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IS SANTA SATAN?

 
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IS SANTA SATAN? - 11/19/2008 3:20:23 PM   
crankius


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I’ve seen a lot of discussion lately about satan, and I find it disturbing. People have given satan far more power than God has given him.

So let’s clarify in this thread exactly who satan is, and what Scripture says about him.

These questions come from numerous discussions I’ve seen on Crosswalk and that I’ve heard in real life (they are not my personal questions, but instead questions that will help us start the discussion):

Who is satan?
What are his powers?
Are Christians to fear satan?
How can Christians not fear satan?
Is satan responsible for all the wrongs in our lives?
Is satan given authority to give or take life?

If you have any questions about satan, ask them here, and together we will reason from the Scriptures and find clarity.

And if this topic bores you, see what else you can spell with S A T A N .

(NOTE: This thread is not about Santa. )

_____________________________

Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
Ecclesiastes 7:16

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 11/19/2008 7:15:50 PM   
TrustingGod


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Satan is an angel - he was once the most beautiful of all angels - until he rebeled.
His powers are those of any angel - only the extent God gives him.
We are not to fear him - the Spirit in us is greater than he that is in the world.
We don't need to fear him because God is so much greater and Satan is already defeated.
No, Satan is not responsible for the wrongs in our lives. He may be tempting us, trying to get us to sin, but we are responsible for our own decisions and choices. Some wrongs are our own fault, some are the fault of others, some are the result of Satan stirring up trouble.
No, Satan must ask God for that permission (see Job).

No, Santa is not Satan - even though they have the same letters! However, if we take our eyes off Jesus and put them on Santa, then Satan has won.
Post #: 2
RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 11/19/2008 9:07:43 PM   
stampinlady


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Satan is not the opposite of God.

_____________________________

Deb

"You don't need a New Year's Resolution, you need a Resurection! Dr. Tony Evans
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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 11/19/2008 10:22:02 PM   
MrFribbles


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quote:

Satan is not the opposite of God.


I quite agree - and it is dangerous when people do believe this.

_____________________________

You're a door without a key,
A field without a fence.
You've made a holy fool of me,
And I've thanked you ever since.
- Aaron Weiss
Post #: 4
RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 11/20/2008 1:04:39 AM   
Bluethread


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I have always considered modern bait and switch advertising to be somewhat satanic.

Sorry, if some don't get the connection, but I prefer my humor a bit dry, shaken and not stirred.

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"Show me wherein I have errored and I will hold my tongue." Iyov(Job)
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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 11/20/2008 1:18:20 AM   
sledmt

 

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Go walk in your authority as believers and destroy some of satan works. Go cast out some demons, heal some sick.

Have fun.
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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 11/20/2008 2:34:30 AM   
Roberta_


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quote:

ORIGINAL: crankius
Who is satan?


Fallen angel.

quote:

What are his powers?


I don't know. He only has as much power as we give him. I choose to give him none.

quote:

Are Christians to fear satan?


I do think that we are to stay away from him. However, I don't think that we need to think that every new thing that comes along is of satan.

quote:

How can Christians not fear satan?


I think that answer would be different for different Christians. One way would be to drop the silly idea that Santa is satan.

quote:

Is satan responsible for all the wrongs in our lives?


satan probably wishes that he did half the things he gets credit for. What that really boils down to is people not wanting to take responsibility for their own actions.

quote:

Is satan given authority to give or take life?


I dunno. He was told to spare Job's life, but he took the lives of Job's children.

quote:

If you have any questions about satan, ask them here, and together we will reason from the Scriptures and find clarity.

And if this topic bores you, see what else you can spell with S A T A N .


I never was too good with those word scrambles.

quote:

(NOTE: This thread is not about Santa. )


You got my attention under false pretenses. Last I heard, bait and switch was illegal. But it's ok, you can blame it on satan.

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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 11/25/2008 1:44:21 PM   
HardKnox

 

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Speaking to the deceptive title. Yes. Santa is Satan. They both wear red. Case closed!

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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 11/25/2008 4:04:45 PM   
MrFribbles


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Somewhat humorous anecdote -
A long time ago, when I was a member of another religion forum, someone posted a huge, long diatribe about the end times, how they were upon us because of some "secret prophecy" or some such. All very run-on-sentency, and punctuation-optional-ly. Anyhow, the amusing thing about it was that throughout the entire thing, they were trying to talk about the works of Satan. But every single time they tried to spell his name, it came out Santa. The whole thing made Christmas out to be very bad indeed.

