A Doctrine of Evil

However, the miss the forrest for the tree. Rather than viewing morality as a construct, it is far more obvious to view morality as an integral part of what it means to be human (created in the image of God) and is a gift from God to all people—who then suppress the truth through unrighteousness.

Spiritual Moral Evil: To violate God’s commands

To be bad in behavior, thoughts, and actions towards God! (Christian Worldview)

It is impossible for us to learn about this without learning about God—the more we see God, the more we learn what is right, and by default, what is wrong.

The message of the Gospel communicates to us that Christ has fulfilled the entirity of God’s commands in our place, and removed us from the consequences of our Spiritual Moral Evil; additionally, He empowers us to both learn and obey the laws of God.

Supernatural Evil: Demonic evil (Satan and his angels)

These forces tempt

These forces war against God

These forces want to destroy us

These forces are extremely powerful (but nowhere close to God’s power)

These forces are largely ignored by us today

Eternal Evil: The Evil that is in Hell for all of eternity

Satan will still hate God in hell (this is evil)

Humanity will still hate God in hell (this is evil)

There is no repentance in Hell

How are we to handle the topic of evil?

Today, Christians face two massive problems surfacing from those who challenge God and Christianity. These problems have been called the achilles’ heel of Christianity.

The Problem of Evil: “Why is Evil present if God is powerful?”

The Problem of Suffering: Why is suffering present if God is good?”

Though these two challenges are intimately connected, I have time to address only one today—THE PROBLEM OF EVIL.

Allow me to briefly explain what is happening this morning,

Rather than engaging in a presentation of the gospel, or a casting of vision, or an exhortation to seek the Lord, we are undertaking a THEODICY.

Our goal is to provide a foundation for both how we interpret SEVERE times in our life, our SINS, and how we EVANGELIZE others.

Theodicy: (from Greek theos, “god”; dikē, “justice”), explanation of why a perfectly good, almighty, and all-knowing God permits evil. The term literally means “justifying God.” (Britannica)

Our endeavor is to demonstrate and explain how two realities can exist in harmony:

God is perfectly sovereign, just, loving, and good.

Evil is present within the created order—an order God is SOVEREIGN over!

How will we accomplish this?

Deductive vs. Inductive Reasoning and Theology:

Deductive: From the top down (Logically Certain)

All humans hurt people

Darin is a human

Darin hurts people

Because all humans hurt others, Darin will hurt others—this is a logical certainty

Deductive reasoning is the best approach for doctrine because it roots itself in the authority/certainty of God’s word, thus it is made certain by association.

Inductive: From the bottom up (Logically Probable, but NOT Certain)

Every person hurts others in some way.

Everyone I know will hurt me.

While it someone will hurt me because all people hurt at least one person, it is not guaranteed that everyone I know will hurt me.

Though inductive reasoning is not absolutely certain, it helps us in issues where certainty is not granted by the Scriptures, but we can induce certain things to be probable.

Why bring this up?

A Theodicy is primarily an INDUCTIVE argument and not a DEDUCTIVE one (How?).

The Bible gives us two certainties in regards to this topic:

God is perfectly good, just, loving, and sovereign.

Evil is present and an affront to God.

However, the Bible is relatively silent in a few areas:

The Bible never sets out to give a rational argument of how God is perfectly good, just, loving, and sovereign in the face of evil.

Secondly, the Bible never explain why evil is present and why God allowed it to enter into His creation.

Consequently, we are left with a dilemma:

We can know for certain that God is both good and sovereign in the face of evil; however, we are not told how God is both good and sovereign in the face of evil.

The Christian and the Atheist handle this dilemma differently:

In faith, the Christian says, I do not understand COMPLETELY how God is both good and righteous in the face of evil, but I believe that He is because He has said so, and I have numerous reasons to take God at His word because of (my/shared) past experiences.

In defiance the Atheist says, because I do not know with COMPLETE CERTAINTY why God would allow evil, I must come to the conclusion that God does not exist based upon my intense desire for Him not to exist.

Why do I use the term “defiance” to describe the Atheist?

There is ZERO logical basis to assume that evil disproves the existence of God, all it does is challenge the goodness of God (is there a logical reason that someone, even God, cannot be bad?)

It is not illogical to believe that God could have a purpose for and, even, utilize evil to achieve His will.

It is not illogical to distinguish between authoring evil (decreeing it ) and allowing evil (ordaining it).

In short, the bias of the Atheist leads to building an argument upon major inferences that are not necessary.

