What is the relationship between Satan and evil?
Satan usually makes people commit evil; he does this by taking over human's souls and pressuring them to sin. Evil is what Satan embodies.
What purpose does Satan serve?
Satan serves as a balancing force of evil; the opposite force is good. Satan serves as the main antagonist against good.
What can we say about Biblical depictions of Satan/Devil?
As far as physical depictions of the Devil goes, his appearance ranges from a several-headed beast, to an unseen spirit that can take control of man's soul (if I'm not mistaken). However, the goals, despite whatever form the Devil may take, remain the same: to corrupt and torture man.
Do you believe in Satan? If yes, how would you describe Satan? If no, why do you think people do believe in Satan?
I don't believe in Satan. I think people believe in Satan simply because they were taught by the content of their respective religion that Satan does exist.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
What is the purpose of the Devil?
The Devil was created to create a scapegoat for the evils and temptations that afflict man in a world created by God. The presence of evil in the physical was thought not to come directly from God, so the concept of a lesser power that could be attributed to things like an outbreak of pox or a bad harvest. Later the Devil becomes a metaphor for a rebellious figure who struck against his “king”, as means to keep the people in their place socially and economically.
Is Satan necessary to beleive in God?
I would say that Satan’s existence is important to and even contingent to modern belief in God. For many people the excuse that tragedy is all apart of God’s infinitely growing plan, is just not enough. Otherwise we have to question the concept of God as an infinitely good. Believing in the Devil helps settle the mind and place him as the outsider trying to test your faith, because otherwise God just seems like an amoral jerk.
Biblical depiction of Satan?
For a start the Devil as we know him today is not present in the old testament, but does make an appearance in the later texts, so it support the notion that following the Christian movement that along with adapting Christ as the savior, Satan was created to be his antithesis and adversary. Later abuse of the term was than used to control the masses.
Satan and Evil relationship
Satans relationship with evil is not as simple as him being the ultimate embodiment of evil. Satan’s version of Evil seems to be more along the lines of unrestricted freedom shared by anarchist. Free thinking and ambition are traits that could be considered evil if they meant rebelling against a tyrant you lose faith in.
Satan's Questions!
What can we say about Biblical
depictions of Satan/Devil?
In the Bible, Satan is not presented
as a devil. He is an apprentice to the Lord and his evil is only
effective when granted by God himself. Once Lucifer is banished from
Heaven, he is made to live on Earth and taunt the people.
Where is the Devil today?
In my opinion the devil live inside of
each and every one of us. We are all, in some way, devilish beings
in the eye of another. Some may claim the Devil is in hell, but he
is actually walking amongst us, preparing us for our next fall.
Do you believe in Satan? If yes, how
would you describe Satan? If no, why do you think people do believe
in Satan?
I could not say whether I believe in
Satan or not. If he is real, I am more than sure he wouldn't look
any different from us all. Also, his character displayed in the
works we have went over is nothing different from a high school
enemy. People believe in Satan because they need something in the
position to humble themselves. If there was no Satan, there wouldn't
be a God who expelled him from the Heavens, the Heavens would not be
real and humans would not be walking the Earth today.
What is the relationship between Satan
and evil?
Most may say, Satan is the creator of
evil. I believe Satan has no ties to the word. Yes authors create
him as an evil, monstrous being, but evil is the people going around
killing each other on a daily basis. I can not remember a time where
Satan killed anyone, he forces their hand and he collects souls in
the end.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
The Devil Q's and A's
What can we say about biblical depictions of Satan/Devil?
In the bible we can see that the Devil's role expanded as the New Testament came to be. In the Old Testament, the Devil was not really mentioned a lot but when he was mentioned, he was seen as a servant to God. But, when the New Testament was created many more images or illustrations portrayed the devil as he continued to be a tempter, liar, murderer, and evil.
Do you believe in Satan? If yes, how would you describe him? If no, why do you think people do believe in Satan?
In my opinion I believe that Satan exists. If he did not exist then there wouldn't be chaos such as temptation of grown men to rape women and males to want to go out and murder each other. I depict Satan as this handsome male who has thick ram horns sticking out of his head. Only reason I think he looks like that is because when the devil was an angel, he was seen as this nice looking person so even though he's in hell now, he uses his charm to deceive people. Hence the term "you handsome devil you."
