Thanks for explaining the doctrine of God's "two books," as I value science very much, and value rationality. A brother in another city in my country tends to think that it's not necessary to believe that angels and demons (and thus Satan) are real beings, but rather a metaphor for the mechanics of good and evil in the universe. I must be frank in that, even though I'm more comfortable with the classic (and historic) position that angels, demons, and other celestial beings were clearly taught by everyone in the Bible, including Jesus, I'm intrigued by the idea that angelic beings are metaphorical. But teaching this possibility to others could be very uncomfortable! Any thoughts ? -- A thoughtful European brother
Uncomfortable indeed. Even if the brother is right, such a truth would need to be disseminated carefully, since many believers are unfamiliar with theology and become anxious when thinking Christians land in different places on various subjects.
I too know a brother who came to the conclusion that the notion of a literal Satan is unworthy of rational believers. He concluded that Satan doesn't exist. He seemed to be rejecting both silly conceptions of the Evil One (pitchfork, pointy ears, and so forth) and the Prince of Darkness alike. It think it's wise to ask where this line of thinking leads. (This remind me of C. S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters. Have you read it?)
The problem will eventually be to decide whether God is a metaphor, so I’m not too attracted to this view, just as I'm not persuaded by the idea that all miracles ceased in the apostolic age (which seems to contradict James 5:16 and other passages). Agreed: it would be simpler to hold that angels and demons are ways of explaining truth, or somehow metaphorical -- but beware. Anti-supernatural skepticism may eventually eat away at our faith in God.
For more on this, please listen to The Paranormal: A Biblical Perspective.
