| Author | Message | ||
| Eternal_joy Registered user Username: Eternal_joy Post Number: 4 Registered: 9-2012 |
An SDA cited this text to me to "prove" that the Bible places the blame for human sin on Satan: "The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him." What are your thoughts? | ||
| Freeatlast Registered user Username: Freeatlast Post Number: 842 Registered: 5-2002  |
Adventism uses several such texts in isolation to "prove" its heretical Satan-as-scapegoat doctrine. These texts all allude to Satan being the father of lies, a murderer from the beginning, as well as what you posted. While the Adventist pet verses certainly point the finger at Satan being the originator of evil, NONE - nada, not one, zero, zilch, zip - indicate that Satan bears the guilt of anyone's sin but its own. Scripture is clear that Jesus paid the entire price of sin, that HE alone received the full measure of God's wrath against sin and sinners, and that Satan plays no part in the redemption of man. This attempt is nothing more than a face-saving gesture to justify the Ellen-endorsed doctrine that the freed goat on the Day of Atonement represented Satan. But both goats had to be perfect and unblemished. Since when does that represent Satan?! Furthermore, James specifies that we are tempted when we are dragged away by our OWN lust. In other words, we don't have to be tempted to sin - our own depraved fleshly nature is what drags us into sin. But, of course, it is much easier and more soothing to my conscience to believe that Satan is ultimately responsible for my sin ("The Devil made me do it!) and not my own organically destitute nature for which there is absolutely no hope whatsoever for redemption and righteousness except by faith in Christ's complete atonement for my sins which are otherwise my own responsibility to atone for. | ||
| Rain Registered user Username: Rain Post Number: 83 Registered: 9-2011  |
Upon reading that text I see nothing that would indicate that the sin of humankind is on his shoulders. The only part I could see that people could misread as saying so is this: "...Satan, who leads the whole world astray." This does not equal "...Satan, who bears responsibility for the sins of the world." That's putting words in the mouth of Scripture. I recommend to your SDA acquaintance to try reading Scripture as it is written without outside influence (i.e. not through the lens of SDA beliefs). It's amazing what can be understood from unadulterated Bible reading. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 14011 Registered: 12-2003  |
I agree, Freeatlast and Rain. Satan will be cast down. The passage referred to, Eternal–Joy, is from Revelation, and that final "throwing down" is yet to happen. He is the deceiver who leads the world astray...but those who trust God are not led astray. That statement is not a statement assigning guilt for human sin onto Satan. It's only a description of his activities. We are held fully responsible for our own sin. Jesus took human flesh to give us freedom from the human sin that is our curse because of Adam's sin. He did not come in sinful flesh to show us how to overcome our sin. He came SINLESS but in flesh in order to become the perfect sacrifice that would pay for human sin. We are born lost (John 3:18). We receive eternal life when we believe in the Lord Jesus and His perfect human sacrifice for sin. Colleen |
