I recently studied with someone who has fallen into the teachings of a man who preaches that Satan impregnated Eve. He also claims Cain was the result of that illicit union, and that Cain's descendants, the Kenites, survived the Flood and are around now. I showed him Genesis 4:1-2, 7:21-23, Judges 1:15-17, and Colossians 3:10-12. Any suggestions on how to proceed? -- Roger Hoelzel (Grand Rapids)

Outlandish speculations will always flourish whenever one smooth-talking teacher can acquire an audience--and their money--as prophesied in 2 Peter 2:1-3. The Bible urges us not to pay attention to zany doctrines (Hebrews 13:9, Colossians 2:4, 2:8). Still, I will offer a couple of thoughts:
* If Satan is a fallen angel, as is commonly held, then as a sexless being he may well be incapable of procreation (Matthew 22:30).
* The Bible clearly states that Cain was born as a result of Adam's impregnating Eve (Genesis 4:1), not through Satan's seed.
* Satan's "offspring" are not his physical seed, but his spiritual seed (John 8:44).
* While the Bible hints that the Nephilim may have survived the flood (Genesis 6:4), nowhere does it suggest that the Kenites--mentioned in Numbers, Judges, 1 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, and Genesis (chapter 15 only, after the Flood)--were descended from line of Cain (Genesis 4).

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