When we come across inconsistancies... it is important to determine what makes most sense and what therefore is false... and basically as regards Satan and doing wrong, there are only three possible options:
#1. Satan has free will somehow... despite angels, including those who are falling, having no access to do such.
That said, there is no way for them to make the choice to do wrong unless they have the aforementioned "free will".
#2. God makes Satan do evil things... which removes the need for free will, but likewise removes God's omnibenevolance. Oops.
#3. Satan isn't evil and doesn't do evil. Christians might disagree... but Jews would claim that Satan is simply acting under God's will as a means of testing for humans to determine their worthiness... which means he isn't technically evil at all.
So.... putting aside the distinct possibility of all of this being nonsense and neither God nor Satan existing.... WHICH of the above 3 is it?
2007-11-15 04:20:36 · 13 answers · asked by Lucid Interrogator 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Putting aside the obvious... the only reasonable answer is number 3. The Jews originally made the religion and clearly understand it best... and it is the only rational conclusion based on all else one has to take for granted about the situation.
2007-11-15 20:26:34 · answer #1 · answered by Dire Badger 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is #1. The angels in heaven today can rebel if they would choose to. The saved human beings will judge the angels in heaven. How? I don't know? We have free will also because God created heaven to be paradise where no rebelion will take place. If God were to allow every human being into heaven then it would be just like earth. This is what some of the most learned scholars believe. I myself am not sure but it does make sense.
2007-11-15 04:26:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
For what reason or reasons should God have not created the devil even if he was going to fall? Just because God knows what will happen doesn't mean that the person (angel) isn't free to make choices. Satan freely chose to rebel against God. God knew this would happen. Nevertheless, let me offer some possible reasons why God would create Satan even though He knew he would fall and rebel.
It was necessary to have the fall so that God could then have a reason to die for our sins thereby demonstrating that God can and does provide the greatest act of love which is to lay ones life down for his friend (John 15:13).
The fall of Satan provides yet another method for God to be glorified in that God can use sin to prove that sin is "bad" and that God's word about righteousness is true.
If God is to have creatures with free will, then the risk of rebellion is part of that freedom. Satan had that freedom and used it to rebel.
If God had not created Satan and instead another angel fell, then we'd be asking why God made that angel knowing he would fall.
God has reasons that we simply do not know about.
I know my children will act badly at times, but knowing that does not mean mean that I shouldn’t have kids. Part of the risk of freedom is that rebellion will be a reality.
2007-11-15 04:29:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Satan is the leader of the opposition but those other idiots couldn't understand the process for democracy anyway.
I should remind Robert K that Satan is the Great Accuser.
2007-11-15 13:02:47 · answer #4 · answered by Psyengine 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Satan is evil and with the increase of time becomes more agressive in his evil. Just look at the increase in vulgar language, crimes, disrespect of children for their parents and authority etc. etc. in the last few decades. He will increase his evil until the time the Lord has specified for his defeat.
2007-11-15 04:30:10 · answer #5 · answered by marcie1940 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
number 3
SATAN, n. One of the Creator's lamentable mistakes, repented in sashcloth and axes. Being instated as an archangel, Satan made himself multifariously objectionable and was finally expelled from Heaven. Halfway in his descent he paused, bent his head in thought a moment and at last went back. "There is one favor that I should like to ask," said he.
"Name it."
"Man, I understand, is about to be created. He will need laws."
"What, wretch! you his appointed adversary, charged from the dawn of eternity with hatred of his soul — you ask for the right to make his laws?"
"Pardon; what I have to ask is that he be permitted to make them himself."
It was so ordered.
2007-11-15 04:29:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
option #4. Satan is evil and has to ask God to do his acts against God's people. (see Job for an example of this) And in the new testament, satan is seated next to God accusing God's people. Does this help you out? I assume Satan is on the left, since Jesus sits on the right hand of God defending those he (Jesus) knows.
2007-11-15 04:25:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Your premise in option #1 that angels lack free will is the problem. Why would you insist that to be true?
2007-11-15 04:26:22 · answer #8 · answered by Mike B 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO ONE understands what angels are fully....
that said...they do have some free will otherwise
Satan and his angels wouldn't be doing what they
are doing...
that said.. why worry about the devil in this manner?
concern yourself with Christ....
2007-11-15 04:27:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
None of the above. Sounds like he owns you so you are biased in your questioning.
2007-11-15 04:24:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