Years ago, when I had frequent theological debates with a friend (or two) and was gradually restoring my faith, I also confronted the issue of whether or not the devil exists, and if so, in what form.
Amidst her responses, my friend said, "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled is convincing the world he doesn't exist." (Which I now know to be a quote from The Usual Suspects, 1995.)
And I came to believe that. Perhaps not - as my church history professor would say - as a "True Truth," but at least acknowledging that - yes, it would even be logical that the devil (whatever that is) would stand to gain even more from people denying its existence.
It's more difficult to reject something if you do not recognize what it is. If you do not acknowledge that something exists at all, you may or may not exhibit it, follow it, experience it, or succumb to it from time to time; you depend upon its assumed nonexistence to validate the assumption that you have not exhibited it. Followed it. Experienced it. Succumbed to it. And if you did, how would you know? How would you recognize it?
I realize that's wordy and weirdly written. So take, for example, jealousy.
Suppose you believe that jealousy does not exist; never in your life before have you experienced or witnessed it. Then your sister receives a special award. Your brother succeeds at work. Your lifelong friend has only one extra ticket to an event and wants to invite... the new grocer. Why weren't you awarded, successful, or invited? Oh, but you don't want a logical answer! That would only add insult to injury. You simply indulge in the indignant feelings until someone tells you that you've been jealous.
Then it's up to you to decide again whether or not you believe that it exists (as opposed to deciding whether or not it exists). But because jealousy is a definable something, it would be difficult for you to convince others - who operate in a reality in which jealousy is not only existent but identifiable - that this is not the case.
Just for fun, try that line of thought on your own with something like "poverty" or "war." If only saying that they don't exist could be enough.
But I don't intend to debate on the existence of the devil. The examples here of jealousy, poverty and war have the advantage of involving "familiarly real" things. It would seem that the concept of the devil is more abstract, in a sense, than the range of human emotions and experiences that a majority of people (I venture to generalize) consider real. I don't presume to have proof that the rest of humanity hasn't been privy to. So allow me to take the liberty of not going there.
I would like to say, however, that I have a new perspective on this "great trick."
The devil's greatest trick is not convincing the world that it doesn't exist, though that's a mighty good one. Props, devil.
No. The devil's greatest trick is convincing people of Peace, those who believe that Peace is graciously given and not earned, that anyone who does not also practice a specific means of Peace is exempt from or undeserving of Peace.
Utterly defeated by the ultimate sacrifice of a Creator that loves the created world more than any language can articulate, the devil finds yet one more way to fight:
Allow humans to believe that this love, this act, this divinity can be contained. Let them receive guidance toward a life of Peace - fine. Ah, but then let them resist it at its core! Let them ask, "Which of us is first? Who will sit on your right and on your left?" (See Mark 10:35-45.) Let them develop hierarchies, both for the sake of power and even in an innocent effort to maintain order. Let them suffer disorder and divide in spite of themselves. Let them enjoy the wonder of spiritual exploration, the blessing of self-expression, the miracle of experiencing the sacred - and then let them organize it, categorize it, name it, and proclaim it for some and not for the rest! Let them honor the Word of God and in the same breath presume to comprehend it in its entirety! Let them commit over and over the first sin of humanity: wishing to be God, idolizing themselves, invoking without restraint the authority of God! Let them follow the Way and let them lose their way within it!
Following Christ is far more than following rules so as not to be chastised or punished. One must actively follow the way of Peace - the way of Christ - in order to create, nurture, and perpetuate that Peace. To fail to act in accordance with the all-encompassing love that Jesus Christ exuded and tried desperately to help us understand is to disrupt that Peace and create something lesser in its place. To claim the Peace of Christ for only those who proclaim his name is to reject and oppose the very Peace intended by Christ's life and death and resurrection; it is to assume the salvific authority of God. Perhaps the clearest way to "deny Christ" - as some would posit is means for separation from God (debatably contrary to Romans 8:38-39) - is to deny the very unconditional nature of God's grace. Perhaps one most directly rejects Jesus Christ by first believing in his existence and authority, and then refusing to accept everything that Jesus means.
And the most miraculous part of all of this? Not only does God, through Christ, initiate a covenant with all people, but God forgives those who deny the existence of that all-encompassing covenant, who seek God exclusively for themselves and the like-minded! Those who choose Christ yet lose the Way are nevertheless allowed the grace that they are afraid to extend to anyone else, the grace that God is practically bursting at the seams to give.
And that is the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Now, I must ask another question of you. Have I proof-texted? Have I made illogical claims or twisted the truth to placate my own deep-seated desire to reconcile people of all beliefs? If I'm wrong, I pray God forgive me. Please do not take anything I have said for authority beyond my own expressed thoughts - particularly my application of the Bible. I'm in theological school, yes - I am a student, and even when I am no longer a student I will only have all the more to learn. I never intend to have the divine understanding of God alone, but I cannot help but want to understand more than I do now.
So help me investigate!
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