Expert: Bruce Gourley - 11/25/2007

Question
I would like to know what Baptists believe about the Devil/Satan. Is he an actual "being" or is he mainly symbolism for our lower/negative or sinful selves?
Thank you for your time. Sarah

Answer
Sarah,

There is no official Baptist position regarding Satan/Devil, as Baptists do not hold to creeds; each Baptist is free to read and interpret the Bible for himself/herself, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (a doctrine known as the "priesthood of all believers"). So, some Baptists do believe Satan is an actual being, while other Baptists believe Satan is symbolic of evil, and others have yet other beliefs. I would say that very few Baptists, if any, would deny the existence of evil, but explaining evil/Satan/the devil is another matter.

In short, if you walk into a local Baptist church somewhere,  you would find a variety of views about Satan/the Devil. Such is the nature of Baptist life and faith.

Bruce Gourley
www.baptistlife.com
www.brucegourley.com