The Devil
Subtitle: A Biography
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co
Published: October 1, 1996
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 315
ISBN-13: 9780805030822
Subjects: Theology; Philosophy Of Religion; Demonology; Religion; Christianity - Theology - Angelology; Folklore & Mythology; Christianity; Devil; History of doctrines
Description: Evil - disturbing, inexplicable, deeply rooted - persists. Inching toward the millennium, we speak of the Devil once again: in tabloid accounts of cults, in popular novels, and even in scholarly theological works. We are back where we began 2,000 years ago: going to the Devil.

Now, in this informed, lucid, and very readable biography, Peter Stanford introduces us to this figure of fascination. Tracing the idea back to the pre-Christian era with its many devils, he pauses to explore Judaism's approach, then moves on to concentrate on Christianity's contribution: the creation of the monster we know today.

Stanford casts his net widely to include literature and the arts, folklore and psychology, history and theology, and he distills a wealth of complex information - from early Church teachings to medieval iconography, from witchcraft and satanism to satanic cults and modern-day exorcisms. The result is a lively, engaging account of an age-old enemy.