What in the Word? Where Did Satan Come From? | Phillip Cary on Genesis 3
11 snips
May 14, 2025 
Phillip Cary, a philosophy professor specializing in Christian thought and St. Augustine, joins to unravel the origins of evil as outlined in Genesis 3. He discusses the intriguing role of the serpent as a tempter in a world created by a good God. Cary explores Augustine's view of evil as the deprivation of good rather than a created entity, highlighting the profound philosophical and theological challenges this raises. The conversation also touches on free will's role in sin and the importance of community in resisting evil.
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Evil as Privation of Good
- Evil is not a created entity but a privation or absence of good, like darkness is the absence of light.
- This understanding, rooted in Augustine's philosophy, sees evil as deprivation or corruption rather than substance.
Corruption: Goodness Gone Wrong
- Corruption describes how good things go bad, applying to bodies, souls, angels, and even the devil.
- Every evil thing is a corrupted good, illustrating how goodness can become disordered or harmed.
Serpent Symbolizes Satan
- The serpent in Genesis 3 represents Satan, the deceiver and adversary, not simply a snake.
- Revelation 12 identifies Satan as the ancient serpent, linking the serpent's cunning to the fallen angelic adversary.
