When discussing the devil and humanity, Christians, Jews, and Muslims all have similar approaches in discussing how the devil came to be, as well as why people are inclined to do evil acts. All three religions share a similar idea that arrogance has caused the devil to evolve and tempt us to do evil things. For instance, Christians use the story of Adam and Eve to show how easy it can be to be tempted. Because Adam and Eve felt like they did not have to obey God, they were unable to see the dangers of going against His word (Kelly 11). Furthermore, in Numbers 22 of the Hebrew Scriptures, when Balaam is heading towards Israel to curse their people, Satan blocks Balaam’s path and as a result the ass he was riding refused to proceed forward (Vardy & Arliss 67). Here, one can see how Balaam had so much pride in his mission that he failed to realize how much trouble he could have gotten into …show more content…
I believe that references made to the devil are simply references being made to the dark side of the human psyche. Because God gave us free-will, we all have the chance to choose to do good or evil, which is why this dark side in us exists. I find it hard to believe that there is an actual individual accountable for all the evil in the world, because it seems like a pessimistic way of thinking and it fails to give people responsibilities for their own actions. However, I do believe that temptation has a major part in whether or not we decide to allow the devil (or the human psyche) to influence us. When something seems too good to resist, we often go through with it, despite the possible consequences, whereas if we believe that doing something will more than likely lead us or our loved ones into trouble, we resist the
A Delusion of Satan was written in 1995 by Frances Hill, and published by Da Capo Press. Frances Hill, an accomplished writer and journalist from London, has been writing for a decent period of time. Aside from publishing two novels, Hill has written fiction reviews for The Time (London) and has worked as a reporter in in both New York and London. With such an accomplished journalist, reporter, and writer, we are due to receive a good read in A Delusion of Satan.
Discussions of the devil and hellfire generally have a negative connotation in our society. Because of this, a story entitled “The Devil and Tom Walker” would conjure some scary images in the head of the reader. However, Washington Irving uses his tone to make this story more pleasant, and even humorous. Irving makes Tom Walker’s deal with the “black man” less horrific by approaching eerie locations with ease, exaggerating certain traits of the historical period written about, and personifying his characters in an ironic manner.
Now the Serpent was the most cunning of the animals that the LORD God had made. The Serpent asked the woman, “Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?” The woman answered the serpent: “We may eat of the fruit of the garden; it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, ‘You shall not eat it or even touch it lest you die’.” But the Serpent said to the woman: “You certainly will not die! No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad.” (Genesis 3:1-5) Serpent, Devil, Tempter, , Prince of Darkness, Fallen Angel, the Evil One, Lucifer, Diabolus, all of theses titles refer to the same figure, Satan. The name Satan comes from the Hebrew for adversary. It is theorized that Satan is a symbolic figure for those who opposed the Biblical writers, in the Old Testament the Satan was meaning the other nations, the idol worshipers, and in the New the Pharisees and the Jews who ejected the growing Christian faith from the Jewish community. In the time of the later church, Satan and his works were meaning heretics and such. Anything on the outside that appeared to be a threat became of Satan. It is also a theory that Satan is a real individual, a real spirit, the fallen angel. Some stories hold that selfish pride and lust for power brought about the fall of Lucifer, “the light bearer”. St. Augustine wrote that the Devil was “inflated with pride, he wished to be called God”. The words of the prophet Isaiah illustrate this idea: How you are fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! How are you cut down to the ground, you who mowed down the nations! You said in your heart: ‘I will scale the heavens; above the stars of God I will set up my throne; I will take my seat on the mount of assembly, in the recesses of the North. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will be like the most high.’ Yet down to the nether world you go, into the recesses of Sheol! (Isaiah 14:12-15) St.
The attraction of Satan worship can be seen as the derivative of basic evil in the human condition, the desire for rebellion and the desire for conspiracy. Since these aspects apply equally to all of the characters in the story, it logically follows that none of the members of society at large are unaffected. It appears that this seemingly isolated occurrence of Satanism is a condition of the human existence: perhaps the yan to a Christian yin. In that case, there is nowhere to hide from the all-pervasive influence of evil, not even within the confines of the human mind.
The question of identity regarding God and the Devil has been an ongoing dilemma for religious philosophers. No true identity can be formed due to the lack of undeniable evidence surrounding the figures. In addition, it has always been difficult to relate either characters to tangible or worldly matter; seeing how both are non-perceivable and equivocal figments in our minds. A start is to relate these supernatural beings to each other. The abilities of each are in contrast; God can create but not control, whereas, the Devil can control but not create. Creation is the act of making new matter, whereas the act of controlling is forcing matter to act based on the wishes of the controller.
