The Father of the Devil (John 8:44)
A Christian Exegetical Inspiration for the Evil Creator
In: Vigiliae ChristianaeSearch for other papers by M. David Litwa in
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Abstract
This article argues that John 8:44 helped to inspire the early Christian view that the creator was an evil being. John 8:44 has at least four possible readings allowed by grammar. In two of these readings, taken by a variety of early Christian groups (including early catholics), there is indication that the devil has a father. Since the desires of this father are known from the parallel desires of his children, some early Christians inferred the hostility of the devil’s father toward Christ, and thus his evil nature.
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The Father of the Devil (John 8:44)
A Christian Exegetical Inspiration for the Evil Creator
In: Vigiliae ChristianaeSearch for other papers by M. David Litwa in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
This article argues that John 8:44 helped to inspire the early Christian view that the creator was an evil being. John 8:44 has at least four possible readings allowed by grammar. In two of these readings, taken by a variety of early Christian groups (including early catholics), there is indication that the devil has a father. Since the desires of this father are known from the parallel desires of his children, some early Christians inferred the hostility of the devil’s father toward Christ, and thus his evil nature.