What is the relationship between Satan and evil?
Satan and evil go hand and hand with one another. His total purpose of being is to be evil and cause chaos for those who serve under God's orders. If Satan was not thought of as evil, then their wouldn't be a valid excuse of why so much bad things happen in today's world. Evil things happen because Satan is an evil person who is trying to turn a world evil.
Do we need a Satan in order to believe in God?
In my opinion, I feel as if we need a God to believe in Satan. God is the creator of all things so if Satan was to be non-existent, God will always be thought of. Some people feel as if Satan is a balance of God and in order for God to always be in spirit of faith, their must be a devil but that is not true.
In the bible we can see that the Devil's role expanded as the New Testament came to be. In the Old Testament, the Devil was not really mentioned a lot but when he was mentioned, he was seen as a servant to God. But, when the New Testament was created many more images or illustrations portrayed the devil as he continued to be a tempter, liar, murderer, and evil.
Do you believe in Satan? If yes, how would you describe him? If no, why do you think people do believe in Satan?
In my opinion I believe that Satan exists. If he did not exist then there wouldn't be chaos such as temptation of grown men to rape women and males to want to go out and murder each other. I depict Satan as this handsome male who has thick ram horns sticking out of his head. Only reason I think he looks like that is because when the devil was an angel, he was seen as this nice looking person so even though he's in hell now, he uses his charm to deceive people. Hence the term "you handsome devil you."
What is the relationship between Satan and evil?
Satan and evil go hand and hand with one another. His total purpose of being is to be evil and cause chaos for those who serve under God's orders. If Satan was not thought of as evil, then their wouldn't be a valid excuse of why so much bad things happen in today's world. Evil things happen because Satan is an evil person who is trying to turn a world evil.
Do we need a Satan in order to believe in God?
In my opinion, I feel as if we need a God to believe in Satan. God is the creator of all things so if Satan was to be non-existent, God will always be thought of. Some people feel as if Satan is a balance of God and in order for God to always be in spirit of faith, their must be a devil but that is not true.
Q: What purpose does Satan serve?
A:Satan serves a contrasting figure. God is omnibenevolent, Satan is wicked. His purpose is to tempt human beings of free will to commit evil acts to test our faith and turn us away from God, who he despises.
Q:Do you believe in Satan? If yes, how would you describe Satan? If no, why do you think people believe in Satan?
A: I'm sure there is a Satan, but thats about all I'm sure in that regard. His relationship with God is unclear to me. His appearence, where he is, what hell really looks like....is pretty irrelevent in my opinion.
Q: What is the relationship between Satan and evil?
A: Satan represents evil, he promotes all evil acts because they draw people farther away from God.
Q: Do we need Satan in order to believe in God?
A: No, not necessarily. However, it would either mean that a) God isn't omnibenevolent, or b) there really is no such thing as evil, or good... or c) everything that happens, happens for an overalll, higher good.
It gets very far in depth philosophically.
A:Satan serves a contrasting figure. God is omnibenevolent, Satan is wicked. His purpose is to tempt human beings of free will to commit evil acts to test our faith and turn us away from God, who he despises.
Q:Do you believe in Satan? If yes, how would you describe Satan? If no, why do you think people believe in Satan?
A: I'm sure there is a Satan, but thats about all I'm sure in that regard. His relationship with God is unclear to me. His appearence, where he is, what hell really looks like....is pretty irrelevent in my opinion.
Q: What is the relationship between Satan and evil?
A: Satan represents evil, he promotes all evil acts because they draw people farther away from God.
Q: Do we need Satan in order to believe in God?
A: No, not necessarily. However, it would either mean that a) God isn't omnibenevolent, or b) there really is no such thing as evil, or good... or c) everything that happens, happens for an overalll, higher good.
It gets very far in depth philosophically.
My Thoughts on the Devil
What Purpose Does the Devil serve?
I feel that the Devil’s purpose is to bring into question
for the living whether or not temptation can or cannot be easily dismissed. The
Devil represents the bad according to many religious texts. The Devil tests and
tempts people in order to take the people who represent ‘evil’ into Hell. I am
not sure whether the Devil’s purpose is required since God already punishes the
bad, but I would say the Devil’s purpose is dark-sided.
