This article is part of a 6 part conversation – see also the following:
- Part 1: The nature of evil
- Part 2: Belief in hell
- Part 3: The identity of Satan
- Part 5: Fear of hell
- Part 6: Another few remarks
Part 4
Question 4: Throughout the Old Testament, the Jews are sinning left right and centre, yet not once does the God in the OT hold Satan responsible for any of their sins. Suddenly, in the NT, Satan becomes a problem. There are quite a substantial number of years between Genesis and Jesus – a long time in which Satan hardly features at all. I have not yet finished reading the NT. I am still busy with Acts. But so far I have not managed to find this evil Satan in the bible.
Smithy, Satan is never responsible for anybody’s sin. He might tempt people to sin, but when people do sin, they alone are responsible for such sinning.
Satan becomes much more prominent in the New Testament, because there is more emphasis on his destructive influence and evil plans in subverting the purposes of God. But this in no way minimizes human guilt and responsibility.
Here are some references to what he’s like and what he does: Luke 8:12, John 8:44; Acts 5:3, Acts 10:38; 2 Corinthians 11:14, Ephesians 6:11, 1 Timothy 3:6-7, 2 Timothy 2:26, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 John 3:8.
Read further:
- Part 1: The nature of evil
- Part 2: Belief in hell
- Part 3: The identity of Satan
- Part 5: Fear of hell
- Part 6: Another few remarks
Leave a Reply