Throughout history this has been a bit of a hot topic. In the second century a major theologan named Marcion promoted this ideology. Of course he was denounced as a heretic by what later became the organized church. He was labelled as a Gnostic, though, I don't really think he fits that strict definition. Definitely a dualist though. He taught that Jesus was the savior, but that Christianity was distinct from and incompatible with Judaism. In Marcionism the true god had no previous interactions with mankind and sent Jesus to help free humans from the cruel and defective world created by the demiurge; the god of the Hebrew bible was considered a demiurge-type character and lesser than the god of Christianity. This aspect of his teachings was similar to gnosticism. The Gnostics considered Yaweh to be the creator, and therefore the de facto source of evil. This is not at all out of the realm of Judaic thought, as Yaweh is the source of all things good and bad for a large portion of the Old Testament. Take the following verses: Isaiah 45:7 - I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and CREATE DISASTER; I, YHWH (Yahweh), do all these things.
Lamentations 3:38 - Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and EVIL come?
Jeremiah 26:3 - It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his EVIL way, that I may repent of the EVIL which I intend to do to them because of their EVIL doings.
1 Kings 21:29 - Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the EVIL in his days; but in his son's days I will bring the EVIL upon his house.
Some people even think that Yahweh of the Old Testament, and Satan in the New Testament are the same character. This is somewhat in-line with the Gnostic philosophy of the material world and its creator being evil, and the new Testament god being the beacon of light and truth that can free mankind from this. This philosophy is actually based on one of the verses we read in class on Wednsday, as well as another in Chronicles:
2 Samuel 24:1 And again the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, Go, number Israel and Judah.
compared with the following:
1 Chronicles 21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.
Here it appears that Yahweh, and Ha Sheth'n, the accusing angel, or adversary, are doing the exact same thing, are the same character, are working together, or are different aspects of the same character. These certainly aren't the only interpretatons, but this is very interesting to think about. The chronicles verse also ascribes more power to Ha Sheth'n than is given him (or her) in other sections. Usually Yahweh has to approve of this character's actions (like in Job) or simply allow them. What do you guys think?
