Satan
A Biography
- Author: Henry Ansgar Kelly, University of California, Los Angeles
- Date Published: August 2006
- availability: Available
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521604024
Paperback
Other available formats:
Hardback
Looking for an inspection copy?
This title is not currently available on inspection
-
Christians traditionally think of Satan as Lucifer, God's enemy, who rebelled against Him out of pride and then caused Adam and Eve to sin. But, as Kelly shows, this portrayal is not biblical but a scenario invented by the early Fathers of the Church which became the 'New Biography of Satan'. The 'Original Biography' must be reconstructed from the New Testament where Satan is the same sort of celestial functionary we see in the Book of Job - appointed to govern the world, specifically to monitor and test human beings. But he is brutal and deceitful in his methods, and Jesus predicts that his rule will soon come to an end. Kelly traces the further developments of the 'New Biography': humankind's inherited guilt, captivity by Satan, and punishment in Hell at his hands. This profile of Satan remains dominant, but Kelly urges a return to the 'Original Biography of Satan'.
Read more- Challenges the traditional Christian view of Satan using evidence from the Bible
- Kelly shows how the character-assassination of Satan developed and persists to the present day
- Contains separate scripture and full topic indexes
Reviews & endorsements
'[Kelly's] interpretation is accepted by many biblical scholars. The theory provides an explanation for the presence of evil and suffering, without denying the existence or omniscience of God. … The professor makes the case for Satan as more a 'functionary of the divine court' than 'an enemy of God as well as of Man, a convicted cosmic outlaw'.' The Times
See more reviews'Kelly's stunningly bold attempt at rehabilitation makes the late Lord Longford's efforts to convince the British public that Moors murderer Myra Hindley was a reformed character look positively timid.' Daily Mail
'Kelly shows himself to be a masterful teacher. … [He] illustrates nicely a sound approach in historical theology.' Professor Daniel J. Harrington, S. J., Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts
'… enough here to stimulate and entertain. … astute and deftly written …' Literary Review
'In this succinct study, he adopts the role of Satan's unofficial spin doctor. The result is entertaining as well as rigourous. … What could have been a crawling survey is in fact a lively and sane account that does much to rehabilitate Satan's reputation. Kelly's conclusions will surprise many…Kelly displays impressive control of his material attuned to nuances in Hebrew, Greek and Latin.' The Times Literary Supplement
Customer reviews
Not yet reviewed
Be the first to review
Review was not posted due to profanity
×Product details
- Date Published: August 2006
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521604024
- length: 376 pages
- dimensions: 227 x 153 x 22 mm
- weight: 0.611kg
- contains: 15 b/w illus.
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
List of illustrations
List of abbreviations
Introduction
Part I. Hebrew Backgrounds:
1. The Old Testament
2. Apocryphal works and the Dead Sea Scrolls
Part II. The New Testament: Satan Comes Into His Own:
3. St Paul, the first Christian writer
4. The four Gospels
5. Later Epistles
6. The apocalypse of John the Divine
7. Putting the New Testament together: a composite portrait of Satan in canonical order
Part III. Satan and Adam:
8. Satan's original sin: felling Adam
Part IV. The Rise of the Fallen Lucifer:
9. Lucifer and the new biography of Satan
10. Satan and the human race
11. Theorizing Satan
12. Satan in literature and art
Part V. Satan in the Modern World:
13. Temptation and possession
14. Doubts and affirmations
Summary and conclusion
Index of passages
General index.Instructors have used or reviewed this title for the following courses
- Western Religions
Sorry, this resource is locked
Please register or sign in to request access. If you are having problems accessing these resources please email lecturers@cambridge.org
Register Sign in» Proceed
You are now leaving the Cambridge University Press website. Your eBook purchase and download will be completed by our partner www.ebooks.com. Please see the permission section of the www.ebooks.com catalogue page for details of the print & copy limits on our eBooks.
Continue ×Are you sure you want to delete your account?
This cannot be undone.
Thank you for your feedback which will help us improve our service.
If you requested a response, we will make sure to get back to you shortly.
×