Center for Creative Ministry A research organization and research center for Seventh-day Adventist pastors and their congregations
The War Behind All Wars
“I never found my friends being accepted in the Christian circles,” shares Typhon Nyx, a strong supporter of bodily autonomy and science, and who strives to show compassion and respect to others living in the margins. “The appeal of Satan is that he is the accepting one, the inclusive one, and someone I can more identify with.
“Satanism stands for everything I believe in. … Although, I don’t believe he actually exists.”
It’s the sentiment shared by most adherents to The Satanic Temple (TST). In fact, the BBC reports that co-founders Lucien Greaves and Malcolm Jarry profess their religion is not actually about Satan. Rather, TST focuses on religious freedom and the separation of church and state. If adherents have to be a bit theatrical in their political activism to get their point across, so be it.
Their approach has them in the spotlight once again, as an Arizona bill was recently proposed that, if passed, would ban satanic displays on public grounds.
What a sticky religious liberty situation!
While Satanism is something we as Christians try not to associate with, we can agree with TST that religious liberty needs to be upheld, that the freedom of religious choice is essential. It’s a shared value, but the reasons for the value are so different!
This battle of freedom of choice and autonomy, free will, has been waging since the moment Lucifer chose to challenge God’s authority and attempt exalting himself over God (Isaiah 14:12-14). Lucifer’s arguments were so convincing that he won a third of the angels (Revelation 12:7-9).
Why would God allow such evil to permeate our world instead of obliterating Lucifer? Why would God create a being that would launch a spiritual war that would last until the end of time?
Because God values choice, God values us choosing to love and exalt the Trinity. What would it mean if God operated out of fear instead?
The war between God and Satan will continue and it’s up to us to choose a side. Will we choose to exalt ourselves, or to exalt the Creator God?
For Reflection
Connecting: How do you find the balance between standing up for your own religious beliefs and not infringing on the rights of others?
Sharing: This quarter, as we study the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil, consider what you can more fully surrender to God in the following areas:
- Family
- Work
- Church
- Free Time
- Lifestyle
- Other
Applying: How can we share the message of the great controversy without scaring off others? How can we share the biblical narrative of evil with those who believe that evil brings balance to the world, or that there is no such thing as true evil?
Valuing: What is your motivation for choosing God? Is it selfish?
~ Stefani Leeper
Your Center for Creative Ministry Team
The Center for Creative Ministry is fully recognized by the North American Division (NAD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church; it is also a 501c3 nonprofit organization which makes donations tax deductible in the U.S.
