Biographie des Teufels. Das radikal Böse und die Macht des Guten in der Welt.

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The Devil, known by many names such as Satan and Mephistopheles, has been a powerful symbol of evil throughout history. Jeffrey Burton Russell chronicles the story of the Devil from antiquity to the present, exploring how different cultures have personified evil and how humanity has grappled with the problem of radical evil. After an insightful essay on the nature of evil, Russell examines the Devil's origins in early cultures and traces its evolution in Western thought, beginning with the ancient Hebrews and continuing through the early Christian era. He delves into the medieval perspective, highlighting depictions in folklore, scholasticism, art, literature, mysticism, and witchcraft. The narrative then shifts to modern times, where Russell analyzes changes in the concept of the Devil through examples from theology, philosophy, art, literature, and popular culture. He raises critical questions about the relevance of the Devil today, considering whether he is merely an outdated superstition or if the horrors of the twentieth century necessitate a symbol of radical evil. This work serves as a single-volume distillation of Russell's extensive exploration of the nature and personification of evil, inviting readers to reflect on the enduring significance of this figure in Christianity.