Pandemonium and the Bible By Beth Clegg

Overall Comparison Jesus calls disciples to the Sea of Galilee = Satan calls fallen angels while standing on the burning lake. Jesus calls disciples to the Sea of Galilee = Satan calls fallen angels while standing on the burning lake. Disciples find promise of salvation = fallen angels find Satan. Disciples find promise of salvation = fallen angels find Satan. Catalogue developed the same: Catalogue developed the same: Verbal parallelVerbal parallel Secondary identificationSecondary identification

12 Angels and 12 Disciples Moloch Moloch Chemos/Peor Chemos/Peor Baalim Baalim Astoroth Astoroth Astoreth/Astarte Astoreth/Astarte Thammuz Thammuz Dagon Dagon Rimmon Rimmon Osiris Osiris Isis Isis Orus Orus Belial Belial Peter/Simon Peter/Simon Andrew Andrew James James John John Philip Philip Bartholomew Bartholomew Thomas Thomas Matthew Matthew James James Thaddaeus/Lebbaeus Thaddaeus/Lebbaeus Simon Simon Judas Judas

Moloch vs. Peter Most ferocious: Moloch associated with the sacrifice and blood of children.Moloch associated with the sacrifice and blood of children. Milton associates Peter with circumcision in De Doctrina Christiana.Milton associates Peter with circumcision in De Doctrina Christiana. Peter cuts off the ear of a servant of the high priest in the Garden of Gethsemane.Peter cuts off the ear of a servant of the high priest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Moloch represents Milton’s hatred toward Peter.Moloch represents Milton’s hatred toward Peter. Milton dismisses the elevation of Peter over other disciples.

Belial vs. Judas In Paradise Lost Belial is the one closest to salvation. In Paradise Lost Belial is the one closest to salvation. In Paradise Regained Belial urges Satan to tempt Jesus into falling. In Paradise Regained Belial urges Satan to tempt Jesus into falling. In Paradise Regained: Belial’s violence and sexual perversion mirrors Judas’ kiss of betrayal showing love that has turned evil. In Paradise Regained: Belial’s violence and sexual perversion mirrors Judas’ kiss of betrayal showing love that has turned evil. Belial protests Satan = Judas betrays Christ. Belial protests Satan = Judas betrays Christ.

Mammon and Beelzebub Two important fallen angels not in catalogue. Two important fallen angels not in catalogue. Not directly related to a pagan God. Not directly related to a pagan God.

Why look at comparison? Erickson believes Milton uses disciples to show “paradise is always to be found within oneself and is a state of grace that is not to be acquired by belonging to a group, no matter how elite or how hallowed by tradition.” Erickson believes Milton uses disciples to show “paradise is always to be found within oneself and is a state of grace that is not to be acquired by belonging to a group, no matter how elite or how hallowed by tradition.” Thus Abdiel’s role: “the faithful soul does not follow the thundering herd, remains steadfast and constant in his belief, and is without regard for the example or number of others, who have fallen.” Thus Abdiel’s role: “the faithful soul does not follow the thundering herd, remains steadfast and constant in his belief, and is without regard for the example or number of others, who have fallen.”

Milton’s Beliefs Protestant mistrust of the “cults of sainthood associated with the disciples.” Protestant mistrust of the “cults of sainthood associated with the disciples.” “Milton implies that apostles named in the gospels are merely a few of many believers and are not to be accorded more authority than any others of the faithful.” “Milton implies that apostles named in the gospels are merely a few of many believers and are not to be accorded more authority than any others of the faithful.” Catholic Church bases its claim for papal authority on the primacy of Peter. Catholic Church bases its claim for papal authority on the primacy of Peter.

Disciples lead to more connections Trinity of Satan, Sin, and Death. Trinity of Satan, Sin, and Death. Satan going to Earth and becoming serpent = Christ’s incarnation. Satan going to Earth and becoming serpent = Christ’s incarnation. Satan’s actions antitypically foreshadow Christ’s. Satan’s actions antitypically foreshadow Christ’s.

Works Cited Erickson, Lee. “Satan’s Apostles and the Nature of Faith in Paradise Lost Book I.” Studies in Philology 94.3 (1997):