This talk examines a question that sits at the center of Christian theology but is rarely examined carefully: who are Lucifer, Satan, and the Serpent—and are they actually the same being?
Rather than assuming a single, unified figure called “the Devil,” the session steps back and looks at how these three names emerged in different texts, languages, and historical contexts. Drawing from scripture, translation history, and symbolism, the talk explores how distinct ideas were gradually merged into one supernatural antagonist—and how that merger shaped Christian thought about evil, responsibility, and fear.
The discussion traces how symbols become characters, how roles turn into identities, and how metaphor hardens into doctrine. Along the way, it considers the consequences of this theological compression: what is gained, what is lost, and why the Devil occupies such a powerful place in modern Christian imagination.
This is not a critique of Christianity and not an attempt to deny the reality of evil. It is an examination of definitions, origins, and interpretive drift—and an invitation to approach one of Christianity’s most enduring concepts with clarity rather than assumption.
When: Thursday, February 26, 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
Format: 20-minute presentation, followed by 20 minutes of open Q&A
Note: Sessions are recorded and uploaded to YouTube
Details: Zoom link to follow
