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Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (October 1, 2005) A groundbreaking search for the origins of the Prince of Darkness… Of all the demons, monsters, fiends, and ogres to preoccupy the western imagination in literature, art, and film, no figure has been more feared—or misunderstood—than Satan. Known for centuries as the pitchfork-toting demon and concierge of hell, Satan evokes fear and fascination among the faithful and faithless alike. But how accurate are the popular images of Satan? Most people understand that the Satan we know and fear today originated in the pages of the Bible. What they may not know, however, is that he actually began as a rather low-level angelic figure in the Old Testament, and, even in the New Testament, he bears little resemblance to the horned devil of our nightmares. So, how—and why—did this rather minor biblical character morph into the very embodiment of evil? T.J. Wray and Gregory Mobley guide readers on a journey to retrace Satan’s biblical roots, shedding light on the Devil’s slow and steady metamorphosis through the pages of holy writ, stopping along the way to explore the influences of other religious cultures and extra biblical writings that helped Satan assume his final form. Engaging and informative, The Birth of Satan is a must read for anyone who has ever wondered about the origins of the Devil. T. J. Wray is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Salve Regina University in Newport , Rhode Island . She is the author of Surviving the Death of a Sibling and co-author of Grief Dreams. Gregory Mobleyis Associate Professor at Andover Newton Theological School . He is the author of The Empty Men.
“Let's admit it. Even in a secular age we are all still fascinated by Old Harry. Even though the devil appears only rarely in the Bible, he is a recurrent presence in the religious and literary imagination. Why? The authors skillfully and humorously trace the origin and history of Satan and explain why we would miss him if he were gone.” --Harvey Cox, author of When Jesus Came to Harvard “What a delightful recipe for an interesting and informative reading experience: an inherently interesting topic, sound scholarship, and an utterly engaging style sprinkled with humor! The end result is an engrossing journey through the diverse origins and complex development of the notion of Satan as arch-fiend, concluding with a thoughtful essay on the function and significance of devil-language in human experience. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who is curious about the topic, about which both religious and non-religious folk tend to be oh, so knowledgeable, yet oh, so ignorant.” --Russell Pregeant, Professor of Religion and Philosophy, Emeritus, Curry College "Making sense out of evil is part of humanity's endless quest to discover the meaning of life. This book illuminates that quest by tracing the history of Satan through the lens of the Judeo/Christian faith story. In an engaging manner, it forces us to realize that either by making Satan a literal being or by dismissing the devil as pre-modern mythology we are still shaped by its ever present shadow." --John Shelby Spong, author of The Sins of Scripture Publisher’s Weekly Review Where the devil did the devil come from? Wray, a Roman Catholic who teaches religious studies at Salve Regina University, and Mobley, a Protestant professor of Old Testament at Andover Newton Theological School, suggest that the early Hebrews struggled with the puzzle of a God who is the source of both good and evil. As Israel continued to evolve toward a clearer monotheism, it was considered prudent to cast off the negative characteristics of the one true God--which the authors call "repellant aspects of Yhwh")--and embody them in a personality who would become the biblical "Satan." Beginning with Genesis, the authors trace the development of "the devil" until he appears fully formed in the New Testament, where his role is "to serve as the cosmic scapegoat, saving God from blame for evil." Wray and Mobley pay particular attention to the beliefs of many of Israel 's neighbors and their influence on her emerging faith in a cosmic evil being. Ultimately, they reject the concept of a personal Satan, but acknowledge its usefulness in dealing with the idea of evil. Written at a popular level, this book offers an interesting and challenging alternative to traditional beliefs. (Oct. 5)
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Advance praise for The Birth of Satan