The Bible contains a multitude of verses with diverse messages and moral teachings. Satanism offers a unique perspective on several of these passages. While it doesn’t involve worshipping Satan as a deity, it does emphasize individualism, self-interest, and personal empowerment. Let’s explore how Satanism might respond to some well-known biblical verses.
Romans 3:23
All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.
In Christian theology, this verse underscores the idea that everyone is inherently flawed and falls short of God’s moral perfection. It highlights the need for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Satanism, however, doesn’t buy into the concept of “sin” or the notion that we’re all born sinful. Satanists don’t believe in the existence of a supernatural being, so they reject the whole idea of sin. Instead, they focus on personal responsibility and accountability for one’s actions. They encourage individuals to make choices based on rational self-interest rather than worrying about being inherently sinful.
1 John 2:15-17
Don’t love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you cannot love the Father. Our foolish pride comes from this world, and so do our selfish desires and our desire to have everything we see. None of this comes from the Father. The world and the desires it causes are disappearing. But if we obey God, we will live forever.
This passage advises against loving the material world and its desires. It’s a call to prioritize spiritual and divine values over materialism and worldly desires.
Satanism, with its emphasis on individualism and personal empowerment, takes a different view. While they don’t believe in a divine Father or any supernatural entities, they don’t necessarily see the pursuit of worldly desires as a negative thing. They value personal autonomy and making choices that align with one’s own self-interest. So, the idea of enjoying material possessions or pursuing personal pleasures doesn’t necessarily clash with their beliefs, as long as it doesn’t conflict with their own values and ethical boundaries.
Proverbs 22:6
Teach your children right from wrong, and when they are grown they will still do right.
This verse is often seen as a piece of advice to parents about raising children with strong moral and ethical values.
Satanism acknowledges the importance of guidance and education for children but places a strong emphasis on allowing individuals, including children, to develop their own beliefs and make their own choices as they mature. They value individualism and personal growth, encouraging individuals to think for themselves rather than conforming to external moral standards.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting.
This well-known passage, often referred to as the “Love Chapter,” describes the virtues of love, including patience, kindness, and selflessness.
Satanism, while acknowledging the value of love and positive qualities, prioritizes self-interest and personal empowerment over self-sacrifice or self-denial. They see moral and ethical standards as subjective and based on individual values and societal norms, rather than universal and divine truths.
Luke 6:27
This is what I say to all who will listen to me: Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you.
This verse encourages loving one’s enemies and doing good to those who hate you, emphasizing a selfless approach to interpersonal relationships.
Satanists, however, prioritize individualism and personal empowerment over conforming to external moral standards. While they may appreciate the idea of kindness in certain situations, they do not advocate self-sacrifice or altruistic love for one’s enemies if it doesn’t align with their own self-interest and personal goals.
Matthew 28:16-20
Jesus’ eleven disciples went to a mountain in Galilee, where Jesus had told them to meet him. They saw him and worshiped him, but some of them doubted. Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.
In this passage, Jesus instructs his disciples to spread his teachings to all nations and baptize new believers.
Satanists do not adhere to traditional religious mandates or missions. Nor do they seek to proselytize. They believe in defining their own values and ethics based on rational self-interest rather than adhering to prescribed virtues dictated by a religious text.
Romans 12:2
Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.
This verse advises against conforming to worldly patterns and instead being transformed through the renewing of one’s mind.
Satanists generally promote non-conformity to societal norms and religious conventions. They value personal autonomy and self-empowerment, encouraging individuals to challenge and expand their beliefs and knowledge.
1 Peter 3:3-4
Be beautiful in your heart by being gentle and quiet. This kind of beauty will last, and God considers it very special. Long ago those women who worshiped God and put their hope in him made themselves beautiful by putting their husbands first.
This passage emphasizes inner beauty over outward appearances and material possessions.
Satanists generally reject the idea of adhering to external standards of beauty, whether prescribed by religious texts or societal norms. They prioritize personal choice and individualism when it comes to appearance and self-expression.
James 1:19
My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry.
This verse advises patience and self-control in communication.
Satanists value rationality and critical thinking. They might agree with the idea of being quick to hear, as listening and understanding others can be important for effective communication. However, they also prioritize assertiveness and self-expression when necessary.
1 John 2:15-17
Don’t love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you cannot love the Father. Our foolish pride comes from this world, and so do our selfish desires and our desire to have everything we see. None of this comes from the Father. The world and the desires it causes are disappearing. But if we obey God, we will live forever.
This passage advises against loving the material world and its desires.
Satanism, with its emphasis on individualism and personal empowerment, takes a different view. While they don’t believe in a divine Father or any supernatural entities, they don’t necessarily see the pursuit of worldly desires as a negative thing.
As you can see, Satanism offers a unique perspective on these Bible verses. They reject traditional religious concepts like sin, prioritize individualism and rational self-interest, and encourage personal responsibility and autonomy.
Why even bother addressing these passages?
In online discussions and livestreams, some may wonder why Grumps, as a Satanist, would bother addressing passages from the Bible. The answer lies in the need to be prepared when encountering these passages during open dialogues. While it’s true that not everyone will face Bible-based arguments, having an informed perspective can be valuable for those who do engage with such content.
Grumps is the name that most people know the owner of this site by on TikTok, Discord, and other social media platforms. He writes and makes videos about how Satanism works in his everyday life and tries to correct common misconceptions about the religion as well as offer insights into Satanism from his perspective.
Disclaimer: Grumps and the Church of Satan? Though he is a Satanist, he is not a member and doesn’t represent them in the slightest. Grumps’ grumpiness is more irony than anything. As the first Satanic Rule of the Earth states, ‘Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked.’ But remember, you came here to read this, so that’s like asking for it!
Grumps was a Christian for the majority of his life and is an “armchair theologian.” As such, he can’t help but have some views on things Biblical. He may outgrow this eventually, but until then, you will see this type of stuff from time to time.
A note on translation used: The Contemporary English Version (CEV) is a translation of the Bible into English that aims to make the biblical text accessible and understandable to a wide range of readers. Some possible reasons to use the CEV are:
- It is written at a fourth grade reading level, making it suitable for children and adults with limited English skills⁴.
- It uses everyday words and phrases that are familiar and easy to comprehend.
- It avoids technical or theological jargon that may confuse or alienate some readers.
- It renders the biblical text in a clear and concise way, without compromising the meaning or message of the original manuscripts.
- It follows the principles of dynamic equivalence, which means that it tries to convey the thought and intent of the original authors, rather than a word-for-word translation.
Of course, the choice of which Bible version to use is a personal one, and there may be other factors that influence your decision. You may want to compare the CEV with other translations, such as the New International Version (NIV), the King James Version (KJV), or the New Living Translation (NLT), to see which one best suits your needs and preferences. You can use Bing to search for different Bible versions and read them online¹. You can also find more information about the CEV and its history, translation principles, and features on the websites of the American Bible Society¹ and the British and Foreign Bible Society².
(1) What is the Contemporary English Version (CEV)? – GotQuestions.org.
(2) Contemporary English Version (CEV) – BibleGateway.com.
(3) Contemporary English Version – Wikipedia.
(4) The Contemporary English Version – bible-researcher.com.