The Case Against Satan

The Case Against Satan

          In Genesis 1:1 God created the universe and each and everything in it Spiritually, Perfect and Good. All that the creator God saw was Good; plants, animals, His children in His image and likeness; every created thing was good. There is no mention of evil, sin sickness or death.

.         However, it doesn’t take long for Satan to show up. The Bible doesn’t give a description of Satan, except to say, ”He was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made” Right away I am suspicious and confused. Did God create this ‘thing’ and call it good? Did this ‘thing’ create itself? How can it come into being when God is the One Power and the Only Creator?

          I have my theory. Eden is an allegory; a story with symbolic meaning for everything in the story. God had finished with a spiritual reality. Can you find any reason why He would recreate? Or why this time He would use dirt and a rib? Genesis 2:5 tells us, “And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.” This proves to me that creation was spiritual and that God does not need man’s help.

          Eden had everything that Adam and Eve could want. Yet Eve began to fantasize about the beautiful fruit on the forbidden tree. It looked more inviting, more desirable the more she thought about it. God gave us free will. We can think whatever we want. God wants us to love Him because we want to, not because we are forced to. Eve became obsessed with the idea of eating that fruit. She argued with herself�"trying to justify her craving. “Why shouldn’t I have the knowledge God is keeping from me? “The fruit will just rot if I don’t eat it.” The decision was make when she thought, “God won’t know if I eat just one.” Eve indulged her pleasure over God’s will.

          God did know! But the damage was done. Eve gave her husband and eventually all humanity had a taste of error: a belief in a power called Satan, an enemy of God. According to this allegory God cursed the evil doer to forever crawl in the dirt. It is interesting to note that God didn’t have to hunt for the trouble maker, he was still hanging around with the couple. Giving me more reason to believe that the closest thing to Satan is our own mortal mind, which we put above our conscience.

          The next time I find Satan in the Bible, although God had cursed him forever to crawl, he is walking like a man. It seems that the curse has worn off. I assume that the book of Job is also an allegory because it has God and Satan being pals. I can’t imagine God and Satan being partners in crime. If it were written in today’s language, it might have God betting that Job would hold true and Satan betting he could break Job with misery until Job curses God.

          Of course you know the story of Jesus being tempted by Satan in the wilderness? I can see that actually happening. If by Satan you mean the doubts and fears that, the as yet human, Jesus was fighting in His own mind. What do you think was there? A red devil with horns and a pitchfork? A ghost? A ghoul? A mist? I think Jesus was alone with His confusion and questions. “Am I ready? Am I capable enough for the teaching mission my Father sent me to do? What if I fail? I don’t have to do this. I can be a king and have respect and servants: I can be a hero jumping from high buildings without being hurt. I can be a street magician and make people happy with my talents. I can do anything I want” After long consideration, Jesus put all human thoughts, problems and desires out of His mind and started His three year successful teaching and healing ministry. His only words to Satan were, “Get thee hence Satan!” In other words get out of here. Out of sight out of mind. Good advice. What occupies your mind is the thing you worship. Jesus worshiped only God and look at the works that He accomplished. He assured that we can do more good than He did when we put God first in our life.

          I have one more compelling reason why I can’t believe in Satan. Maybe you can give me an answer. WHEN GOD FILLS ALL TIME AND ALL SPACE, WHERE IS THERE FOR AN OPPOSITE?  

          804 words       Loretta Ellen Edwards