The Devil Mythology
The Devil (Satan) ---A Brief Study
Introduction:
Etymology:
Satan(The Devil) "the opposer", is the supreme evil spirit and adversary to God and humanity, particularly in Abrahamic religions. It is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible. In Christianity, the title became a personal name, and "Satan" changed from an accuser appointed by God to test men's faith to the chief of the rebellious fallen angels ("the devil" in Christianity, "Shaitan" in Arabic, the term used by Arab Christians and Muslims). In Islam, a shayṭān is any evil creature, whether human, animal or spirit. With the definite article, the Shayṭān is Iblis, the Devil.
The original Hebrew term, satan, …show more content…
He shows intelligence; he exhibits emotions; he demonstrates that he has a will.
B. The Pronouns of Personality:
Satan is referred to as a person in both Old and New Testaments (Bible).
C. The Moral Responsibility of Personality:
If Satan were merely a personification that people have devised to express their ideas of evil, then such a personification could scarcely be held morally responsible for his actions, since, in reality, there is no being that can be held accountable. But Satan is held accountable by the Lord, and this passage reminds us that to deny the reality of Satan requires denying the veracity of Revelations.
There is a sobering lesson to this—or should be. If angels like Satan who were so close to God gave way to the pride of seeking to be independent of God and fell in sin, we certainly should learn from this that we might be more careful “to take heed lest we fall”. We should know full well, as with the temptation of Eve, Satan will seek to reduplicate his sin in us by seeking to get us to attempt to live life independently of God as though we were gods ourselves
The Designations of Satan:
Specific Names Applied to Satan:
Introduction:
Etymology:
Satan(The Devil) "the opposer", is the supreme evil spirit and adversary to God and humanity, particularly in Abrahamic religions. It is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible. In Christianity, the title became a personal name, and "Satan" changed from an accuser appointed by God to test men's faith to the chief of the rebellious fallen angels ("the devil" in Christianity, "Shaitan" in Arabic, the term used by Arab Christians and Muslims). In Islam, a shayṭān is any evil creature, whether human, animal or spirit. With the definite article, the Shayṭān is Iblis, the Devil.
The original Hebrew term, satan, …show more content…
He shows intelligence; he exhibits emotions; he demonstrates that he has a will.
B. The Pronouns of Personality:
Satan is referred to as a person in both Old and New Testaments (Bible).
C. The Moral Responsibility of Personality:
If Satan were merely a personification that people have devised to express their ideas of evil, then such a personification could scarcely be held morally responsible for his actions, since, in reality, there is no being that can be held accountable. But Satan is held accountable by the Lord, and this passage reminds us that to deny the reality of Satan requires denying the veracity of Revelations.
There is a sobering lesson to this—or should be. If angels like Satan who were so close to God gave way to the pride of seeking to be independent of God and fell in sin, we certainly should learn from this that we might be more careful “to take heed lest we fall”. We should know full well, as with the temptation of Eve, Satan will seek to reduplicate his sin in us by seeking to get us to attempt to live life independently of God as though we were gods ourselves
The Designations of Satan:
Specific Names Applied to Satan: