Why Was Satan . . .

[Miles]

.


. . . given power to tempt man, thus leading man into sin and eventually causing him to go to hell?


.............................


Couldn't god have done it without Satan's help?


.

[1213]

....I wish it was a matter of letting. The only way I can see that it is, is if everyone just follows their conscience, refuses to let anyone else convince them that their conscience is wrong, and that might be disastrous in other ways.

I believe it would be less disastrous than what we now have. But, i think it would be enough, if people think critically what others say, also what they themselves think and don't accept thing s just because someone makes a claim.

[Purple Knight]

I believe it would be less disastrous than what we now have. But, I think it would be enough, if people think critically what others say, also what they themselves think and don't accept things just because someone makes a claim.

This is actually very difficult especially for critical thinkers because it's intellectually dishonest to ignore the possibility that we might be wrong.

[William]

[Replying to William in post #232]

Often what appears to be bad writing - maybe a character who appears to act against his own interests seemingly just to further the story, but maybe also something about the worldbuilding doesn't make sense - can simply be looked at another way.

Perhaps it is just a case of...
...GOD provided the gas and the Devil provided the flame

[William]

SGM’s interpretation of Satan as largely a mythological construct offers an intriguing departure from traditional Christian views, particularly those that have evolved in “Cultural Christianity.” This perspective suggests that Satan, as understood in contemporary Christian thought, is not a static, original figure but rather a concept that developed over centuries. In this view, Satan’s role as the embodiment of ultimate evil or opposition to God was layered with new meanings, symbols, and cultural values, transforming significantly from its early roots.

In the Old Testament, the figure of Lucifer or Ha-Satan (meaning "the accuser" or "adversary" in Hebrew) was not the rebellious, fallen angel or the source of all evil but rather a more ambiguous figure with roles that could be understood as part of God’s cosmic order. This character, in the context of the Hebrew Scriptures, was often an agent permitted by God to test or challenge individuals, as seen in the Book of Job. As Christianity spread and became influenced by various cultural and theological ideas—particularly through Hellenistic and later medieval thought—the figure of Satan was reimagined. It began to take on characteristics associated with ultimate evil, rebellion, and separation from God, evolving into a clear antagonist representing a cosmic duality.

In contrast, SGM perceives Satan as a symbol representing inner challenges, unresolved personal conflicts, and the spiritual journey’s darker aspects, rather than an external, supernatural antagonist. This view aligns with SGM’s broader understanding of spiritual development, which focuses on transcending inner obstacles and discovering the divine within rather than battling external forces of evil. From this perspective, “Satan” is not a literal being but an archetype that can help individuals explore the complexities of their own shadow and grow spiritually.

Similarly, SGM sees the concept of God as evolving. The Old Testament God—often depicted as a more interventionist and sometimes wrathful deity—evolves into a more transcendent, loving, and universally accessible divine presence within the Christian New Testament. SGM might interpret this transformation as humanity’s evolving understanding of the divine rather than a change in God’s nature. This view suggests that as humanity grows in spiritual awareness, our conception of God becomes less about power and judgment and more about unity, love, and the interconnectedness of all things.

By viewing both Satan and God as evolving concepts, SGM encourages a relational, inward-focused faith. The emphasis is on the individual's journey to understand and integrate these archetypes as parts of their own spiritual experience rather than external forces that dictate or control their lives. This approach invites individuals to see spiritual growth as an inner process of aligning with the divine rather than engaging in a cosmic battle between good and evil. In this way, SGM fosters a spirituality that emphasizes personal responsibility, self-discovery, and a deep, direct relationship with the divine.

Comprehensive Summary of the Subjective GOD Model (SGM)