Better to Reign in Hell, Than Serve In Heaven

Better to Reign in Hell, Than Serve In Heaven PDF Author: Allan Wright
Publisher: Vernon Press
ISBN: 1622732871
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 178

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Book Description
In this monograph, I argue that Satan was not perceived as a universal malevolent deity, the embodiment of evil, or the “ruler of Pandemonium” within first century Christian literature or even within second and third century Christian discourses as some scholars have insisted. Instead, for early “Christian” authors, Satan represented a pejorative term used to describe terrestrial, tangible, and concrete social realities, perceived of as adversaries. To reach this conclusion, I explore the narrative character of Satan selectively within the Hebrew Bible, intertestamental literature, Mark, Matthew, Luke, Q, the Book of Revelation, the Nag Hammadi texts, and the Ante-Nicene fathers. I argue that certain scholars’ such as Jeffrey Burton Russell, Miguel A. De La Torre, Albert Hernandez, Peter Stanford, Paul Carus, and Gerd Theissen, homogenized reconstructions of the “New Testament Satan” as the universalized incarnation of evil and that God’s absolute cosmic enemy is absent from early Christian orthodox literature, such as Mark, Matthew, Luke, Q, the Book of Revelation, and certain writings from the Ante-Nicene Fathers. Using Jonathan Z. Smith’s essay Here, There, and Anywhere, I suggest that the cosmic dualist approach to Satan as God’s absolute cosmic enemy resulted from the changing social topography of the early fourth century where Christian “insider” and “outsider” adversaries were diminishing. With these threats fading, early Christians universalized a perceived chaotic cosmic enemy, namely Satan, being influenced by the Gnostic demiurge, who disrupts God’s terrestrial and cosmic order. Therefore, Satan transitioned from a “here,” “insider,” and “there,” “outsider,” threat to a universal “anywhere” threat. This study could be employed as a characterization study, New Testament theory and application for classroom references or research purposes.

Better to Reign in Hell, Than Serve In Heaven

Better to Reign in Hell, Than Serve In Heaven PDF Author: Allan Wright
Publisher: Vernon Press
ISBN: 1622732871
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 178

Get Book Here

Book Description
In this monograph, I argue that Satan was not perceived as a universal malevolent deity, the embodiment of evil, or the “ruler of Pandemonium” within first century Christian literature or even within second and third century Christian discourses as some scholars have insisted. Instead, for early “Christian” authors, Satan represented a pejorative term used to describe terrestrial, tangible, and concrete social realities, perceived of as adversaries. To reach this conclusion, I explore the narrative character of Satan selectively within the Hebrew Bible, intertestamental literature, Mark, Matthew, Luke, Q, the Book of Revelation, the Nag Hammadi texts, and the Ante-Nicene fathers. I argue that certain scholars’ such as Jeffrey Burton Russell, Miguel A. De La Torre, Albert Hernandez, Peter Stanford, Paul Carus, and Gerd Theissen, homogenized reconstructions of the “New Testament Satan” as the universalized incarnation of evil and that God’s absolute cosmic enemy is absent from early Christian orthodox literature, such as Mark, Matthew, Luke, Q, the Book of Revelation, and certain writings from the Ante-Nicene Fathers. Using Jonathan Z. Smith’s essay Here, There, and Anywhere, I suggest that the cosmic dualist approach to Satan as God’s absolute cosmic enemy resulted from the changing social topography of the early fourth century where Christian “insider” and “outsider” adversaries were diminishing. With these threats fading, early Christians universalized a perceived chaotic cosmic enemy, namely Satan, being influenced by the Gnostic demiurge, who disrupts God’s terrestrial and cosmic order. Therefore, Satan transitioned from a “here,” “insider,” and “there,” “outsider,” threat to a universal “anywhere” threat. This study could be employed as a characterization study, New Testament theory and application for classroom references or research purposes.