Lastly, there are TWO primary ways to handle this argument:

Academically: How do we logically/intellectually handle our positions that it seems irrational for God to allow evil? (Four Options)

It is impossible that God and evil co-exist

It is improbable that God and evil co-exist

It is probable that God and evil co-exist

It is impossible for evil to exist without God existing (I think logic demands this)

Experientially: How do we engage our thoughts about our distaste of a God that allows evil?

Assume you believe God and evil co-exist, how does that bring us comfort?

Assume you believe God and evil do not co-exist (since evil exists, God is out), how does that bring us comfort?

Let’s get to work and see if we can arrive at some position of Intellectual and Emotional comfort.

THE QUESTION: WHY DOES GOD ALLOW EVIL?

Allow me to plainly state the problem we face in the form of two questions:

Since God is sovereign (in absolute control), does that means God brought evil into the world—does God commit evil?

Since God only does what is good, if He brought evil into the world, does that mean that evil is, actually, good?

The Problem: How can God blame us for sin if it was His plan to bring it into the world—who could possibly resist God!

At the core of the challenge to God in the face of evil is the deep desire to not be held liable for our acts of evil.

Think about it...

If God is Sovereign, Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Morally Good… HOW COULD HE ALLOW EVIL TO ENTER THE WORLD?

Since, He did allow evil into the world, how can we view Him as loving when we suffer so brutally?

Since, He did allow evil into the world, how can we view Him as righteous for blaming us for sin when He allowed it?

Additionally, How can God forbid sin if He brings it about by creating humanity with the knowledge that they would sin?

How can God demand righteousness if He works against it by creating opportunities to sin (the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil); that is, it appears that God actually hinders us from righteousness?

NOW… BEAR WITH ME!!!!

One of the inherent problems in our perspective of God’s Sovereignty is that it logically demands that God created man not merely with the ability to sin, but with COMPLETE knowledge that we would sin; thus, in creating humanity, God—essentially—willed evil.

Any attempt for us to avoid this statement leaves us with several unbiblical and incorrect options.

(Please do not argue with me…yet…I am merely bringing you into the deep pool of theology in an attempt to show you why so many depart from the faith and actually despise the God of the Bible.)

Before I go on, let’s read a view verses and see what others see in the Bible to form their arguments:

God made the wicked for His purposes (Prov. 16:4)

Proverbs 16:4 ESV

The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

God takes credit for both the good and bad we experience (Is. 45:7)

Isaiah 45:7 ESV

I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.

God controls the extent of temptation we experience (1 Cor. 10:13)

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

God gave Satan the idea to afflict Job (Job 1:8)

Job 1:8 ESV

And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”

God sends forth both good and bad (Lam. 3:38)

Lamentations 3:38 ESV

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?

God sent a lying spirit to the false prophets (2 Chron. 18:22)

2 Chronicles 18:22 ESV

Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets. The Lord has declared disaster concerning you.”

God says everything was created by Him and for Him (Col. 1:16)

Colossians 1:16 ESV

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

God says He achieves what He wants over our plans (Prov. 16:9; 19:21)

Proverbs 16:9 ESV

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 19:21 ESV

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

God says He declares the end from the beginning (Is. 46:9-10)

Isaiah 46:9–10 ESV

remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

God says that we are nothing and nothing we do can prevent Him from doing His thing (Dan. 4:35)

Daniel 4:35 ESV

all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”

God has mercy on He wills and hardens whoever He wills (Rom. 9:18)

Romans 9:18 ESV

So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

God makes kings (leaders) do whatever He wills (Prov. 21:1)

Proverbs 21:1 ESV

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.

God has the right to make us for honorable or dishonorable use (Rom. 9:21)

Romans 9:21 ESV

Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?

God says no one can come to Him unless He draw us (John 6:44)

John 6:44 ESV

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

God says nothing is too difficult for Him (Jer. 32:27)

Jeremiah 32:27 ESV

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?

God tell Isaiah as He plans, it is unchallenged (Is. 14:27)

Isaiah 14:27 ESV

For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?

Take note, God does not try to let Himself off the hook by implying somehow, and outside of His plan, evil happened!

WHY DO WE!?!

Let’s take a moment and really dig deep into what it means to be God.

The Logic of the Attributes of God

John Piper once stated, “… if the sovereign of the universe bows in worshipful submission to anyone, that one becomes the sovereign of the universe.”

Meaning, NOTHING can have control or dominion over God—this means EVERYTHING is below God!

If there were something that God had to submit to that is outside of Himself, then this thing would be beyond His control—thus, God would no longer be the Supreme, but this thing would be.

