Is Satan really just God's negative side?

Question

Like his alter-ego? Part of the same entity but just the opposite end of the spectrum? Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?

Answer 1

Wow, this is a new topic and compared to what I have read so far today...a pleasant change. Possibly so, since we are to believe we were all 'created' in the image of God. Angels were first according to history and Satan, Lucifer was his favorite at one time. I don't know what else to say, but I appreciate the question for the open minded people out in the world today...what if this is true? Good one.

Answer 2

To say that something is the opposite of something else implies that there is equality between the two. God has power over Satan, therefore they are not opposites. God created Satan as an angel, but he fell from the condition he was created in. There is not a constant battle going on between Satan and God. God has already won the battle. Just read the book of Job. Satan could not even touch Job before asking God for permission.

Answer 3

You took the words right out of my mouth. As soon as I read the main line I thought "Perhaps Satan is really God's alter-ego." Since God supposed to be everything and everyone and would be Satan's creator, logic would say that they are one in the same. Interesting...

Answer 4

According to apocryphal writings, he is Lucifer, the Light-bringer, who fell from grace when he tried to take over heaven. He was a creation of God- an angel- and so is not the equal of God in any way whatsoever. Whether this is the same "Satan", which means "adversary" in Hebrew, as was seen in Numbers and who put Job through his trials etc etc etc. is not really known because the nature of "Satan" has changed from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

Answer 5

Definitely not! Otherwise, when Jesus was conversing with Satan atop the mountain, he would have realized that he was instead, talking to the one he always called his Father. Jesus ALWAYS referred to Satan as an evil entity while he ALWAYS referred to God as a loving entity. He never confused the two as being two sides of the same coin.

Answer 6

Since the Bible is the primary source for teachings on Satan, I rely on the Bible for my understanding of him, so the answer is "no." Satan is a created being who wanted to usurp God's authority and be his own god. Therefore, he was thrown out of God's presence and continues to seek to unravel all that God has created and bring chaos and destruction. For a time, God has allowed Satan to have some freedom, but in the end, Satan's destruction will be complete.

Answer 7

God and Satan represent the duality of our existence on this physical plane. They could also be used as a metaphor for the dichotomy of the human psyche. Bottom line, we are speaking of myth but as myth is supposed to speak to us, you are right to look beyond the literal and see what can be gleaned from "between the lines." And to your question? Specifically?

It reminds me of drama where a person is faced with some kind of ethical or moral question. Suddenly a little devil appears on the person's left shoulder. He usually shouts, "Do it!" Then a little angel appears on his right shoulder saying, "Don't do it!" It's usually humorous to an audience and amply demonstrates the ultimate dichotomy of our very being.

Answer 8

No God created Satan. So they are not the same entity. Then Satan turned on God and is now without His love, So Satan is evil.

Answer 9

Satan is not Gods alter-ego. Satan was an angel who was rebellious and was cast out of Heaven into hell. He is allowed by God to tempt us therefore allowing us to choose righteousness.

Answer 10

Satan (or Lucipher as I like to call him) Was an angel who gathered a group of angels and attempted to overthrow God. His attempt failed and he and the angels who supported him were thrown out of heaven. Since he couldn't defeat God directly, he's always trying to screw up everything that God does. So the real answer would be....no.