Posted on 09/30/2016 5:02:32 AM PDT by Gamecock
I once asked a college philosophy class, “How many of you believe in God?” Out of thirty students, twenty-seven raised their hands in the affirmative; three abstained.
Then I asked, “How many of you believe in Satan as a personal reality?” This time the vote was reversed.
I pursued my inquiry. I asked, “Why do you believe in a supernatural being who has the capacity to influence us for good (God) and not in a supernatural personal being who has the capacity to influence us for evil (Satan)?” Their answers indicated that the Devil they were rejecting was what they perceived to be a nonexistent mythical caricature.
Many qualified their positions by saying, “I do believe in the reality of an impersonal force of evil in the world.” I found this response fascinating. I asked them, “How can an impersonal force be evil?”
What is this mysterious impersonal force? Cosmic dust? Radioactivity? Impersonal objects, forces, or powers can be many things. One thing they cannot be is morally evil. Here the attempt to be modern and sophisticated becomes an exercise in intellectual regression.
Coram Deo
Do you believe Satan is a personal reality? Why do you believe as you do? How has your belief affected your response to him?
Passages for Further Study
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Matthew 12:43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
The people in this class were apparently not serious students of Scripture.
"A Mighty Fortress is Our God"
by Dr. Martin Luther, 1483-1546
Composite Translation from the Pennsylvania Lutheran CHURCH BOOK of 1868
1. A mighty Fortress is our God,
A trusty Shield and Weapon;
He helps us free from every need
That hath us now o'ertaken.
The old evil Foe
Now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight;
On Earth is not his equal.
2. With might of ours can naught be done,
Soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One,
Whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, Who is this?
Jesus Christ it is.
Of Sabaoth Lord,
And there's none other God;
He holds the field forever.
3. Though devils all the world should fill,
All eager to devour us.
We tremble not, we fear no ill,
They shall not overpower us.
This world's prince may still
Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none,
He's judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
4. The Word they still shall let remain
Nor any thanks have for it;
He's by our side upon the plain
With His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life,
Goods, fame, child and wife,
Let these all be gone,
They yet have nothing won;
The Kingdom our remaineth.
A quote from Ambrose Bierce ~
SATAN, n. One of the Creator’s lamentable mistakes, repented in sashcloth and axes. Being instated as an archangel, Satan made himself multifariously objectionable and was finally expelled from Heaven. Halfway in his descent he paused, bent his head in thought a moment and at last went back. “There is one favor that I should like to ask,” said he.
“Name it.”
“Man, I understand, is about to be created. He will need laws.”
“What, wretch! you his appointed adversary, charged from the dawn of eternity with hatred of his soul — you ask for the right to make his laws?”
“Pardon; what I have to ask is that he be permitted to make them himself.”
It was so ordered.
I personally believe that people wish Satan out of existence out of a desire to avoid consequences for breaking God’s commandments. If you design a God for yourself that is purely a relativistic and benevolent spirit who allows you to do whatever you wish then why would Satan exist? In the philosophy of many modern people there is no right and wrong. If that is the case then there clearly is no Satan. It is a fantastically well done deception.
And apply this in multiple other areas as well.
For some it’s even simpler. God is good, it’s impossible to believe He would allow Satan to exist. We’re lucky He puts up with us, never mind demons.
Yes - it’s simple.
Jesus believed in Satan - spoke of him several times, saw him falling.....
If Jesus believes he exists - so do I.
End of story.
God does not make mistakes.
Yep! Works for me.
God does not make mistakes.
Agreed. I noticed that too, but I think the author was using it only as a rhetorical device to make his point.
Have a blessed day.
Heresy and blasphemy are not what I would flippantly call rhetorical devices. I doubt God does either.
Well, EXCUSE ME! According to you, I’m a flippant, heretical, blasphemer?
Take your meds...
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