The Supernatural, A Biblical Necessity, or a Conspiracy Theory?
Many individuals hold the view that biblical supernatural events are comparable to other popular conspiracy theories or unverified claims, such as the mysteries surrounding the Kennedy assassination, the belief that Elvis Presley is still alive, or theories about the government concealing information about UFOs. Through a scientific perspective, the concept of malevolent supernatural entities is often seen as a product of superstition, typically dismissed as beliefs that only the uninformed or uneducated would accept.
As highlighted in other parts of this website, the problem arises from the fact that even Christians are hesitant to fully embrace the concept of an evil force in the universe. While only about 27% of Americans believe in Satan as a real entity or force rather than just a symbolic figure, the proportion of Christians who share this belief is only slightly higher at 40%. This is in contrast to the significantly higher percentage, 80%, of Americans who believe in God. In the subsequent pages of this section, it will be demonstrated that scripture describes the existence of both these entities.
The upcoming dialogues will present probable or at least possible interpretations that contribute to a systematic theological account of a consistent narrative throughout the Bible. To support most of this account, references to biblical scripture will be provided. Additionally, extrabiblical literature will also be utilized to enrich the understanding. Occasional references to the Apocrypha will be included to offer a broader perspective.
Understanding the context in which the Bible was written is essential for interpreting its many passages accurately. The New Testament is almost 2000 years old, and the Old Testament dates back even further, spanning several additional centuries. It's important to recognize that while the Bible was written for our benefit, it was not directly addressed to our contemporary society. Therefore, a detailed study of the Bible, accompanied by a quest for knowledge and wisdom, is necessary for proper comprehension and interpretation.