Do you believe in Satan? If yes, how would you describe
Satan? If no, why do you think people do believe in Satan?
I do believe that Satan exists. I believe that in order to
believe in God and heaven it is required to believe in Satan and Hell. There is
always good and evil, not just good. I do not believe that there is a specific
physical form Satan takes. There are many forms in my opinion. He may have
horns and a tail, or he may look like a human. I know I believe in Satan, but I
am not sure what Satan actually looks like.
What is the relationship between Satan and evil?
Satan was not originally seen as evil. He was one of God’s
angels, but then because of Satan’s greed for power he was sent to Hell. When I
hear the names Satan, Lucifer, Judas, or the Devil I automatically think of the
word ‘evil’. Satan enjoys all things bad. If you are good you do not go against
God, but Satan did the complete opposite. Satan represents ‘evil’.
Do we need a Satan in order to believe in God?
I do think we need a Satan in order to believe in God. There
needs to be a balance of some sort. There is no possible way that there is only
good in the world. If there was no Satan I don’t think there would be a place
for the ones who have sinned. If God exists then a heaven exists, if a person
believes that the one’s who have sinned go to Hell then Satan must exist. If
people have sinned and there was no Satan then all the people who have done
something wrong would still go to Heaven. That is just not possible in my
opinion.
Questions About the Devil
What can we say about biblical depictions of Satan/Devil?
The Devil plays a minor roll in the bible. Satan appears in the old testament as an adversary sent by God to test humans. In other words, the Devil is only doing God's work when he appears in the Old Testament. It is God, not Satan who is calling the shots. Furthermore, in the Old testament there really is no fall from grace that religious people talk about. In the New Testament, the devil's role expands. He tests Jesus in the desert and apparently other "demons" inflict humans, which Jesus casts out. Overall, it is very hard to interpret Satan in the bible because the bible has been translated and edited numerous times. Along the way, many words and phrases have changed meaning so it is hard to decipher what the original writers intended to say.
Do you believe in Satan? If yes, how would you describe him? If no, why do you think people do believe in Satan?
I do not believe in Satan. Although there have been seemingly unexplainable instances of possessions, I think that there is scientific reasonings behind the possession phenomenon. Scientists may not be able to explain possessions today, or ever, but that doesn't mean a scientific reason can't exist. Rather, its just beyond human comprehension. I think people believe in Satan because they need answers to things such as possessions. Humans like to point fingers, and blame others for inexplicable events, so they blame the devil.
What is the relationship between Satan and evil?
Religious people( and people who believe in the devil in general) associate Satan with evil. Satan represents evil. He is the source from which evil things come. However, to people who don't believe in the actual existence of the devil, Satan is not associated with evil. For example, I don't believe in Satan, and I don't think he represents evil. I think evil is found within humans because we are flawed. So for me personally, Satan isn't an evil character at all.
Do we need a Satan in order to believe in God?
I don't think Satan must exist in order to believe in God. I believe in a theoretical God, who is(or was, I'm not sure) the very first cause. He caused everything to exist. However, this God that I believe in is not a religious, all loving, all powerful God who has human traits. If I did believe in a religious God, I think I would say we need Satan in order to believe in God. Since I only believe in a "first cause" type God and I consequently don't believe in heaven or hell, Satan is not in the picture. Just because some entity somehow set the universe into motion, does not mean that evil being exists as his opposite.
The Devil plays a minor roll in the bible. Satan appears in the old testament as an adversary sent by God to test humans. In other words, the Devil is only doing God's work when he appears in the Old Testament. It is God, not Satan who is calling the shots. Furthermore, in the Old testament there really is no fall from grace that religious people talk about. In the New Testament, the devil's role expands. He tests Jesus in the desert and apparently other "demons" inflict humans, which Jesus casts out. Overall, it is very hard to interpret Satan in the bible because the bible has been translated and edited numerous times. Along the way, many words and phrases have changed meaning so it is hard to decipher what the original writers intended to say.
Do you believe in Satan? If yes, how would you describe him? If no, why do you think people do believe in Satan?
