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I'm just trying to find some theological or philosophical discussion of why God hasn't stopped Satan and his demons. Why not imprison them? Why not take away their free will? Why not annihilate them? Why allow them what dominion they have over us?

I recognize that, according to traditional Christianity, God will subject them to eternal punishment at some point in the future. But this seems on the face of it to be a far less desirable alternative: i.e., the courses of action I mention above seem better for everyone. I've looked in a few thinkers (Aquinas, Leibniz, ...), but I can't find anyone addressing this question.

Thanks!

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4 Answers

up vote 8 down vote

It makes more sense when you look at it from an eternal perspective. Yes, Satan and his followers cause us a lot of trouble in this life, but our life on Earth is not about our life on Earth. It's essentially a test, to see if we will be faithful and obedient to God's commandments. But that would be a meaningless question without opposition to provide a (seemingly) good reason to not want to.

That's Satan's role in the plan. (See the first 2 chapters of Job, for example. See also 1 Corinthians 10:13, which explicitly reiterates the point demonstrated in Job, that God does not allow Satan to do certain things that we would not be able to bear.) He rebelled against God and sought to destroy God's work, but God is still able to find a useful purpose for Satan to serve. But we are assured that after the end of this world, when the time of testing and mortality is over, that Satan will be cast into hell for all eternity. (Revelation 20:10)

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First, I wonder where this account comes from, where God is glad to have Satan around to give our lives a purpose (Scripture? any of the Church Fathers?). Second, given this account, it seems like Satan's original temptation of Adam and Eve was part of God's plan, rather than an unwanted intervention. Third, it's unclear how to reconcile any 'test' account with God's omniscience: an all-knowing God doesn't need to test us to see what we do. – 76987 Oct 30 '11 at 15:12
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God being "glad to have Satan around" is not quite what I said. And I did give scriptural references to support the point. As for the temptation of Adam and Eve, I've written about that elsewhere. And God doesn't need to test us so he will know what we will do, but so that we will know, and so that we can learn and grow and come to be the sort of people we are supposed to be in eternity. As Paul put it, "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7) – Mason Wheeler♦ Oct 30 '11 at 15:30
I just mean God prefers having Satan around to the alternative: after all, if Satan weren't around, our lives would lose their purpose, which is something God would not like. If I'm reading you right on that point, then I'm really not sure what Scripture supports it. As for testing, what is the value of us knowing what we do in a test? And if it is valuable, why not simply give us this knowledge? Or if the testing itself is somehow good for us, independently of the knowledge, is Satan cooperating? Is there no other way to bring about these goods besides subjecting us to Satanic tests? – 76987 Oct 30 '11 at 15:39
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I'm curious about your statement "life on Earth ... [is] essentially a test, to see if we will be faithful and obedient to God's commandments." Is there scripture that says essentially this in so many words? – Flimzy Oct 31 '11 at 7:00
I agree that life on Earth is not about life on Earth per-say, but I strongly disagree with the main premise of this answer: "life on earth is essentially a test to see if we will be faithful". This is what works-based-salvation teaches -- that only those who measure up get accepted. I don't see this teaching in the Bible and do not thing this answer represents a generalized doctrine common to Christianity. – Caleb♦ Oct 31 '11 at 12:19
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up vote 4 down vote

Aquinas covers this to an extent, in http://www.newadvent.org/summa/1064.htm, article 4.

Angels stand between us and God. Through God's order of things the superior (angels/God) help to improve the welfare of the inferior (us), and this can be done in one of two ways.

First, we can just be good, and with the help of angels be protected, but there is also that some will wrestle with demons, and through these trials will become better people.

If the demons did not serve this purpose then they would have no place in the natural order, and so could be destroyed.

Since they have a purpose, destroying them, or imprisoning all of them is counter to the natural order, so is something that God won't do.

If you are interested in what Augustine wrote about why demons are in our atmosphere you can look at The literal meaning of Genesis, Volume 1, reflections on the fifth and sixth days, chapter 10. If you look on this page, you can find the Google Books version:

http://litteralchristianlibrary.wetpaint.com/page/Penteteuch

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The Bible presents God's kingdom as gradually growing, but not instantly defeating the Kingdome of Satan. The Devil took kingship of the world because he tempted the first humans to sin. When they fell they fell into sin, death, hell and under the bondage of the malicious lordship of Satan. (Genesis 3:1)

Gradually over history God established a new kingdom. In Abraham he called out a people to live under his rule. (Genesis 12) Then in Christ he made a new heaven and earth creating a new kingdom (Isaiah 65). This is why Jesus always said the 'Kingdom of God is like...' (Math 13) and John the Baptists said the kingdom of God was at hand. (Mathew 3:2)

Now when Jesus did arrive the Devil was enlivened in terms of Biblical descriptions of his presence in the world (Math 4:1) and all his minions. Before Christ there is very little spoken about the devils or the Devil. (Math 8:16)

Now after Jesus rose, he promised to return in judgment. (2 Timothy 4:1) This is the final building of his kingdom when sin, death, hell and Devil will be bound forever. (Rev 21:4)

So you see the question you asked is not why still the Devil, but why sin, why disease, why sorrow, why not heaven now?

The answer is God does all things according to his own eternal plan and this apparently includes a gradual salvation of humanity in Christ. (Eph 1:3)

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up vote 0 down vote

In addition, to all the answers: it was God's plan to make all the creatures that have a mind, e.g. human beings, angels and devils, free and give them a free will. Othwerise, there would be no sinners and no devils.

Stopping the angel from becoming a devil would contradict this plan.

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