These notes serve as a very useful source for discussing the devil and Satan with an interested friend or for personal reference when reading scripture. They are fully indexed by topic and verse for easy use.
A pattern of omission
The opening section of the book deals with what we have found to be the most effective argument against wrong conclusions on this topic. If there is a supernatural, personal devil, scripture fails to make mention of him just when he ought to be prominent in the text. This is true throughout the Old Testament and in critical places in the New Testament.
“Continuing on in Genesis to chapter six, we see that the children of men…had become very wicked (6:15). We are told the source of the sin that had grown up in die world was the heart of man, ‘every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.’ There is no blaming of the sorry state of affairs on Satan or a devil. The evil of man’s heart was sufficient in itself to bring about this state of worldwide wickedness.” This theme is followed through the time of the kings with telling effect. It may have been useful if Bro. Gar had continued through the prophets, where there are some very impressive passages attributing false prophecies to the evil inclinations of man’s heart. But once given the idea, the reader can, no doubt, investigate further on his own.
Extended discussion of demons
Twenty pages are devoted to a consideration of demons and related terms. “The illnesses cured by Jesus are symbolic of the weaknesses, or sicknesses of the spirit of man, and the cures of illness, or casting out of demons are both symbolic of salvation from sin by Christ.” This linking of demons to sickness is carefully illustrated from the gospels and demonstrates the extended enacted parable used by Christ. The “Legion” incident is given detailed exposition as is that of the epileptic boy.
“Idols (demons) are nothing” summarizes an effective exposition of I Corinthians 10. In the Greek world, demons were thought to be departed spirits of dead people stemming from their belief in the immortality of the soul. Understanding the truth about the nature of man, we know such spirits are “nothing;” they do not exist.
Various passages examined
The balance of these notes deal with Satan in Job and Zechariah and verses using “Satan” and “devil” in the New Testament.
In regard to Job, Bro. Gar suggests that “there is good reason to think that Satan represents the secret thoughts and jealousies against Job of his three friends.” We agree that Satan is used to personify sinful thoughts in the prologue to Job and feel Bro. Gar’s comments are helpful.
Many of the New Testament references to the devil and Satan are “passing references [which] are not passages on which we can base any doctrinal principles or belief, but they are always consistent with Satan being a symbol of the weakness of the flesh (sinful flesh), or sinful institutions or organizations of man.” Whenever enough detail is given in scripture for a positive identification, Bro. Gar effectively demonstrates that a supernatural devil is not in mind.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One