Name:
Tutor/ Instructor:
Institution:
Course:
Date:
EASLA
Christians are supposed to live righteous lives with all trust and faith put in God, but demons have influenced human beings in the opposite direction for ages. Demonology in Christianity has been a major point of contest in theology, with different theologians trying their best to establish the origin and effects of demons in the world. According to Justin Marty, originally, demons were Godly and spiritual but turned against Him due to God having the intention of saving humanity. Driven by lust, transgression, adultery, and wickedness, demons cause fear in human beings so that they can turn away from Godly ways. Using Justin’s ideas, this paper will discuss the origin of demons, showcase some of the demonic events in Christian history, and indicate the reasons why Christians should not be intimidated by demonic influences in modern life.
Origin of Demons
God created the whole world in its appropriate manner as He mandated heavenly elements to season rotation and increase food production while earthly things were left to man. The care of all things was left to the man, and the angels were appointed to look after heaven (The Second Apology of St. Justin Martyr, p. 5). However, women’s love led to angels transgressing their appointment, which led them to have children known as demons. The demons went ahead, subdue human beings to themselves using fear, punishments, and magical writings. Due to the demons’ lustful passion, human beings were taught to offer libations, incense, and sacrifices religiously. This was the root of wars, murders, adulteries, wickedness, and all sorts of intemperate deeds. Without knowing demonic influences, human beings destroyed nations and cities with the belief in gods such as Neptune and Pluto, who later had children with the same demonic notions.
Examples of Demonic Events in Christian History
Demons usually utilize fear and intimidation to make people go astray of Christ’s teaching, and this character is common in ancient Roman rulers. Justin offers a few occasions where Christians have been heavily discriminated against by unworthy judgments from the leaders. The story of Urbicus who condemned Christians to death due to only their strong faith in Christ (The Second Apology of St. Justin Martyr, p. 2). The narrative begins with an intemperate wife’s narrative with her husband, who indulged in evil deeds until the wife discovered Christianity. After being saved by Christianity, the wife tried to convince her husband to change his way, but it was in vain, so he opted for a divorce. Upon realizing that the divorce would have been accepted, the husband filed a petition indicating that the wife was a Christian, and so she was asked to arrange her matters before being granted a divorce, and she did so. Hatred made the husband turn to Ptolemaeus, who taught his wife, Christianity. The husband organized with a guard for Ptolemaeus to be jailed and tortured until he accepted that he was Christian, which made him be brought in front of Urbicus for the trial. Ptolemaeus agreed to be a Christian when he was asked by Urbicus and was given a death sentence. Another man, Lucius, questioned Urbicus about the logic in the judgment and was asked whether he was a Christian too. Upon confession of being a true follower of Christ, he was given the same sentence as Ptolemaeus. Such actions showcase the demonic nature of the ruler Urbicus as he intimidated Christians through punishments.
Some early philosophers tried to establish the falseness ancient rulers had invested in gods who had demonic origins. A good example is Socrates, who tried to establish logical thinking in the ancient Greek Empire even though he was not a Christian. Jesus is the only rational human being in history as He was complete in both body, soul, and thoughts. Socrates came before Jesus but expressed some reasoning following His teachings (The Second Apology of St. Justin Martyr, p. 10). Socrates disapproves of the belief in gods by indicating that, “That it is neither easy to find the Father and Maker of all nor, having found Him, is it safer to declare Him to all.” Such words, which were a rejection of the wicked demons in the rulers, resulted in his death as he was convicted. Throughout history, demons have tried to control human life and resisted advancement towards accepting only one true God. The wicked people with devilish influences are always trying to hinder the growth of faith through fear and intimidation created by Christians’ subjections to punishments and discrimination. However, following Jesus’ teachings is a great way to maintain good virtues, and with the promise of eternal fire to the demonic oppressors, Christians should not be intimidated.
Reasons Why Should Not Be Intimidated by Demonic Influences in Modern Life
Just like the whole world was washed away except Noah and his ark, the wicked angels, demons, and human beings can seize to exist if God says so. God was known to give each man the power of free-will and the ability to choose their own deeds. Every Christian should understand this power and grade oneself actions, whether they are virtues or vices (The Second Apology of St. Justin Martyr, p.7). Ptolemaeus and Lucius’s story offers a suitable foundation to any Christians’ belief as their strong faith couldn’t be brought down by installing fear. Every human being must understand that anything born has a death date, and no one can escape from meeting their creator. Death is a debt due to everyone, and one should be grateful once they pay for it. Christ’s teachings are the truth to life and offer a logically righteous course for every human being to follow. The truth about demonic influences in human life has led to numerous people’s death, including philosophers, who even had a little knowledge about Christ. Such an idea implies that the truth to life is only one, and it is and can only be found through faith in Christ. Wicked angels created laws that could go according to their wickedness, and no human being should doubt God’s existence and eternal fire. Thus, one should not be intimidated by oppressions that try to force one out of God’s way since a Christian is on the right path, and if they believe in Him, death won’t be a threat but just a welcome home to see the Father.
Works Cited
The Second Apology of St. Justin Martyr. 2020. document. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0127.htm>.