I do not believe in Satan. Although there have been seemingly unexplainable instances of possessions, I think that there is scientific reasonings behind the possession phenomenon. Scientists may not be able to explain possessions today, or ever, but that doesn't mean a scientific reason can't exist. Rather, its just beyond human comprehension. I think people believe in Satan because they need answers to things such as possessions. Humans like to point fingers, and blame others for inexplicable events, so they blame the devil.
What is the relationship between Satan and evil?
Religious people( and people who believe in the devil in general) associate Satan with evil. Satan represents evil. He is the source from which evil things come. However, to people who don't believe in the actual existence of the devil, Satan is not associated with evil. For example, I don't believe in Satan, and I don't think he represents evil. I think evil is found within humans because we are flawed. So for me personally, Satan isn't an evil character at all.
Do we need a Satan in order to believe in God?
I don't think Satan must exist in order to believe in God. I believe in a theoretical God, who is(or was, I'm not sure) the very first cause. He caused everything to exist. However, this God that I believe in is not a religious, all loving, all powerful God who has human traits. If I did believe in a religious God, I think I would say we need Satan in order to believe in God. Since I only believe in a "first cause" type God and I consequently don't believe in heaven or hell, Satan is not in the picture. Just because some entity somehow set the universe into motion, does not mean that evil being exists as his opposite.
Devil Q&A
What can we say about Biblical depictions of Satan/Devil?
- The bible depicts Satan to be a tempter. The devil test the followers of Christ in many stories in the bible.
What is interesting or special about Milton's depiction of Satan?
- Milton has given the Devil more personality than any other writer during that period. Milton's devil seems confused and spiteful. He has more feelings and seems to be more human than angelic.
What purpose does Satan serve?
- I believe that Satan serves as a tester. I think he is only here to test our faith and weed out who is weaker in faith than others. He is here to show us our true selves.
Do you believe in Satan? If yes, how would you describe Satan? If no, why do you think people do believe in Satan?
- I do believe in Satan, because I believe in God. I would describe Satan to be a vengeful entity that only wants to cause harm to man kind only to try and hurt God. Satan is a like a child that did not get his way and is now throwing a serious temper tantrum.
Do we need a Satan in order to believe in God?
- I don't think so, because even before there was a thought of a Satan, people still believed in a higher power. If you look at the Greeks they would be a prime example.
- The bible depicts Satan to be a tempter. The devil test the followers of Christ in many stories in the bible.
What is interesting or special about Milton's depiction of Satan?
- Milton has given the Devil more personality than any other writer during that period. Milton's devil seems confused and spiteful. He has more feelings and seems to be more human than angelic.
What purpose does Satan serve?
- I believe that Satan serves as a tester. I think he is only here to test our faith and weed out who is weaker in faith than others. He is here to show us our true selves.
Do you believe in Satan? If yes, how would you describe Satan? If no, why do you think people do believe in Satan?
- I do believe in Satan, because I believe in God. I would describe Satan to be a vengeful entity that only wants to cause harm to man kind only to try and hurt God. Satan is a like a child that did not get his way and is now throwing a serious temper tantrum.
Do we need a Satan in order to believe in God?
- I don't think so, because even before there was a thought of a Satan, people still believed in a higher power. If you look at the Greeks they would be a prime example.
*Questions About Satan That Have No Definite Answers*
What purpose does Satan serve?
The only purpose the existence of Satan serves is someone to put the blame on for human "temptation" and then someone to punish in "hell" for immoral actions on Earth.
What is the relationship between Satan and evil?
What is interesting or special about Milton's depiction of Satan?
Where is the Devil today?
Satan, I think, is just a personification of evil.
Milton's Satan has the ability to reason through his situation, though irrationally.
The devil, in a sense that he is a personification of evil, is in everyone. I don't know one person who is blameless.
The only purpose the existence of Satan serves is someone to put the blame on for human "temptation" and then someone to punish in "hell" for immoral actions on Earth.
What is the relationship between Satan and evil?
What is interesting or special about Milton's depiction of Satan?
Where is the Devil today?
Satan, I think, is just a personification of evil.
Milton's Satan has the ability to reason through his situation, though irrationally.
