The Real Devil
The Real Devil [ISBN 978-1-906951-01-6] combines detailed Bible study with piercing personal and devotional challenge, ever seeking to bring out the crucial relationship between doctrine and practice, demonstrating that the ultimate power of true theology is in the radical transformation of human life in practice.
A Radical Challenge
The Real Devil analyzes Bible teaching about the devil, satan and demons, concluding that 'satan' ['adversary'] and 'devil' ['false accuser'] do not refer to a personal satan, dragon, or spirit being; but rather to any opposing force, and often to the power of sin and evil. Satan doesn't exist as a personal being- but rather the human heart, we ourselves, are the ultimate source of sin.
Colossal Implications
This means that Angels don't sin; that the death of Jesus overcame the power of sin within us; that there is nobody else to blame for sin apart from ourselves. The problem of the origin of evil is massive; so huge that many have taken a 10 cent answer to the million dollar question, blaming it on a legendary, fictional being. But the Bible is silent as to the existence of such a being. If God is alone as the source of all power and creation- whence, then, the evil that fills our lives and world? How are we to understand, cope with and overcome sin and evil? No serious searcher for truth, no Bible student of integrity, will fail to be stimulated by this study- even if they initially struggle with some of the conclusions. Either read through, or have a look at the contents and dip in to what interests you- and remember, these studies are also available as MP3 audio files.
Foreword || Introduction || Chapter 1 A History Of The Devil And Satan || Chapter 2 Some Basic Bible Teaching || Chapter 3 Some Practical Implications || Chapter 4 Demons || Chapter 5 An Examination Of Specific Bible Passages || Chapter 6 Some Conclusions ||
Obtaining a hard copy of this book
You can purchase a hard copy of this book from the Christadelphian Advancement Trust. But if you really can't manage to pay for it, we may be able to send it to you free if you drop us a personal email here.
Foreword (Ted Russell)
Introduction
Chapter 1 | The History Of An Idea
1-1 A History Of The Devil And Satan In Old Testament Times
1-1-1 Israel In Exile: The Babylonian / Persian Influence
1-2 The Devil After The New Testament
1-2-1 Satan In The Thought Of Justin Martyr
1-2-2 Satan In The Thought Of Irenaeus And Tertullian
1-2-3 Satan In The Thought Of Clement And Origen
1-2-4 Satan In The Thought Of Lactantius And Athanasius
1-2-5 Satan In The Thought Of Augustine
Chapter 2 | Some Basic Bible Teaching
Digression 1 Jude And The Book Of Enoch
2-2 The Origin Of Sin And Evil
Digression 2 Romans And The Wisdom Of Solomon
Chapter 3 | Some Practical Implications
3-1 Some Practical Implications
Chapter 4 | Demons
4-1 The Devil, Satan And Demons
4-2-1 Canaanite Theology Smashed
4-2-3 Case Study: The Gods Of Egypt
4-3-1 Legion And The Gadarene Pigs
4-5 God Adopts A Human Perspective
Digression 5 The Teaching Style Of Jesus
4-6 Why Didn't Jesus Correct People?
4-7 The Psychology Of Belief In Demons
4-8 'Casting out demons': A Curing of Psychosomatic Illness?
Chapter 5 | An Examination Of the Specific Bible Passages which mention the devil and satan
5-1 Preface: Misunderstood Bible Passages
5-2 The Serpent In Eden Genesis 3:4-5
5-3 Sons Of God And Daughters Of Men Genesis 6: 2-4
5-4-1 The Satan In Job: A Fellow Worshipper?
5-4-2 Job's Satan: An Angel-Satan?
5-4-3 The Deconstruction Of The Satan Myth In Job
5-5 Lucifer King Of Babylon Isaiah 14: 12-14
5-6 The Anointed Cherub Ezekiel 28: 13-15
5-8 The Temptation Of Jesus Matthew 4: 1-11
5-8-1 Jesus In The Wilderness: A Study In The Language And Nature Of Temptation
5-8-2 The Wilderness Temptations: A Window Into The Mind Of Jesus
5-9 Unclean Spirits Matthew 12: 43-45
5-10 The Devil And His Angels Matthew 25:41
5-11 Satan Takes Away The Word Mark 4:15
5-12 Satan As Lightning Luke 10: 18
5-13a The Woman Bound by Satan Luke 13:11-17
5-13 Satan Entered Judas Luke 22:3
5-14 Peter And Satan Luke 22:31
5-15 Your Father The Devil John 8:44
5-16 Oppressed Of The Devil Acts 10: 38
5-17 Child Of The Devil Acts 13:10 / Sons of Sceva (Acts 19:13-16)
5-18 The Power Of Satan Acts 26: 18
5-19 Delivering Unto Satan 1 Corinthians 5:5 / You shall judge Angels (1 Cor. 6:3) / Advantage to Satan (2 Cor. 2:11)
5-20 The God Of This World 2 Corinthians 4: 4 / "The prince of this world" (Jn. 12:31; 14:30; 16:11)
5-21 An Angel Of Light 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
5-22 The Messenger Of Satan 2 Corinthians 12:7
5-23 The Prince Of The Air Ephesians 2: 1-3
5-24 Giving Place To The Devil Ephesians 4:26-27
5-25 The Wiles Of The Devil Ephesians 6:11-13
5-26 The Snare Of The Devil 1 Timothy 3: 6 -7; 2 Timothy 2:26
5-27 Turned Aside After Satan 1 Timothy 5:14-15
5-28 Resist The Devil James 4: 7; 1 Peter 5:8
5-29 Chains Of Darkness 2 Peter 2: 4; Jude 6
5-30-1 "The wicked one" in 1 Jn. 5:18,19
5-31 The Synagogue Of Satan Revelation 2: 9-10, 13 & 24
5-32 Michael And The Great Dragon Revelation 12: 7-9