The Devil and Satan

The Devil and Satan is one of the most talked about Bible topics and yet one of the least understood. In the Global South this misunderstanding has been in part fuelled by bad translation based upon mistakes and misunderstandings carried over from the English translations of the 17th Century. If only the translators had gone back to the original Hebrew and Greek texts rather than using the English as the basis, then many of the resulting doctrinal errors would have never come into existence. Instead, today, many believe falsehoods carried over from Egyptian and Greek mythology along with humanistic, pagan and tribal superstitions. Matters have been made yet more problematic by the lack of understanding and knowledge of what the ancient Global South belief systems were, and in many cases continue to be; by the missionaries emanating from the Global North (Europe, Americas and latterly Australia). This knowledge has remained largely hidden for hundreds of years not least due to the religious fervour of “witch hunts” and the like. During my first 15 years as a missionary, I taught the “Devil and Satan” in Africa in the same way that I taught it in Europe finally realising that I and other missionaries are called upon time and again to explain the “Devil and Satan” primarily because previous explanations have failed to adequately touch upon doctrines contained within the ancient primitive pervading belief systems that continue to persist within the Global South. Attempts have been made in the Global South to teach using the same methods that worked in the North rather than first understanding the beliefs of those that teachers are trying to teach in the South. It is impossible (and arguably unethical if not colonial) to argue against a religious conviction if you do not know anything of that belief system against which you are arguing. Yet this is what many do. This book attempts to correct this.