An entire study hour was devoted to demonstrating from Scripture the origin and mission of the devil. The study leader began with an outline in red with horns, pitchfork and tail on the whiteboard. The objection was raised that we haven't any specifics on Satan's appearance but the figure was allowed to stand. In pondering the development of the classic representation of Lucifer, a quote of Saint Thomas More came to my mind:
the Devil, that proude spirit, cannot bear to be mocked. 'Though at the time, I attributed the saying to Milton, sure, as if
I know any Milton! Well, I know
less More. ;-)
The night before, I was rereading C. S. Lewis's chapter on pride, called "The Great Sin" in his
Mere Christianity. This thought, found online somewhere, is also relevant:
Satan's great sin (and our great sin) is pride. Thus, to drive Satan from us we ridicule him. This is why the custom arose of portraying Satan in a ridiculous red suit with horns and a tail. Nobody thinks the devil really looks like this; the Bible teaches that he is the fallen Arch-Cherub. Rather, the idea is to ridicule him because he has lost the battle with Jesus and he no longer has power over us.
אמן
5 comments:
Laura T said...
I found your link on Reformed Chicks and find many of your posts interesting. I also have a link on their website (PCA Christian Mom) - I too was Catholic prior to becoming a Christian, but felt that the Catholic Church could not minister to the true gospel of Salvation by Grace alone. There were strong elements of the Catholic church which I liked (the singing of the old hymns), but as far as a good biblical sermon, we did not get this in Northern NJ. Not sure if you have ever visited ----- ----- Church but I atteneded their prior to relocating to Florida and the pastor their is very faithful to the word. Just thought I would share my story as I was raised Catholic most of my life but left to joing PCA (Presbyterian Church of America) - not to be mistaken for PC-USA (this is a very liberal Presbyterian donomination- ugh!) Now, I live in beautiful South Florida and am thankful that I attend Dr. D. James Kennedy's Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. After watching for so many years and being very central in my conversion, I am finally at home and have been blessed with wonderful church family. May God continue to bless you and your family. My entire family is still Catholic (in name only for they have not stepped foot in a church in years and are not saved) - I pray that the LORD will call them to him for I can only witness and be an example of the wonderful gift of life that God has given me. Blessings to you ! Laura
Tuesday, February 07, 2006 7:59:57 PM
That was nice of Michele to put my link up - I didn't expect that. And, nice to hear from you. I have attended Bible studies at ------ ------- Church for the past five years. Together, we have studied Ecclesiastes, Galatians, Matthew, Romans, Judges and had a look at Peter in Acts and his letters. I count the ladies there among my friends and I hope that they feel the same. I attended worship services at PPC on two occasions and think that Pastor Ken (can't remember his last name, shame on me!) is a humble, godly man. It's nice to know that someone in cyberspace has read my stuff. And I am open to hearing more about what you like in the PCA (never to be confused with the PC-USA), or, to put it more formally, what are those distinctive beliefs and practices which have caused you to accept the PCA as the most authentic expression of the Christian faith, even over against Catholicism. I am in awe that you enjoy the privilege of attending Dr. D. James Kennedy's church. I think that I hear him on the radio sometimes, yes? I have heard from others that Catholic churches in North Jersey are rotten. My experience of them in Florida (by you) is the same. I suffered under a difficult pastor here in town for five years before he retired last year and a more spirit-filled man took his place. A sermon is important and ought to be good but the central activity at Sunday liturgy is the worship of God, especially in the reception of the eucharist. I hear from others that they don't find a satisfactory correlation between the biblical texts and Catholic theology but, for myself, studying Scripture has strengthened my conviction that Catholic Christianity is informed by the whole of Scripture. The best thing that you can do for your family is pray. And live your Christian example. Christ's peace to you and yours.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006 10:23:38 PM
Laura T said...
