NSoC 13: The Moral Theology of the Devil

See Notes on this series...

Merton gives the devil his due in this chapter, and I had a devil of a time keeping up with him.

He begins by defining the devil's systematic theology: everything is evil, God enjoys evil, God set man up to suffer evil, God was pleased to turn his son over to the murderers, all so that God could exercise his justice.

The devil, according to Merton, teaches that punishment was the fulfillment of the law, and that God is obsessed with the law, to the exclusion of mercy.

Merton says the devil actually preaches against sin in the sense that all pleasure is sin and pleasure cannot be avoided, so neither can sin, and since sin cannot be avoided then one can't be accountable for it, therefore, there really isn't such a thing. As sin. I think.

After more of that sort, Merton characterizes the devil's moral theology as contrary to the contemplative notion of compassion for everyone's unworthiness (as he explained in an earlier chapter) by placing a premium on being "absolutely right" in the face of everyone else being "absolutely wrong," which promotes the need to eliminate those who are wrong (but who obviously think they are right) and starts a vicious cycle of war and disunity.

Quibble:
I felt dumb reading this chapter. I'm still not sure what Merton means by most of it. I was pressed for time today, so maybe I didn't chew on it enough. Oh, well, tomorrow is another day.

Quaff:
My pastor's first Lenten sermon was on the devil. He stressed the importance of acknowledging the reality that we have an enemy in Satan.

1. Satan is attractive. He was not repellent to Eve in the garden. He is winsome and warm, an angel of light, not a grim reaper, a wolf in sheep's clothing, "The Devil Wears Prada."
2. Satan is an engaging conversationalist. Silver-tongued, twists scripture, speaks Eve's language, sells her a bill of goods, and other such cliches.
3. Satan divides and conquers. Why Eve? She was alone, outside of community. He isolates and tempts. This tactic explains how horrors like Jonestown and Waco occur.
4. Satan's message is deceptive. Satan misquoted scripture to Eve, twisted God's word. Cast doubt in her mind.

How to deal with Satan? Call him what he is and tell him to go away.

Query:

• How can I make sure the devil doesn't have a foothold in my life? In my home?
• Do I know where I am vulnerable to attack?
• Does Satan know God's word better than I do?