Changes

[[Image:GustaveDoreParadiseLostSatanProfile.jpg|right|thumb|Gustave Doré's depiction of Satan from John Milton's Paradise Lost.]]

[[Image:GustaveDoreParadiseLostSatanProfile.jpg|right|thumb|Gustave Doré's depiction of Satan from John Milton's Paradise Lost.]]

'''Satan''' also known as the '''[[Devil]]''', is the embodiment of [[evil]]. Satan plays a major role in [[Christian]] theology, classical literature, and in other religions under different names. He is the tempter and spiritual enemy of mankind. He is the adversary of [[God]], although subordinate to Him and able to act only by his sufferance, and is represented frequently as the leader or [[prince]] of all the fallen, apostate [[angel]]s, and as ruler of [[hell]].  

'''Satan''', also known as the '''[[Devil]]''', is the embodiment of [[evil]]. Satan plays a major role in [[Christian]] theology, classical literature, and in other religions under different names. He is the tempter and spiritual enemy of mankind. He is the adversary of [[God]], although subordinate to Him and able to act only by his sufferance, and is represented frequently as the leader or [[prince]] of all the fallen, apostate [[angel]]s, and as ruler of [[hell]].  

[[Leftist]] [[Saul Alinsky]] dedicated his ''Rules for Radicals'' to Lucifer, which is another name for Satan. Satan and the Devil are often in rock music.<ref>https://www.ranker.com/list/songs-about-the-devil/ranker-music</ref> Satan is even mentioned three times in ''God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen''.<ref>https://www.metrolyrics.com/god-rest-you-merry-gentlemen-lyrics-christmas-carols.html</ref> [[Shakespeare]] mentions Satan 8 times and the [[Devil]] 270 times in his plays; ''[[Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde]]'' vividly mentions Satan 3 times; ''[[The House of the Seven Gables]]'' mentions the devil about a half-dozen times and Satan twice.

[[Leftist]] [[Saul Alinsky]] dedicated his ''Rules for Radicals'' to Lucifer, which is another name for Satan. Satan and the Devil are often in rock music.<ref>https://www.ranker.com/list/songs-about-the-devil/ranker-music</ref> Satan is even mentioned three times in ''God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen''.<ref>https://www.metrolyrics.com/god-rest-you-merry-gentlemen-lyrics-christmas-carols.html</ref> [[Shakespeare]] mentions Satan 8 times and the [[Devil]] 270 times in his plays; ''[[Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde]]'' vividly mentions Satan 3 times; ''[[The House of the Seven Gables]]'' mentions the devil about a half-dozen times and Satan twice.

"Satan is the force that loves to find the guilt and weakness in people, to humiliate them with it, to convince them that, because they are not good, God cannot [[love]] them."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/258360/iritei-stuff-satan-prosecutor-mike-potemra|title=The Rite Stuff: Satan as Prosecutor|author=Mike Potemra|accessdate=March 12, 2020}}</ref> [[Liberal]]s today try to deny the existence of Satan, or at least depersonify him into "more a force than an actual being."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/voices/yes-i-believe-in-the-devil.html|title=Yes, I believe in the devil|date=March 11, 2020|accessdate=March 12, 2020|publisher=The Christian Post}}</ref>  

"Satan is the force that loves to find the guilt and weakness in people, to humiliate them with it, to convince them that, because they are not good, God cannot [[love]] them."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/258360/iritei-stuff-satan-prosecutor-mike-potemra|title=The Rite Stuff: Satan as Prosecutor|author=Mike Potemra|accessdate=March 12, 2020}}</ref> [[Liberal]]s today try to deny the existence of Satan, or at least depersonify him into "more a force than an actual being."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/voices/yes-i-believe-in-the-devil.html|title=Yes, I believe in the devil|date=March 11, 2020|accessdate=March 12, 2020|publisher=The Christian Post}}</ref>  

==Old Testament==

==Old Testament==

Satan was once a member of the divine council of God referenced in the [[Old Testament]]. He is referenced 11 times in [[Job]] and 4 other times in the Old Testament. The [[New Testament]] mentions Satan 34 times in all, starting with the first book [[Matthew]] and ending with the last [[Revelation]]. In the [[Christianity|Christian]] tradition, he rebelled against God and is now the enemy of God and man alike. He is the father of lies, and no good is found in him. He leads a host of fallen angels, or [[demon]]s, who know their days are numbered before they will be cast into the lake of fire, so they seek to take as many humans as possible with them.