Thank you for responding ! You are a very strong, Christian woman and I thank you for sharing with me. What has drawn me to the PCA(Reformed Theology) is that the Bible alone and in its entirety is the word of God. A wonderful movie to watch is LUTHER starting Joseph Fiennes. It really shows how MAN tried to change GOD's holy word and began 'adding' their input and interpretation to change what GOD had intended it to be. A friend of mine once asked me if Catholics are Christians and I said that I believe so BUT during their walk and reading of the scripture they may find that they are not getting spiritually fed the way they should AND are not evangelizes as we are called to do. I remember when my husband first became a Christian and he was so excited. We were going through pre-cana and we were getting married in a Catholic Church. Well, he asked the Monsignour about John 3:16 and being born again and do you know what he said - 'Oh, son - you don't have to concern yourself with that'. That was 10 years ago. Obviously, we were NOT in a Bible seeking parish. However, there were elements of the Catholic Church which I loved as I stated before. I like the conservativeness of worship, reciting the Lord's prayer and partaking in the Lord's supper (but not weekly). My husband had a friend who grew up Catholic but then left the denomination and referred us to PCA. Then, when we lived in Monroe, NJ, - my husband found ------ Church w/ Pastor Ken and we were thankful to have a pastor who gave a sermon more than 5 minutes and sometimes, he would study a book in the Bible. The messages were meaningful, biblical, and personal. I guess, to sum up the difference between my upbringing in a Catholic Church and an Evangelical Church is the fact of the personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. We are to be just like him. The congregation welcomes you and wants to be a part of your family. I never in my life found that in a Catholic church. The most we would say is peace be with you and that was that. In the first month at PPC, I met at least 20 Christian women. It sounds to me, though, that your parish is much different than what I experienced as a child and young adult. A wonderful book which I am studying at Coral Ridge church is HEBREWS. This book specifically talks about God doing away with the OLD Covenant (blood sacrifices, rituals, etc) and establishing his NEW Covenant (Christ's atoning death on the cross for our sin). It is a wonderful book and you really get to see how Go set up everything in complete control and order. He knew that the old covenenat was not good enough and that the only way to reconcile oneself with the Father is through his Son. There is no need to light candles, pray to saints, partake in rituals, because the JEWS did that and it was only a 'covering' of their sin.. It could never fully wipe it away, but with Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross, our slate is wiped clean. May the Lord continue to reveal himself to you ! God Bless you! Laura
Thursday, February 09, 2006 7:24:13 PM
There is much of interest in your post but we can see where the Spirit of God takes us. I assume that we share as laypeople and that you are familiar with Catholicism, so I won’t broach apologetics or proselytism. While I may think it regrettable that someone swap out their religious milieu, I recognize that no one takes this step lightly or without solid reason. Biblical fundamentalism is forbidden to me as a Catholic but is so much easier than actually putting in the study time. I lapse into this error from time to time. In graduate school a few years ago, a fellow student was an elder in the PC-USA church and described the PCA as having made an idol out of the Bible. “They worship the Bible,” she said. It seemed unthinkable to me at the time but my experience since is beginning to bear her opinion out. So a book review like this with disapproving comments from a Reformed perspective: She (the author, Beth Moore) teaches that God reveals himself and his purposes in many ways, including signs, miracles, emotions, and mystical experiences. ... Moore is a pragmatist. When she reads the Bible she expects it to speak to her about her life in practical ways. She uses the people and stories in the Bible as allegories of the Christian life ... too much of Moore's material is about her take on her experience with God. ... according to Moore, knowing God comes through experience." seems to suggest that the Bible is the only way of making contact with the triune God. Does sola scriptura mean that the Bible is the only, only, only way to know God and no other way? I thought that the Reformation was about enjoying direct access to God without mediation. But they mediate God through “Scripture alone.” I would only remind you of Francis of Assisi as a balance to this. To believe that God predestines people to damnation is also forbidden to me as a Catholic. Thirdly, the Catholic Bible uses “expiation” instead of “propitiation” in the following NT verses: Rom. 3:25, Heb. 2:17, 1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:10, for the reason given in footnote 8 on verse 25: “this rendering is preferable to ‘propitiation,’ which suggests hostility on the part of God toward sinners. As Paul will be at pains to point out (Romans 5:8-10), it is humanity that is hostile to God.” While the English words may in fact be synonyms, it is a significant aspect of Catholic theology that God is love, as Benedict’s first encyclical proclaims. The Luther movie is on my to-watch list and has been since its release because I do not know his story as well as I would like. Please comment as you feel prompted by the Lord and don’t feel compelled to address my questions (below). I put them forth only to prime the pump. May God lead us into what we ought to talk about. Re: raising Jesus’ statement on the necessity of being born again in John 3 -- can you suggest an answer the monsignor could have given you and your husband at that time? Based either on what you knew then as a Catholic or drawing upon what you have learned since as a Presbyterian, how would you approach John 3:3 on "being born again"? In the span of ten years, what has changed in your understanding of "being born again"? I appreciate your patience and I hope that you are willing to share with me further.
