Satan

Satan (from the Hebrew "ha-satan", "accuser") was a member of the divine council of God referenced in the Old Testament and the New Testament. In the Christian tradition, he rebelled against God and was cast from Heaven to reign over Hell, where he leads a host of fallen angels (or demons). In the Jewish tradition, Satan faithfully serves God as a tester of the piety of men.

Christian Views

In Christianity, 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. Satan, in the Book of Job, is used by God to test the faith of Job (who remained true to God through hardships). Satan is able to possess and control living humans on Earth, although priests are able to exorcise his influence. Satan, is also called by several different names (the Devil, deceiver, Bealzebub, Beelzebul, Bruce, Lucifer, Asmodeus, Abaddon, "Old Scratch," the Crooked One, etc). The notion of Satan, or an evil force, is noted in many if not all of the major world religions. In the New Testament, Satan tries to tempt Jesus in the desert, and fails.

Jewish Views

In the Jewish tradition, Satan serves God as the one who accuses men of wickedness and impiety. At the direction of God Satan may be permitted to test these accusations. In this view, Satan's goal is not to lead men away from their faithfulness to God, but merely to revealing the true depths of their devotion.