tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post6969277778964067590..comments2023-12-26T10:22:04.630-05:00Comments on Things of My Soul: Satan as a Sincere Agent of ChoicePapa Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704974609266088416noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-9755285400531088152009-12-19T18:31:25.514-05:002009-12-19T18:31:25.514-05:00A bit late, perhaps, but this is a subject I'v...A bit late, perhaps, but this is a subject I've thought about a bit as well...<br /><br />The thing I realized eventually is that Evil exists independently of those who do evil -- it is simply the act of misusing our stewardship in any way (money, power, bodies, agency, trust, relationships, you name it). <br /><br />It then follows immediately that this life, with its rampant evil and Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16637903015592683300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-55485623299407325062009-12-18T22:08:14.783-05:002009-12-18T22:08:14.783-05:00Thank you, everyone, for your comments. You'v...Thank you, everyone, for your comments. You've highlighted the central concerns I have with the way the original quote was worded. <br /><br />To Thomas' point about Lucifer's choices making him a truly evil person regardless of original intent, I believe that is a critical aspect of our theology that truly is unique and important. When we believe that all of us really do have the Papa Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06704974609266088416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-65741415240696231162009-12-18T18:52:36.637-05:002009-12-18T18:52:36.637-05:00Re: Blake - I'm totally fine with the idea &qu...Re: Blake - I'm totally fine with the idea "that God uses Satan as the agent to promote agency," as long as that does not mean God NEEDS Satan to promote agency... if that makes sense...adamfhttp://shenpawarrior.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-31015714902614412062009-12-18T17:34:18.806-05:002009-12-18T17:34:18.806-05:00Ray,
I agree with this, with the addition that Sa...Ray,<br /><br />I agree with this, with the addition that Satan's own choices have been, whatever his intent, truly evil, and that the process of his mistakes has made him a deeply evil and repugnant being, beyond what we can imagine. ~Thomas Parkinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11050265376350194876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-61418254137569742732009-12-18T13:10:31.397-05:002009-12-18T13:10:31.397-05:00I believe that you are correct that God uses Satan...I believe that you are correct that God uses Satan as the agent to promote agency. 2 Nephi 2 makes it clear that the opposition provided by Satan is necessary to provide the "enticement" to provide the ability to choose between good and evil. If we possessed freedom in the preexistence then it is of a more limited nature than the full moral freedom provided by the choice between good Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07042652787154610375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-75766835655489993142009-12-17T16:53:01.113-05:002009-12-17T16:53:01.113-05:00That is interesting, although I agree with you, in...That is interesting, although I agree with you, in that I don't agree. :)<br /><br />Imho, Satan was not a key (read: vital) player at all. The very idea that a "satan" character is necessary is offensive to me, given that if it was, then his "sacrifice" would be greater than the Atonement. The idea of a Satan being necessary also does not make sense given that Satan is adamfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06177880599252455507noreply@blogger.com