[ArrogantBustard]

Jesus tells Pilate that his (Pilate's) authority is given him from on High. From God. No mention of the devil.

In light of this, I think you're misinterpreting St. John, and St. Paul, who speak of "the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions".

Remember that God created the world, and found everything in it to be "good". Some of that good remains in spite of the Fall, the heresy of "total depravity" notwithstanding.

[PetroniusMaximus]

"Jesus tells Pilate that his (Pilate's) authority is given him from on High. From God. No mention of the devil."

Look closer at the verse...

"So Pilate said to him, "You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?" Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. "

"Over me". Pilate had no power over Jesus because Jesus was not subject to the spiritual effect of the fall. Jesus already made this clear in John 14...

"I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me,"


"In light of this, I think you're misinterpreting St. John, and St. Paul, who speak of "the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions"."

I recognize that these things are the power behind the world. Nevertheless, according to the Bible the world system is owned and operated by the devil. It is only after the events of the Apocalypse that we hear...

Revelation 11:15
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.



"Remember that God created the world, and found everything in it to be "good"."

The created world is not what I am addressing, that would make me a gnostic. I am speaking of the world "system" - societies, civilizations etc.