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What does it mean to speak of the devil ? Psychologists, sociologists, writers and philosophers have taken up the question and answered in different ways. But more precisely, what can and should scientific theology say ? Its competence is related to an interpretation of biblical tradition as a source and foundation for dogmatic statements, including those of the Church’s Magisterium. After examining biblical writings, and in a larger sense those of the New Testament, and after questioning the dogmatic teaching of the Church, which, in comparison remains scanty, A. Ganoczy sorts out some important areas of present theological research. In passing he specifies the conditions that render plausible a metaphor that is not necessarily deficient as a means of knowledge. For the metaphor “devil” takes into account a mystery for the faith.