The father of the devil (John 8:44) : A Christian exegetical inspiration for the evil creator

Journal article

Litwa, M. David. (2020). The father of the devil (John 8:44) : A Christian exegetical inspiration for the evil creator. Vigiliae Christinane. 74(5), pp. 540-565. https://doi.org/10.1163/15700720-12341453
AuthorsLitwa, M. David
Abstract

This article argues that John 8:44 helped to inspire the early Christian view that the creator was an evil being. John 8:44 has at least four possible readings allowed by grammar. In two of these readings, taken by a variety of early Christian groups (including early catholics), there is indication that the devil has a father. Since the desires of this father are known from the parallel desires of his children, some early Christians inferred the hostility of the devil’s father toward Christ, and thus his evil nature.

Keywordsdevil; creator; demiurgy; Gnosis; history of interpretation
Year2020
JournalVigiliae Christinane
Journal citation74 (5), pp. 540-565
PublisherE.J. Brill Academic Publishers
ISSN0042-6032
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1163/15700720-12341453
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85097247270
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range540-565
Publisher's version
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All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online12 Nov 2020
Publication process dates
Deposited15 Jun 2021
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