NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
The Theories, Origins, and Evolution of Satan in Religious Literature Thesis Statement: The concept of Satan is present in numerous religions and faiths spanning from ancient Semitic faiths to today's contemporary societal beliefs and learned doctrines. The ideology of Satan or a supreme evil being is perpetuated through religious texts such as the Bible, Apocrypha, Talmud, Quran, and the Satanic Bible. I. Introduction to Satan II. Satan in the Christian Bible III. Satan in the Judeo-Christian Apocrypha IV.
Satan in the Talmud V. Satan in the Quran VI. Satan in the Book of Satan VII. Other religious standpoints on the concept of Satan VIII. Satan in the Modern Era The Theories, Origins, and Evolution of Satan in Religious Literature Imagine a chief angel plummeting down from the Heavens, through the Earth and into the infernal and sulfurous pits of Hell itself. A fallen and contorted mass of semi-omniscience on a pilgrimage to raise himself up to play a role greater than that of God.
A being that can withstand the Almighty, Omniscient, and Infallible One. A fallen Archangel that defied and continues to defy the only true authority. He disagreed with the process of Heaven, and God threw him out. As he wallows in his own defiance, he must learn to live in unutterable solitude without his creator for eternity.
As he adapted to his situation, he became King of his domain and he came to wield a powerful army of demons. They fed off of each others carnal desires, which only emboldened Satan more against God. Satan is the ultimate embodiment of rebellion, free will, and defiance. He also represents the extreme free will of a mind that wants to experience the fruits of the world without the harsh parent figure lurking in the background (De Fur). In fact, the word Satan in Hebrew is translated to Adversary (Merriam-Webster). Adversary to what?
Some might ask. Well, hes an adversary to God, to people, and to the world. The ideology of Satan differed in ancient Semitic faiths, and continues to differ in our contemporary societal beliefs and learned doctrines. The concept of Satan is also perpetuated through religious texts such as the Bible, Apocrypha, Talmud, Quran, and the Satanic Bible. Although the story of Satan changes throughout the course of the book, the story of Satan in the Christian Bible is the most widely-known and believed version of Satan's dealings with God (Attributes of Satan). In the beginning of the Bible, Satan is better understood as a troublemaker rather than an embodiment of evil.
The name Satan is also given to divine and human beings. In the book of Numbers, he is seen as An antagonist who puts obstacles in the way; and in Job as an angel who works to find fault with God, and acts as a prosecuting attorney against mankind (Attributes of Satan). In such Books as Job, where Satan does appear as an angel, he is clearly a member of Gods court, playing the role of the Accuser. Also, in the Book of Job, it is stated that Satan roams the earth: From going to and fro on the earth and from walking in it. Satan is Gods celestial prosecutor and he sees only iniquity. For example, after Job passes the first test, Satan requests further testing.
It is also inferred from Satan's asking of God, that he alone has no power, but he requires the permission of God. So, up to this point in the Bible, Satan is not an opponent of God. In Genesis of the Bible, when Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent, the serpent does not represent Satan -at least not until the new testament- but a satan. When Satan refused to bow down before Gods new creation of Man, he and his followers were damned.
This is where the Bible gets fuzzy. Satan is damned; but to where? Some interpret it as he is damned to Hell and reigns over it. Others interpret it as he is damned to earth, but not visible, yet he still reigns over all evil.
There is no definite answer, only interpretation. It is not until the New Testament that Satan becomes an archenemy of Gods. For example, in Matthew Satan appears in the desert and tempts Jesus to worship him. Perhaps in the time of the New Testament, people felt the urge to place the blame on someone else other than God. Perhaps not. The dynamic and developing character of Satan would, from then on, be known by multiple names and titles: The Devil, Beelzebub, Lucifer, Mephistopheles, Prince of Darkness, [a] Foul Spirit, Satanic Power, Master of Deceit, Bringer of the Unholy, King of the Damned, and Supreme Evil Being.
His name is only slightly mentioned in the Book of Revelations, but his presence is seen throughout. He is closely linked with the Antichrist and the Beast. In the Book of Revelations, it is inferred that Satan will start the beginning of the end, which will eventually lead to the downfall of billions of people and souls. Satan's presence in the Christian Bible has not and will not go unnoticed. It is the Christian ideology that states Satan's prerogatives will eventually fail him and will lead to his 1000 year -or eternal- damnation.
The Apocrypha is a collection of old texts written by Jewish scholars in the 3 rd and 2 nd centuries BCE (Merriam-Webster). It was adopted in early Christian writings, but it is not in the New Testament. In it, there are two accounts for the origin of Satan. The first is that he was created on the sixth day at the same time as Eve. The second and more prevalent is that Satan in one of the fallen angels (Satan in Judaism and Christianity).
He is first only recognized as an evil impulse in man, but then Such talks about the destruction of the evil angel. It claims that Satan will be overthrown by the Messiah. The general belief of the Apocrypha is that there is a group of satan's with a chief satan. As mentioned in Enoch, there are 5 satan's.
The first and second satan's are responsible for leading astray the other angels and bring them to Earth to sin, while the third brought about the fall of mankind. It states that the satan's are allowed a...
Free research essays on topics related to: religious texts, satan, christian bible, satanic bible, merriam webster
Research essay sample on Merriam Webster Satanic Bible