Friday, February 10, 2006 1:30:05 AM
Laura T said...
Theresa, I must comment that you write extremely well and much better than I could ever put into words. I am not a scholar or a theologian, but I will try my best to answer from my heart and love for the Lord. Working backwards, I shall try and comment on the John 3 verse. I would have liked to hear from the Mnosignour (sp?) something to the effect of what it truly means to be born again - 'a new creature in Christ'. Not that you are coming out of the womb again, but a spirtitual awakening through the power of the holy spirit. Nothing charismatic. We just got nothing. No explanation. There is so much in the scriptures and I'm not familiar with Beth Moore, so I can't comment on her. I do believe there are many people in the Protestant Denomination who interpret scripture incorrectly and are only concerned with 'filling the pews'. I believe there are many denominations that are 'falling away' from what the early church tried to set up. The reformation is about going back to the Bible and not trying to add in other divine revelation. God set up his salvacation plan very clearly. For example, there is nothing in the Bible that states a preacher should be celibate. The only call for an elder/preacher is that they need to be he 'husband of one wife'. I also don't believe (as the Bible states) that women should be over a congregation. This is happening in many Protestant Denominations. It is not Biblical. God spoke to Holy Men of Old through the Holy Spirit and we are to use this book as our guide to get to know him. I don't use the Bible to see my life so to speak, but I use it to see God's word revealed. Unfortunately, the scriptures are clear on pre-destination and the elect. God knew us before the foundation of the earth. We don't choose him, he chooses us. We evangelize and spread the gospel because we do not know who the elect are. We must assume everyone is written in the Lamb's book of Life. The movie Luther is wonderful. It shows a man (Luther) who is struggling with a God who he feels is unloving. Through his mentor, he was told to study the new Testament and get to know Christ. He has able to see the corruption and control that ROME had on laypeople. It amazed me that the Early Church did what they did to people. I don't want to give away too much but after seeing it, it proves that the interpretation of scripture is skewed and not looked in its entire context correctly. God is Love and God is Just. God shows mercy on people and he shows his judgements - Sodom & Gommorrah. David's son was killed due to his sin of adultery and murder, all the first born Egyptians children were slain, the flood,he commanded Abraham to sacrifice Issac (testing of his faith), he states in the Bible - Jacob I loved, Esau I hated--(I even questioned this for Jacob was the more conniving son, but he was God's chosen one) - Who are we to question God - he chooses people for a reason - very colorful people for a reason. He is not only LOVE. He will condemn people to HELL. "Weeping and knashing of teeth" - Look at the book of JOB, -- he allowed the Devil to have his way with JOB. I'm just giving examples to show that if he was all LOVE then the Bible would be written with a much different take. We need a just God. While I don't fully think it is 'fair' that predestination exists, its not up to me to judge the Almighty God. I am just asked to read the book that he has left for us and come to be more like his Son every day. While I fall short of this daily, minute by minute,-- I find comfort in his WORD alone. What I mean by this is that after the book of Revelation was written, it clearly states that there will be no more 'adding to the prophesies in this book for whoever does will suffer the plagues therein'. If anyone has a divine encounter it is not from GOD,-it is probably from Satan as he comes as an Angel of Light to deceive the weak. I apologize again for not writing as clear and thoughtful as you do. I am much better at talking then emailing as I have so many thoughts in my head and not enough time to get them out. I would like to here how your Church is, though. Do you have a community of believers that pray for one another? Mid-week activities for the kids? for you? Do you get a sense of community ? That has always been my prayer for Catholic Churches.. Again, my experience has been 'go through the motions' on Sunday and that's it. But, I can tell, you are a Christian women who loves the Lord very much. Blessings to you ! Laura
Friday, February 10, 2006 8:30:40 PM
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