Faith

---

WHO DROPPED THE CAPITAL“D” IN DEVIL?

Harold A. Gram, Ph.D.
James P. Gram, Ph.D.

We have just finished writing a book titled The Devil Never Walks Alone, Llumina Press. It is the story of a young minister who comes face to face with the Devil in different human forms as he goes about his work. Our editors insisted that the name of the Devil should always be capitalized. He has a proper name because he is a person. We agreed, but continue to wonder who dropped the capital D from the name of the Devil in common use.

The Bible refers to the Devil by name or description approximately 140 times but his name is used infrequently in our church papers, sermons and services. If it were not for some great hymns the Devil would be ostracized from our Churches. Why is this so? Is the Devil dead as some used to say that God is dead? Have we developed some aversion to the idea of the Devil so that, like Ouija boards and tarot cards, he is best left alone? Is the idea of a real Devil too medieval; too weird; too out of fashion?

Rather than talking about the Devil we seem to prefer describing the source of sin as evil. Evil is a concept which requires a description, or definition, and a way to understand ideas. Evil is an historical reality such as Dachau or Buchenwald. It is certainly useful to describe situations, events and even people which exemplify our concept of evil. But the exercise is tautological. Evil is who evil does; an event is evil if it represents evil. We can therefore describe evil but not the source of evil.

Evil does not exist in isolation; there is a cause or causes for evil. Suppose evil arises from defects in mankind’s psychology? People are turned into criminals and terrorists by combinations of events and circumstances in their lives. It is easy to become Marxists attributing evil to the conditions of work or the environment. But situational determinism is not always predictable. Research on families demonstrates that similar circumstances result in one sibling being a saint and the other a murderer. Researchers hope to find differences in the combination of family genes. There is no research to indicate that a criminal father results in a criminal offspring. Humanists may well pursue this line of reasoning but their case is weak for both psychology and heredity.

How do we account for the source of evil, and its myriad manifestations? To accept the philosophical argument that evil is the absence of good is symmetrical. It becomes a circular argument that good is the absence of evil; evil is the absence of good. We are left with a definition that, as philosophers would say, is necessary but not sufficient. Somehow, we must find a source and cause of evil that has some basis in reality. We must examine the role of a real devil in the concept of evil.

To face a real, living, active cause of evil in the Devil is to move from definitions to reality. One can accept or reject concepts, but to be confronted by a person requires that we flee or fight. If the person is divine and eternal we can either worship or ignore. To accept the reality of a living, working and alive Devil is to concede that the Devil is essential for evil to occur.

Suppose the Devil allows evil to occur. The image is one of a Devil standing by while evil things happen. But if the Devil “allows” evil to happen then he must have the power to stop evil. But if he has power over evil, then on what basis would evil be turned off and on like a faucet? Certainly not on the basis of what is good. That would be the antithesis of what the source of evil would do. The Devil has preferences.

He uses both evil and good people to accomplish evil purposes. This accords much better with the Biblical record and the testimony of many saints. In the temptation of Jesus, the Devil promised to create conditions where Jesus would have power over the world (Matt 4). Devils often protested violently at having their condition overturned (Luke 4:35).

The devil disguises himself as different people and things. In 1 Peter 5:8, the Devil is depicted as a roaring lion. In Rev 12:9, he is a serpent. In the face of extensive Biblical evidence, there can be no valid claim that “devil” is some kind of Biblical shorthand for evil or sin. Evil and sin are symptoms and results of the Devil’s work. The devil is more chameleon than fixture.

The idea of a real living Devil who is active in everyday life is just too bizarre for many people to accept. The belief in a real active Devil who walks among us, influencing, tempting, and leading is frightening. How will we know him; what does he look like; what are his physical features? If we are naïve in our thinking we may settle on a red suit and forked tail. More realistically we need to admit that the devil is amongst us, working his evil, and taking human form.

In Mark 18:33, after Jesus had foretold his disciples of his suffering and death, Peter “rebuked” Jesus for this information. Most scholars concede that Peter was speaking from a human, even self-concerned, standpoint rather than as a true follower of Jesus. How did Jesus respond? He said, “Get behind me Satan.” He was speaking to Peter. The contention here is that for a time Peter was Satan. Or, in another way, Satan was speaking through Peter. In Luke 22:3 Satan entered into Judas Iscariot. In Acts 5:3 Satan filled Ananias’ heart and made him lie. In other words, the Devil never walks alone but always in the company of those he seeks to influence for evil.

We have expanded upon these beliefs in The Devil Never Walks Alone, (Llumina Press, www.llumina.com).We tell the story of a young minister whose life became a disaster as his friends and colleagues work against him influenced by the Devil. How do we know it was the Devil working evil? The actions of innocent friends were so bizarrely outside their normal behavior that the only plausible explanation was to look to a supernatural source. Although the facts and situation in the novel are fiction they are based on real incidents.

We note the influence of the Devil in our own lives. How many times have we spoken or done something which we immediately regret? We are puzzled and confused that it is not in our normal character to harm others. In a similar way, how many times have we been dismayed and confused when others have acted toward us in ways that are inconsistent with their normal behavioral patterns? How are we to explain the demonic behavior of certain political leaders? How are we to explain the untold deaths and suffering inflicted by terrorists and criminals? Are these merely psychological lapses? Are they undiscovered gaps in character? Are they the actions of a living Devil?

God does not inflict evil, suffering and death upon his people. Mankind is not perfect and there is room for the Devil to work his ways with us and others. The Devil tells us to ignore the hurts of others, take shortcuts, win at all costs, evade responsibility and walk the easy path. The Devil walks with us at all times exerting his subtle pressure to do the evil he prefers.

The existence of a living Devil supports the reality that life is a battle, a constant struggle, and an ongoing conflict. We seem to have lost the vigor required to cling to God and reject the Devil. Being a Christian is not a definition but a life of commitment. We need to think of the Devil with a capital “D.” Who dropped the capital “D” from Devil? We think it was the Devil himself.


The authors of this article and the book The Devil Never Walks Alone are both retired university professors; Harold in Finance, James in Education. The book and this article were written in hopes that a clearer depiction of the Devil would strengthen the Christian faith of the readers. The book is available from www.gram-books.com, the publisher, and major booksellers.

###

Words: 1411

Characters no spaces: 6500

Characters with spaces: 7981





3

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE