I know I'm resurrecting an old thread here, but I am studying the origin and Christian "mythology" of Satan, and found this thread.mattrose wrote: I theorize that the satan was created as a tester. And he performed that role well. But the more humanity failed the test, the more pride in his role began to form. He started to want them to fail. And desired to control them. God allows him to remain (as a corrupted tester) because testing is still filling a role. What was originally meant as a test to be passed (from God's perspective) ended up being a temptation to fail (from Satan's perspective). But as the satan tempts, God is still testing, and so the role is still worthwhile.
What do you think of this theory?
Here are a couple thoughts...
I don't believe God creates a bunch of tests to see if we might fail, but God gives us options and opportunities because he delights in a freewill being who chooses him, and faith in him. Without an option to choose a different relationship with somebody other than God, then is our relationship with God really that special? Without the ability to choose differently than God's will for us, is following God's will really that special?
What if the tree was presented, not as a test to see if man would fail, but an option, so that man could do God's will based out of choice, not simply a lack of any other choice.
What if man was made to serve, and he has to serve someone, so Satan, whatever his origins is not a test to pass or fail, but simply God choosing to give man an option in whom he will serve?
God presents man with choice options and will options because God wants to be followed willingly, not just because he has eliminated all other choices.
I think this is shown in man. My desire, and my belief about the average human being, is that humans in positions of leadership desire to be followed based on merit, not feeling like they are just being leaders because their subordinates have no other choice. Sure, there are times when the latter happens, but the fulfillment is not the same.
Thoughts?