The question: “Did God created evil?” is a profound theological issue that has been debated by scholars and believers for centuries. The short answer is “no.” The Bible provides insights that help us understand the nature of evil, God’s sovereignty, and the moral responsibility of humanity. Let’s explore this topic through a biblical lens.
Biblical References
God’s Nature
1 John 1:5 (NIV)
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
The Origin of Evil
Isaiah 45:7 (NIV)
I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.
Genesis 1:31 (NIV)
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
James 1:13-14 (NIV)
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
The Fall of Humanity
Genesis 3:1-6 (NIV)
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Extended Explanation
The Nature of God and Evil
The Bible teaches that God is inherently good and righteous. 1 John 1:5 clearly states that “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” This means that God’s nature is wholly good and devoid of evil.
Understanding Isaiah 45:7
Isaiah 45:7 in the King James Version states, “I make peace, and create evil,” which can be confusing. The Hebrew word translated as “evil” is “ra,” which can also mean “calamity” or “disaster.” Modern translations, like the New International Version, often translate this verse as “I bring prosperity and create disaster,” indicating that God allows or brings about events that can seem adverse, but this does not equate to moral evil.
The Goodness of Creation
Genesis 1:31 affirms that God’s creation was originally very good. Evil was not part of God’s original creation but entered the world through the disobedience of humanity. The fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 introduced sin and evil into the human experience.
The Role of Free Will
James 1:13-14 explains that God does not tempt anyone with evil. Instead, evil arises from the misuse of human free will. God created humans with the ability to choose, and it is through these choices that evil can manifest.
The Fall and Its Consequences
The fall of humanity, described in Genesis 3, illustrates how evil entered the world through the actions of Adam and Eve. The serpent (identified as Satan in later scriptures) tempted them, but the decision to disobey God was theirs. This disobedience brought sin and its consequences, including evil and suffering, into the world.
Theological Perspectives
God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
While God is sovereign and allows for the existence of evil, He is not the author of moral evil. Human beings, exercising their free will, are responsible for sin and its consequences. This understanding helps to reconcile God’s goodness with the presence of evil in the world.
God’s Redemptive Plan
Despite the presence of evil, the Bible reveals God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and offers redemption to humanity. This demonstrates God’s ultimate authority over evil and His plan to restore creation.
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Relevance for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, understanding that God did not create evil but permits it as a consequence of human free will can be reassuring. It emphasizes God’s goodness and righteousness, while also highlighting human responsibility and the hope of redemption through Jesus Christ.
Connection to Jesus
Jesus’ mission was to overcome evil and restore humanity’s relationship with God. His sacrifice on the cross and subsequent resurrection offer a solution to the problem of evil, providing forgiveness, healing, and eternal life.
John 3:16 (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Demonstration of God’s Love
God’s love is evident in His response to evil. Rather than abandoning humanity, He sent Jesus to redeem and restore. God’s patience and desire for all to come to repentance reflect His loving nature.
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Conclusion
From a biblical viewpoint, God did not create evil. Evil entered the world through the misuse of human free will and the fall of humanity. While God permits the existence of evil, He is inherently good and has a redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. Understanding this distinction helps Christians reconcile the presence of evil with the nature of a loving and sovereign God. Through Jesus, believers have hope and assurance of ultimate victory over evil.