Posted on 10/15/2013 9:48:37 PM PDT by Olog-hai
Pope Francis said it is true that in the past, people with epilepsy might have been mischaracterized as being possessed by demons, but that confusion did not refute the fact that the Devil exists and is so important that he “is on the first page of the Bible” and at the Bible’s end, “with the victory of God over the Devil.” …
As for his comments on Satan and other demons, the Pope said, “Some may say, ‘But Father, you’re too old-fashioned. You’re frightening us with these things.’ No, it’s not me! It is the Gospel! And these are not lies: it is the Word of the Lord. Let us ask the Lord for the grace to take these things seriously. He came to fight for our salvation. He won against the Devil. Please, let’s not do business with the Devil. He wants to come back home, to take possession … Don’t accept relativism; be vigilant. And always with Jesus!” …
(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com ...
Nothing in II Peter 3 describes the rebellion.
Neither does Jeremiah 4:22-28
Your other two citations simply describe the fall of Lucifer - evidently you are arguing against something I haven’t said: I have stated in this thread that 1) Lucifer was an angel of light. 2) Lucifer was cast down 3) Lucifer as satan, the serpent, was in the Garden of Eden
What I contest are: 1) that the devil or satan is mentioned on the first page of the Bible. 2) That the tree of knowledge of good and evil was an allegory for the devil.
No scripture that you have cited support this view.
No commentaries I have read (about 10) support your view.
You seem to have created a private interpretation of this particular passage. I don’t find it particularly dangerous theologically, neither to I find it helpful or instructive.
I don’t argue the declaration of the pope that the devil is real, I just question his statement about the devil appearing on the first page of the bible. My reading has him appearing for the first time in Gen 3:1. You may draw some conclusions regarding a timeline and when Lucifer fell and when Adam was created and so forth. But to say that the devil is on page 1 is just false.
Anyone who reads the post.
That’s one very large brush to tar everyone with. Why presume such a thing is in the minds of anyone who reads the post, much less everyone? CNS News typically prints news that is favorable towards the pope, and this is not bad that the pope is speaking here, FWICS.
Things don’t translate as well in writing sometimes - it was meant to be like a friendly jibe like I would do if talking with a lot of friends. Not so much tarring everyone with the same brush. That being said there seems to be some here who are looking of the new Pope to fail or wanting to strain out a gnat and thereby miss the whole of the message.
Mel
I see it all the time in the left-wing media. Every time they get a comment that sounds slightly to the left of Benedict, they jump up and yell “Yes, Francis is the anti-Benedict!” and act like the pontiff is now going further left than people like Archdruid Rowan Williams or Justin Welby.
Yes my friend and it is oh so easy to make or break a person if a few words are taken out of context or at random.
What I have had to take to heart from this Pope is that I should question my motivation on things and if Jesus is not first and foremost in my mind and the second thing to help others to know him then I had better refocus because I do not want to end up like the Pharisees who did all the right religious things but did not even recognize him when he came.
Blessings
Mel
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.