I like the OT version of Satan better than the NT version - and am generally against apocalyptic narratives combined with religion -
I believe in judgement - don't need the Black vs White - Good vs Evil - God vs Devil paradigm clouding the issue - in hollywood format.
at the same time .. I also believe in prophecy - that some of the Bible is inspired - since I don't do Black vs White paradigms combined with established religion - and religious dogma in particular. That is the path to the dark side . the path to a weak foundation.
Once one realizes that God is not the author of stupidity - the Bible makes a lot more sense.
I single Paul out as one of the most misrepresented of the apostles - but for good reason - I am looking for the real Jesus - canonical non canonical - historical - what ever I can find to understand better .. but as importantly ... what can be defended. Since Paul tells us nothing about the life of Jesus .. that is not the best place to start .. and I will leave it at that.
but back to prophecy and inspired ! and from the most famous Sermon of the Divine one .. who are the "Wolves in Sheep's Clothing" ?
The teachers of the Law and the Pharisee's .. once again .. who are the wolves ? and look at what these wolves did to the Church...
It was these wolves that brought us Trinity doctrine as well lest we forget.
This is a doctrine of men - a doctrine of Greek Philosophy - but this does not make the Trinity wrong. What it does do is make it a doctrine of Men - not inspired..
bad men .. who then killed other Christians for hundreds of years because although they all believed God is one - That Son was Subordinate to the Father could not be tolerated.
Hey .. perhaps these folks lucked out and got it right .. even a broken clock is correct twice a day .. but then I remember my rule .. that God is not the author of the idiocy which ended up killing Christians for 400 years ... and then when in these folks secured Rome in 700AD - having been in Arian hands for a few centuries ..thus ensued the 1000 years of horror ... broken by the enlightenment round 1700.
there .. how is that for prophecy
Look out for those wolves ..
Even if you like the Black vs White narrative - and the hollywood version of revelations (I have a version as well .. just more fun
)
Do you think it is different today ? .. that Satan is going to show up sporting red horns and a tail ? - that he was not able to corrupt - the holy book ? - but only to a point perhaps .. as The OT tells us that Satan only acts according to God's will in Job ... and this also a Father and Subordinate son relationship.
So if Satan messed with the book .. and certainly he has messed with the Dogma - "how will you recognize them" ?? Matt 7
The 1000 years of horror was not good fruit ... but have things changed ? They are still the Bad fruit - as per the Prophecy of Jesus.
You can call "Jesus Jesus" all you like - "OH I believe in the sacrament" - that don't mean Jesus is answering back... not so simple Simon met a pie mon..
What is Truth - Matt 7:12 .. is the answer .. to the question - "What is the will of the Father" but hearing is not enough .. one must now go out and do unto others as you would have done to you ...
For
"this Rule Sums up the Law and the Prophets" and now hearing this .. you need to go out and do it - follow this rule ... as this is how you will be judged. this is how one builds foundation on rock.
anything involving the word "Fool" was very strong language back in the day ... don't want to be on that side of the fence.