Tag Archives: Satan

Judas, Betrayal, and the Despair of Love

Posted on 9 April 2020 by

The Twelve—the gospels name them; the tradition remembers their missionary service and martyrdom; the Church acclaims them apostles and saints. With one infamous exception—Judas Iscariot. Companion, disciple, and friend, chosen by Jesus to be a representative of the new Israel, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Annihilating Angels

Posted on 10 November 2018 by

Catholic theologian Paul J. Griffiths has proposed a controversial thesis: annihilation is a novissimal possibility for angels and human beings; they may find their last thing in a decreative return to the nothingness. One point needs to be clarified, though. … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology, Paul Griffiths | Tagged , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Thralls of the Metronome: The Fall of the Demons into Devastated Time

Posted on 30 October 2018 by

“The angels are first among creatures,” writes Paul Griffiths—“first, that is, in time, and first, also, in intimacy with the LORD. When the created order comes into being by the LORD’s fiat, the light that exists before the lights given … Continue reading →

Posted in Paul Griffiths | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Ainulindalë: The Great Music and the Cacophony of Melkor

Posted on 22 February 2018 by

Eru teaches the Ainur his divine music and invites them to elaborate upon the theme, each according to his gifts and creativity. And so they sing, fashioning “the theme of Ilúvatar into a great music.” Their voices fill the halls … Continue reading →

Posted in Inklings & Company | Tagged , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Praying Out Loud: You Never Knows Who’s Listening In

Posted on 8 December 2017 by

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: … a time to keep silence, and a time to speak. (Eccles 3:1, 7) For the past two weeks I have been slowly reading Earthen Vessels by … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

C. S. Lewis and the Fall: Must Death Always be Evil?

Posted on 25 April 2017 by

“For God is life, and the privation of life is death,” writes St Basil the Great. “Therefore Adam prepared death for himself through his withdrawal from God, in accord with what is written, ‘Behold, those who remove themselves from you … Continue reading →

Posted in Inklings & Company | Tagged , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Rational Freedom and the Incoherence of Satan

Posted on 2 June 2014 by

“Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.” I know this declaration makes great drama; and I know that ever since Milton composed Paradise Lost we cannot but think of Lucifer’s fall from grace as anything but a prideful, … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Good news and bad news: All are saved … Satan too

Posted on 22 March 2013 by

Elder Paisios once fasted and prayed for two weeks for the eternal salvation of the devil. While praying he saw a dog’s head sticking his tongue out and mocking him. Paisios con­cluded from this incident that “God is ready to … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology, Isaac the Syrian | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments