The Nature of Evil

[Two Lamps]

I have just begun a class with my mother's church on the nature of evil. The Priest there observed that so many of the past year's movies and t.v. shows have a great deal to do with evil vs. good. It seems that for the first time in 50 years, hollywood is contemplating heaven and hell. But, of course, they contemplate hell first. So, this priest figures that this is a subject that people are hungry for answers on.... or at least a forum to explore the idea. Indeed, when she asked if there were any particular points of interest that people wanted to explore during the 4 weeks and I said, "tactics in spiritual warfare", I heard one person say, "Ooh that's good."

Well, I figured that this class would be some educational, some clarifying of my own thoughts on the matter, and at least a good exercise to keep me on my toes theologically. But, while sitting through that class yesterday, I realized that my mother and I are probably the only ones in that room who are conscious of any dealings with demonic forces. These people are at the "kindergarten level" as my mom put it as far as theology goes. They are very good and loving people who have been very sheltered. Well, if you grew up in the jungle, your parents would tell you about all the dangerous animals that lived there in order to protect you. To neglect to tell your children about the deadly snakes that blend in with the scenery is tantamount to delivering them into a snake pit. These people are just as vulnerable not understanding the tactics of the enemy. I'm not sure how many of them really believe in hell, satan, or demons. We will see as the class goes on.

Anyway, the priest who is facilitating this class encourages participants to do their own research and present it to the class. I would like to make a presentation on spiritual warfare. I started a thread on this several years ago. And, there was really good stuff in there I can use (if I can still find that thread in the archives). However, I wanted to get some direct and purposeful discussion on the nature of evil, tactics of the enemy, weapons in our arsenal, and our place in the spiritual war going on around us all the time.

Now, these are Episcopalians. They tend to be very prideful and preoccupied with intellectualism. So, try, if you can, to strip the evangelical "lingo" from your speech and explain your take on things in as plain language as you can. The lingo will close their ears before they have heard your message.

I am looking for your definitions, experiences, musings on this subject. This is not a place to educate each other so much as a place to deposit the summary of your understanding for the benefit of others who know so little that they do not even have the terms to discuss it.

The class is only 4 weeks long and we just had week 1. So, I will need to collect all the data to make my presentation by early in the week of May 16th. After that, anything in this thread will be for anyone else who wants to read it. So, happy typing and thanks for your input!

[BibleStudent]

The following is the complete lecture notes for a class I just finished teaching. It's at http://www.bibleonly.org/proph/rev/sermon1.htm.

BibleStudent

***

There's a War On!

Sermon notes (Rev #1)

Many people think that the book of Revelation is the most complicated book in the Bible. And they are right

[Two Lamps]

Bible Student, thank you for that. Some of that will be helpful. Anyone else?

[tsth]

The Nature of Evil is Pride given free reign.

Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Psalm 101: 4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. 5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

Pride/evil is such a hard and concrete matter that the Lord institutes one to deal with it:

Job 42

15 His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.

23 The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved. 24 His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.

Here is the essence of that one:

33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear. 34 He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.

Evil are the children of pride.

In His Truth,

Suzanne

[Two Lamps]

Come on guys. This is the third week of the class and it's tomorrow. Doesn't anyone else have some information or opinions for me to bring to the class? These people will be left with nothing but a liberal, humanist slant on spiritual warfare without another voice. This is important to me.

[tsth]

Does my post not count?

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Two Lamps]

Of course you post counts. And, thank you for your input. I was just hoping that I would get input from more people. Volume of data is very important when trying to persuade someone to another point of view. I realized after the fact that I put this thread in the wrong section. But, geez, I don't really have anything to bring to the class now. The class has remained very intellectually aloof as I had feared. Demons were brought up very briefly last week just to say that some wacko christians believe in them, but that they are really just a personification of our fears. I really wanted to combat that way of thinking. Oh well, another battle lost. My mother has her head screwed on straight about spiritual warfare. And, that is her church. So, maybe she'll work on them over time. It was just such a unique opportunity. Thank you to those who did try to help me. I really appreciate the response.

[Gerioke]

Evil is bad

I hope this helps

I'm not an intellectual

[dgolvach]

Evil is a tool used by Satan to disturb God's natural order of the universe?

WOW...not bad. I came up with that on my own! I feel very deep now. Still I think that might be one of many acurate definitions.

Dan