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... At least not believe in Satan as anything more than a metaphor, used in the Bible to make a point?
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2007-07-14 08:17:18 · 23 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well, this question seems to have found a real point of contention. So belief in Satan is FUNDAMENTAL to being a Christian? Wow!
2007-07-14 08:24:21 · update #1
Wow! I'm scared. After 4 years of seminary and various actual academic reading, I thought the figure of a devil personified was mostly a concoction of Midieval theologians and Dante...Guess I'm going to hell, oops, don't believe in that either:p
2007-07-14 11:49:28 · answer #1 · answered by keri gee 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
What Christian experiences have ever refuted the bible? There are none because the bible is the plumbline for truth. If it is the plumbline for truth, then it is the truth by which to measure all that is called true.
Jesus said that the devil is a liar and that there is no truth in him. He said he beheld Satan as lightening fall from heaven. If a Christian doesn't believe that Satan is real, then they don't believe what Jesus said.
2007-07-14 15:34:05 · answer #2 · answered by hisgloryisgreat 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No because the Bible speaks of Satan literally when it mentions him being kicked out of heaven. A metaphor couldnt cause so much mess. Besides demons are also mentioned non metaphorically. With the good comes the bad. Thats just the way it is.
2007-07-14 15:21:57 · answer #3 · answered by pony 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
A true Christian follows the Word of the Living God. The enemy of God is Satan, who is a real entity, not a metaphor. No, a person cannot be a true Christian if they are so biblically illiterate that they do not know
the identity or the m.o. of the enemy; at least they certainly are not able to be a servant or a soldier of Christ.
Those who say differently, are deceiving themselves.
2007-07-14 15:24:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
What metaphor would there be to illustrate if Satan is not to be interpretted literally as Evil Incarnate?
EDIT: "So belief in Satan is FUNDAMENTAL to being a Christian? Wow!"
Umm... no. We believe in Jesus. We only believe in the EXISTENCE of Satan. Don't try to twist words around.
2007-07-14 15:20:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Well....YEAH.
The expression "True Christian" is confusing enough with as many thousands of sects and opinions of that massive belief system.
"Satan" in his current form didn't start getting popular until after the 11th century. Satan in the bible is sort of like God's Attorney General, making cases for Him.
To be Christian one just needs to follow Christ, and in most sects believe in his Divinity.
2007-07-14 15:23:36 · answer #6 · answered by Divadarya: trans n' proud 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Can Satan not believe in God? Where did the concept or the person of Satan originate? The Bible.
Satan is a fallen angel, the most brilliant of all Gods creation and a very active participant in scripture.
2007-07-14 15:19:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
It is between God and His follower about who is a true Christian. However, the Bible is very clear about this subject. Satan is very real.
2007-07-14 15:39:39 · answer #8 · answered by Ulrika 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No.
Acknowledging that satan exists is believing in him to some extent.
Satans wicked ways are more than just a metaphor.
2007-07-14 15:21:11 · answer #9 · answered by white_painted_lady 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No. True Christians have just as much belief in Satan as they do God.
2007-07-14 15:22:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