The Father of the Devil (John 8
(44)
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4063510 |
|---|---|
| Authors | M David Litwa (0000-0002-4778-045X, Research Fellow, Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry, Faculty of Theology and Philosophy, Australian Catholic University Melbourne Australia, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2020 |
| Volume | 74 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 540-565 |
| Publication date | 2020-11-12 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Vigiliae Christianae (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0042-6032 • E-ISSN: 1570-0720 |
| Publisher | Walter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE) |
| DOI | 10.1163/15700720-12341453 |
| OpenAlex | W3046328792 |
| Language | EN |
This article argues that John 8:44 helped to inspire the early Christian view that the creator was an evil being. John 8:44 has at least four possible readings allowed by grammar. In two of these readings, taken by a variety of early Christian groups (including early catholics), there is indication that the devil has a father. Since the desires of this father are known from the parallel desires of his children, some early Christians inferred the hostility of the devil's father toward Christ, and thus his evil nature
Art · Biblical studies · Early Christianity · Grammar · Hostility · Linguistics · Literature · Theology · Variety (cybernetics) · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · History · Philosophy · Psychology · Social Psychology
| Highly cited | No |
|---|