John Kesler

Of course the Satan character evolved. My point was that the absence of a particular word from the OT probably won't convince a believer in "the devil" that he wasn't around in OT times, too.

Naphtali Jones

I guess what it comes down to is that if someone really wants to believe in something, they won't be easily convinced. It's the same with prophecy or the doctrine of inerrancy. The fundamentalist worldview is so invested with these beliefs that they can't see what is right in front of them.

That being said, my strategy is to just chip away little by little. Questioning the little things in a non-threatening way so that they will begin to think about their beliefs in a rational way.

I am not even really seeking to deconvert anybody. Just getting them to have a somewhat rational worldview would be enough. The idea that demons and angels are battling all around us is just warped and can cause a lot of emotional damage. I know it did to me when I was growing up.

It is obvious that there are no demons, but only a solid biblical argument will be enough to convince my family.

youngalexander

From the 'Britannica - Encyclopedia of World Religions' (2006); DEMON
However, in reality, there is only one, true demons.
The first, continuously incorporated Football Club on planet Earth (1858).

Go Dees.:devil1: