2007-12-04 06:48:01 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, let me find some references.
The character of Satan has been changed over the years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan#As_th...
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.j...
Some believe he is an Accuser working for God to point out our sins. He can only tempt humans with God's permission.
I took a course, "Witches Myth or Reality" in college. The subject of Satan came up and we thoroughly covered text that showed Satan's role in Jewish culture is quite different than Christianity. I wish I had the text still, but the idea of Satan's evil oringiated well after Jesus's birth.
But overall, I don't believe in a evil cosmic force. I was raised Catholic, but Satan's role never made sense until I took that class.
2007-12-04 06:51:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Jewish faith believes that the Satan works for God, yes. However, for us Satan is not synonymous with the Devil. We don't believe in a devil.
2007-12-06 12:14:44 · answer #2 · answered by Melanie Mue 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How ought to a minimum of one understand that devil even though tortures all human beings in hell? If one is out to inflict discomfort, sufferings and torture then it incredibly is the devil's paintings! If one does good, it incredibly is god's paintings, exact, the two exact suited innovations-blowing right here in the worldwide. Its the two good and/or undesirable. Its truly no longer common to stability between good and evil, i.e. carry out somewhat good and carry out somewhat evil on the comparable time different than one have a 2 music innovations like Dr. Jackal and Mr. Hyde. even with the indisputable actuality that, there are even though some telling their youthful little ones to now no longer be naughty by means of actuality God is going to punish them or they are going to land up in hell with the devil. those youthful little ones has God and the devil to fret. See the ingredient?
2016-10-10 05:59:34 · answer #3 · answered by dolme 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be clear: Judaism holds that the satan (or whatever on wishes to call it) is NOT an independent force opposed to God. Rather it is an angel created by God who does only what God commands it to do.
What is the job of the satan? To tempt man with sin.
Why is this necessary? To strengthen man in his use of free will.
Is this cruel as so many seem to have no resistence? No, no one is given a test that they cannot overcome. These tests are not easy and some may even require sacrificing one's life.
What's the benefit? The benefit is to perfect man's character traits. When a person is tested and fails, ie sins, this creates a great opportunity for a person to identify their weakness and to work on perfecting themselves. Without these tests, one would never know where they are lacking.
What about evil? Evil is consequence of free will and thus a choice. For free will to function, there has to be potential for evil (without a clear choice between good and evil, or between God and no god) there is no free will.
Why does God not intervene when things go terribly wrong? Like the Holocaust, or the genocide in Sudan.....the answer is that God does intervene but in ways that do not eliminate free will.
What is the nature of 'free will'? Simply stated, everything is in the hands of heaven except for the fear of heaven. In other words, choosing between mustard or mayonaisse on your hamburger is NOT an exercise of free will...rather a personal preference. Free will is, and is limited to, choosing to follow God's instructions on how to live one's life or not. This choice may be made once in a lifetime, or on a constant basis, depending on the individual....and how one chooses might change from time to time....and that's where the satan comes in. The satan tries to get us to choose wrongly in these cases....not to hurt us, but rather would prefer itself to fail. And when it does succeed, that opens the door for, perhaps, the greatest and most sublime use of free will that God provides....sincere repentence.
In short, the Christian belief that Satan, or the Devil or whatever is an independent force is, per Judaism, tantamount to idolatry....ie placing another god before God. It is simply not so.
2007-12-04 07:07:05 · answer #4 · answered by mzJakes 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The concept of Satan has evolved through time. Job is one of the oldest book and in it Satan is an angel that brings enlightenment by causing trial and tribulation. Then again, Satan, Lucifer and the devil may not be the same creature, as each tends to be a bit different each time the bible mentions them.
2007-12-04 06:53:48 · answer #5 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's true that ancient Judaism viewed 'the adversary' (aka Satan) as one of God's servants like all the other angels. He was viewed as the adversary of men, not the adversary of god.
You can find traces of that perspective remaining in the New Testament.
2007-12-04 06:54:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
More like Satan does what G-d tells him what to do. Satan is a servant of G-d and on judgement day will be the prosecutor(which probably explains why Christians turned him into a bad guy)
2007-12-04 20:25:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Satan (Lucifer) was an archangel, with Michael and Gabriel who wanted to be equal with God, but he is not, being a creation of God's. When he fell (from God) he took lesser angels (aka demons) with him. So, since Satan is God's creation, he is under God's dominion so he does not have the same powers of God. But he is the "prince of this world" because this world is under sin. So God does use Satan for His purposes at times and Satan does roam the earth freely until Christ's second coming. I don't believe that God and Satan work together, but Satan does (sometimes unwittingly) serve God, even though it is the last thing that he wants.
2007-12-04 07:03:20 · answer #8 · answered by klm78_2001 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
God created Lucifer with a purpose. If you believe in the bible and read the book of Job, you kinda have to believe that.
2007-12-04 06:53:19 · answer #9 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
LoveChrist: The concept of a war between good and evil comes from Zoroastrianism, not from Judaism. Lucifer is not mentioned in the Hebrew Bible -- he's another NT creation.
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2007-12-04 07:20:17 · answer #10 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