In a youtube presentation attempting to offer historical evidence for various Christadelphian beliefs, Jonathan Burke stated, in part, that the Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs (hereafter T12P) lacks any reference to Satan (beginning at the 35:12 mark). However, this is yet another example of how Burke is sloppy when it comes to scholarship (see Thomas Farrar’s refutation of Burke on the topic of the demonology and Satanology of the Apostolic Fathers as another cogent example).
Σατανας/Satan in the T12P:
This spirit along with lying always goes from the right hand of Satan, that with cruelty and lying his deeds may be accomplished. (Testament of Dan 3:6)
For I have read in the book of Enoch the righteous, that Satan is your prince, and that you will obey all the spirits of fornication and pride concerning Levi, you will concern yourselves with the sons of Levi, to cause them to sin before the Lord. (Testament of Dan 5:6)
And now fear the Lord, my children, and beware of Satan and his spirits. (Testament of Dan 6:1--this verse not only shows belief in an external, supernatural Satan but also evil spirits)
For the spirit of hatred works through discouragement together with Satan, in all things to men's death; but the spirit of love works together with the law of God in long-suffering for the salvation of men. (Testament of Gad 4:7)
For the goals of humanity show their righteousness, when they meet the angels of the Lord and Satan. (Testament of Asher 6:4--Satan is depicted as being as controlling [fallen] angels, another teaching inconsistent with Christadelphian views about angels [in their theology, angels cannot sin])
Διαβολος/Devil in T12P:
Therefore, do not be eager to corrupt your deeds through your greediness or with empty words to deceive your souls; because if you will keep silence in purity of heart, you will understand how to hold fast to the will of God, and to cast away the will of the devil. (Testament of Naphtali 3:1)
If you work that which is good, my children, both people and angels will bless you; and God will be glorified among the nations through you, and the devil will flee from you, and the wild beasts will fear you, and the Lord will love you, and the angels will seek after you. (Testament of Naphtali 8:4)
But him that does not do that which is good, both angels and people will curse, and God will be dishonored among the nations through him, and the devil will make him as his own peculiar object, and every wild beast will master him, and the Lord will hate him. (Testament of Naphtali 8:6)
Flee from wickedness, destroying the (evil) inclination [Greek: διαβολος] by your good works; for they that are double-faced do not serve God, but their own lusts, so that they may please Baliar and people like themselves. (Testament of Asher 3:2; Βελιαρ/Beliar is a name of Satan; according to BDAG, "The Antichrist, too, is given this name (TestDan 5; SibOr 2, 167; 3, 63; 73; perh. also AscIs 4:2 [not pap]). Both mngs. are prob. 2 Cor 6:15 (cp. ‘either-or’ TestNapht 2)"—this shows that the devil in this passage is not a mere personification notwithstanding its association with the yetzer hara [the evil inclination])
Evil Spirits in T12P
For if a person should flee to the Lord, the evil spirit runs away from him, and his mind is lightened. (Testament of Simeon 3:5)
Then all the spirits of deceit will be given to trampling, and people will rule over evil spirits. (Testament of Simeon 6:6)
And Beliar shall be bound by him, and he will give authority to his children to trample upon the evil spirits. (Testament of Levi 18:12)
And leaving farming, they will follow the wickedness or their evil intrigue, and they will be scattered among the nations, and will be slaves to their enemies. (Testament of Issachar 6:2)
For when the soul departs troubled, it is tormented by the evil spirit which it also served and lusts and evil works. (Testament of Asher 6:5)
In this brief survey of the T12P, we see that the text does make many references to Satan (σατανας) and the devil (διαβολος); furthermore, the reality of evil spirits are also attested in this work. Burke’s theology that forces him to reject the existence of supernatural evil forces his him to grossly misrepresent this particular text. Instead of supporting the historical Christadelphian view on evil, the majority view within the broad Christian spectrum (i.e., the ontological existence of supernatural evil) is supported by this ancient text.
