is satan an actual entity or is satan an allegory for all evil?
I would expect this response from an atheist, no offence intended. I'm more interested in the opinion of theistsDoesn't exist.
is satan an actual entity or is satan an allegory for all evil?
(Mar 7:23) All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.If satan does not exist, then where does the evil come from?
Chapter and verse for that one please...The most dangerous act of satan has been the convincing of so many people of his non existence
Some of the churches actually do teach as your second sentence above states. Bizarre huh. Catholics and a lot of the similar protestants have that devil thing going on. But your first statement is perfectly true. Haha, you, an atheist know more about this topic in scriptures than most Christians I've met, how funny(Not a believer, but interested in the topic anyway).
Isn't the Christian story that the evil of the world is a consequence for the sin of humanity?
Is an actual entity being responsible for evil kind of superfluous to an omnipotent God and already corrupt humanity?
How did you happen to know this truth, when most of Christianity is running screaming from some superstitious slewfoot in red flannels and a pitch fork?Thanks. But the kind of atheist you meet on a Christian site is likely to be a little better read then the average.
Do these fascinating trails of thought give you incredible depths of joy and peace and Love?Satan is a human concept, as is god. I think whether or not you take anything from the bible literally or metaphorically, or see symbolism, the concept of god and an ultimate adversary is a reflection of humans. We are neither good nor evil and it would not be the first time that we've manifested our turmoil, perhaps in the direction of creating perceived entities, due to our inability to understand how to dictate goodness or badness to a source. If we are good, there must be a god with whom has enlightened us, and when we are bad, then must be an adversary influencing our behavior. It's how we're able to reach neutrality. Humans are complex when we don't want to be.
That was a pretty cool movie. I hope some day you are brought to your knees by the God who made you, in repentance and love for Him. I know He'd have to reveal Himself to you in some way other than through another man's testiomony, so I pray that for you friend. PeaceThe Usual Suspects (1995) is a great film, but it certainly isn't anyone's scripture.
If you have faith in your heart you really don't need to get into the nitty griitty of your religion. I'm not trying to be offensive, I honestly just think people aren't particularly concerned once they get past the important bits about sin and salvation they have really sorted out their world view.
As an unbeliever who isn't concerned about my soul, I can read through the Bible and vareious interpritation of Christianity for my own interest.
I think the Usual Suspects quote above shows how confusion happens. A lot of belief is folklore and word of mouth rather then direct from whatever version of a holy book people rely on.
(Mar 7:23) All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
is satan an actual entity or is satan an allegory for all evil?
Only flesh and blood angels called "man" is any of this applied to. "satan" is any man who is an "adversary" against God. As long as mankind exists, satan exists. One and the same. Not a "different race" lol, that is absurd. The word "satan" simply means "adversary". Look it up in a concordance, it is an easy feat.This applies to angels too.
Evil could be self generated. Evil could also be coerced. There will be one who coerces evil the strongest and the most effective. We name that being as the satan.
So, as long evil exists, satan also exists.
Only flesh and blood angels called "man" is any of this applied to. "satan" is any man who is an "adversary" against God. As long as mankind exists, satan exists. One and the same. Not a "different race" lol, that is absurd. The word "satan" simply means "adversary". Look it up in a concordance, it is an easy feat.
Can god stop it by destroying satan?
As the evil done harms the innocent and good more than it harms the evil.
First you need to know "who" and "what" an "angel" is before you are qualified to diagnose a "problem". Get a Strong's concordance... ready? look up the word "messengers" for instance in say, how about...Are there evil angels?
Are men angels?
If no and yes, then your theology has BIG problem.
It began right here, as was previously posted, oh a gazillion times...That's a great question! What is the source of all that exists? That would be my starting point...
(If I believed in supernatural entities)
It began right here, as was previously posted, oh a gazillion times...
(Rom 5:12) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
(Gen 3:6) And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
(Rom 5:19) For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.