Bloodless Coup

Blogging the Bible: The Book of Job

Last week David Plotz took on the Book of Job. His amusing analysis can be found here. Among other things, he addresses why God needs Satan:

One day, God's divine beings drop by His house for a visit. Accompanying them is "the Adversary," or as we have come to know him, "Satan." (Satan means "adversary" in Hebrew.) Here is what this Satan is not: a fallen angel, wicked, omnipotent, demonic, living in hell, warring with God for dominion over the earth, carrying a pitchfork, smelling like brimstone, or wearing red spandex. Here is what he is: an arguer, a troublemaker. But Satan is actually the kind of guy any smart God would want around, because he questions authority. He asks the tricky, contentious questions that make God more thoughtful about His own work. (The kind of questions, say, that presidential advisers should ask the president.) Satan makes God uncomfortable, but only so God will do His job better.