Satan and the New Testament

[Nihilist Virus]

I don't think Satan invented those necessarily. They are just susurrations, intimations of the coming Incarnation.

Denying the premise of my thread raises an obvious question that you left completely unaddressed.

If Satan did not invent these other religions, then man did. If man can invent religions, how do we know man did not invent Christianity?

 

[Nihilist Virus]

This was a bit of a confusing post. But I think you are suggesting that all other religions than the Christian one are regarded as Satanic counterfeits by Christians. That is something I can broadly agree without exaggerating the role of Satan. As in some religions there is an extensive human input also.

You second main point and then question was to do with what there was in the NT that Satan must absolutely hate and what was distinctively not Satanic. I suppose your intention with the post was to suggest that various comparative religious studies showed that there were no distinctive Christian features to the NT and that therefore Satan was all in all.

However the best answer I can think of to the broad question is to look at the way the only major religion to post date Christianity deals with the NT and with Jesus. That is to say how does Islam handle it.

1) Jesus is not awarded his full status as God-Man but is rather regarded only as a prophet
2) There is no redemption by the cross because Jesus never died on the cross
3) God is not Trinitarian thereby modelling love within Himself and with the eternal love relationship of the Trinity. Thereby implying a non relational and non personal nature to God. The Christian God by contrast is one we can know personally and intimately.
4) That the authors of scripture were people inspired directly by God. Satan would prefer to have an angel dictate the text.

So I would suggest Satans four biggest hates in the OT are to do with:

1) Incarnation
2) Redemption and the cross and resurrection
3) The Trinitarian and relational nature of God
4) The relative redundancy of angels

Thank you for your response, but I'm missing your point. What exactly are you proposing as an answer to the OP?

 

[Nihilist Virus]

Satan would not tell us to love God and love others, which is really what the New Testimate is all about revealing. Any attempt to twist this truth will be exposed as fraudulent.

Satan wouldn't tell us to love a false god? I must have a faulty view of Satan, then. In my view of Satan, it doesn't matter to him if we love one another so long as we love and worship a false god.

Could you please elaborate Satan's purpose for himself, his desires, goals, and etc?

You come from the point of view that God either does not exist or is actually evil, so I understand why you desire to oppose these concepts of God that you have in your mind.

It is true that I have come to that conclusion about God, but this thread is about Satan.

 

[Tree of Life]

Denying the premise of my thread raises an obvious question that you left completely unaddressed.

If Satan did not invent these other religions, then man did. If man can invent religions, how do we know man did not invent Christianity?

The resurrection of Christ would be the definitive sign that Jesus and his religion are from God and not man (Matthew 12:38-45).

 

[Nihilist Virus]

The resurrection of Christ would be the definitive sign that Jesus and his religion are from God and not man (Matthew 12:38-45).

Perhaps re-read the OP.

 

[Quid est Veritas?]

Denying the premise of my thread raises an obvious question that you left completely unaddressed.

If Satan did not invent these other religions, then man did. If man can invent religions, how do we know man did not invent Christianity?

A reason why Christianity is the true religion was in the post you quoted from. I wouldn't say that man solely invented them, they are man's attempt to understand the Divine.

 

[Nihilist Virus]

A reason why Christianity is the true religion was in the post you quoted from. I wouldn't say that man solely invented them, they are man's attempt to understand the Divine.

You can invent something that sounds novel, wonderful, beautiful, reasonable, or logical, but it will never be compelling until you tie it into reality with physical evidence.

 

[-V-]

You can invent something that sounds novel, wonderful, beautiful, reasonable, or logical, but it will never be compelling until you tie it into reality with physical evidence.

But your premise starts out presuming Satan exists. So, are you claiming you can tie that into reality with physical evidence, or does your rule only apply to what others say?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

When I was a Christian, I was told that Joseph Smith, Muhammad (FBUH), and the like were in communication with the devil when they concocted their false religions. Alien abductees were actually victims of demonic encounters.

So Satan has the ability to create false religions, he has the desire to, and he has in fact succeeded in doing so.

If it is the case that Satan can "create" false religions, then which religious texts should we consider as authoritative from which we should draw this conclusion, NV? I ask this for the following reason: for you to make this assertion about Satan already implies that you know which authoritative voices make this 'true.' Any suggestions?

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

 

[dcalling]

You are pitching a self-defeating criteria. What Jesus preached is not good for everyone. Did you even read any of the gospels?

Jesus said that Christians will be persecuted for his sake. Non-Christians will go to hell. I see a lot of bad for everyone.

So I can only assume that you are referring to the actions recommended or commanded by Jesus and not the consequences of belief or disbelief. So... taking up your cross daily is good for everyone? Hating your mother, father, and everyone is good for everyone?

Do you think things out before you post? Every time I read what you say, there's something severely wrong with it.

If what Jesus said is truth, that means it is already "not good for everyone", he is just here to send warning.

What he preached about what we should practice is good for everyone.

 

[Nihilist Virus]

If it is the case that Satan can "create" false religions, then which religious texts should we consider as authoritative from which we should draw this conclusion, NV? I ask this for the following reason: for you to make this assertion about Satan already implies that you know which authoritative voices make this 'true.' Any suggestions?

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

This isn't my claim. It's a common Christian claim. You're not a common Christian, but surely you know what the common Christian thinks. You always play this game with me, 2PV.

 

[Nihilist Virus]

If what Jesus said is truth, that means it is already "not good for everyone", he is just here to send warning.

What he preached about what we should practice is good for everyone.

Reiterating your claim and not addressing the counterpoint is a waste of time.

 

[dcalling]

Reiterating your claim and not addressing the counterpoint is a waste of time.

If you read my post carefully, you will see that the counter point is, if he is telling the truth, that you don't believe in God you will be in hell, it is still good news since now at least you have a chance.

 

[Nihilist Virus]

If you read my post carefully, you will see that the counter point is, if he is telling the truth, that you don't believe in God you will be in hell, it is still good news since now at least you have a chance.

Yep, great news. He invented a problem and a solution at the same time. All I have to do is devoted my whole life to him. Totally doesn't sound like a cult at all.

 

[dcalling]

Yep, great news. He invented a problem and a solution at the same time. All I have to do is devoted my whole life to him. Totally doesn't sound like a cult at all.

Well, think about a big and luxurious sinking ship. People on it does not know, and one guy came, told them the ship is sinking, but he can lead you off the ship to a safe boat.

 

[HitchSlap]

The resurrection of Christ would be the definitive sign that Jesus and his religion are from God and not man (Matthew 12:38-45).

Well, there it is.

 

[HitchSlap]

If you read my post carefully, you will see that the counter point is, if he is telling the truth, that you don't believe in God you will be in hell, it is still good news since now at least you have a chance.

So we have "free will," but if we don't choose the right religion, hell.

Got it.

 

[-V-]

So we have "free will," but if we don't choose the right religion, hell.

Got it.

Countries like the US are supposedly all for liberty, yet if you break the laws you go to prison. Do think that is wrong also?

 

[Chriliman]

Countries like the US are supposedly all for liberty, yet if you break the laws you go to prison. Do think that is wrong also?

I think a better question is; what purpose does(should) prison serve? Hopefully a correctional purpose, which in turn should make us reconsider what hells purpose is.

 

[HitchSlap]

Countries like the US are supposedly all for liberty, yet if you break the laws you go to prison. Do think that is wrong also?

Nope. There should be consequences for our actions.