On a personal note, I wonder if Farish will arrive at the same conclusion as what St Augustine has mentioned in Book 1, Chapter 8 of his 'City of God', regarding the question of whether the work of the Devil is necessary.

"And thus it is that in the same affliction the wicked blaspheme against and detest God, while the good pray and praise. So a material difference does it make, not what ills are suffered, but what kind of man suffers them. For, stirred up with the same movement, mud exhales a horrible stench, and ointment emits a fragrant odor."

I guess St Augustine justified through this article of faith in the Book of Matthew 5:45. He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Thank you for the wonderful article!