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The Western Canon Mailing List
Moderator: Paul John Barnette Jr.
Activation Date: March 8, 1997
Current Date:  June 3, 1997
Current Membership: 60
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> 2) Paul, I agree with your argument about a possible flaw in the book.  
> I could find nothing giving rise to the "rumor" about the creation of 
> man.  While not out of the question of it happening, I could find no 
> support or hint that God passed on this info.

Dwight, I recently asked a former student of mine, who is currently
attending a Catholic seminary, if he know of anyway to explain Satan's
knowledge on this point. He gave me the following theological argument.

Before his fall from grace, Satan was Lucifer, and as Lucifer Satan
enjoyed a very elevated state in the kingdom of heaven. He was closer
to God than any one else and knew the mind of God better than anyone else.
It is part of Satan's torment to be the king of hell while at the same
time still being closer to God than anyone else in hell because of his
previous state. This being the case, Satan's knowledge of man's creation
was not really a "rumor", but resulted from Satan's knowledge of the
mind of God.

I must admit that I find this to be a plausible explanation, but I wonder if
Milton had something like this in the back in his mind. I doubt very much
that he did, so I still refuse to let him of the hook on this issue.

Paul John Barnette Jr.


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