We understand this full and clear when it comes to people and spirits, but what about other things?

Love?

God is Love (1 Jn. 4:16) = This does not mean that love is God, but that God’s being is love (ontological)

1 John 4:16 ESV

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Love is not something apart from God, it is from God because it is in God.

Love is manifested (revealed) through the nature of God—we learn of love as we learn of God

If we conceive of love existing beyond God rather than emerging from God then, in essence, we believe in something other than God controlling God—this would make love God.

Rather, love describes God.

Wisdom?

Proverbs 8:22-31 explains wisdom as WITH God in the beginning.

Proverbs 8:22–31 ESV

“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth, before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world. When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.

Again, wisdom comes from God because God knows all and knows how to do all, wisdom does not exist apart from God

Rather, wisdom describes God

Righteousness?

Ps. 119:142 tells us that God’s righteousness is an everlasting righteousness.

Psalm 119:142 ESV

Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true.

Righteousness is something that describes God, His nature, and His actions.

God is not submitting to righteousness, rather righteousness is manifested because of God—God is righteousness

The Paradox: When we speak of God’s love, wisdom, and righteousness we encounter a problem because these attributes are somewhat communicable.

Communicable attributes are things we can experience (or share with) God.

We can love

We can do righteous things

We can act in wisdom

However, in order to discuss communicable attributes, we often commit the fallacy of separating these attributes from God in order to ascertain and understanding of such things…but:

God cannot be understood apart from His love

God cannot be understood apart from His wisdom

God cannot be understood apart from His righteousness

These things are not beyond God or outside of God, they are descriptions of God!

I am not making a needlessly complex point here! If you view God as existing alongside love, wisdom, and righteousness (and other attributes) you actually create a pantheon of gods.

However, if you understand these things as emerging from God (attributes: what it means to be God), then we are able to apprehend of God what He wants to know about Himself.

What about Evil? Does Evil Exist in God? Does God do Evil?

Evil does not exist in God—it is not a part of God (1 John 1:5)

1 John 1:5 ESV

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

God hates sin—Evil is an abomination to God (Ps. 5:4-5)

Psalm 5:4–5 ESV

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.

God hates the sinner—the sinner is abominable to God (Ps. 11:5)

Psalm 11:5 ESV

The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.

Hate??? John Piper wrote: “Now, here are the distinctions we need to make. This is just so crucial. I hope people will listen carefully. Hate and love both have two meanings each. Hate can be intense loathing of a quality, or hate can be beyond that — the intense intentionality to destroy. Love, similarly, can be an intense delighting in a quality, and it can be an intense intentionality to bless even in spite of the presence of some unsavory quality.”

In this case, we would argue that God wants to destroy sin while loathing the state of the sinner.

Thus, in His love, God works to redeem and bless that which He presently loathes the state of.

However, the CLEAR point here is that GOD HATES SIN AND SIN/EVIL IS NOT AN ATTRIBUTE OF GOD

In totality, we must START from the principle that GOD DOES NO EVIL, AND EVIL IS NOT PRESENT WITHIN GOD.

HOWEVER… THIS DOES NOT MEAN GOD DOES NOT GOVERN OR USE EVIL TO HIS OWN ENDS!

Nor does it mean it is wrong for Him to do so.

The Logic of Evil in view of Sovereignty

Premise: God is Sovereign and Righteous

Implication #1: There cannot be two sovereign beings/forces

Implication #2: There is nothing outside the control of a Sovereign God

Implication #3: There is nothing that happens outside the plan of a Sovereign God

Implication #4: There is nothing that can hinder, exert influence, or control a Sovereign God

Implication #5: Nothing God does can be evil because He is perfectly righteous

Conclusion: God rules over EVIL by willing it, planning for it, and controlling it within creation without committing evil Himself

Listen very carefully to this point…THERE IS A GREAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORDAINING EVIL AND DECREEING EVIL—but both are a type of will (Dr. Al Mohler)

Decreeing Evil is commanding it to take place.

I can command my children to fight

This makes me a contributor to the action and the instigator (reason for it)

Ordaining Evil is knowing that it would take place and allowing it.

I can temporarily tolerate their fighting

This makes me neither a contributor nor instigator

Though I created my children knowing they would harm each other, I am not to blame for their negative behavior.

In fact, I may use such behavior as an opportunity to teach and develop them.

When we say God willed evil, we mean that He ordained it (created knowing it would be a reality); however, we do not argue that God decreed evil (made people sin).