The word ‘devil’ comes from the Greek word ‘diabolos’ which is the spirit or power of evil. The devil is found in almost all religions and is thought to
Satan is an allegorical representation of God the Father. Both Satan and God are seen as Father figures; God as the Father of all that is virtuous, and Satan as the Father of all that is wicked. Just as God is the King of heaven, Satan claims himself King of Hell. God is the originator of Goodness, as Satan is the originator of Evilness. All in all, Satan is a perverse representation of God.
The book, The Devil in the White City, takes place during the late nineteenth century. During that time, the total picture of the late nineteenth - century America that emerges from The Devil in the White City is very different than now.
In order to consider this as such an allegory, we must define the scope of the struggle. That is to say, what is good and what is evil? In the Christian tradition, there is a fictional figure that creates all the evil in the world. Some people call this figure “Satan” however, that word derives from the Hebrew word meaning “adversary” and can refer to both physical and nonphysical entities. As such, there is no singular evil Satan figure. The name of “Lucifer” used in Isaiah is a reference to a fallen Babylonian King and it is only later, well after the writing of the Bible, that Lucifer is adapted to refer to an evil entity. The term “devil” is just as enigmatic in that it means “accuser” and can stand for any being either divine or mundane. As such, there is no singular evil entity in Christian mythology blamable for evil in the Christian tradition. It must therefore make sense that anything that is evil is that which is against or not of God.
middle of paper ... ... Not only is he a heroic figure, but he also possesses characteristics of which mankind can identify with. Satan also doubts himself, has jealousy, confidence and does not know he is wrong when he is; all of which a reader can identify with. Satan is in the same position as human beings under an omnipotent God who has foreseen their fate and yet argues that they possess free will.
The battle between what is right and wrong is a classic struggle that has existed from the beginning of time. The most honorable people face the crossroad of choosing either the angel’s path or the devil’s; one path leads to an honest yet difficult life while the other is an easy and selfish one. Throughout history, women have been portrayed as the reason of Man’s downfall. The male dominated world has created stereotypes to blame females for their defeats due to ignorance. Leo Tolstoy’s “The Devil” explores the dichotomy of the objectification of women as the angel and the devil.
The oldest example of the devil using this strategy in the Bible is the story of Cain and Able. Cain killed Able because he meditated on the evil thoughts of anger and jealousy about his brother that came from the devil. It isn 't a one time thing, these negative suggestions are carefully chosen over time to spark anger or jealousy in you until you can 't control it, you go overboard, then you get in trouble and the devil sits back and laughs when you 're paying the price. If he can get you to fall for the negative tricks enough times, then you 'll eventually become his puppet and he 'll control you with your own built up pride, selfishness and arrogant behavior.
The Bible describes Satan / the devil very seriously, he does have a terrible force, in the Book of Revelation writes symbolism "beast out of the sea" and so forth that illustrates the power it has. However, the devil does not always come as a frightening figure, but it also comes with a compelling figure in persuading. Genesis clearly shows that the serpent came with a polite attitude to Eve - not in a way that is scary - and the two engage in a discussion.
Ask anyone to draw Satan and you 'll get a red snake-like figure with horns and a pitchfork. Satan, as introduced in the Hebrew bible is an unworthy adversary of God. His longing to be like God is quickly recognized and dealt with. God banishes him from Heaven and sends him to Hell. That 's the last we see of him until he talks with God about his faithful servant Job. In each interaction we see Satan in, we get only a glimpse of who he really is. Satan 's motive is not developed and we assume he does evil simply because he is evil
Devil on the Cross is a novel written by Ngugi Wa Thiongo in attempt to talk to all Kenyans battling neo-colonialism. Being politically independent, but economically dependent on other countries has evidently had a huge toll on Kenya and its citizens. Kenya is a land where nothing is free. Foreigners had made their way into occupying the land and have used it as a mean of profit for them and a few citizens in Kenya. Through the use of six different characters, Devil on the Cross manages to depict the struggles experienced within the cities of Kenya. The characters of Wariinga, Robin Mwaura, Wangari, Muturi, Gatuiria, and the man in the dark glasses show different experiences of Kenya’s neo-colonialism occurrences.