Satan was once a member of the divine council of God referenced in the [[Old Testament]]. He is referenced 11 times in [[Job]] and 4 other times in the Old Testament. The [[New Testament]] mentions Satan 34 times in all, starting with the first book [[Matthew]] and ending with the last [[Revelation]]. In the [[Christianity|Christian]] tradition, he rebelled against God and is now the enemy of God and man alike. He is the father of lies, and no good is found in him. He leads a host of fallen angels, or [[demon]]s, who know their days are numbered before they will be cast into the lake of fire, so they seek to take as many humans as possible with them.

== New Testament==

== New Testament==

In the [[New Testament]], Satan tries to tempt [[Jesus]] in the desert, and fails. Jesus warns extensively to beware of Satan, as does [[Paul]].

In the [[New Testament]], Satan tries to tempt [[Jesus]] in the desert, and fails. Jesus warns extensively to beware of Satan, as does [[Paul]].

In [[Christian]] theology, Satan's goal is to lead people away from the love of God, by tempting or tricking them. The only sources of supernatural power in the world are from either God (good) or Satan (evil). In the book of [[Genesis]], Satan takes the form of a snake and tempts Eve with fruit from a tree. This causes sin to come into the world. Kelly (2006) demonstrates how assumptions—such as the identification of the Eden serpent with Satan, probably first made by Justin Martyr in the second century—have hardened into fact.

In [[Christian]] theology, Satan's goal is to lead people away from the love of God, by tempting or tricking them. The only sources of supernatural power in the world are from either God (good) or Satan (evil). In the book of [[Genesis]], Satan takes the form of a snake and tempts Eve with fruit from a tree. This causes sin to come into the world. Kelly (2006) demonstrates how assumptions—such as the identification of the Eden serpent with Satan, probably first made by Justin Martyr in the second century—have hardened into fact.

Satan, in the [[Book of Job]], listens to God speak highly of Job and accuses Job to God before the host of angels that Job praises God only because he is blessed and would curse God if he was forced to suffer. God allows Satan to do what he will except to spare his life, and Satan causes Job to suffer immensely. (Job remained true to God through his hardships; Satan accused him further and punished him further, but could not get Job to break).

Satan, in the [[Book of Job]], listens to God speak highly of Job and accuses Job to God before the host of angels, claiming that Job praises God only because he is blessed and would curse God if he were forced to suffer. God allows Satan to do what he will except to spare his life, and Satan causes Job to suffer immensely. (Job remained true to God through his hardships; Satan accused him further and punished him further, but could not get Job to break).

==Possession==

==Possession==

[[Jesus]] makes references to demonic possession on multiple occasions that He then casts out. Some believe that Satan is able to possess and control living humans on Earth even today. Even more, some others believe that Satan actually has done this in the past as well. Specifically, Satan is said to have entered Judas during [[The Last Supper]] ([[John, Chapter 13|John 13:27]]). The [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] church believes that priests (and sometimes only bishops) are able to [[Exorcism|exorcise]] this possession through Jesus.

[[Jesus]] makes references to demonic possession on multiple occasions, which He then casts out. Some believe that Satan is able to possess and control living humans on Earth even today. Even more, some others believe that Satan actually has done this in the past as well. Specifically, Satan is said to have entered Judas during [[The Last Supper]] ([[John, Chapter 13|John 13:27]]). The [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] church believes that priests (and sometimes only bishops) are able to [[Exorcism|exorcise]] this possession through Jesus.

