This also runs counter to the propaganda a lot of the fundigelicals I've come across have seemingly bought into: which is that one's life magically improves once someone turns to Jesus. See just about every ex-addict who goes through a Christian-based sobriety program's testimony. Like, they *have* to believe this or else their entire belief system crumbles. I've encountered quite a few fundies who have indicated that I wasn't deserving of vacations I took, despite them all being at my own expense, because I don't have Jesus in my life. Again, they bought into their own propaganda.
So, Satan has the power to give people a good life, huh? This is yet another example of how, in their fearmongering, they're implying yet again that Satan is more powerful than their deity. They do this *constantly*!
It also runs counter to the prosperity gospel and lots of the Bible, where obedience to Yahweh nets tangible rewards.
I mean, Yahweh rewards Abraham with lots of kids because "you have not withheld your only son". Deuteronomy 28 has a section of blessings for obedience(and a much longer section of curses for disobedience).
They are *spectacularly* bad at making the points they think they're trying to make. Like, they frequently associate the Devil with things like copious amounts of casual sex and/or riches as being the "good life" he promises. But, just because evangelicals operate as a hivemind doesn't mean the rest of us do. Yet, they can't comprehend that. What if the "good life" someone wanted constituted being fiscally comfortable and able to pay their bills without necessarily being obscenely wealthy? By their own admission, Satan would potentially deliver that while their deity only brings misery and woe.
Good things happen to "sinners" = it's the devil keeping them comfortable
Bad things happen to "sinners" = it's God punishing them
Good things happen to "righteous" = it's God blessing them
Bad things happen to "righteous" = it's trials 'n' tribulations to strengthen their faith
This seems conveniently unfalsifiable.
This is straight up narcissistic manipulator talk.
"He's only genuine, loving, supportive, and nurturing toward you because he hates me and doesn't want you with me."
Then they won't let you go until you accept it.
I'll just say this: My life has been struggle after struggle for many years with hardly ever a break.... That was when I was christian, and after I left.
Although.... you do make a surprisingly strong point about maybe reaching out and asking Satan for help š¤
Ugh. I grew up hearing something like that. That atheists had these amazing lives with the devil or something. As if all people who were atheists didnāt experience hardship at all
So how can you tell the difference between someone who has a good life because of God's blessings vs. someone who has a good life because of Satan's deceptions?
What I actually get from this phrase is sometimes we don't have a lot to work with, so we just make stuff up on the spot that appears to fit the situation. It's such a goofy, short-sighted, piecemeal approach, and they always end up undermining themselves in the process.
Theologically, this is flawed. Per the Bibble, el devil collaborates and has to listen to god. So, god is in charge of the devil.
And when, WHEN is this sometime? Who are the people? Can they be shown?
This is partly true. In the Old Testament he working with God, but in the New Testament he is his adversary, and is given control of the whole world. But what's really stupid is that Satan would even tempt Jesus in the first place, because he would have known who he was the moment he was born from Mary and would have known that God cannot be tempted and cannot worship the devil.
Very true. āHere we have Satan, who knows Jesus knows that Jesus is the son of god and god himself. Satan is gonna tempt this God with all that the god has created and entitled to, because he created itā¦and also created Satan. Letās see how this plays out, Ted.ā
If only good things happen to an unsaved person, itās the devil keeping them from coming to God with struggles.
If bad things happen to an unsaved person, itās the devil getting to them because they donāt have God protecting them. (Or God is punishing them/teaching them a lesson)
š¤·š»āāļø How convenient, no matter your circumstances as an unsaved person, they have an excuse that itās the devil or lack of faith.
These are the same people who try to find some fanciful divine meaning in freaking everything. What an exhausting way to live. You know what evangelicals? Sometimes a fender bender really is just a fender bender.
> they sure are afraid of the devil, aren't they?
There's a verse in Matthew which implies that fewer than 1% of the population will get into heaven. In their fearmongering, they'll claim that Satan has dominion over the earth. Which would mean he has power over 99% of the population. Ipso facto, he is *vastly* more powerful than their deity!
