How exactly did Satan become Satan? How does an angel fall and Hell begin? Why would a supernaturally intelligent being who knows he’s defeated refuse to surrender? When the Bible speaks about the origins of the universe, mankind, and sin, it glances over these questions. For that reason, these are the questions Milton approaches with the most room to swing, and where he hits his most entertaining speculations.
Published in the 1660s, Paradise Lost is the original antihero story. More than half the book is spotlighting Satan—his rebellion against God, defeat, and the success of his evil mission in Eden. Milton’s depiction of Satan’s determined path toward condemnation, though conjecture, feels biblically faithful. It rings true to human experience today. How can someone see with perfect clarity the self-destructive consequences of their choices, yet keep on choosing those things?
Milton gives the answer to this question in one word: pride. Pride leads Satan into rebellion—he wonders whether his strength isn’t at least as great as God’s? The absolute ease with which he is defeated turns the page to the next question. After seeing there’s no contest when it comes to God—why does Satan choose the course of action that he does? Why not phone it in? Why not surrender? Pride again.
We’re handling extrabiblical questions here—after all, what capacity do angels and demons have to engage in repentance and forgiveness? It appears different for them. Milton’s portrayal of Satan, however, mulling his next steps from the bowels of defeat is strikingly human. It suggests how free will might very well extend into an eternity in Hell. Satan willfully chooses Hell and sways his minions to do the same, because freedom in Hell beats service in Heaven. He considers all the deprivations of grace, beauty, and light in Hell to be nothing compared to the odiousness of an eternity praising and honoring someone else (God).
Some of the most arresting passages in the Bible come from Revelation. In John’s vision, people suffer horrific plagues and supernatural judgments for their sins, yet their response—instead of changing course—is to curse God and keep on keeping on (Revelation 9:20-21; 16:9). Romans 1 explains that God is in the habit of punishing people by giving them what they want (Romans 1:24).
One mystery appears to answer another—how can God be just and condemn people to an eternity in Hell, with no possibility of getting out? Because they don’t want to get out. In The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis illustrates how people might choose a self-perpetuating eternal condemnation, but Milton did it first.
Jesus, when he tells a parable of a poor man, Lazarus, and a rich man whose scraps Lazarus ate, makes it clear that Heaven and Hell are set destinations (Luke 16:26). There are no do-overs. There’s no cross-traffic or choice of relocating. Hypothetically though, even if passage from Hell to Heaven were possible, there’s a strong argument that it would never happen. Milton (and Lewis) show us why.
Pride. Turning from sin and its consequences, in this life or in the next, would involve turning from self-rule to God’s rule. No matter how badly we’re making a hash of our lives, there’s an insane power of pride that prefers our hash to God’s redemption. There are always little delights afforded by sin and rebellion, chief among them being the pride of rebellion itself. You are self-determined. Who cares if your determination is driving you into the grave, it’s yours by jove!
Milton’s story of Satan echoes the warning that “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12). When it comes to our pride—objective reality, felt pain, a brilliant intellect, and great power cannot overcome it. Only grace. Grace and pride are mortal enemies. Neither allows room for the other.
Jesus showed us the way to life by giving up his pride completely for us (Phil 2:3-10). Your road to Jesus is narrow—there’s only enough room for you, your sin, and your need. If you feel you must bring some carry-ons—your goodness or accomplishments, you will not be able to get on the road. Perhaps the most life-giving thing we can pray for is for God to take away our pride and help us receive his free grace.
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2 comments
Norman A Campbell
Thank you, Mr. Poythress. How about a distant memory?
Years ago, we had classical music station in Philly–WFLN. And on week-days, they did a program from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. It opened with the announcer reading off a quotation.
So imagine a young man starting things off.
“Good morning. Today’s quote comes from English poet, John Milton. Who wrote, ‘Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.’ Hm-m–m-m-m.. . . . . . . .interesting thought. . . . .”
This was about forty five years ago. And it still makes me laugh. We’re not to suppose that Mr. John Milton (putting these words in the mouth of Satan) was speaking for himself.
But I remember Satan’s soliloquy at the start of Book IV. When on the outskirts of the Garden of Eden, he pauses to consider the situation. And realizes: he alone is responsible for the misery he suffers. He cannot for a moment shift the blame anywhere else. Then comes that frightful cry:
“Me miserable! which way shall I fly
Infinite wrath and infinite despair?
Which way I fly is hell. Myself am hell
And in the lowest deep, a lower deep
Still threatening to devour me opens wide
To which the hell I suffer seems a heaven.”
But repentance is out of the question. Suppose he were (after all) welcomed back into heaven.
“. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ease would recant
Vows made in pain as violent and void.”
An incredible poet! An incredible poem!
Thanks, Mr. Poythress.
Justin N. Poythress
Thanks for sharing that. Some great depictions of the struggle of pride that brings misery, but is hard to escape.