_____________________________

You're a door without a key,
A field without a fence.
You've made a holy fool of me,
And I've thanked you ever since.
- Aaron Weiss
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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 11/25/2008 6:14:03 PM   
jn1010lf

 

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Hello crankius

No, I don't think Santa is Satan. First, Satan is a real living being, whereas Santa is a legend, some character that poeple have made up.

Santa is, as I said, a legend. He is a figment of man's imagination and ignorance of the true giver, the Lord. Scripture says that all good gifts come from God.

I don't think we shoud teach our kids that Christmas is about a fictional character named Santa. I think we should teach them that Christmas is the birthday of Jesus.
Post #: 10
RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 11/25/2008 6:51:00 PM   
Bluethread


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What is interesting that "santa" is a variation of word saint, like "Jesus" is a variation of the greek Yesou(best guess, not greek letters), which is a variation of the hebrew Yeshua(ditto). If variations have any meaning at all, it is derived from the original word. Therefore, Santa means nothing or the one who is set apart.

_____________________________

"Show me wherein I have errored and I will hold my tongue." Iyov(Job)
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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 11/27/2008 1:16:05 PM   
stampinlady


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quote:

don't think we shoud teach our kids that Christmas is about a fictional character named Santa. I think we should teach them that Christmas is the birthday of Jesus


So, you think we should lie to children?

Jesus wasn't born on December 25 and look up the history of Santa. It makes more sense to celebrate Santa on Dec. 25 than it does Jesus' birthday,imo.

_____________________________

Deb

"You don't need a New Year's Resolution, you need a Resurection! Dr. Tony Evans
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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 11/27/2008 6:41:16 PM   
JStucki76

 

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Santa isn't actually a mere legend. Saint Nicolas was a real person who apparently did leave treats in the hanging stockings of poor children. Obviously he doesn't live at the North Pole and fly through the air with reindeer.

I agree that to let Christmas become a secular holiday is a bad idea.

And while I'm not married to the idea of Jesus being born Dec. 25th, I've never been sure why it's so unlikely.
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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 11/28/2008 10:36:03 PM   
MrFribbles


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quote:


And while I'm not married to the idea of Jesus being born Dec. 25th, I've never been sure why it's so unlikely.


Shepherds usually don't go out and watch their sheep in the middle of winter. : )

_____________________________

You're a door without a key,
A field without a fence.
You've made a holy fool of me,
And I've thanked you ever since.
- Aaron Weiss
Post #: 14
RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 11/29/2008 4:15:39 PM   
Bluethread


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quote:

ORIGINAL: MrFribbles

quote:


And while I'm not married to the idea of Jesus being born Dec. 25th, I've never been sure why it's so unlikely.


Shepherds usually don't go out and watch their sheep in the middle of winter. : )


There have also been astronomical studies. They show that the only "star" that could have been interpreted as the sign of a new king would have been jupiter(The king of celestial bodies) appearing in the royal constillation in Sept-Oct year 2 or 3 CE. Because we are inside jupiter's orbit, as we go around to the opposite side of the sun from juptier, it appears to go forwards, then backwards, then forwards again accross the sky. This kept jupiter in the royal constillation for some time. This time just happens to be the time of Sukkot(the Feast of Tabernacles).

_____________________________

"Show me wherein I have errored and I will hold my tongue." Iyov(Job)
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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 12/1/2008 9:25:20 PM   
JStucki76

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: MrFribbles

quote:


And while I'm not married to the idea of Jesus being born Dec. 25th, I've never been sure why it's so unlikely.


Shepherds usually don't go out and watch their sheep in the middle of winter. : )

Actually, some had to. Micah 4:8 says the kingdom will come to Migdal Eder, the Tower of the Flock. Edersheim tells us:

This Migdal Eder was not the watchtower for the ordinary flocks which pastured on the barren sheepground beyond Bethlehem, but lay close to the town, on the road to Jerusalem. A passage in the Mishnah leads to the conclusion, that the flocks, which pastured there, were destined for Temple-sacrifices, and accordingly, that the Shepherds, who watched over them, were no ordinary shepherds. The latter were under the ban of Rabbinism, on account of their necessary isolation from religious ordinances....The same Mishnic passage also leads us to infer, that these flocks lay out all the year round...