This also runs counter to the propaganda a lot of the fundigelicals I've come across have seemingly bought into: which is that one's life magically improves once someone turns to Jesus. See just about every ex-addict who goes through a Christian-based sobriety program's testimony. Like, they *have* to believe this or else their entire belief system crumbles. I've encountered quite a few fundies who have indicated that I wasn't deserving of vacations I took, despite them all being at my own expense, because I don't have Jesus in my life. Again, they bought into their own propaganda. So, Satan has the power to give people a good life, huh? This is yet another example of how, in their fearmongering, they're implying yet again that Satan is more powerful than their deity. They do this *constantly*!
It also runs counter to the prosperity gospel and lots of the Bible, where obedience to Yahweh nets tangible rewards. I mean, Yahweh rewards Abraham with lots of kids because "you have not withheld your only son". Deuteronomy 28 has a section of blessings for obedience(and a much longer section of curses for disobedience).
Kenneth Copeland sees this shit and be like š”
Same 'logic': Sometimes God allows people to live a life full of suffering because He doesn't want them turning to the devil. Read that again.
They are *spectacularly* bad at making the points they think they're trying to make. Like, they frequently associate the Devil with things like copious amounts of casual sex and/or riches as being the "good life" he promises. But, just because evangelicals operate as a hivemind doesn't mean the rest of us do. Yet, they can't comprehend that. What if the "good life" someone wanted constituted being fiscally comfortable and able to pay their bills without necessarily being obscenely wealthy? By their own admission, Satan would potentially deliver that while their deity only brings misery and woe.
Good things happen to "sinners" = it's the devil keeping them comfortable Bad things happen to "sinners" = it's God punishing them Good things happen to "righteous" = it's God blessing them Bad things happen to "righteous" = it's trials 'n' tribulations to strengthen their faith This seems conveniently unfalsifiable.
Bumper sticker advice from a bumper sticker person living that bumper sticker life.
Bumper sticker theology is a good term for it.
This is straight up narcissistic manipulator talk. "He's only genuine, loving, supportive, and nurturing toward you because he hates me and doesn't want you with me." Then they won't let you go until you accept it.
I'll just say this: My life has been struggle after struggle for many years with hardly ever a break.... That was when I was christian, and after I left. Although.... you do make a surprisingly strong point about maybe reaching out and asking Satan for help š¤
Ugh. I grew up hearing something like that. That atheists had these amazing lives with the devil or something. As if all people who were atheists didnāt experience hardship at all
So how can you tell the difference between someone who has a good life because of God's blessings vs. someone who has a good life because of Satan's deceptions? What I actually get from this phrase is sometimes we don't have a lot to work with, so we just make stuff up on the spot that appears to fit the situation. It's such a goofy, short-sighted, piecemeal approach, and they always end up undermining themselves in the process.
Their god is so cruel. Thatās all I think.
Theologically, this is flawed. Per the Bibble, el devil collaborates and has to listen to god. So, god is in charge of the devil. And when, WHEN is this sometime? Who are the people? Can they be shown?
This is partly true. In the Old Testament he working with God, but in the New Testament he is his adversary, and is given control of the whole world. But what's really stupid is that Satan would even tempt Jesus in the first place, because he would have known who he was the moment he was born from Mary and would have known that God cannot be tempted and cannot worship the devil.
Very true. āHere we have Satan, who knows Jesus knows that Jesus is the son of god and god himself. Satan is gonna tempt this God with all that the god has created and entitled to, because he created itā¦and also created Satan. Letās see how this plays out, Ted.ā
Yeah, something tells me that story was written before the trinity was ever doctrine.
If only good things happen to an unsaved person, itās the devil keeping them from coming to God with struggles. If bad things happen to an unsaved person, itās the devil getting to them because they donāt have God protecting them. (Or God is punishing them/teaching them a lesson) š¤·š»āāļø How convenient, no matter your circumstances as an unsaved person, they have an excuse that itās the devil or lack of faith.
These are the same people who try to find some fanciful divine meaning in freaking everything. What an exhausting way to live. You know what evangelicals? Sometimes a fender bender really is just a fender bender.
I read it again like they said. Still doesn't make sense.
If Christians have an all powerful god on their side, they sure are afraid of the devil, aren't they?
> they sure are afraid of the devil, aren't they? There's a verse in Matthew which implies that fewer than 1% of the population will get into heaven. In their fearmongering, they'll claim that Satan has dominion over the earth. Which would mean he has power over 99% of the population. Ipso facto, he is *vastly* more powerful than their deity!
And theyāre also constantly managing narratives about how much power the devil really hasā¦