Angels and Demons, it is not just a
book title or a Hollywood movie; these topics are a must for the Christian to
understand and discuss. At the root of this discussion exists the problem of
evil and more specifically whether or not God is the author of such evils. For
if God created Satan, that fallen angel of evil, it’s possible he created evil,
however Scripture attests to something quite different (Jas. 1:13; 1 Cor. 14:33).
From
this debate of evil the question of dualism is raised. Ethical dualism is the
doctrine that avows the existence of two reciprocated beings, one the
provenance of all-good and the other an equal provenance of all-evil.[1]
Though God and Satan might seem to fit this synopsis the two beings are
certainly not equal in attributes. God created all things including the angels
(Gen. 1:1), which is a display of his awesome power. He is the everlasting,
eternal being (1 Tim. 1:17) to which none can be the creator. Satan himself has
been described as one disguised as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). If Satan
is an angel then no matter his efforts creation is subject to the creator.
Though his power is second only to God (Ezek. 28:12-17) he is subject to God’s
will for the use of his power (Job 1:12).[2]
The
downfall of Satan and his ultimate demise has been well documented in
Scripture. This once high angel called the morning star (Isa. 14:12); the
symbol of perfection that inhabited the Garden of Eden (Ezek. 28:12-13) will
ultimately be judged and condemned to the fiery pit prepared for him and his
fallen angels (Rev. 20:10). Though
he still roams the earth today seeking those whom to devour (1 Pet. 5:8), Satan
has already been judged to perish which explains the fervor at which he pursues
his mission to disrupt the work of God.
Though
Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14 appear to be speaking directly about Satan himself
some have offered their defeaters to the notion that this speaks explicitly of
that serpent of old. The naysayers claim that these passages are specifically
addressing the king of Tyre and Babylon not Satan. [3]
Though it is true these verses appear to speak about these earthly kings the
attributes such as son of the dawn (Isa. 14:12), the model of perfection (Ezek.
28:12), anointed guardian cherub (Ezek. 28:14), and so on, do not speak of a
mortal man. These attributes must be applied to a heavenly host, and Satan fits
that description as the fallen one quite agreeably.
From
Satan’s own desire to be like the most high (Isa. 14:13-14) his ultimate nature
can be discovered. Satan is a liar (Jn. 8:44), sinner from inception (1 Jn.
3:8) and as such God cannot be accredited with his fall. If God was to
intervene and stop Satan from his evil plans in the beginning this would have
been a contradiction of God-given free will.[4]
Viewing God’s restraint in this manner leads one to conclude God could not be
the author of evil though he was the creator of Satan (Jas. 1:13).
A
reading of the first chapter of the book of Job speaks volumes to the power and
position Satan has in reference to God. Satan is first seen as presenting
himself before God (Job 1:6) a sign of submission to God. He is also viewed as
being restricted to harm only Job’s circumstances and not Job himself (Job
1:12) a denial of Satan’s omnipotence. Next God asks Satan if he has considered
Job as a righteous man (Job 1:8) alluding to the fact that Satan’s knowledge is
not ultimate. God as the uncreated one (Col. 1:15-17) cannot have an end yet
Satan’s obliteration has been predicted since the beginning (Gen 3:15; Rev
20:10). He is not eternal nor is Satan equal on any level with the one he seeks
to overthrow.
Though
it has been utilized as a phrase for copping out, “the devil made me do it”
couldn’t be farther from the truth. Satan certainly has the power to tempt as
is evidenced by his discourse with Christ (Lk. 4:1-13), yet he cannot force one
to do something much in the same way God cannot force someone to accept him.
Both examples would clearly violate the function of free will. It is true that
demonic activity will increase in the latter days and many will be seduced to
follow them (1 Tim. 4:1)[5]
however, it does not follow that seduction is the same as extortion. You have
the power to resist the devil and he will turn from his pursuit (Jas. 4:7) but
if you yield to temptation you alone are responsible for your fall, not some
external cause.
[1] H.B.
Kuhn, “Dualism,” in Evangelical
Dictionary of Theology, ed. Walter A. Elwell, 2nd Ed. (Grand
Rapids: Baker, 2001), 357.
[2] M.F.
Unger, “Satan,” in Evangelical Dictionary
of Theology, ed. Walter A. Elwell, 2nd Ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker,
2001), 1054.
[3] M.F.
Unger, “Satan,” in Evangelical Dictionary
of Theology, ed. Walter A. Elwell, 2nd Ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker,
2001), 1054.
[4] Elmer
Towns, Theology for Today (Mason:
Thomson Custom Solutions Center, 2001), 367.
[5] S.E.
McClelland, “Demon, Demonization,” in Evangelical
Dictionary of Theology, ed. Walter A. Elwell, 2nd Ed. (Grand
Rapids: Baker, 2001), 332.