==Terms==

==Terms==

The word ''Satan'' derives from the [[Hebrew]] "ha-satan", meaning the "accuser", "tempter", "persecutor", "calumniator", or "adversary". He "was a liar and a murderer from the beginning." (John 8:44) Synonyms include '''Lucifer, The Devil, Mephistopheles, Mephisto, Beelzebub, the Evil One, the Tempter,''' '''The Prince of Darkness''' and '''the angel of light'''. The term "demon" generally refers to one of the fallen angels who join in Satan's attempt to overthrow God.

The word ''Satan'' derives from the [[Hebrew]] "ha-satan", meaning the "accuser", "tempter", "persecutor", "calumniator", or "adversary". He "was a liar and a murderer from the beginning." (John 8:44) Synonyms include '''Lucifer, The Devil, Mephistopheles, Mephisto, Beelzebub, the Evil One, the Tempter,''' '''The Prince of Darkness''' and '''the angel of light'''. The term "demon" generally refers to one of the fallen angels who join in Satan's attempt to overthrow God.

The adjectives include "devilish," "demonic", and "diabolic". Those who worship Satan are called [[satanism|Satanists]], Satan-worshippers, devil-worshippers, or demonists.

The adjectives include "devilish," "demonic", and "diabolic". Those who worship Satan are called [[satanism|Satanists]], Satan-worshippers, devil-worshippers, or demonists.

* I will be like the most High

* I will be like the most High

Those who take this passage to be a reference to Satan believe that it gives more history of what caused his downfall, that he was created by God as one of His most powerful angels (possibly a [[Seraphim|Seraph]]), but that he fell from grace after he in his pride rebelled against his Creator. Some, however, believe that there is no grounding to interpret the passage as a history of Satan, citing that the passage uses highly figurative and poetic language that was meant as a prophecy against Babylon and nothing more.

Those who take this passage to be a reference to Satan believe that it gives more history of what caused his downfall, that he was created by God as one of His most powerful angels (possibly a [[Seraphim|Seraph]]), but that he fell from grace after he, in his pride, rebelled against his Creator. Some, however, believe that there is no grounding to interpret the passage as a history of Satan, citing that the passage uses highly figurative and poetic language that was meant as a prophecy against Babylon and nothing more.

[[Image:Paradise Lost 12.jpg|right|thumb|''The fall of Lucifer'' by Gustave Doré.]]

[[Image:Paradise Lost 12.jpg|right|thumb|''The fall of Lucifer'' by Gustave Doré.]]

* mockery, which Satan cannot withstand due to his [[pride]].<ref>According to [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude+1%3A8-10&version=RSVCE Jude 8-10] only arrogant and [[blasphemy|blasphemous]] individuals ruled by instinct and passion like animals dare to mock Satan. See [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/jude/1-9.htm biblical commentaries on Jude 9]. [[Martin Luther]] who famously rejected the inspiration of Jude along with Hebrews, James and Revelation, and railed against the Popes and the Catholic Church, heartily recommended mockery against the Devil. “The best way to drive out the devil ... is to jeer and flout him ...” – Luther. From Martin Luther’s ''Tischreden'' (Table Talk). The oldest source for this quote is Joannes Aurifaber’s edition, first published in 1566 (facsimile reprint 1968), Chapter 25, “Vom Teufel und seinen Werken” (“Of the Devil and his Works”, Fol. 278-307), cited by Arend Smilde in [http://lewisiana.nl/screwtapequotes/ Quotations and Allusions in C. S. Lewis, ''The Screwtape Letters'', compiled by Arend Smilde (Utrecht, The Netherlands)]. However, according to many biblical commentators, the import of Jude 9 is "as if the apostle had said, If the angel did not rail even against the devil, how much less ought we against men in authority, even supposing them in some things to behave amiss? To do it, therefore, when they behave well, must be a wickedness yet much more aggravated." [https://biblehub.com/commentaries/benson/jude/1.htm  — Doddridge, Benson Commentary, Jude 1:9].</ref> He knows he is a literal loser, but cannot stand when the believer points that fact out.

