GroshLink

Not surprisingly questions regarding angels, demons, and the devil arise during the cultural craze of Halloween. I recently received an email inquiry asking:

What are Angels? Did God create them?  Why?  For His pleasure?  Are they eternal?  Temporal?  What are Demons?  Where did Satan/Lucifer come from?  Who says so?

In response, I passed along a quote by C.S. Lewis and some on-line material suggestions.  Thought friends on Groshlink might also benefit from the recommendaions.  Feel free to post additional comments/materials.  As time permits I'll work on posting some of my own responses. Just getting the ball rolling ;-)

1. C.S. Lewis wrote “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or magician with the same delight” (C.S. Lewis. The Screwtape Letters. 1941, p. 3). 
2. Selections from The Dictionary of Jesus & the Gospels (InterVarsity Press, 1992).  Thank-you Google Books ;-)
   1. Angels
   2. Demon, Devil, Satan
3. Articles from Bible.org 
   1. Survey of Bible Doctrine: Angels, Satan, Demons. In outline form.  Easy to scan and return to sections.
   2. Angelology: The Doctrine of Angels. Although a long article, it is well worth the read. The piece begins by briefly discussing cultural concerns and turns to biblical teaching.  Note:  You can skip through parts which are duplication of other material.
      1. Definition given to angels:  Angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him, though created higher than man. Some, the good angels, have remained obedient to Him and carry out His will, while others, fallen angels, disobeyed, fell from their holy position, and now stand in active opposition to the work and plan of God.
   3. For more articles on demons visit here.
   4. For more articles on angels visit here. 
   5. For more articles on Satan visit here.
4. Standing Against The Wiles Of The Devil. a pre-Halloween message, including a handout of selected scriptures reviewing the significant place that  Satan had in the writings of the New Testament (Richard James. 10/26/97)