes Great men of us, how can we know what it means to stand on the Highest Mountain unless we have been in the Lowest Valley first.
Ultimatly a person only does good if he has seen the bad, the devil or whatever can call it , is preciesly there to show us this.

but again i say that its all very personal , its what you as a human Being believe in and it differes from person to person.

[Cluny the Scourge]

Satan was the leader of the rebellion against the kingdom of heaven that was defeated, leading the fallen angels to manipulate evolution of life on Earth to develop consciousness, so that humans could one day lead a new uprising to destroy God and his tyranny and establish a just republic of heaven. God created the Church as means of dividing humanity through propaganda and suppressing trends towards such a rebellion for as long as possible. It's all in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. At any rate, a fantasy story of that kind is just as worthwhile and meaningful as fluttering theology about - truly the most absurd of non-sciences.

[Zenith Darksea]

It's quite simple. Lucifer was an angel who turned against God, taking a number of other angels with him. Of course this basic underlying tenet of Christian mythology (I use the word advisedly) tends to destroy most Protestant notions of the concept of salvation, so they'll probably tell you something else.

[David Deas]

The scriptures do not say anything about the Satan of Yahweh ever having been a fallen angel of Yahweh. That interpretation stems from a mistranslation, or perhaps more appropriately termed a forgery. The only thing the scriptures say about the Satan of Yahweh is that it is the collection of people who choose to hate and do evil. The idea of "the Devil" being some horned red jerk sitting on a throne somewhere in hell comes from playwrites of the day that managed to carve their way into popular culture.

[removeduser_426582376423734]

So, why, in the book of Job, namely Job 2:3, does Satan test Job in the name of God?

[MADTAO]

Interesting.I read book now about medieval religion theories.There was movment who claims that Satan is firs son of god!For me its seems logical.Also from the bible if Satan give to human undersanding of things he is wery similar to Prometheus who in my beliefs give not simple fire to humans but ability to create ideas (becouse before humans do nothing just survive)
So Satan for me is not bad character at all.Also as devil its just a other side of the good and thats harmony ...humans ar more dangerous !And if cristians look at satan as mega bad dude ,they must remember who give him posibility for such things.

[God]

So, why, in the book of Job, namely Job 2:3, does Satan test Job in the name of God?

Just trying to be helpful to those without bibles.

Job 2

1Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.

2And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

3And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

4And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

5But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.

6And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

7So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

[David Deas]

When you interpret the scriptures its important to understand the colloquialism. You need to understand that the scripture term "Satan" refers to an 'adversary.' Any individual in the Bible, including Yahweh himself, may act as a "Satan," or adversary, to any other individual in the Bible. In the book of Job, the "Satan" refered to was an ordinary angel questioning, or 'opposing' Yahweh.

(*) Many,many people do not understand these concepts, or have the adequate understanding of context necessary for more accurate interpretation. Many people do not know that the first time the term "Satan" was used in the Bible, it was used to refer to Yahweh himself.

[Last Roman]

before I post my opinion, I will tell you all now that I am no theologian and don't know much about the bible (I'm such a good Christian boy aren't I?) so for all I know, my opinion is not backed by any religious text or person.

anyhoo, I see "the devil" as the manifistation of all things evil: corruption, hate, greed, malice etc. Whether it is an actual physical being that rules "hell" I don't know nor do I wish to find out.

[Vincenzo Morello]

I have a few theorys right.
1) maybe god and the devil are one in the same and the devil may merely be say the evil side of god or the not so nice side of him.
2) maybe god and the devil put a bit of themselves in each and every human and our actions reflect the devil or god in us. And that they both hold equal sway of the hearts of men (and women for any feminists or PC brigaders).So for example i win the lottery and donate all to say cancer reshearch that inaways means god holds sway within my sould. Or i go on a killing spree that means im letting my self be corrupted with the devilCorny i know.

Also if god made everything the devil included why is the devil as powerful or nearly as powerful and why doesny god just zap him or finish him?

[God]

Also if god made everything the devil included why is the devil as powerful or nearly as powerful and why doesny god just zap him or finish him?

Because God wants everyone and everything (including the Devil) to have free will?

Or maybe because killing Satan would be evil itself?

Of course that doesn't stop him from flooding the Earth and killing everyone...

EDIT: This is what happens to Satan:

Revelation 20

The Thousand Years

1And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time...


... 7When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

[Vincenzo Morello]

I read somewhere that the verses in the bible have alternante meaning that the devil could be representing the roman empire long shot i no but. They ovusly will have villafied the romans so in the bible sata could mean the roman empire and the empire lasted nearly 100 years i think i dunno. Cant remember where i read it.

[removeduser_426582376423734]

"Obviously would have villified the Romans"? The Romans wrote the Bible. Not too clever to villify themselves.

[Vincenzo Morello]

The later Romans but it was the Pagan romans who were persacuting the christians.Like i said the idea of satan in the bible representing the roman empire is what ive read i have no idea wether its true.No need to get defensive

[removeduser_426582376423734]

Not getting defensive, just getting confused... What do you mean? Even if the Christians wrote their own version whilst being torture by the pagan Romans, when the new Bible was made - by the Romans - all others were destroyed, as well as things like the Gnostics (i think?)

[Last Roman]

what? that was hardly "defensive"

[Vincenzo Morello]

well like ive said its one theory ive read i personally dont care i was simply sharing what i have read.

[Habelo]

Aint christian but if i was...
The devil is the bad side of humans, all the bad things come out of satan(war, plauges murder) the bad side of humans. If no evil existed in humans satan wouldnt exist.. We create him and we can destroy him. But as long as we got evil thoughts he will be there..

[BKB]

I prefer to look at it from the Dualist perspective with their being two gods, both on the same scale as one another not evil or good as such but just balancing each other out. One god is king of the world where all material aspects of life are and one is for the spiritual world with both being total separate entities not having any influence on each other

There is definetly evil in the world and in my own views i believe some people can be born evil. The lads who killed jamie bulger were evil little sods who blamed movies for their acts but we know that is rubbish. To crush a child's skull and leave him to be cut in two by a train is pure evil what ever way you look at it. If there is a God then there has to be a devil of sorts, because there is just as much evil as there is good in the world so their has to be a balance somewhere