* mockery, which Satan cannot withstand due to his [[pride]].<ref>According to [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude+1%3A8-10&version=RSVCE Jude 8-10] only arrogant and [[blasphemy|blasphemous]] individuals ruled by instinct and passion like animals dare to mock Satan. See [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/jude/1-9.htm biblical commentaries on Jude 9]. [[Martin Luther]] who famously rejected the inspiration of Jude along with Hebrews, James and Revelation, and railed against the Popes and the Catholic Church, heartily recommended mockery against the Devil. “The best way to drive out the devil ... is to jeer and flout him ...” – Luther. From Martin Luther’s ''Tischreden'' (Table Talk). The oldest source for this quote is Joannes Aurifaber’s edition, first published in 1566 (facsimile reprint 1968), Chapter 25, “Vom Teufel und seinen Werken” (“Of the Devil and his Works”, Fol. 278-307), cited by Arend Smilde in [http://lewisiana.nl/screwtapequotes/ Quotations and Allusions in C. S. Lewis, ''The Screwtape Letters'', compiled by Arend Smilde (Utrecht, The Netherlands)]. However, according to many biblical commentators, the import of Jude 9 is "as if the apostle had said, If the angel did not rail even against the devil, how much less ought we against men in authority, even supposing them in some things to behave amiss? To do it, therefore, when they behave well, must be a wickedness yet much more aggravated." [https://biblehub.com/commentaries/benson/jude/1.htm  — Doddridge, Benson Commentary, Jude 1:9].</ref> He knows he is a literal loser, but cannot stand when the believer points that fact out.

Note that Satan lacks self-restraint, which often leads him to failure. In addition, Satan delights in [[deceit]], even to the point of causing his downfall.

Note that Satan lacks self-restraint, which often leads him to failure. In addition, Satan delights in [[deceit]], even to the point of causing his downfall.

==Dante, Milton, Goethe and others==

==Dante, Milton, Goethe and others==

* Kent, William. "Devil." ''The Catholic Encyclopedia'' (1908)  Vol. 4. [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04764a.htm online older article]

* Kent, William. "Devil." ''The Catholic Encyclopedia'' (1908)  Vol. 4. [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04764a.htm online older article]

* Osborne, B. A. E. "Peter: Stumbling-Block and Satan," ''Novum Testamentum,'' Vol. 15, Fasc. 3 (Jul., 1973), pp.&nbsp;187–190 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/1560340 in JSTOR] on "Get thee behind me, Satan!"

* Osborne, B. A. E. "Peter: Stumbling-Block and Satan," ''Novum Testamentum,'' Vol. 15, Fasc. 3 (Jul., 1973), pp.&nbsp;187–190 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/1560340 in JSTOR] on "Get thee behind me, Satan!"

* Rebhorn Wayne A. "The Humanist Tradition and Milton's Satan: The Conservative as Revolutionary," ''Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900,'' Vol. 13, No. 1, The English Renaissance (Winter, 1973), pp.&nbsp;81–93 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/449871 in JSTOR]

* Rebhorn, Wayne A. "The Humanist Tradition and Milton's Satan: The Conservative as Revolutionary," ''Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900,'' Vol. 13, No. 1, The English Renaissance (Winter, 1973), pp.&nbsp;81–93 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/449871 in JSTOR]

* Russell, Jeffrey Burton. ''The Devil: Perceptions of Evil from Antiquity to Primitive Christianity''   (1987) [https://www.amazon.com/Devil-Perceptions-Antiquity-Christianity-Paperbacks/dp/0801494095/ref=pd_sim_b_1 excerpt and text search]  

* Russell, Jeffrey Burton. ''The Devil: Perceptions of Evil from Antiquity to Primitive Christianity'' (1987) [https://www.amazon.com/Devil-Perceptions-Antiquity-Christianity-Paperbacks/dp/0801494095/ref=pd_sim_b_1 excerpt and text search]  

* Russell, Jeffrey Burton. ''Satan: The Early Christian Tradition'' (1987) [https://www.amazon.com/Satan-Christian-Jeffrey-Burton-Russell/dp/0801494133/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_c excerpt and text search]  

