The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 04 (of 12): Dresden Edition—LecturesIngersoll, Robert Green
Religion
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 04 (of 12): Dresden Edition—Lectures
Ingersoll, Robert Green
Free thought
In the eighth chapter is told again the story of the devils and the
swine. In this account, Jesus asked the devil his name, and the devil
replied "Legion." In the ninth chapter is told the story of the devil
that the disciples could not cast out, but was cast out by Christ, and
in the thirteenth chapter it is said that the Pharisees came to Jesus,
telling him to go away, because Herod would kill him, and Jesus said
unto these Pharisees; "Go ye, and tell that fox, behold, I cast out
devils."
What did he mean by this? Did he mean that he cured diseases? No.
Because in the same sentence he says, "And I do cures to-day," making a
distinction between devils and diseases.
In the twenty-second chapter an account of the betrayal of Christ by
Judas is given in these words:
"Then entered Satan into Judas Iscariot, being of the number of the
twelve."
"And he went his way and communed with the chief priests and captains
how he might betray him unto them.
"And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money."
According to Christ the little devils knew that he was the Son of God.
Certainly, then, Satan, king of all the fiends, knew that Christ was
divine. And he not only knew that, but he knew all about the scheme of
salvation. He knew that Christ wished to make an atonement of blood by
the sacrifice of himself.
According to Christian theologians, the Devil has always done his utmost
to gain possession of the souls of men. At the time he entered into
Judas, persuading him to betray Christ, he knew that if Christ was
betrayed he would be crucified, and that he would make an atonement for
all believers, and that, as a result, he, the Devil, would lose all the
souls that Christ gained.
What interest had the Devil in defeating himself? If he could have
prevented the betrayal, then Christ would not have been crucified. No
atonement would have been made, and the whole world would have gone to
hell. The success of the Devil would have been complete. But, according
to this story, the Devil outwitted himself.
How thankful we should be to his Satanic Majesty. He opened for us the
gates of Paradise and made it possible for us to obtain eternal life.
Without Satan, without Judas, not a single human being could have become
an angel of light. All would have been wingless devils in the prison
of flame. In Jerusalem, to the extent of his power, Satan repaired the
wreck and ruin he had wrought in the Garden of Eden.
Certainly the writers of the New Testament believed in the existence of
the Devil.
In the eighth chapter it is said that out of Mary Magdalene were cast
seven devils. To me Mary Magdalene is the most beautiful character in
the New Testament. She is the one true disciple. In the darkness of
the crucifixion she lingered near. She was the first at the sepulcher.
Defeat, disaster, disgrace, could not conquer her love. And yet,
according to the account, when she met the risen Christ, he said: "Touch
me not." This was the reward of her infinite devotion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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