Michael = Satan ??? -----------------------------> Osten

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What to say about paradise lost. Well, there is this one part right at the end where Michael is telling Adam all that will come to be of Adam's children once he leaves the Garden. But then why doesn't Adam know these things in the Bible? Why tell someone something that they have no control over? It may have been comforting for Adam to know but it is completely irrelevant to anything. While some might say "but readers may come to Christ by reading this part and if it weren't included you could deny someone salvation". To which I respond with CoUlD dEnY sOmEoNe SaLvAtIoN. John Milton may be a brilliant man for noticing the pattern between his world and the Bible but because of a lack of information, this analogy breaks down and just looks like bad theology.

Also does the part where Michael is describing the kingdoms of the world remind anyone else of the time when Satan Tempted Jesus in the Bible by showing him all the kingdoms of the world?


P.S. I commented on Rachael & Madison

Comments

Stephen Davis said…
I agree with how Adam knowing everything that will occur makes no sense in the context of the bible, especially when you consider what happens with Cain and Able. Also, the part where Michael is describing the kingdoms of the world does sound eerily similar to what Satan says later in the bible.
September 8, 2019 at 8:53 AM
Drew Hedden said…
I had already been pondering the similarity in the two events (the viewings of the earth) but I think it may have been more a reverse instead of a simple copy. As in, Satan shows Christ all these things in order to tempt Jesus, whereas Michael is simply showing Adam all these things, although I'm not quite sure why. I think it is either (1) to show Adam what greatness will come because of God's plan for humanity or (2) Michael is just talking with Adam because they are... friends? I don't really know, it's decidedly one of the stranger passages in the book.
September 9, 2019 at 6:35 PM
Zane Duke said…
Some interesting thoughts, dude. There are questionable things about this story that Milton includes that very much differ from the bible, but we can say that ultimately Christianity is supported by this, or at least that was his intent. So we have to rule out bad theology because Milton did have a pretty sound theological understanding of things. Milton was a cynic who wanted to make this work dual purpose by expressing his opinion on the political situation he was living in.
Zane Duke
September 9, 2019 at 6:42 PM
Spencer Wood said…
I'm a little confused Osten. And I think it was just a small bit of confusion. just because there is no account does not necessarily mean that something didn't happen. moses wrote genesis, which was an incredibly long time after the fall of man. so there is something that God, in His omnipotent perfection, decided not to include in the canonical text. Also, I think Adam knowing what God has promised would be more edifying to Adam than concerning, in my mind. Also on page 270 when ADAM is describing the encounter of Satan tempting Christ is, in fact, a direct reference to that story.
September 9, 2019 at 7:24 PM
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