November 28th, 2008 
dave this little excerpt is taken from John Piper’s blog (you can read the rest here):
Why does God allow Satan to live?
…before I answer it, let’s make sure that we agree that it is true that God could take Satan out anytime he chose. Because I think there are some who would say, “He really can’t, because of some rights (or authority, independence, free will, etc.) that Satan has.” But the reason I know God can take Satan out without turning me into an automaton or breaking any rules is because he is going to take him out. He is going to throw him in the lake of fire.
And the question is, “Why didn’t he do it yesterday? If he had done it yesterday I wouldn’t be tempted the way I am today. The Bible says, ‘Lead me not into temptation.’ Well, the best way not to be led into temptation is to take the Tempter away! Isn’t it? Take him out! I’ve got sin in my life plenty enough to make me struggle. I don’t need Satan on top of my sin making my life more miserable. So God, take him out! You have the right and the power to take him out. You’re doing nobody wrong when you take him out. Take him out!”
here’s my first problem (of many) with this article: “if he had done it yesterday i wouldn’t be tempted the way i am today.” while this is true in some respect, it puts on display that which Piper, an elite reformed theologian, places the most emphasis: his sin. is there something wrong with this picture or is it just me?
when i was reading this i thought he might say something like, “if he had done it yesterday pain would cease. there would be no more murder, no more hate, no more thievery, no more orphans and widows, no more poverty, no more deceit, no more tears, etc.”
this is really bothersome to me. not only does this kind of thinking play directly into the hands of individualism, it is not representative of a holistic, Biblical model of redemption. it is not all about ME and MY SIN!
we are redeemed. we will most certainly continue to fall short, but that is the beauty of being in relationship with God through God’s Son! since we are redeemed, we have been given the distinct privilege of sharing the greatness of the Gospel with those who are dying. God has freed us through the incarnation of God’s Son, and through his submission to death. he freed the captives. therefore, we are already free from Satan’s power on us so that we may have a hand in freeing others (through the power of the Holy Spirit of course).
Jesus Christ has already unhanded Satan and has endowed us with the power of God to extend the love of God’s kingdom throughout this broken world.
so, my foremost concern is not that Satan would be destroyed because i fall from time to time, but that he would become powerless so that those who are broken inside and out will more swiftly and easily come to find life in Christ.
Piper goes on to explain why he believes God allows Satan to live and does so without use of scripture to support his claims. despite this fact, Piper claims that if we disagree that his reasoning is in fact the way God handles pain and suffering “we will reject God, we will reject the biblical testimony, and we will perish forever in Hell.” strong words.
is it possible that not believing in God’s ordination of suffering at the hands of Satan will result in our eternal demise,” as Piper claims? does God really have a “long leash” on Satan (which insinuates God’s hand is in every awful thing that happens in this world)? what do you think?
-dave-
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