The devil, in a sense that he is a personification of evil, is in everyone. I don't know one person who is blameless.
Devil Q&A
4. What purpose does Satan serve?
Based on class discussions and analyzation of the readings, I would say that Satan's serves many purposes. To name a couple: he has been a scape goat, and an advocate of sin. I think primarily, however, he has been a tool used to scare the believing population into staying within the norms of society.
5. Do you believe in Satan? If yes, how would you describe Satan? If no, why do you think people believe in Satan?
I am skeptical of many things we have discussed in class but I don't think I believe in Satan. I feel as though people believe in Satan because it makes having faith in the Catholic/Christian God a little bit easier. Belief in Satan gives people a figure to blame for all of the unfortunate occurrences of life.
6. What is the relationship between Satan and evil?
I think many people would say that Satan is the cause of evil or that he is the one who plants evil ideas into our minds. I would say that, for me, the idea of Satan is related to evil by the pure fact that humans placed them together.
7. Do we need Satan in order to believe in God?
I don't necessarily think we need belief in Satan for belief in God. My idea of God is not that of the Christian religion, therefore, I do not include Satan as a part of my beliefs. If I was Catholic, for example, I would probably believe in Satan because he is an integral part of that religion.
Based on class discussions and analyzation of the readings, I would say that Satan's serves many purposes. To name a couple: he has been a scape goat, and an advocate of sin. I think primarily, however, he has been a tool used to scare the believing population into staying within the norms of society.
5. Do you believe in Satan? If yes, how would you describe Satan? If no, why do you think people believe in Satan?
I am skeptical of many things we have discussed in class but I don't think I believe in Satan. I feel as though people believe in Satan because it makes having faith in the Catholic/Christian God a little bit easier. Belief in Satan gives people a figure to blame for all of the unfortunate occurrences of life.
6. What is the relationship between Satan and evil?
I think many people would say that Satan is the cause of evil or that he is the one who plants evil ideas into our minds. I would say that, for me, the idea of Satan is related to evil by the pure fact that humans placed them together.
7. Do we need Satan in order to believe in God?
I don't necessarily think we need belief in Satan for belief in God. My idea of God is not that of the Christian religion, therefore, I do not include Satan as a part of my beliefs. If I was Catholic, for example, I would probably believe in Satan because he is an integral part of that religion.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Questions about Satan.
Q1. What can we say about Biblical depictions of Satan/Devil?
A: The role of Satan was very small during the old testament. In fact, Satan himself is hardly mentioned at all. The word "Satan" was used to describe someone or something viewed as an adversary, and was thrown around quite bit. The story of Job contains a satan who has been"wandering the earth" and is the one responsible for convincing God to test Job's faith by taking basically everything away from him.
Q2. What is interesting or special about Milton's depiction of Satan?
A. In Milton's Paradise Lost we see a more human side of Satan, or Lucifer as he was previously called. The reader learns that this creature was made and beloved by God above the rest. He was given powers and beauty that was beyond compare, and because of this his ego and arrogance grew out of control. Believing himself to be superior to God he starts a war in Heaven which he loses, and the end result being that him and all of his followers were thrown into Hell as a punishment. What is interesting about him after he is cast down and defeated is that his arrogance is still there, and despite the current situation he believes that "it is better to rule in Hell, than serve in heaven."
Q3. Where is the Devil today?
A.In my opinion, the Devil is everywhere today. He is a force that drives men and women to do bad things or things considered of a sinful nature.
Q4. What purpose does Satan serve?
A. His purpose is to lead humans, one way or the other, away from God. He does not have a direct involvement when it comes to making humans sin, but he is a type of enabler and whatever temptations he imposes on us it is our choices that condemns us. He is also there to explain in Christianity where bad people will go when they die, because not everyone can go to heaven.
Q5. Do you believe in Satan? If yes, how would you describe Satan? If no, why do you think people do believe in Satan?
A. Yes, I believe in Satan. I believe he can be anyone or anything that can be a bad influence for you. He doesn't have a specific shape in my opinion, but i believe he can turn himself into anything he wants that will look appealing to the individual.
