tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097582791935798204.post4019463099346054986..comments2023-08-02T20:59:22.523+02:00Comments on dianoigo: biblical studies, theology, church history and more: "Not against flesh and blood": the superhuman opponent of Ephesians 6Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16671380367019506667noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097582791935798204.post-8055920359826270182015-10-18T20:49:38.211+02:002015-10-18T20:49:38.211+02:00Thank you for the comment. I agree with you that t...Thank you for the comment. I agree with you that there is only one God and He is all-powerful. Moreover, the Church teaches that the devil cannot do anything other than what God permits (this is, however, different than Satan doing God's bidding). So we have important areas of agreement. However, your reasons for rejecting the existence of a personal devil are little more than dogma. You offered no insights on the passage discussed in my post, and do not appear to understand traditional Christian teaching concerning Satan. I would suggest that you research the topic further.Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16671380367019506667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097582791935798204.post-59934102744761117052015-10-18T18:47:36.362+02:002015-10-18T18:47:36.362+02:00There was no rebellion in heaven. No sin was ever ...There was no rebellion in heaven. No sin was ever committed by a cosmic benign are you slandering the might y ones, Gods angels who do His bidding. If Satan is an angel.. then this Satan is still doing only God' bidding. To believe in a Satan Devil is believing that their are more than one God. There is only one God. He is ALL powerful. Even Jesus though Devine was nit ALL powerful. Truth seekerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09928854643592686766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097582791935798204.post-50018054914015142212014-08-21T12:03:17.982+02:002014-08-21T12:03:17.982+02:00Hi Sarah,
Thanks for your question. I'm not s...Hi Sarah,<br /><br />Thanks for your question. I'm not sure there is a place where I clearly describe the devil in the terms you've indicated.<br /><br />However, I hold to the interpretation of the biblical devil that has been espoused by church teaching throughout its history, and which remains the view of many biblical scholars today. You could get a good idea of this interpretation by consulting some Bible dictionaries.<br /><br />Nevertheless, let me try to give you a more direct and personal answer.<br /><br />The devil is a supernatural evil being. 'Supernatural' here means pertaining to the spiritual realm as opposed to the natural. Specifically the devil is an angelic being (Job 1-2; Matt. 25:41; 2 Cor. 11:14; Rev. 12:7-9). His nature and 'physical' appearance would thus be like those of angels.<br /><br />'Evil' refers to the moral character of this being. 'Being' refers to his real personal existence as opposed to an abstract concept or a symbol.<br /><br />The Bible is no more clear about the devil's origins than it is about angels' origins. Some interpret passages about evil human kings such as Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 to refer typologically to the devil's fall; however this is far from clear. We are told that the devil initially had access to God's presence in heaven but was cast out (Rev. 12:7-11). There is some debate over when this occurred, with some understanding it to be a primeval event; however my view is that he was cast out after the death of Christ (John 12:31; Heb. 2:14; Rev. 12:7-11), with Luke 10:18 referring to a prophetic vision of this event.<br /><br />The devil's habitation is the lower heavens (the 'air', Eph. 2:2; 6:11-12) and the earth (Rev. 12:12; 1 Peter 5:8). He no longer has access to God's presence as he did previously (Job 1-2; Zechariah 3). He is the ruler of demons (Mark 3:22-30 par.; Eph. 2:2; 6:11-12). His destiny is to be thrown into the lake of fire (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10).<br /><br />His main functions are to seduce (1 Cor. 7:5; 2 Cor. 4:4; 2 Tim. 2:26), to accuse (Zech. 3:1-2; Luke 22:31; Rev. 12:10), and to oppress/destroy (Acts 10:38; 1 Pet. 5:8). Satan could be described as an overzealous prosecutor who seeks first to entrap victims, then accuse them before God, and obtain God's permission to punish them.<br /><br />His relationship with God is one of rebellion and disobedience. However, while his antagonism toward God is only hinted at in the Old Testament (Job 1-2; Zechariah 3), it is made very clear in the New Testament that he was wicked from the beginning (John 8:44). Nevertheless, in spite of his wickedness, he can (like wicked human beings - Jer. 25:9; John 11:49-51; 19:11), be unwittingly used to accomplish God's purposes, such as testing the faithful (Job 1-2; Matthew 4:1; 2 Cor. 12:7), or spiritual discipline (1 Cor. 5:5; 1 Tim. 1:20).<br /><br />I hope that will serve as a useful summary of my beliefs about the devil. Some of the above passages are discussed in detail in my blog posts and articles; others will be discussed in forthcoming blog posts and articles, God willing. I hope eventually to write a book-length biblical theology of Satan, perhaps as a dissertation.Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16671380367019506667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097582791935798204.post-22570936250280968742014-08-21T03:35:51.093+02:002014-08-21T03:35:51.093+02:00Hi Tom,
Is there a place where you clearly describ...Hi Tom,<br />Is there a place where you clearly describe and positively affirm what exactly you believe the "supernatural evil" or devil of the Bible to be? I.e. his origins, his habitation, his physical appearance, his relationship with God, etc...<br /><br />If I've missed it on the blog or website, my apologies.<br /><br />Thank you,<br />SarahSarahnoreply@blogger.com