THEO201 Fall B01 201040

Allen Cooke Student ID# L23197599

Short Essay #4
Angelology and Satanology

Allen Cooke
Student ID# L23197599

THEO 201

Dr. Don Allard

Liberty University October 4, 2010

THEO201 Fall B01 201040
Allen Cooke Student ID# L23197599

Religious dualism is the belief that teaches that the world consists of two basic

forced; good and evil. God is the viewed as the representation of good; Satan is the

representation of evil. This belief is widespread and the majority of people believe that

this is the way things actually are. The eternal battle between God and Satan is

constantly portrayed in movies and television as two equal forces battling over the souls

of man. Satan is viewed as a fallen angel with a beef against God. God is viewed as a

control freak that sends His angels to do battle on His behalf. We watch in anticipation

and wipe our brows at the end of such movies and think, “Whew, the good guys won

again”. This view of spiritual forces is contrary to what the Bible teaches. Contrary to

popular believe, God and Satan are not equal in power and the battle between good and

evil was won long ago. Many Christians though still fall into the trap of equating God

and Satan; they identify them as two opposing forces in constant struggle.

The Bible teaches that Satan was a created being. He was created as one of God’s angels,

possessing all the attributes of an angel, the power of personality and freedom of choice.

His pride convinced Him that he was worthy of God’s throne and glory. He also failed to

believe that if he committed a sin that God would punish Him. He rebelled and God

punished Him by casting Him out of heaven along with a third of the angels. The

passage of Isaiah 14:12-17 gives us insight into the events that led to the fall of Satan and

His banishment from the presence of God. “You said in your heart, I will raise my throne

above the stars of God…I will make myself like the Most High” Isaiah 14:13-14.

Lucifer’s sin was not only pride but also disbelief that God would punish sin. He

convinced himself that he could take the throne of God. In Ezekiel 28 we see God’s

reaction to the King of Tyre when he, with the same attitude as Lucifer, viewed himself
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Allen Cooke Student ID# L23197599
as divine. Most people don’t see the significance of these passages. Instead they choose

to believe that even though God may be the Creator, Satan somehow is equal in power

and ability. Anytime created beings think of themselves as equal to the Creator, there are

problems that arise. “For by Him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth,

visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were

created by Him and for Him.” Colossians 1:16. This passage tells us that all things were

created by God and that everything is subject to His authority. Since Satan is a created

being, he is also under the authority of God. He is not omniscient, omnipresent or

omnipotent. Satan has limitations to his power and is subservient to God.

The argument seems to be for most people that since God created Satan, He also created

evil. This argument has not merit. God did not create evil; He created free will. The

angels were created with the ability to choose. God could not have created anything evil.

Satan was created with power of personality and the freedom of choice. He was an angel

with apparent honor and leadership in heaven. When Satan’s pride took control of him

and he exercised his freedom of choice in rebellion against God, he was cast out of

heaven. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting

them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; 2 Peter 2:4

I have heard many people, Christians included, constantly blame Satan for their sin.

They seem to see him around every corner. The fact is that Satan is the tempter, but the

responsibility of our sin is ours. Along with the freedom to choose right and wrong, we

are given the power to resist and flee temptation. There hath no temptation taken you

but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted
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Allen Cooke Student ID# L23197599
above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye

may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-14

725 Words

Bibliography

Towns, Elmer. Theology for Today. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning, 2008, 2002

Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book

House Company, 1984, 2001