Word: satanizing
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...MASTER AND MARGARITA, by Mikhail Bulgakov. Satan saunters through Moscow in this manic farce, which, after 25 years of suppression, has again seen light in Russia and received two new translations...
...derisive, his work commits the error of assuming that Christ actually existed. Bezdomny's editor, Berlioz, is straightening out his tame poet on his shaky ideology when the Devil arrives to straighten them both out. Beautifully dressed, learned and well-spoken (the Prince of Darkness being a gentleman), Satan is amused by their respectable atheism. To teach them a lesson about his powers-and about the reality of the supernatural-he turns soothsayer and predicts that the editor will be beheaded by a woman. The Devil saunters off, accompanied by a scarecrow figure in checked trousers...
...Satan seizes the Master's manuscript and, in the Communist manner, proceeds to rewrite history. He allows the Biblical Pilate the satisfaction of killing Judas, and the further mercy of believing that the Crucifixion never took place at all. Thus does the Devil bless mankind by giving it a comfortable lie by which to live. The Master can forget his obsession and remains in peace with his beautiful mistress Margarita (who has given up a promising career as a witch for his sake). But Bulgakov makes clear his own belief: Pilate's guilt, an expedient cowardice that allows...
...ones who ministered to him after the 40 days' fast in the desert-the Bible mentions only three by name. By common agreement of angelologists, these three-Michael, Gabriel and Raphael-rank at the very top of God's celestial hierarchy. Michael, whose heavenly hosts tumbled Satan and his evil legions into hell, is the holder of the keys to heaven. Gabriel presides over paradise and, according to none other than Mohammed, was the angel who at God's command dictated the Koran. Raphael, who escorted Tobias on his journey to Media, has a host of spiritual...
Somewhat less is known about the fallen angels than those who still reside in heaven, but Davidson nonetheless provides some background on 103 of Satan's allies. Focalor, a mighty duke who commands 30 legions of demonic spirits, has the special mission of sinking ships of war. Mammon is hell's ambassador to England. Rabdos can stop planets in their course. One of the least fortunate of devils is Azza, who is eternally destined to be suspended between heaven and earth as punishment for having sexual intercourse with mortal women...