Agreed. I try to hold that same position on on all issues. That is, your statement of “advocating that we let Scriptural language govern all of our conversation and views” in relation to what appears to be two conflicting views.

Another very good example is free-will vs God’s Sovereignty. If we let Scripture govern our views we are left with both. So the complicated part becomes understanding, teaching and explaining how both co-exist (though I actually think it is more just a re-training of human logic/understanding in this particualy case).

I look forward to reading the more detailed post on your blog.

AMDG

Also, apologies for the intemperate language.

I’ll be doing a follow up post on this to flesh out a bit more of what I understand “binding” to mean, so I won’t go into it all here except to say that I am advocating that we let Scriptural language govern all of our conversation and views. In other words, if the Scripture says that Satan has been bound, destroyed, defeated, disarmed, etc., our task is not to explain why Satan is not bound, destroyed, ect.. It is to understand exactly how it is that Satan can be said to be bound, defeated, etc., and yet still active. I think our understanding of present day activity needs to be governed by both poles here - his present defeat and his present activity. Now, how the two intersect and intertwine, well that’s the tricky part.

In addition, I do not think that Satan can do anything to a Christian that isn’t cleared through God (i.e. Job). I know I am going to catch some flack on that one.

As I said in a previous post, I think Satan is a “non-issue”. My focus is on Christ and His Sovereignty. In fact, I think the picture of Satan as an adversary to God is a picture for our temporal benefit only. Satan and all of his actions do not truly thwart our Sovereign Lord.

The only way I see Satan as our adversary is in evangelism…as he has no real power over us (Christians). Pretty much all he can do to us is tempt up, whereas, he can do a lot more than that to someone who is not born again.

As far how my view affects church function and expression…

I am not real sure. I don’t think the church or any Christian should fear Satan in any form or fashion. I would say this is what the church and every Christian should do:

(Ephesians 6:10-18 ISV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty strength. (11) Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the devil’s strategies. (12) For our struggle is not against a human opponent, but against rulers, against authorities, against cosmic powers in the darkness around us, against evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm. (13) For this reason, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to take a stand in that evil day. And when you have done everything you could, you will be able to stand firm. (14) Stand firm, therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and having put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. (16) In addition to all of these, having taken up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one, (17) also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (18) Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and request there is. For the same reason be alert with every kind of effort and request for all the saints.

I think we are pretty close to being on the same page.

AMDG

2666 καταπίνω [katapino /kat·ap·ee·no/] v. From 2596 and 4095; TDNT 6:158; TDNTA 841; GK 2927; Seven occurrences; AV translates as “swallow” four times, “swallow” once, “drown” once, and “devour” once. 1 to drink down, swallow down. 2 to devour. 3 to swallow up, destroy.

Therefore, it is my assumption, that Satan is no longer Gods at the adversary - he is our adversary. As Colossians 2 states- “and when you were dead in your transgressions and not on circumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all are transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of the decrees against us in which was hostile to us; and He has taken in out-of-the-way, having nailed it to the cross. He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.” Satan has been described as the accuser of the breathren in front of the throne of God. But Christ through the cross canceled out the certificate of debt which consisted of the decrees against us. So although Satan has the power to deceive people so that he might destroy them, the finished work of Christ upon the cross destroyed his authority and not his activity. Again I assert this has profound implications of how you view the New Testament church. Yes Satan is active in the world today, his authority over the believer has been destroyed. I believe that is why Christ in the Great Commission stated, “all authority has been given to me in heaven and earth. Go therefore and make the cycles of all nations…” isn’t that what a Christ says in Matthew,” or else how can one enter into destroy man’s house, and spoil his goods, except tea for spotting the strongman? And then he will spoil his house.”

The church things to consider two major perspectives in defining its function in transforming culture. These perspectives are at the crux of either limiting were advancing the kingdom of God. Those perspectives being the redemptive work of Christ and its relationship to the activity of Satan. Were more simply put, the kingdom of God versus the domain of darkness. You either see the kingdom active in the world today where Christ rulership is being displayed and demonstrated through the gifting of individual believers in the marketplace of life or you see the church hopelessly lost wondering when the rapture is going to occur to rescue them from the onslaught of evil activity.

It is at least my perspective, in defining these two issues, to see the Kingdom of God victorious over the activity of Satan. I want to see the church built at the gates of hell to rescue those who are being devoured by Satan’s activity. The cross defeated Satan - he is no longer gods at adversary. He is an adversary only to the church. The church must awaken from its slumber and recognize its royal heritage - to be the carrier of God’s presence into all the world. Where His presence is, His rule reigns.

However, I do not think Satan has been destroyed. In fact, I think the Scripture in question (1 John 3:8) where Christ came to destory the works of Satan is referring to the fall of man in the beginning (Adam and spiritual death). Christ destroyed that “death” so that we may be born again and have life in Him. In addition, I still think Satan roams the earth and steals, kills, and destroys just as he always has. I know that we are children of God and that the whole world is under the control of Satan (it is his domain).

(John 10:10 NET.) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

(1 John 5:19 NET.) We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

What I have not seen in the Scripture is the destruction of Satan and/or his deeds. On the contrary, it is apparent in the Scripture that Satan’s works in general are still something we battle against.

(Ephesians 6:12 NET.) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

(Ephesians 6:16 NET.) and in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

That being said, I must say that I think Satan is a “non-issue”. What I mean by that is, God is Sovereign over everything. In addition, God is not “hands off” in His creation, He is active in all things. So if a Christian were to ask me if we should fear Satan and his works or deeds. I would answer with a resounding no. My belief in the Sovereignty of God Almighty shapes my worldview, not a belief that Satan is someone that should be feared.

That is my take on it…but trying to be as faithful to the Scripture as possible, I cannot say that Satan, his works, or his deeds have been bound or destroyed.

Satan has definitely not been bound, thrown into and sealed in the abyss (that was point of the original post).

AMDG

I have never felt that Satan was destroyed from the earth. But that his works or his ability to accomplish and produce the fruit of his domain of darkness, has been destroyed by the finished work of Christ in Calvary. I think that has profound implications for the mission of the church. Too often the church is preoccupied with a theology that releases them from responsibility to societal injustices. Although it may appear that Satan is in control of this world, his authority has been defeated by the Cross. Again, when did the Hebrew people experience the victory over their enemies?

Was the victory over their enemies at the time of execution of God’s decree or did the victory take place over their enemies at the time of His decree? I believe the answer to that question has profound impact upon the role in mission of the church As It Pertains to the Kingdom of God.

mjpmd