Many Christians believe in a literal Satan: a spirit being who functions as the enemy of God and tries to ensnare souls. This post is addressed to them.
The purpose of this thread is not to challenge your belief. Rather, it is to explore a possibility I have never heard anyone discuss: What if Satan reformed?
Traditionally he is said to be intelligent ('wily' and 'clever' are the usual adjectives). It is said that he sees his doom coming and, knowing this, he works around the clock to thwart God's purposes in the world.
But surely, being as smart as he is, Satan has given some thought by now to the sheer pointlessness of this exercise. Why work so hard in a lost cause? At the very least, he could take a break. Smarter yet, he could throw in his lot with a merciful God. Why not repent, confess his crimes, and throw himself on God's mercy? He has free will, right? He could do it.
Imagine that Satan has a change of heart and becomes the most holy, angelic, benevolent spirit there is. Instead of putting evil thoughts into people's heads, he starts putting holy thoughts into them. What now?
If you believe in a literal Satan and in free will, this is not ultimately a hypothetical question. You have to admit it as a real possibililty. Satan could switch sides at any time. It could have happened a few hours ago.
What would be the implications?
Here are the questions that have me most curious to know what you think. Feel free to address any others.
1. Would God forgive?
Does God's mercy extend to Satan? If so, Satan is redeemable. If not... why not?
2. Would evil disappear?
Without Satan and his minions causing trouble, would the earth revert to a state of Edenic paradise? Would immorality cease? Would disease, catastrophe, and war disappear? Or would some of these things remain because they come to us from other sources (conquence of the Fall, human free will, desire of God to test us)? If so, which problems would cease and which would continue?
3. How would you discern spirits if they all said the same thing?
If you get a holy idea in your head, how would you know if it came to you from the Holy Spirit or from a newly benevolent Lucifer? How much would it matter to you?
4. How would you get the memo?
Christians have gone through centuries with Satan as a tempter and an adversary. If he suddenly put himself on the side of the angels, how would you get the news? What is the source for late-breaking spiritual information of this kind? Would books have to be added to the Bible to bring it up to date?
Thanks. Over to you.
Archer
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