LE3 .A278 2017

2017

Brackney, William

Acadia University

Master of Arts

Masters

Theology

Acadia Divinity College

Only three major religions; Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, have ideas of Satan that are historically and theologically connected with one another. This thesis investigates Satan in the Hebrew/Christian Bible and the Qur’an. The study demonstrates that people who adhere to the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, or the Qur’an share similar conceptions about Satan. Theologians of the three different faiths agree on the idea that Satan is a person who was created by God to serve a fundamental purpose in human life. However, how he has been used by God is debated across the three religious traditions. Iwill also show that Satan is one of the religious figures theologians of different faiths have used to form their theology in their attempts to understand God and His relation with His creation. This study presents useful details to understand Satan and his role according to what is found in the holy books; the Hebrew/Christian Bible and the Qur’an. In addition, it provides a collection of different images and ideas about him introduced by Christian and Islamic theologians. I argue that, while there is still much to be examined, the Hebrew/Christian Bible and the Qur’an share very similar views about Satan.

The author grants permission to the University Librarian at Acadia University to reproduce, loan or distribute copies of my thesis in microform, paper or electronic formats on a non-profit basis. The author retains the copyright of the thesis.

http://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:2141