Quote:
Originally Posted by Sydnorphyn  Friends:
Does the Bible actually present an "origin" of the Devil - A "Fall" or Satan/Devil, or is this Christian mythology?
Thanks in advance.
John
PS. let's keep the discussion to the Biblical text, not the creeds, sorry. |
I think that there is definitely a strong case that can be made to say that Scripture does present an origin to the Devil, in my opinion. It appears that he has to be a created being; for Col. 1:16 says, "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him." If he was not created, then he must be eternal; and it would appear that we would then have a universe with two gods.
As for a "fall" of Satan, I think this is assumed by many because, in Genesis, when God created everything, he said that it was "good." So, those who assume that Satan was created during this time conclude that he would have been considered "good" as well. Some assume that the angels were made during this time because Gen. 2:1 says, "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them." Those who don't include the angels in this account of creation usually assume Satan to have fallen from a "good" estate because, otherwise, God appears to be the creator of evil.
Those who say that Satan and the angels were made prior to the six day creation do so because Job 38:4-7 says, "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements - surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and
all the sons of God shouted for joy?" They would include Satan and the angels as a creation either before Gen. 1:1 or during it. If they were created during it, they would probably say that the Job passage refers to the forming of the heavens and the earth into a more organized state, molding it into such from its previous "formless and void" state. So, they would say that the angels were created along with the heavens and the earth in verse 1; and so were around to sing praise regarding it when God decided to "stretch the line" over it and fashion it into a more organized condition.
And, some also say that there was no fall to Satan, for I Jn. 3:8 says, "Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the
beginning."; and in Jn. 8:44, Jesus says, "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the
beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
That's all I have to offer for now.
Blessings!