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smvoice is correct. Satan holds all men in bondage unless and until Christ frees them by paying the ransom for their sins to satisfy the perfect judgment of God

So, satan is God's loyal servant in your brand of "Christianity?" He is God's jail master who holds prisoners until someone pays God the ransom?

Wow.

The conundrum you're experiencing is answered by the fact that Satan was created by God and does not work with impunity. Rather, "all things" work according to the purpose of God. Therefore Satan tempts, but it is God who frees men from this temptation

So, satan's only one of many sons of God? How "Christian" is that?

"With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his." -- Job 12:16

Very "Christian," Dr. E, very "Christian."

Agnostics ask "why did this God whom I don't even believe in set things up this way?" Christians answer: for His glory and His good pleasure and the welfare of His family

Is that a fact? Or just a man-made belief?

Somehow you take exception to this. Who do you think Christ pays the ransom to? Who is Christ beholden to?

Christ didn't pay any ransom to anyone. He offered himself as ransom to death in exchange for many, knowing death couldn't hold him. If Christ paid the ransom he would be death's captive, which he is not, because he is God and death can not hold him, or so the story goes. Therefore, the devil did not get his ransom. Christ offered but never paid it.