A: The role of Satan was very small during the old testament. In fact, Satan himself is hardly mentioned at all. The word "Satan" was used to describe someone or something viewed as an adversary, and was thrown around quite bit. The story of Job contains a satan who has been"wandering the earth" and is the one responsible for convincing God to test Job's faith by taking basically everything away from him.
Q2. What is interesting or special about Milton's depiction of Satan?
A. In Milton's Paradise Lost we see a more human side of Satan, or Lucifer as he was previously called. The reader learns that this creature was made and beloved by God above the rest. He was given powers and beauty that was beyond compare, and because of this his ego and arrogance grew out of control. Believing himself to be superior to God he starts a war in Heaven which he loses, and the end result being that him and all of his followers were thrown into Hell as a punishment. What is interesting about him after he is cast down and defeated is that his arrogance is still there, and despite the current situation he believes that "it is better to rule in Hell, than serve in heaven."
Q3. Where is the Devil today?
A.In my opinion, the Devil is everywhere today. He is a force that drives men and women to do bad things or things considered of a sinful nature.
Q4. What purpose does Satan serve?
A. His purpose is to lead humans, one way or the other, away from God. He does not have a direct involvement when it comes to making humans sin, but he is a type of enabler and whatever temptations he imposes on us it is our choices that condemns us. He is also there to explain in Christianity where bad people will go when they die, because not everyone can go to heaven.
Q5. Do you believe in Satan? If yes, how would you describe Satan? If no, why do you think people do believe in Satan?
A. Yes, I believe in Satan. I believe he can be anyone or anything that can be a bad influence for you. He doesn't have a specific shape in my opinion, but i believe he can turn himself into anything he wants that will look appealing to the individual.
Q&A About Satan
1. Where is the Devil today?
The Devil is all around us. Whether he's behind you, underneath you, or surrounding you, the Devil is present at all times just like God is. He is present because he is waiting for sin or a horrifying event to happen. The Devil does not usually lead or demand a person into sinning and wrong doing, but he tempts the situation and it is up to the person whether or not they are going to follow. His presence is always there, waiting.
2. What purpose does Satan serve?
Satan's purpose is to create bad things. Satan's ultimate goal is to turn everyone completely away from God and follow him and his vicious ways. The starting point to getting everyone on his side is to create temptation. Whether it is a weak or strong soul, anyone can be a victim. Satan does not have any ruling power, but temptation can count as one because it makes the person think whether or not if the situation is good or bad and if they should 'take the chance'. His job is to make the person end up in Hell and suffer.
3. Do you believe in Satan? If yes, how would you describe Satan? If no, why do you think people do believe in Satan?
Yes, I do believe in Satan. I would describe Satan as being a sneaky, filthy liar who, obviously, does the opposite of good. He is mysterious, but clever at the same time because he knows what he is doing in order to lure people into becoming a prisoner in Hell. Satan goes after the weak souls because they have no faith to rely on; making it easy.
4. Do we need a Satan in order to believe in God?
Definitely. I believe in God, so if there is a good in the world, there is a bad as well. The bad would have to be Satan because that is the only polar opposite of God. You cannot have one without the other. It just depends on the person if they want to believe in either God alone, or Satan alone, but I believe that both do indeed exist in this world.
The Devil is all around us. Whether he's behind you, underneath you, or surrounding you, the Devil is present at all times just like God is. He is present because he is waiting for sin or a horrifying event to happen. The Devil does not usually lead or demand a person into sinning and wrong doing, but he tempts the situation and it is up to the person whether or not they are going to follow. His presence is always there, waiting.
2. What purpose does Satan serve?
Satan's purpose is to create bad things. Satan's ultimate goal is to turn everyone completely away from God and follow him and his vicious ways. The starting point to getting everyone on his side is to create temptation. Whether it is a weak or strong soul, anyone can be a victim. Satan does not have any ruling power, but temptation can count as one because it makes the person think whether or not if the situation is good or bad and if they should 'take the chance'. His job is to make the person end up in Hell and suffer.
3. Do you believe in Satan? If yes, how would you describe Satan? If no, why do you think people do believe in Satan?
Yes, I do believe in Satan. I would describe Satan as being a sneaky, filthy liar who, obviously, does the opposite of good. He is mysterious, but clever at the same time because he knows what he is doing in order to lure people into becoming a prisoner in Hell. Satan goes after the weak souls because they have no faith to rely on; making it easy.
