Tales of Faustian-like episodes are not limited to the past couple of centuries. Accounts of men signing deals with the devil have been recounted since before the Reformation. Most of the time, the party accused of associating with the devil was forgiven by God and not sentenced to fulfill his contract. It was believed by some, that to conjure up a demon that could be controlled through Jesus was an act of faith- and as such could be used for noble purposes.
             The first Christian era account of a man courting the help of Satan occurred during the 4th century. According to legend, Senator Proterius of Caesarea needed Satan's help to gain his master's daughter's hand in marriage. Fortunately for him, his soul was saved by the prayers of St. Basil.
             Another account of a deal with the devil occurred in1200's. Theophilus worked in the Episcopal Church. When the bishop of the church died, the new bishop fired Theophilus. In order to get revenge, Theophilus entered a pact with the devil, with the help of a Jewish sorcerer, and renounced his allegiance to Jesus, Mary, and the church. He later repented- Jesus forgave him and Mary retrieved Theophilus's IOU from the devil. He died in peace 3 days later.
             The Faust legend of the sixteenth century took place during an era of exploding scientific knowledge; polarization of good and evil; the fragmentation of Christian unity; the dying of the medieval world, and geometrically escalating uncertainty.
             During the early part of the 16th century, Johann Sabellicus, also known as George Faust, was a noted magician throughout the German lands. The earliest record we have of him can be traced to a letter written by Johannes Trithemius of Sponheim in 1507, in which he was accused of molesting several boys while teaching at Kreuznach. He was described as a blasphemous, con man who should be whipped.
             Records from 1509 indicate Faust may
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