Hi everyone,
As I’m sure most of you are aware our modern conceptualisation of Satan is the product of theological evolution. In the Old Testament “Satan” was merely a righteous angel of God sent by God to test the faith of individuals; in fact the correct translation is “The Satan” (the adversary), and was a role that could be delegated to any angel.
For the most part The Church accepts that Satan represents a single being who is the absolute personification of evil; however I have seen nothing to suggest that the belief in a personal being called Satan is De Fide.
In Christ, through Mary
Kropotkin
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Luke 10:16 *** (Jesus to the 72 apostles and disciples) Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me."
17 The seventy (-two) returned rejoicing, and said, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.”
18 Jesus said, "I have observed** Satan **fall like lightning from the sky.
19 Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of*** the enemy*** and nothing will harm you.
20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
You have free will. But Jesus “believed in Satan” (his** existence** that is!) and mentioned him in relation to his servants casting out demons as part of their mission.
This coming Sunday’s Gospel is similar with the apostles casting out demons, annointing and healing others.
You’re not quite right about the OT either. Right off, in Genesis the snake is the devil (as is revealed elsewhere in scripture); AND wasn’t sent by God to test Adam and Eve - because God punishes the snake.
By the end of the Bible (Revelation), the “snake” has become a full-blown dragon.
I will say THIS. Your focus needn’t be Satan. And some people focus on him too much perhaps. But scripture gives warnings to wear spiritual armor, resist the fiery darts of the evil one, etc. So it’s probably not a good idea to go about trumpeting that there IS no Satan - or that he’s other than “the enemy” < as Jesus states above.
Everyone has some article of faith that is difficult for them. We need not delay our entry into the Church, or Church leadership, or service until we score 100 % on an advanced theology paper or something.
The “Satan” I’d been taught about is not God’s equal at all - but a free will being that led a rebellion that still goes on. It is further written of Satan that he wants what God has (among those things worship - He even tempted Jesus to do just that).
Jesus calls him a liar and the “Father of Lies”. Whereas Jesus calls Himself “The Truth”.
If God calls Himself “I AM” (as he does to Moses); Satan whispers “I AM NOT!”
If one believes “He is NOT” – that one might wear no spiritual armor and succumb to the fiery darts of Satan when they come.
Often when one does NOT believe in Satan … an unbelief in Hell follows. And Hell is the consequence for unrepented mortal sin - and WHAT Jesus saved us FROM by dying for us.
If we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, He will show us the proper attitude. We are different parts of the Body of Christ after all, and are not required to do extensive study on the doctrines pertaining to Satan, demons, hell and such. In fact, those who do must watch out lest they verge into an attraction for the occult.
The occult DOES exist. But is forbidden knowledge destructive to us. Eve learned the hard way (but I hope she’s in heaven by NOW!).
The Nicene Creed (a short summary of the faith) has 12 articles. Jesus “descended into hell” is a phrase contained in it. Satan is not mentioned. “Born of the Virgin Mary” is contained in it. The Immaculate Conception and Assumption are not.
This doesn’t make Satan’s existence nor details of Mary’s “graces” false. So one ought not teach in opposition to them. But making those things agenda toppers in one’s walk of faith would seem to be an elective - not a mandatory course of study for salvation.
Satan is mentioned 53 times by name in the New American Bible. When referred to as “the devil” or by other names the total swells to 121. Never is he called righteous - although there was a time before he rebelled when he had a place in heaven.
"Any Angel might test " is interesting. The Angel of Death the night of the first Passover is not called Satan or the Devil. But you seem to make reference to that kind of Angel, who obeys God and sometimes punishes man.
In Job, the devil is depicted as the enemy of man (the man Job) but in that case (
and as you made reference to ) God DOES use Satan to test Job. More to teach Satan a lesson about the heroism and steadfastness of Job it appears though (when one reads the whole book of Job).
Job’s restoration (here on Earth and presumably later and ever after) is a message of hope
to those faithfully going through the trials of this life. We don’t call him St. Job. But like Abraham, Moses and Elijah he is one. :clapping:
