Lloyd,

Lest I my ‘non-emergence’ be deplored, let me assure you that I value the questioning of our assumptions.  That includes, of course, our traditional understanding of the ‘Satan’ we’ve inherited from our Church traditions.  However, I think your rejection of a ‘spiritual’ rebellion is problematic (and I think I’m not the only one to think this).  Paul’s ‘principalities and powers’ come to mind, certainly (and you’ve already given your view on these), but I just wanted to reference a couple passages which I find particularly problematic for your thesis that Scripture doesn’t ground these traditional views.

First of all, the first chapter of Job most certainly assumes that ‘Satan’ is a primary adversary of God, and it most certainly assumes that this adversary is not human.  Since I take your fundamental claim to be that there was never any rebellion against God in ‘the heavenlies’, I think this passage should be problematic for you.  While I readily admit that the introductory scene to this marvelous book should not be seen as historical by any means, it is hard to deny that it nevertheless reflects the worldview of its author.  I would argue that the traditional ‘warfare’ worldview is consequently quite biblical.

Second, Daniel 10:13 portrays, at the very least, intense conflict in the heavenly realm.  I find that the traditional view of Satan and his rebellious following fits quite well with this passage.  How might you deal with it?

Sometimes, though it is true that the post-apostolic Church uses non-biblical terminology or imagery, and that more sophisticated theological ideas are birthed, it is not necessarily wise to throw them out for being ‘non-biblical’ (I am thinking here primarily of the Trinity—though your own revisionist attempts to get a spiritual Satan out of Scripture strike me as being in the same vein).  Just because a tradition has developed around an idea that is less than central in Scripture doesn’t mean it is a bad tradition, or that it is Scripturally unfounded…

Am I making sense?

Cheers,

-Daniel-