To start, I am going to point out that to really dive into the analysis of this book, you have to let go of the teachings and knowledge you have of the Bible to be able to fully understand the point of view that Milton has. While Milton does interact with scripture in this book going off at least the basics of the Bible, he tends to stray away from tangents that are pushing theology. Now with that being said, I will state my observations.
In the first few books of Paradise Lost, Milton gives us this desire to feel sorry for Satan.. We are given an inside look of Satan's thoughts rather than his actions. I believe it is book 4 that Milton shows Satan siting outside the garden of Eden thinking about the possibility of repenting. Now of course, this feeling is then overtaken by his actual nature and he continues to go into the garden to tempt Eve. But the question I pose is, "Could he have repented?" Not only in the eyes of Milton's story, but in actual theological history. Several debates usually consist of the argument of free will and predestination. Everyone wants to argue what they believe the plan of God really is. Well I hate to break it to you, but you are never going to know. Scripture hints at both but there is still no way to be sure. So, unless you have had some direct sit down conversation with God and he told you, you are probably wrong. He also isn't very clear on the destiny of angels and demons. I have heard in preachings all my life that angels were created to serve God, so they can't chose to do otherwise. But weren't we also created to serve him? We still sin. Could Satan have the free will to go back to God. If God is all forgiving then would he accept it? Satan had the ability to chose to not follow God. So, he had some free will; or did God purposely create him to fall? Maybe difference is not the sin but the personality. Is there a difference between being a sinner and being evil? Is the reason Satan didn't come back to God because his nature is truly evil? While he does consider the idea of turning back to God, that idea is shut down with him continuing to do what he came to do. Since humans are given the ability to turn away from their sins and come to God, then we must be sinners and not evil. Maybe there is not actual difference there.
The point of this blog is to ask if there is actually any proof that could lean towards the fact of Satan being restored. If he put aside his pride, could he and his fallen be restored? Milton kind of hints towards this possibility with the fallen angel, Abdiel who turns away from the devils doing and goes back to God.
Now, to finish, let's be clear. As a full believing Christian, I do not believe Satan can be restored. The Bible is pretty clear on Satan's destiny. I can't explain why or how, but it's what I believe. But, the question of free will and predestination does come across my mind. Was he created for this specific purpose? What does Milton think? What do you think?
In the first few books of Paradise Lost, Milton gives us this desire to feel sorry for Satan.. We are given an inside look of Satan's thoughts rather than his actions. I believe it is book 4 that Milton shows Satan siting outside the garden of Eden thinking about the possibility of repenting. Now of course, this feeling is then overtaken by his actual nature and he continues to go into the garden to tempt Eve. But the question I pose is, "Could he have repented?" Not only in the eyes of Milton's story, but in actual theological history. Several debates usually consist of the argument of free will and predestination. Everyone wants to argue what they believe the plan of God really is. Well I hate to break it to you, but you are never going to know. Scripture hints at both but there is still no way to be sure. So, unless you have had some direct sit down conversation with God and he told you, you are probably wrong. He also isn't very clear on the destiny of angels and demons. I have heard in preachings all my life that angels were created to serve God, so they can't chose to do otherwise. But weren't we also created to serve him? We still sin. Could Satan have the free will to go back to God. If God is all forgiving then would he accept it? Satan had the ability to chose to not follow God. So, he had some free will; or did God purposely create him to fall? Maybe difference is not the sin but the personality. Is there a difference between being a sinner and being evil? Is the reason Satan didn't come back to God because his nature is truly evil? While he does consider the idea of turning back to God, that idea is shut down with him continuing to do what he came to do. Since humans are given the ability to turn away from their sins and come to God, then we must be sinners and not evil. Maybe there is not actual difference there.
The point of this blog is to ask if there is actually any proof that could lean towards the fact of Satan being restored. If he put aside his pride, could he and his fallen be restored? Milton kind of hints towards this possibility with the fallen angel, Abdiel who turns away from the devils doing and goes back to God.
Now, to finish, let's be clear. As a full believing Christian, I do not believe Satan can be restored. The Bible is pretty clear on Satan's destiny. I can't explain why or how, but it's what I believe. But, the question of free will and predestination does come across my mind. Was he created for this specific purpose? What does Milton think? What do you think?
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Zane Duke