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Since the early reformation period, the devil was imagined as an increasingly powerful entity, with not only a lack of goodness but also a conscious will against God, his word, and his creation. Simultaneously, some reformists interpreted the devil as a mere metaphor for human's inclination to sin and so downgraded the importance of the devil. While the devil played for most scholars no significant role in the Modern Era, he became more important in contemporary Christianity again. | Since the early reformation period, the devil was imagined as an increasingly powerful entity, with not only a lack of goodness but also a conscious will against God, his word, and his creation. Simultaneously, some reformists interpreted the devil as a mere metaphor for human's inclination to sin and so downgraded the importance of the devil. While the devil played for most scholars no significant role in the Modern Era, he became more important in contemporary Christianity again. | ||
At various times in history, some people such as the | At various times in history, some people such as the [[Cathar]]s and the Bogomiles, as well as theologians like Marcion and Valentinus, believed that the devil was involved in creating the world. Today these views are not part of mainstream [[Christianity]]. | ||
==Belial== | ==Belial== | ||
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==Christian teachings about the Devil== | ==Christian teachings about the Devil== | ||
Christian tradition and theology identified the myth about a rising star, thrown into the underworld, told about a Babylonian king in the [[Bible]] (Isaiah 14:12) with a fallen angel. The concept of fallen angels is of pre-Christian origin. They appear in writings like the Book of Enoch, Book of Jubilees and arguably in the Pentateuch. | Christian tradition and theology identified the myth about a rising star, thrown into the underworld, told about a Babylonian king in the [[Bible]] (Isaiah 14:12) with a fallen angel. The concept of fallen angels is of pre-Christian origin. They appear in writings like the [[Book of Enoch]], Book of Jubilees and arguably in the Pentateuch. | ||
As personification of evil, Christians have understood the devil to be the author of lies and promoter of evil. However, the devil can go no further than God allows, resulting in the problem of evil. Christian scholars had different opinions on the reason behind evil in the world, and often explained evil in relation to the devil. | As personification of evil, Christians have understood the devil to be the author of lies and promoter of evil. However, the devil can go no further than God allows, resulting in the problem of evil. Christian scholars had different opinions on the reason behind evil in the world, and often explained evil in relation to the devil. | ||
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Liberal Christianity often views the devil metaphorically. This is true of some Conservative Christian groups too, such as the Christadelphians and the Church of the Blessed Hope. Much of the popular lore of the devil is not biblical; instead, it is a post-medieval Christian reading of the scriptures influenced by medieval and pre-medieval Christian popular mythology. | Liberal Christianity often views the devil metaphorically. This is true of some Conservative Christian groups too, such as the Christadelphians and the Church of the Blessed Hope. Much of the popular lore of the devil is not biblical; instead, it is a post-medieval Christian reading of the scriptures influenced by medieval and pre-medieval Christian popular mythology. | ||
==In popular culture== | |||
The Devil features prominently in popular culture, typically as the antagonist or, rarely, as an anti-hero. | |||
In the 1968 film ''[[Rosemary's Baby]]'', a young housewife is raped by the Devil at the behest of her husband and a coven of evil [[witch]]es through a [[sex magic|sex ritual]] intended to bring about the birth of the [[Antichrist]]. | |||
The 1976 supernatural horror film ''[[The Omen]]'' and it successive sequels tell the story of the Devil's son and his rise to power. | |||
The 1999 Roman Polanski film ''[[The Ninth Gate]]'' features an avatar of the Devil leading Johnny Depp's character on a search for copies of a rare [[grimoire]]. In the film, the Devil himself drew artwork in the book, making it a powerful magical item. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||