Whether it was December 25th or not, I think it's cool that the first people to see Jesus were ones who were excluded from Temple observances.
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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 12/1/2008 9:28:00 PM   
JStucki76

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Bluethread

quote:

ORIGINAL: MrFribbles

quote:


And while I'm not married to the idea of Jesus being born Dec. 25th, I've never been sure why it's so unlikely.


Shepherds usually don't go out and watch their sheep in the middle of winter. : )


There have also been astronomical studies. They show that the only "star" that could have been interpreted as the sign of a new king would have been jupiter(The king of celestial bodies) appearing in the royal constillation in Sept-Oct year 2 or 3 CE. Because we are inside jupiter's orbit, as we go around to the opposite side of the sun from juptier, it appears to go forwards, then backwards, then forwards again accross the sky. This kept jupiter in the royal constillation for some time. This time just happens to be the time of Sukkot(the Feast of Tabernacles).

This would make sense, since the prophets say Messiah will come at the Feast of Tabernacles. The Jupiter thing, though, seems speculative. How do we know how some celestial body would have been interpreted? Maybe God hung up a star just for that occasion!
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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 12/1/2008 10:07:39 PM   
1love1God1way


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quote:

ORIGINAL: TrustingGod

Satan is an angel - he was once the most beautiful of all angels


Scripture?

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love.ben
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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 12/2/2008 3:42:16 AM   
Bluethread


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quote:

ORIGINAL: JStucki76

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bluethread

There have also been astronomical studies. They show that the only "star" that could have been interpreted as the sign of a new king would have been jupiter(The king of celestial bodies) appearing in the royal constillation in Sept-Oct year 2 or 3 CE. Because we are inside jupiter's orbit, as we go around to the opposite side of the sun from juptier, it appears to go forwards, then backwards, then forwards again accross the sky. This kept jupiter in the royal constillation for some time. This time just happens to be the time of Sukkot(the Feast of Tabernacles).

This would make sense, since the prophets say Messiah will come at the Feast of Tabernacles. The Jupiter thing, though, seems speculative. How do we know how some celestial body would have been interpreted? Maybe God hung up a star just for that occasion!


Yes, Adonai can do anything. However, this argument is a nonsequitor. If we count on this argument then there is no way anyone can know much of anything that is not clearly stated in the Scriptures. After all, if something goes against my view of things, it can be discounted by saying, Adonai could have made it so. Adonai could also have created a man who flies throught the air in a sleigh delivering toys to boys and girls all over the world in one night without being discovered. This goes beyond viewing the Scriptures from a particular prospective. It is dogmatic bias.

_____________________________

"Show me wherein I have errored and I will hold my tongue." Iyov(Job)
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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 12/2/2008 9:35:51 AM   
JStucki76

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Bluethread

quote:

ORIGINAL: JStucki76

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bluethread

There have also been astronomical studies. They show that the only "star" that could have been interpreted as the sign of a new king would have been jupiter(The king of celestial bodies) appearing in the royal constillation in Sept-Oct year 2 or 3 CE. Because we are inside jupiter's orbit, as we go around to the opposite side of the sun from juptier, it appears to go forwards, then backwards, then forwards again accross the sky. This kept jupiter in the royal constillation for some time. This time just happens to be the time of Sukkot(the Feast of Tabernacles).

This would make sense, since the prophets say Messiah will come at the Feast of Tabernacles. The Jupiter thing, though, seems speculative. How do we know how some celestial body would have been interpreted? Maybe God hung up a star just for that occasion!


Yes, Adonai can do anything. However, this argument is a nonsequitor. If we count on this argument then there is no way anyone can know much of anything that is not clearly stated in the Scriptures. After all, if something goes against my view of things, it can be discounted by saying, Adonai could have made it so. Adonai could also have created a man who flies throught the air in a sleigh delivering toys to boys and girls all over the world in one night without being discovered. This goes beyond viewing the Scriptures from a particular prospective. It is dogmatic bias.