The Devil's Delight

The Devil's Delight PDF Author: Lainie Anderson
Publisher: The Phantom Pen
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 261

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Book Description
Lucifer doesn't have time for romance. He's been ousted as King of Hell. After escaping his chains, he retreats to lick his wounds and plan his revenge. The original sinner takes on the guise of a bakery owner, ready to pass the time until he can retake his throne. Lexi Sutton, a witch with mischief magic, only wants to live a normal life with normal relationships. The problem? Getting through dates without her chaotic magic going haywire has proven impossible. She's ready to give up on ever finding love. When Lexi hears about a job opening at a new bakery, she goes for it. How could she know resisting the charms of the panty-melting owner would be so difficult, or that giving in would kick off a chain of events that destiny had been waiting thousands of years to unleash? Will Hell's number one Devil heal her heart, or will finding out his secret identity shatter it?

Satan

Satan PDF Author: Jeremy C Leven
Publisher: Dissertation.com
ISBN: 9780595745494
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 500

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Book Description
Alas, poor Satan. He's not happy. No one seems to like or understand him; people have got him all wrong. And his relationship with God is a hostile one. Unloved and misunderstood, he's come back to Earth in search of a psychotherapist; he's prepared- if cured- to deliver the all-important Great Answer. In Jeremy Leven's wildly original comic novel, we follow the Prince of Darkness through his seven amazing therapy sessions. And we watch him grow increasingly well adjusted while his therapist, the unfortunate Dr. Kassler, descends deeper and deeper into hell.

The Helmet and the Sword

The Helmet and the Sword PDF Author: James W. Meyer
Publisher: Xulon Press
ISBN: 1609573595
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 498

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Book Description
Jim is a successful emergency medicine doctor living in the suburbs with his wife Kathryn and teen daughter Hannah when he senses Jesus' Spirit prompting, "I have something better for you!". And He urges him to step out to the edge of his faith and minister to Christians putting their lives on the line for their beliefs. Jim arranges an exploratory African mission and arrives in his colleague's village immediately after soldiers kill Christians and destroy their property. He's immersed in a first hand understanding of the Lord's prompt while he and his colleague treat casualties. Jim leaves the village with his colleague's request to return and reestablish the Christian community. While returning to the states, Jim deliberates whether he's up to putting himself in harm's way on an extended mission. He concludes his life's crowning moment is right in front of him and everything leading to the present prepared him for this decision! Kathryn and Hannah come to believe they're Jim's supporting cast and they return to Africa. Jim, Kathryn and Hannah look to the Lord while reaching deeply into their faith and minister to persecuted Christians. Kathryn and Hannah are challenged to creatively share God's saving grace with opposing forces. Their experience climaxes in unexpected and unusual circumstances! Jim and his wife are parents of twins and grandparents of two preteen boys. Jim is a self-employed computer consultant, who traveled nationally and internationally gaining a wealth of acquaintances, friends and experiences. He's active in children's and middle school ministries and is a serious Bible student. Jim maintains a continuous watch on world news, writing stories with characters living the biblical parallels to world events.

Short Stories and Assorted Nightmares

Short Stories and Assorted Nightmares PDF Author: Mark A. Snyder
Publisher: Archway Publishing
ISBN: 1480880094
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 299

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Book Description
It is August 1943 in Benghazi, Libya. Ed Mayfield, part of a B-24 Liberator bomber crew, is awakened from a nightmare, and assigned to a major air campaign that is no less terrifying. Frank is a lonely, almost desperate man, due to an unexpected new-found freedom. In an old bookstore, he finds finds an unlikely companion—a parrot—a curious creature that takes Frank under its wing(s). It is 2048 and a spacecraft speeds toward Mars. Inside is Specialist J. Murphy Cameron, preparing to live out his life-long dream of excavating an ancient civilization on another planet. He digs up more than expected. Ken, his brother, and their wives think they’re off on a voyage to spread the ashes of the Ken’s father but instead have set sail into the steamy and turbulent waters of stormy relations and dark secrets. David is ready to put an end to it all and check out—for good. Unfortunately, he has no idea who is waiting for him on the other side. In Short Stories and Assorted Nightmares, Mark A. Snyder leads others on a journey from the everyday to the extraordinary. This collection of nine deliciously wicked tales and curiosities piques the imagination, conjures stirrings in the darkest corners of the mind and will appeal to fans of horror and science fiction alike.

