Mel Gibson’s take on Satan (Conclusion)
Disciple Dojo concludes its series by Olatunde Howard on the topic of angels, demons, God and Satan as portrayed in pop-culture, particularly in movies. So far we’ve looked at “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” and “The Devil’s Advocate“…now Olatunde takes a look at perhaps the most eerie depiction of Satan in recent film history–the androgynous figure in “The Passion of the Christ”
Please share your thoughts, questions or feedback in the comments section below! And, again, if you would like to read more from Olatunde on this or similar subjects be sure to check out his book “The Mind of Christ” …which sports an excellent cover designed by yours truly!
JM
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[Continued from PART 1 and PART 2]
Now we come to the core of EVERY deception for God’s children in Satan’s temptations:
“Who is your father? Who are you?”
Satan said this in response to Jesus calling upon His Father, implying that even this is doubtful; that Jesus was merely a man attempting to carry the full burden of sin. If there is anything Satan wants children of God to doubt the most, it is their identity as God’s children, and God’s identity as their father in heaven!
Yet the first words of the prayer Jesus taught His disciples were “Our Father in Heaven…” The first thing God said to Jesus at His baptism was “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased…” And this is the very thing Satan questioned during the first two wilderness temptations, “IF you are the Son of God, turn these stones to bread,” “IF, you are the Son of God, throw yourself down (from the top of the temple.)”
If Satan can get God’s children to doubt who their Father is, and who they are as God’s children, then the very basis of faith and the good news are gone.
If we can not cry out to God as children cry out to their fathers for protection, we are vulnerable to the lies and attacks of Satan, the lion of deception and rebellion.
As God’s children, we must not ignore Satan’s perversions, nor entertain and believe his roaring lies. We must be like Christ Jesus the Lord, who in His worst hours gave no attention to Satan, focusing only on His Father and His Father’s words.
Unlike in “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” Satan is not necessary to know and believe in God. For when we see him as he truly is–perverse, twisted, wicked–then his essential deception, namely, that he is as worthy of worship as God, is destroyed.
We are to be like Christ and say, “Away from me Satan, for it is written, ‘Worship God, and Him only shall you serve.'”
In fact, the essential message of Revelation (the book in the Bible that portrays Satan’s destiny and defeat more than any other) is this:
WORSHIP CHRIST. REFUSE TO WORSHIP THE BEAST.
Throughout Revelation the issue of worship is central. It is the central activity of heaven, as well as the privilege God gives His creatures…and it is the central desire of Satan.
But Satan is the enemy to be resisted. Resist him, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
Satan’s temptations will always have perversions. And he will always tempt God’s children to doubt they are God’s children. The closer they get to God, the more directly Satan will attack them.
In “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” Emily was possessed by Satan, so the devil was experienced indirectly through her.
In “The Devil’s Advocate” Kevin Lomax encountered Satan in the disguise of a lawyer, and the subtlety of the Devil was his main weapon.
But the Lord Jesus would not be possessed or deceived easily through Satan’s subtlety. Thus the Devil must come to him directly.
He will do the same with all who walk closely with Christ.
Yet even then, he will come with seduction, and in the seduction will be a perversion. Do not ignore Satan’s perversions.
And above all remember that he is subject to God’s children, through Christ Jesus our Lord.
-Olatunde Howard
Categories: Arts and Culture, Biblical Theology, Blog