Satan the Unredeemable

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     In lines 129-132 God says, "The first sort by their own suggestion fell / Self-tempted, self-depraved. Man falls deceived / By th' other first: Man therefore shall find grace, / The other none." However, if Man is at less fault because Man was tempted, is Milton not implying that some sins are worse than others? I actually think that Milton is intending to disprove Origin. For returners who were in Ancients, you know who/what I'm talking about. For freshman/newcomers to Honors, Origin was a theologian who believed that ultimately even Satan and the demons would be redeemed. In Milton's other works, Milton references Origin several times which shows that he had a pretty good idea of Origin's beliefs. Just like Milton voices his political views throughout "Paradise Lost," I think Milton is contradicting Origin and showing that although Man had a choice (as God points out in Book III), their choice was greatly influenced by Satan's lies, and therefore Satan needed to be held to a higher level of punishment which is the inability to be redeemed.

I commented on Michael and Will's posts :)

Comments

  1. Sophia ColbertAugust 28, 2017 at 4:16 PM

    Origin's beliefs sound very complimentary to some of God's attributes: forgiveness, love, and mercy. However, they seem to be ignoring God's other attributes: justice, holiness, and power. Yes, God is merciful, and loving, and forgiving, and praise Him for that, but He is also a holy and just God. Let's not forget that the demons did not want to attack Heaven again because God's wrath was so terrible. I think Milton is trying to prove a point to Origin by showing God's other attributes in the form of this great story.

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    1. BrandonArnoldAugust 29, 2017 at 5:48 PM

      I believe this to be an incredibly interesting discussion, but when it comes down to it this is a matter of morality. Sophia you commented talking about God being just, but for me I feel if Satan were to show genuine repentance for his actions he must be saved otherwise god is not just. If this will ever happen though I am unsure, as Satan gives up on hope for redemption. This does make me want to ask all of you, do you think that there are irredeemable sins?

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  2. Abigail BrockAugust 28, 2017 at 5:22 PM

    I couldnt help but think of a specific, biblical passage when reading your thoughts.

    "But Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in depth of the sea." - Matthew 18:6
    God created angels before man, therefore the angels were serving and praising God before Man was created. Satan was the angel held in highest esteem by God so we can safely assume he held some serious responsibilities. In the verse above God makes crystal clear that those in a positon of leadership are held to a higher standard and need to be more careful and aware of their decisions because they are leading others. I know this verse was scribed long after the fall of Satan but i feel it fits snugly in this situation.

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  3. Carmen KnowlesAugust 28, 2017 at 8:12 PM

    When I read your comment about Satan and demons being redeemed, I immediately thought of a conversation I had with a family member just days ago about the literal beginning so to speak. We discussed whether Satan was ever, in the theoretical beginning of God and all else (notice-theoretical), a pure-hearted servant of God who truly was like any other angel with adoration for God. It's just food for thought. As for man being tempted and sin being greater and lesser, I'm torn on the idea because obviously it is Satan, and he was the origin of sin sort of. However, sin is still sin, so your point has validity to an extent.

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  4. Darby CallicuttAugust 28, 2017 at 9:36 PM

    My thing is that if Satan and the other fallen angels had the ability to be redeemed again why would God throw them from Heaven into a place that had to be created for them?

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