Tool

Tool PDF Author:
Publisher: PediaPress
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 253

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Book Description


Cookies & Milk

Cookies & Milk PDF Author: Shawn Amos
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 0759556768
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 227

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Book Description
WINNER OF THE NAACP IMAGE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING LITERARY WORK—YOUTH/TEENS! It's a summer of family, friendship, and fun fiascos in this acclaimed novel that's as irresistible as a fresh-baked cookie. Ellis Bailey Johnson has the summertime blues. Instead of hanging out with friends, listening to music, and playing his harmonica, Ellis has to help bring his dad’s latest farfetched, sure-to-fail idea to life: open the world’s first chocolate chip cookie store. They have six weeks to perfect their recipe, get a run-down A-frame storefront on Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard into tip-top shape, and bring in customers. But nothing goes according to plan, especially when family secrets start to surface. Can Ellis bake up a happy ending? Partially based on Shawn Amos’s own experiences growing up the son of Wally “Famous” Amos, and packed with humor, heart, and fun illustrations, this debut novel sings with the joy of self-discovery, unconditional love, and community. “Shawn Amos has written a beautiful story of family and music, of growing up and having adventures, of business building and character building, that is at once very specific and universal. I love Cookies and Milk as much as I love cookies and milk.” –Lisa See, New York Times bestselling and award winning author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Shanghai Girls **Don't miss Ellis's next adventure: Ellis Johnson Might Be Famous

Reviving Old Scratch

Reviving Old Scratch PDF Author: Richard Beck
Publisher: Fortress Press
ISBN: 1506401368
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 212

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Book Description
The devil has fallen on hard times. Surveys say that even the majority of Christians doubt Satans existence. Burdened by doubts, skeptical believers find themselves divorced from Jesus dramatic confrontation with Satan in the Gospels and from the struggle that galvanized the early church. In Reviving Old Scratch, popular blogger and theologian Richard Beck reintroduces the devil to the modern world with a biblical, bold, and urgent vision of spiritual warfare: we must resist the devil by joining the kingdom of Gods subversive campaign to interrupt the world with love. Beck shows how conservative Christians too often overspiritualize the devil and demons, and progressive Christians reduce these forces to social justice issues. By understanding evil as a very real force in the world, we are better able to name it for what it is and thus to combat it as Jesus did. Becks own work in a prison Bible study and at a church for recovering addicts convinced him to take Satan more seriously, and they provide compelling illustrations as he challenges the contemporaryand strangely safeversions of evil forces. The beliefs of liberals and conservatives alike will be tested by Becks groundbreaking ideas, fascinating stories, and clear thinking. Because if Jesus took Satan seriously, says Beck, then so should we. Winner of the 2017 Book of the Year Award from The Academy of Parish Clergy!

Ramblings of Faith

Ramblings of Faith PDF Author: Kawuma Kayiwa, Zane Mathews
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 1411650719
Category : Literary Collections
Languages : en
Pages : 164

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Book Description
It is hard to live. This book presents a psychological approach to coping with suffering.It is a wonderful title to people recovering from Tsunami, terrorists attacks, floods or earthquakes. It restores self confidence into people who have lost lovedones, friendships, jobs or sources of income. Face to Face with Grief shows the way forward after some devastating news. Without belittling your feelings for the loss of your loved one, demeaning the pain of joblessness and poverty, blaming you for your circumstances, Face to Face with Grief uses the counseling and experience of others to dig you out of your own grave. It will help you to modify and control your anger, doubts, hatred and help you think through your goals, guide your life course decisions and let you design your lasting relief from your problems.

The Truth

The Truth PDF Author: Arthur Young
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 0595220533
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 216

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Book Description
The book that God put in my heart to write tells about the heavenly father, God the all powerful, the son, Jesus Christ, and the head of the fallen angels, Satan. I consider my book as both a motivational and an inspirational tool that will help a person though life and let them know that they are not alone.