my understanding takes me to the point that the satan mentioned in the bible is not an actual being but more of an adversary . for example the story about the morning star in isiah which most claim to be the fallen angel actually refers to the king of babylon.
can christians comment on this?
2007-02-22 15:08:45 · 15 answers · asked by ex muslim cowgirl 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Take this into account. There is no Aramaic, Hebrew, or Greek word readily available to translate for the persona "Satan" that did not even appear as any kind of physical entity until the dark ages. There is a concept of evil but no specifiically named creature that represents evil in the writings making up either the old or new testament..
2007-02-22 15:34:47 · answer #1 · answered by Terry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The passage in Ezekiel is one that has a "dual interpretation". This is very very common in scripture.
One of God's requirements was that any prophecy for the distant future had to be coupled with either a prophecy of a more current event, or have an interpretation for today and one for the future. This was done to expose false prophets. If their current prophecy did not happen, then future which (which they may not be alive to observe) would be rejected.
You are correct that the scripture ALSO refers to the king of babylon - and was fulfilled by his actions in Ezekiel's day. That is the proof that we can accept what the scripture says about the unseen things that happened in heaven where we can not witness them.
2007-02-22 23:18:57 · answer #2 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read Job Chapters 1 and 2. Satan is a real spirit person, he is a fallen angel who had a position in heaven.
2007-02-22 23:14:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
New Testament talks about Jesus being tempted by Satan. It also talks about how satan tempts man, as opposed to God tempting man. And any time it says "The Enemy" it is talking about Satan.
So I would say that Satan is an actual being, who is believed to have become Satan because he wanted to bask in God's glory or have His power or something.
Now, one thing that might be of interest to you is that in the original Greek of the New Testament, never once does it Say "hell" it talks about Abraham's bosum, Sheol, the lake of fire and Hades.( which all seem to be different places, but many would argue that they are all just one place) But Hell, does not come up in the original greek.
2007-02-22 23:17:05 · answer #4 · answered by C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
those are the theories,
but how do you know that lucifer was a king in babylon.
the book of urantia says that there is an entire galaxy named Satanica. Lucifer couldve been the king over that system.
the fact is that Lucifer fell and became satan, which through interpretation becomes something like "enemy of God".
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/isa/14/12#12 he fell from heaven
Falling from heaven implies something greater than mortal beings.
2007-02-22 23:22:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I am a Christian and I agree.
Satan is a concept. But don't underestimate this concept. Just as the King of Babylon can resemble Satan, so can you.
Satan is real. A real concept. Don't underestimate the power of a concept. Satan can control you if you let him.
Satan is a real person: you without Christ.
2007-02-22 23:14:21 · answer #6 · answered by willeum 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I don't' believe in an omnipresent Satan. Satan in my experience seems to be more the part of your consciousness that amounts to "selfishness of spirit", call it the ego if you like. Its the part of you that is only out for physical pleasure and gain. There is nothing outside of Self; it all exists within you.
2007-02-22 23:16:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
satan was an angel, supoidly the most beautiful, until deciding to be greater than god, and procuring a percentage of the angels to follow, and was cast out of heaven. to the darkness of hell, and is considered to be the advesary of men, continuing to persuade man to sin and distance themselves from god. does that help
2007-02-22 23:16:30 · answer #8 · answered by tireguy20032003 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the king of Babylon is of the earth. he ruled in the earth and never sought to ascend up into heaven to usurp God's throne.
the morning star.. lucifer, is refering to the fallen angel of heaven that was cast down and sought to ascend back up to have the throne of God.
2007-02-22 23:33:26 · answer #9 · answered by opalist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, Job is pretty clear. Satan is having conversations with God. He also gets his butt kicked in Revelation.
So there is a person, I see it that way anyway.
2007-02-22 23:21:24 · answer #10 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