What I find interesting in Job is the fact that, far from being bound in hell, Satan's apparently wandering around footloose and fancy free and has right of entry to Heaven. And God, instead of saying, "Get away, you betrayer!" is making bar bets with the guy.

Plus, he apparently gave Satan an all-access pass on Earth to tempt people so they end up going to Hell. Isn't that called "entrapment"? I wan't my lawyer! Filthy screws! Filthy screws! Tartarus! Tartarus! I'm out of order? You're out of order! The whole universe is out of order!

Heh. Inevitable buffista x-post.

We can thank Milton for a lot of misconceptions about what's actually in the Bible. His version of Eve is a lot worse than the actual Bible's version. Milton's got a lot to answer for on that front, and I can only expect he is in Purgatory even now, being lessoned by his vengeful daughters.

IIRC, in the Old Testament, Satan's not an enemy of goodness, but more like a pitiless prosecutor.

Thanks for all the anniversary wishes! We are spending it with a sick child and possibly italian take-out.

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

IIRC, in the Old Testament, Satan's not an enemy of goodness, but more like a pitiless prosecutor.

What did one have to do to get into heaven in Old Testament times? Or was everyone condemned to Hell until Jesus came and died on the cross?

There isn't a heaven (or Hell) in the OT.

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Hey, and your even on current topic.

What did one have to do to get into heaven in Old Testament times? Or was everyone condemned to Hell until Jesus came and died on the cross?

Worse - New Jersey.

10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."

12 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger."

This reminds me of the movie 'Trading Places', I can see God and Satan exchanging a dollar.

No, I think everybody was just dead (still is, if you're a Jew!), waiting for the prophecied messiah. Who, again if you're a Jew, was not named Jesus.

I think that's why Jews are not supposed (depending on your strictness) to get earrings or tattoos, and are supposed to be buried quickly and with all the parts intact or at least present. It's a whole "Don't you want to look your best for the messiah?" thing.

A few passages of the OT make reference to an afterlife-place called Sheol, which seems to be closer to the Greek concept of Hades.

No, I think everybody was just dead (still is, if you're a Jew!), waiting for the prophecied messiah. Who, again if you're a Jew, was not named Jesus.

Didn't people also live a lot longer in the OT?