I looked it up to be sure -- John 10:10 is not referring to demons or Satan, but contrasting Christ as the Good Shepherd with the false teachers who came before him. So while I wouldn't deny that demons in the Bible are dangerous and destructive, I don't think that verse is a good description of how they operate.
In Scripture, demons are fallen angels under the command of Satan, and their goal is to deceive people into worshiping and following Satan instead of worshiping the one true God -- or at the very least, believing that a relationship with God is not desirable or possible. They may possess human beings and use them as tools for their purposes, but only as a means to that end. I can't think of any Scriptural example of a demon killing someone that they possessed -- the man called Legion cut himself and lived in squalor and misery among the tombs terrifying everyone who passed by, but the demons didn't kill him.
Whereas the demons in THE DEMON'S LEXICON are independent beings from another physical dimension, with no leader that we know of, and no interest in theological or philosophical matters. They simply want to get into our world because their own is so bleak, and taking over human bodies is the only way they can do it. They are summoned and controlled by mechanical rituals that do not involve worship or devotion, only bargaining and exchange. And the humans they possess don't live very long, so when they die the demon is forced back into its own world and has to try again.
If SRB had called her demons "aliens" or "bodysnatchers" or "weirdos from another dimension", I don't think there would be an issue here.
Sorry you were spoiled for the twist, but I actually enjoyed the book more when I knew what was coming because I could appreciate how cleverly it was set up along the way... but then I love being tricked, and not everybody does.
You have nothing to be sorry for about the twist. It wasn't your fault at all. I normally don't even mind spoilers that much but that was a crucial one...
Good point on context. I don't pay nearly enough attention to it. However, I'd say the crucial distinction you're making is not false teachers versus demons (they both try to lead people away from God, though perhaps for different reasons) but their goal as opposed to the (nominal) goal of SRB's demons (emigration).
I will have to think on it some more. In the meantime, thank you for your thoughtful response.
In Scripture, demons are fallen angels under the command of Satan, and their goal is to deceive people into worshiping and following Satan instead of worshiping the one true God -- or at the very least, believing that a relationship with God is not desirable or possible. They may possess human beings and use them as tools for their purposes, but only as a means to that end. I can't think of any Scriptural example of a demon killing someone that they possessed -- the man called Legion cut himself and lived in squalor and misery among the tombs terrifying everyone who passed by, but the demons didn't kill him.
Whereas the demons in THE DEMON'S LEXICON are independent beings from another physical dimension, with no leader that we know of, and no interest in theological or philosophical matters. They simply want to get into our world because their own is so bleak, and taking over human bodies is the only way they can do it. They are summoned and controlled by mechanical rituals that do not involve worship or devotion, only bargaining and exchange. And the humans they possess don't live very long, so when they die the demon is forced back into its own world and has to try again.
If SRB had called her demons "aliens" or "bodysnatchers" or "weirdos from another dimension", I don't think there would be an issue here.
Sorry you were spoiled for the twist, but I actually enjoyed the book more when I knew what was coming because I could appreciate how cleverly it was set up along the way... but then I love being tricked, and not everybody does.
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Good point on context. I don't pay nearly enough attention to it. However, I'd say the crucial distinction you're making is not false teachers versus demons (they both try to lead people away from God, though perhaps for different reasons) but their goal as opposed to the (nominal) goal of SRB's demons (emigration).
I will have to think on it some more. In the meantime, thank you for your thoughtful response.
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