Thread: Did satan create evil?

Originally Posted by Quest

Genesis 3:13-14New King James Version (NKJV)

13 And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

14 So the Lord God said to the serpent:


“Because you have done this,
You are cursed more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you shall go,
And you shall eat dust
All the days of your life.

I don't read that Satan is being punished for the fall of man...I read that Satan is being punished for being the source of deception to the woman.

Did mankind come under condemnation when She sinned or when Adam did?

I don't mean to get too far out there or start a rabbit trail here but it seems a presumption that Satan is punished for the fall of man.

The woman said, The serpent deceived me, and I ate.

However you choose to read it, Satan is being punished for his part in what someone did, whether you believe that it was merely the tempting o the woman or the fall of man. Regardless, God is punishing Satan for his part in influencing a free-will decision. So again, my point (and Val-W's) is that a proper theodicy concerning evil MUST include Satan. Ignoring him is a deficient response to the question of "why evil".

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Rev. 20:0)

While those who were deceived by the devil will suffer punishment, the devil suffer it as well for his part in deceiving them, again showing that God places an utmost importance on the role that Satan play concerning evil. So once again I have to say that if there is no room in one's theodicy for the devil, their's is a deficient theodicy.

Originally Posted by Quest

1 John 3:8New King James Version (NKJV)
8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

How did he destroy the works of the devil? By redeeming those who were under condemnation, who choose the light...

Hebrews 2:14-15New King James Version (NKJV)

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

What death...the death that reigned from ADAM...Adam brought the death, not Satan. God told Adam, if you eat, you die. This passage affirms that by one man death reigned over all men...

Colossian 2:14-16
Colossians 2:14-16New King James Version (NKJV)

14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Simply means the authority Adam gave to Satan was now reversed for whosoever will.

"If Satan's place in world's evil is diminished then why is it that the redemptive work of Christ specifically targets Satan and his works"

What works?

Since we agree that when Adam handed the dominion of the earth to Satan, he then became it's 'ruler'. And technically all of mankind now belonged to him.

But we also KNOW that the moment any human being opted out of his dominion through faith in God that God provided 'redemption'. (first through blood sacrifices and then through Jesus once for all) So the dominion of his kingdom is still limited to those who choose to remain in it...

THOSE are the ones and that is the spiritual realm these passages speak about.

So the works are temptation...deception....and whatever evil he can persuade them to perpetrate...

The point remains, God emphasizes Satan's role in all of this, regardless of man's choices. Satan is not left out of the mix. Therefore, if anyone is writing or teaching on the "why" of evil, putting words in God's mouth, and yet there writing or teaching leaves the devil out, then they have neglected one of the most important aspects on the subject of evil that the Bible teaches. Saying that man alone is responsible for the evil in this world is neglecting a significant Bible truth that the Scriptures speak in abundance about.

Originally Posted by victoryword

However you choose to read it, Satan is being punished for his part in what someone did, whether you believe that it was merely the tempting o the woman or the fall of man. Regardless, God is punishing Satan for his part in influencing a free-will decision. So again, my point (and Val-W's) is that a proper theodicy concerning evil MUST include Satan. Ignoring him is a deficient response to the question of "why evil".

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Rev. 20:0)

While those who were deceived by the devil will suffer punishment, the devil suffer it as well for his part in deceiving them, again showing that God places an utmost importance on the role that Satan play concerning evil. So once again I have to say that if there is no room in one's theodicy for the devil, their's is a deficient theodicy.

Exactly my point. Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John‬ *10:10‬ *

People need to know where evil originated. Man didn't create evil, Satan brought it here. If he hadn't, we wouldn't be in this mess. Yes, Adam shares some responsibility, but he isn't the "cause" IMO.

In chapter 9 of John's Gospel, Jesus' disciples asked Him who sinned, the blind man or his parents as the reason why the man was blind?" Jesus responded that neither parent sinned. For me that's major. Only one person was responsible and that is the devil.

It was bad enough that Satan rebelled against God and influenced a third of the angels to follow him, now he comes to destroy man and entices him to disobey God. Yes, man could have refused, and commanded Satan to flee, but if Satan hadn't presented it to Adam, there would be no sin.

"He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." I John‬ *3:8‬

Note that Jesus came to destroy the works of the "devil" not the works of man. Indicating that without the devil, there would be no evil works to destroy.

Originally Posted by Quest

One can argue that point, yes, but to say they HAVE to or their statement is false because they did not? I disagree.....the statement that man is responsible is technically accurate...IMHO

But it's not enough to blame man without presenting the reason. The motivation to sin is from the devil.

“Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.” Luke‬ *22:3‬ *

“And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke‬ *22:31-32‬ *

The fact that Jesus said...“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John‬ *8:44‬ *NKJV‬‬

Fathers procreate...Satan is called the father lies and a murderer from the beginning. Whatever terminology one uses, the devil brought sin into the world using man to open the door to it.