Well, I wasn't really trying to make an argument for my theory. My point was merely that we don't really know what it was that was interpreted as a sign of a new king. The idea that it must have been Jupiter seemed speculative, just like the idea that God hung a star just for the occasion.
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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 12/2/2008 4:09:28 PM   
Bluethread


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quote:

ORIGINAL: JStucki76

Well, I wasn't really trying to make an argument for my theory. My point was merely that we don't really know what it was that was interpreted as a sign of a new king. The idea that it must have been Jupiter seemed speculative, just like the idea that God hung a star just for the occasion.


No, it is not "just like" Adonai hanging a star. That is a general statement of faith in Adonai's omnipotence. The other is a possible explanation as to how Adonai might have "hung a star". The point wasn't that it was any celestial body in particular. It is that there is only one celestial event that took place in that time period that fits the viewing duration eluded to in the Scriptures. Since, this event just happens to also include two celestial bodies that refer to kingship and just happens to occur during one of the times that is traditional for the appearance of the Messiah(Sukkot), I would think that this is more that just speculation based totally on Adonai's omnipotence.

_____________________________

"Show me wherein I have errored and I will hold my tongue." Iyov(Job)
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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 12/5/2008 12:58:28 AM   
GodsMusic

 

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Santa is not real.

*satan is.

So then, Santa is not *satan.


*NOTE: I never capitalize the "S" in satan for a reason.
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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 12/7/2008 10:28:03 PM   
rlj


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I remember a very old episode of church chat when the Church Lady addressed talked about this. Here's an exerpt:

quote:

Church Lady: Hello, I'm the Church Lady, and this is "Church Chat". Well, you know, the holiday season has arrived. And, with it, a little letter from Toledo, Ohio. Let's read that, shall we?

[ reading ] "Dear Church Lady: I am shocked at the number of people who bring their children to total strangers in Santa suits, and allow them to hold their young ones firmly on their pelvic regions, offer them candy and whisper, 'Don't be afraid to tell me what you really want!' What causes this mass hysteria?" Signed, Elaine.

Well, Elaine, let's examine thew word "Santa", shall we? [ holds up board with "SANTA" spelled across it in removeable letters ] Santa. Let's see, what have we got here? We've got an S and an A, an N, a T, and another A. Hmm.. [ rearranges the letters ] Who could be causing all those laps to bounce up and down curiously? Who would help grown men peel the focus from the baby Jesus on his birthday? Who could it be, I just don't know. Could it be.. [ echo ] Satan!! [ the letters now spell "SATAN" ]


_____________________________

-Roger

I could wile away the hours
Conferrin' with the flowers
Consultin' with the rain
And my head I'd be scratchin'
While my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a brain
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RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 12/7/2008 11:46:35 PM   
crankius


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Thank you rlj for getting the allusion in the title! You get the IS SANTA SATAN Thread Award for insightfulness!

Aside from the allusion the Church Lady, the title is simply meant to stand as an example of false ideas about satan, and illustrate why a scriptural discussion of satan is warranted.

_____________________________

Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
Ecclesiastes 7:16

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
Post #: 24
RE: IS SANTA SATAN? - 12/7/2008 11:54:05 PM   
crankius


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Now I will try to answer the questions from the OP using Scripture.

Let's see how I do!

Who is satan?

For starters, he is a fallen angel, our accuser, and the father of lies.

A fallen angel:

2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;

Jude 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;

Is 14:12-15 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.

(also see Ezekiel 28:12-18 for the reference to him being beautiful and an "anointed cherub")


Luke 10:18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”


Our accuser:

Zechariah 3:1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.

Re 12:10 I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.


Father of Lies:

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

Are Christians to fear satan? How can Christians not fear satan?


We can make him flee:

Believers are given directions for how to have satan flee from us, which gives us authority in Christ over satan. James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.


We can trust God's sovereignty:

He alone is omniscient.

Isaiah 46:9-10 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,'


We have the Word of God:

A believer can wear the armor of God, and use the Word of God as an offensive weapon (…the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God-Eph 6:17b). Christ modeled this for us as He relied upon the Word to resist satan and refute his lies.


A few more coming up in next post...

< Message edited by crankius -- 12/8/2008 12:20:58 AM >


_____________________________

Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
Ecclesiastes 7:16

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
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