This Article: (3 Pages)
- 1. Why is there evil?
- 2. The Sources of Evil
- 3. The principles of Good and Evil
1) Why is there evil?
A famous evolutionist when asked why they did not belive in God said, in effect, because of a parasite. He was really saying he could not believe there was a God because he could see things in nature he thought were bad. Others may echo this by giving examples of people suffering. Why is there evil in the world if God made it good?
But what is good?
Philosophy of Good
"Good" is how we want the world to be. There may be significant disagreement between individuals about this. An example is where one person may see a buidling development as progress and good, another may see it as damaging the planet and see the same development as bad. Who is right? In the same way a parasite is a natural part of the ecology of the world, and one person may see it as evil as it may harm people, and another may see all nature as good having a specific function.
How we see the world is based on the ideas, or philosophy, we have.
There is an idea that human life is precious and we should never be hurt or suffer. But is this idea from the Bible, or is it wishful thinking?
The Reality of the Curse
The Bible starts out by saying that the world was created very good. Observation and experience shows how wonderful the inter-related and balanced system we live in is.
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31)
This very good state, however, the Bible says was changed due to human sin, which brought death to the whole human race. (SeeSalvation.) Death was not instantaneous but a process of 'dying'. In addition nature was cursed.
And unto Adam he said, Because you hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for your sake; in sorrow shall you eat of it all the days of your life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to you; and you shall eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of your face shalt thou eat bread, till you return unto the ground; for out of it were you taken: for dust you are, and unto dust shall you return. (Genesus 3:17-19)
This is an accurate exprssion of the state of the world. The world was no longer 'very good' for humans. The Bible says life is going to be one of sweat, hardship, sorrow and sickness leading to death. The Bible says the world as we see it around us is 'cursed'.
The normal state of the world may be cursed, but for those people God loves there is a slight lifting of the curse,
And you shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless your bread, and your water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. (Exodus 23:25)
The well known evolutionist proved nothing. He showed rather an elementary lack of knowldge of the Bible. His opinion that nature is not always good confirms the Bible. In effect he has given evidence that God exists.
Where did this evolutionist get the idea that God would only create good?
God's name is not 'good'
In English we have inherited an old Anglo-Saxon word for Deity, 'God' which means 'good', and with this the sentiment that Diety should give humans good things. However, a literal translation of the Hebrew word in the Bible rendered 'God' is Mighty. (For more detail seeNames and Titles of the God of Israel.) Deity is mighty, or powerful.
Deity is to be feared for his great and aweful acts. Just one act is the elimination in an instant of a great army.
But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses. (Exodus 14:29-31)
To the Egyptians there was great evil, to the Israelites great good. But even the recipients of the good feared this power and respected it.
The Bible does not say God will always be good to humans, however, he is always powerful.
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