(cont.) Do you think an author’s theology is an important thing to consider when selecting books to read from this genre?
Well, sure. I mean, if an author believes you can and should communicate with your guardian angel, I think that could be highly dangerous
But overall, I try to just let scripture speak for itself, and not allow any preconceived notions, doctrines, or theology to creep into my book. Over the years, I had to actually make changes to the story as I came to realize from studying the Bible that some popular doctrines don’t have the scriptural support many Christians think they do.
I hold to one doctrine, and that is the Doctrine of Perspicuity, which basically means that a verse means what it says. I’ve tried very hard to stay true to scripture in its cultural context and leave the dogma out.
Is there any real Biblical basis to give Satan the name Lucifer (star of the morning)—can’t it refer to any ruler’s high position? When did we start calling Satan by that name? (See article.)
The word Lucifer is actually Latin, and I think originated with the King James Bible. The Hebrew word is Heylel, hence my character’s name is Lucifer Haylel. I think Satan and Hashatan (Aramaic and Hebrew for The Enemy) is more of a concept than a person to many people, where as Lucifer and Haylel is more personal.
For that reason, I chose to use the name Lucifer when he thinks of himself and as how the demons refer to him, saving Haylel for the Prince. When the Prince calls him Haylel, I hope to conjure the idea of this godly angel who was entrusted with so much privilege, who not only stabbed the Prince in the back, but then seduced his betrothed simply out of spite.
As to whether or not Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 should be taken literally or poetically, there are many valid points on both sides of the argument by respected theologians, and in my opinion neither one should be held too dogmatically.
If I made up a different fraction of angels that followed Satan in the revolt, most people would think I hadn’t studied the Bible very well. If I didn’t have him “fall like lightening” most people probably wouldn’t have noticed, but what’s the point of having him meekly walk down Jacob’s ladder (the Great Stair)? That would be rather anticlimactic. And if he didn’t go into the throne room and say “The Five ‘I wills’ of Isaiah”, which include an attempt to usurp God’s throne, then I would have had to invent some other reason why he was banished, which again would have many people scratching their head.
Point being, to regard these passages as speaking of Satan does not do any harm. It’s not “dangerous” to believe, unlike other misinterpretations such as “have faith and just pray rather than take your child to the emergency room when she is in diabetic shock”.
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Ichthus77 