* Russell, Jeffrey Burton. ''Satan: The Early Christian Tradition'' (1987) [https://www.amazon.com/Satan-Christian-Jeffrey-Burton-Russell/dp/0801494133/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_c excerpt and text search]  

* Russell, Jeffrey Burton. ''Lucifer: The Devil in the Middle Ages'' (1986)   [https://www.amazon.com/Lucifer-Devil-Middle-Cornell-Paperbacks/dp/080149429X/ref=pd_sim_b_1 excerpt and text search]  

* Russell, Jeffrey Burton. ''Lucifer: The Devil in the Middle Ages'' (1986) [https://www.amazon.com/Lucifer-Devil-Middle-Cornell-Paperbacks/dp/080149429X/ref=pd_sim_b_1 excerpt and text search]  

* Russell, Jeffrey Burton. ''Mephistopheles: The Devil in the Modern World'' (1990) [https://www.amazon.com/Mephistopheles-Modern-Jeffrey-Burton-Russell/dp/0801497183/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_c excerpt and text search]  

* Russell, Jeffrey Burton. ''Mephistopheles: The Devil in the Modern World'' (1990) [https://www.amazon.com/Mephistopheles-Modern-Jeffrey-Burton-Russell/dp/0801497183/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_c excerpt and text search]  

* Russell, Jeffrey Burton. ''The Prince of Darkness: Radical Evil and the Power of Good in History'' (1992) [https://www.amazon.com/Prince-Darkness-Radical-Power-History/dp/0801480566/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255995689&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]

* Russell, Jeffrey Burton. ''The Prince of Darkness: Radical Evil and the Power of Good in History'' (1992) [https://www.amazon.com/Prince-Darkness-Radical-Power-History/dp/0801480566/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255995689&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]

* Schaff, D. S. "Devil" in ''New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge'' (1911), [[Mainline]] Protestant; vol 3 pp 414–417 [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc03.d.iii.html online]

* Schaff, D. S. "Devil" in ''New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge'' (1911), [[Mainline]] Protestant; vol. 3, pp. 414–417 [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc03.d.iii.html online]

* Scott, Miriam Van. ''The Encyclopedia of Hell'' (1999) [https://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Hell-Miriam-Van-Scott/dp/0312244428/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b excerpt and text search] comparative religions; also popular culture

* Scott, Miriam Van. ''The Encyclopedia of Hell'' (1999) [https://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Hell-Miriam-Van-Scott/dp/0312244428/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b excerpt and text search] comparative religions; also popular culture

* Wray, T. J. and Gregory Mobley. ''The Birth of Satan: Tracing the Devil's Biblical Roots'' (2005) [https://www.amazon.com/Birth-Satan-Tracing-Devils-Biblical/dp/1403969337/ref=pd_sim_b_1 excerpt and text search]

* Wray, T. J. and Gregory Mobley. ''The Birth of Satan: Tracing the Devil's Biblical Roots'' (2005) [https://www.amazon.com/Birth-Satan-Tracing-Devils-Biblical/dp/1403969337/ref=pd_sim_b_1 excerpt and text search]

== External links ==

== External links ==

*[http://www.1timothy4-13.com/files/teach/accuser.html The accuser of the brethren - commentary on Revelation 12:7-12] - Dr. J.B. Buffington

*[http://www.1timothy4-13.com/files/teach/accuser.html The accuser of the brethren - commentary on Revelation 12:7-12] - Dr. J. B. Buffington

*[https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/30460-antifa-witches-a-glimpse-into-the-source-of-the-demonic-rage-surging-about-us “Antifa Witches”: A Glimpse Into the Source of the Demonic Rage Surging About Us], by William F. Jasper of ''[[The New American]]''

*[https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/30460-antifa-witches-a-glimpse-into-the-source-of-the-demonic-rage-surging-about-us “Antifa Witches”: A Glimpse Into the Source of the Demonic Rage Surging About Us], by William F. Jasper of ''[[The New American]]''

[[Category:Abrahamic Religions]]

[[Category:Abrahamic Religions]]

{{DivineComedy}}

{{DivineComedy}}