4. Do we need a Satan in order to believe in God?
Definitely. I believe in God, so if there is a good in the world, there is a bad as well. The bad would have to be Satan because that is the only polar opposite of God. You cannot have one without the other. It just depends on the person if they want to believe in either God alone, or Satan alone, but I believe that both do indeed exist in this world.
Answering Questions
1. What can I say about Biblical depictions of Satan/Devil?
A. The Biblical depiction of Satan is extremely different from the Satan that many modern day christians fear and hate. In the Bible, there is no mention of hell as a specific place where the Devil and demons torture souls, and there is no mention of Satan as a specific person at all in the first testament. Satan, originally was the term for an angel who, on behalf of God, gave consequences to men who sinned. All of the bad things that happened were because of God's wrath and his displeasure; there was nothing that had power opposing God's.
3. Where is the Devil today?
A. People say the Devil lives in Las Vegas, or New Orleans. This assumes the Devil has a physical form, something many would disagree with. Those who believe in God believe he is everywhere, within each person. The devil operates in the same way. I personally believe that the Devil is used as a symbol for malice and temptation, two very human traits. We personify our bad qualities into a thing everyone can hate. These human thoughts and actions that are attributed to Satan can be founds in the hearts and minds of any person, anywhere.
4. What purpose does Satan Serve
A. Satan serves the same purpose in Christianity and in society: to be the bad guy. In Christianity, God is omnipotent. The problem with a omnipotent god is that any harm caused to humans must also be from that god. In order for God to be seen as benevolent, another character had to be created to represent malevolence.
5. I do not believe in Satan. I think many others do believe in Satan because it provides security. It is nice to believe that any bad thought I have or wrongdoing I commit are because Satan wants me to be bad, but if I believe in God, his superior strength will rescue me from Satan. It is much scarier to think that all of the bad things in this world are caused by people like you and me. It is also much harder to take responsibility for my wrongdoings than it is to blame the Devil and ask God's forgiveness.
A. The Biblical depiction of Satan is extremely different from the Satan that many modern day christians fear and hate. In the Bible, there is no mention of hell as a specific place where the Devil and demons torture souls, and there is no mention of Satan as a specific person at all in the first testament. Satan, originally was the term for an angel who, on behalf of God, gave consequences to men who sinned. All of the bad things that happened were because of God's wrath and his displeasure; there was nothing that had power opposing God's.
3. Where is the Devil today?
A. People say the Devil lives in Las Vegas, or New Orleans. This assumes the Devil has a physical form, something many would disagree with. Those who believe in God believe he is everywhere, within each person. The devil operates in the same way. I personally believe that the Devil is used as a symbol for malice and temptation, two very human traits. We personify our bad qualities into a thing everyone can hate. These human thoughts and actions that are attributed to Satan can be founds in the hearts and minds of any person, anywhere.
4. What purpose does Satan Serve
A. Satan serves the same purpose in Christianity and in society: to be the bad guy. In Christianity, God is omnipotent. The problem with a omnipotent god is that any harm caused to humans must also be from that god. In order for God to be seen as benevolent, another character had to be created to represent malevolence.
5. I do not believe in Satan. I think many others do believe in Satan because it provides security. It is nice to believe that any bad thought I have or wrongdoing I commit are because Satan wants me to be bad, but if I believe in God, his superior strength will rescue me from Satan. It is much scarier to think that all of the bad things in this world are caused by people like you and me. It is also much harder to take responsibility for my wrongdoings than it is to blame the Devil and ask God's forgiveness.
Monday, March 24, 2014
understanding the devil
Well, after seeing some inconsistencies in the Bible, it is hard to paint a clear picture of the devil, if the devil even is one specified being. It appears to be that the personification of evil occured through literature. The devils personality, appearence, etc varies throughout the different works of literature we have read. I still believe that there is a devil and he is a reflection of all evil and temptation in the world; however, that's about all I'm sure of. How he came into being, whether he works for God, and his appearence/personality seems to vary in differnt texts. I guess its subjective to time period.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)