Aunty, why are we Adventists so focused on Satan?
15 April 2024 |
Dear Aunt Sevvy,
In the Adventist community I grew up in, the power of Satan was presented vividly: the devil was more personally involved in everyone’s life than God and the angels. The angels would stay outside places like theaters, where the evil angels would congregate. God was ready to abandon me for any sin, while Satan was right here, ready to devour billions. God could only save a few—Satan would take the majority.
I did a word count in The Great Controversy (1911) for two words:
“Jesus” = 196 times
“Satan” = 273 times
So, Aunty, who really is more important in Adventist theology?
Signed, A fearful believer
Dear Fearful:
And you didn’t even mention the way stories of Satan and spiritualism circulated in Adventist schools—especially boarding schools.
Adventists have focused on Satan’s power since our beginning. We were birthed in the same era as spiritualism, and in the same region: the Fox sisters’ home was only about 10 miles from Hiram Edson’s farm.
There is a reason why Satan is so emphasized: because fear is a great motivator, and Satan personifies and personalizes fear. Conspiracies and threats grab our attention like love and assurance don’t. Our minds respond to threats quickly and strongly. This includes spiritualism, but also scary stories about the time of the end and the pope’s evil role, which is why these stories are so frequently used by popular evangelists.
By focusing on the enemy rather than our Comforter and Protector, preachers give us a sort of thrill. More than one Adventist pastor has been told, after a sermon about God’s love and assurance, that “you can hear that kind of thing in any Sunday church.” Hearing about the hidden conspiracies makes us feel empowered: we get to fight against Satan, not simply trust in Jesus.
Aunty rarely thinks about Satan, because the Bible says that Jesus dethroned evil once and for all at the cross. Jesus saw Satan fall “like lightning”. Evil wins some local skirmishes, but God wins in the end.
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Why? Because “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:1,6).
That’s the main thing we need to know.
Aunt Sevvy
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