Did God create the devil?

[4gold]

The Bible makes it clear that the earth, the universe, all matter, and all energy was created by God. Where I am unclear is to whether God created the devil.

Does anyone have any Bible verses that indicates whether God created the devil or not?

If He did create the devil, why not eliminate the opportunity for sin, by eliminating the devil?

If He did not, then who did and is that force more powerful than God?

[Confused]

Ok, so by this view, we can believe God cannot be understood by the methods in which we currently use for inquiry, right? Then we cannot answer the OP question, can we?

The OP question was meant to inquire what the Bible says on the matter. That is certainly within our realm of space and time.

If the Devil is caused by God, then my speculation is quite moot. If the Devil is not caused by God, then my speculation is valid, but it is only that -- speculation.

So we were on the right track in the beginning before the idea of the devil and God having no cause came up?

Ok, so is the devil the "serpent" or the fallen angel "Lucifer"? If so, we can prove He created the serpent since He created everything on earth, to include the Garden of Eden, the tree of Knowledge, and the serpent residing in the tree of knowledge. But I am not sure scripture exists that says the serpent was the devil. Lucifer, being a fallen angel, will be almost impossible to evaluate if he is indeed the devil. Scripture doesn't really state where angels came from, who created them, etc....


So, if Lucifer is the devil, we cannot know because we don't have any reference that gives us the origin of angels.
If the serpent is the devil, then since the serpent was created by God, yes.

Now, is the devil Lucifer, the serpent, or both, or neither?

[Easyrider]

But I am not sure scripture exists that says the serpent was the devil. Lucifer, being a fallen angel, will be almost impossible to evaluate if he is indeed the devil. Scripture doesn't really state where angels came from, who created them, etc....

Revelation 12:9 - The great dragon was hurled downthat ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Angels Created: The Scripture speaks about the creation of angels, therefore, it is clear that they have not existed from all eternity (Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 148:2,5). Colossians 1:16-17 explains:

"For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authoritiesall things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." http://www.christiananswers.net/q-acb/acb-t005.html

[Confused]

But I am not sure scripture exists that says the serpent was the devil. Lucifer, being a fallen angel, will be almost impossible to evaluate if he is indeed the devil. Scripture doesn't really state where angels came from, who created them, etc....

Revelation 12:9 - The great dragon was hurled downthat ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Angels Created: The Scripture speaks about the creation of angels, therefore, it is clear that they have not existed from all eternity (Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 148:2,5). Colossians 1:16-17 explains:

"For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authoritiesall things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." http://www.christiananswers.net/q-acb/acb-t005.html

Ok, there is reference to the old serpent (presumably from the garden of eden) being the devil. Is this the same as the devil be Lucifer as well?

I guess regardless, you have your answer 4gold. God created the devil. Now, why.

[Goat]

Isaiah 45:11 implys he created all the hosts.

I think you meant Isaiah 45:12. And doesn't the Hebrew word for "host" imply that God is talking about the stars?

The numbering might be 45:11-12 I see as pretty much a single thought unit.

The 'stars' in this context is an euphanism for angels. You will find a strong link between 'angels' , 'stars' and 'spirits of the heavens' in the Babylonian's influence
on the Jewish religion. Another example of this is Psalm 89.8.

[justifyothers]

Do you have any bible verses that support God's creation of the devil?

"Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field that the Lord God had made. Gen 3:1

[Confused]

Do you have any bible verses that support God's creation of the devil?

"Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field that the Lord God had made. Gen 3:1

Ok, now why?

[justifyothers]

Do you have any bible verses that support God's creation of the devil?

"Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field that the Lord God had made. Gen 3:1

Ok, now why?

Wonder this often........
It does make sense to have an opposite ie; learn good from seeing what evil is. This much I can understand. But how far does God let the evil go? We know the JOB story...how the sons of God were called - and Satan was one of them - we've heard how God allowed satan to do all that terrible stuff to Job and his family.
Well, I'm not sure I want to use this example
How about current reality??? Does God need someone else to offer up the other side? If He does, is He all-powerful? (that doesn't particularly bother me, but I know some don't like that idea)
I know that the term 'satan' means whisperer in Hebrew. Maybe the term satan really refers to our own understanding of evil, selfishness, hate, etc. Maybe God created this in each of us, so we could battle amongst our own selves right and wrong.
One thing, though.......if God DID create satan, it seems he was what he was even at the beginning - can't see any need to fall. If God created him to be crafty, then he was that right from the start. I know people like to attribute some bible verses to Lucifer and all that, but they seem very far-fetched if he was created by God to be cunning to begin with.
Well, I'm no help here........I'm very on the fence with this whole idea. I can see that by reading my post, but I'll throw it in anyway - I know you're a forgiving bunch

[OnceConvinced]

How about Isaiah 45:7

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

I believe I've heard Christians arguing that this scripture is referring to God creating those that are evil, not evil itself. One would then surely have to assume he was also talking about Satan.

[4gold]

To Confused and all the others who have responded so far --

Okay, I am convinced that the Bible implies that God created the devil. Although I do not see a direct verse that outright says it, I believe it is rational enough to assume He did.

Now the second part of my question is why? Why would God create the devil?

[Confused]

To Confused and all the others who have responded so far --

Okay, I am convinced that the Bible implies that God created the devil. Although I do not see a direct verse that outright says it, I believe it is rational enough to assume He did.

Now the second part of my question is why? Why would God create the devil?

Like justifyothers, I am afraid I would end up running in so many circles that I wouldn't ever be able to answer this question. My guess, it will end with something like "God works in mysterious ways", LOL.. You all know how much I hate that phrase.......................