Now, let’s move into the next concept tied to God ordaining evil but not decreeing it.

Consequently, this means that God could eradicate EVIL at any moment but chooses not to—why?

God has neither ended nor prevented EVIL because He planned to bring it into the world

God has neither ended nor prevented EVIL because He uses it to accomplish His purposes

God has neither ended nor prevented EVIL because He is not finished with this stage of His work

God has neither ended nor prevented EVIL because His use of it is GOOD (though evil is bad, God’s use of it is not)

Now, before you get ahead of me, allow me to cut you off at the pass, and show you that many common Christian answers fall far short in resolving challenges to what I just presented.

That is, within us is a desire to get God off the hook for literally planning to allow evil into the world.

However, the Scripture does not support the idea that God does not plan everything

Nor, does Scripture support the idea that God is not in TOTAL control.

So, what are the attempts to ease this perceived conflict and get God off the hook?

Common Responses to Save our Perception of God’s Righteousness:

Human Freewill: We are free moral beings, and sin entered the universe because we rejected God

Initially this makes sense, but once you complete the thought you are left with the reality that God created man with the potential to sin.

Since God knows everything (the end from the beginning), then that means He knew man would sin.

Therefore, God created man with the full knowledge that He would sin and failed to keep him from sinning.

Thus, one could argue God made man to sin, since He knew sin was guaranteed

Demonic Temptation: Satan led mankind to sin through deception

Again, it sounds like a good answer for a brief second, but why did God make something that would, not only sin itself, but lead others to sin?

Additionally, did Satan MAKE us sin or TEMPT us to sin?

The Bible says he tempted us, and we still chose to sin—so we are back to the beginning of the problem!

Why did God create Satan to make others sin, and why create us and allow us to be duped into sin?

Inherent Finiteness: Man was created innocent but not perfect, so the ability to sin is a natural ramification

God is—and can be—the only perfect being; therefore, man was created innocent (sinless) but not perfect (impeccable)

Meaning, it is impossible and a logical contradiction for God to create anything beyond the ability to sin because it would, by nature, have to be God.

However, the problem is still present—if God knew this, why create anything at all?

Open Theism: God surrendered knowledge for human freewill

In order to grant humanity true free will—to choose what to WANT and, then, DECIDE—God voluntary restrained His knowledge

By restraining His knowledge, this means God keeps Himself from DECIDING how the history of humanity will unfold.

Such a work also grants God the freedom to really interact and respond to His creation

The problems are manifold:

This view outright CONTRADICTS scores of passages describing that God KNOWS EVERYTHING about the future (including the ENTIRE book of Revelation)

This view CONTRADICTS scores of passages instructing us that God DIRECTS EVERYTHING in creation

This view does not remove responsibility from God—it just temporarily obscures it

When did God know and then decide not to know?

Does God purge information from His mind? If so, this makes Him negligent at best!

These four responses lead us to the same conclusion: GOD KNEW WE WOULD SIN AND, YET, HE MADE US ANYWAYS!

Neither Scripture nor Logic allow us an option in which God is not in full control when evil enters the created order.

Neither Scripture nor Logic allow us an option in which God is not orchestrating when, how, and to what extent evil is present.

Neither Scripture nor Logic allow us an option in which God is evil or subjected to evil.

SO WHAT DO WE DO???

With this in view, I will offer two solutions (Both are still imperfect, but better)

Solution#1: “Evil is not good, but it is good that there is evil.” (R.C. Sproul)

Premise#1 : God is perfectly righteous

Inference: To do righteousness is not to do evil

Inference: To be perfectly righteous is to be incapable of doing evil

Conclusion #1 : Nothing God does is Evil

Premise #2: God is Sovereign

Inference: To be sovereign is to give and not take orders

Inference: To be sovereign is to rule and not submit

Inference: To be sovereign is to make one’s will/plans a reality without real challenge

Inference: Evil is present in an Universe with a Sovereign God

Conclusion #2: No Evil Happens Outside of God’s Control, Plans, and Desires

Premise #3: A Sovereign God Allowed Evil to Enter the Universe

Inference: Evil is bad

Inference: God does no Evil

Inference: There is a distinction between doing evil and allowing evil

Conclusion #3: Though Evil is Bad, God is Good in Allowing Evil

Solution #2: There is distinction and disconnect between our perception of evil and God’s

We ONLY see evil because we see the righteousness of God, and learn of evil through negation.

We do not understand evil on its own, rather, we learn of evil because we are either told or experience a distortion of righteousness.

Hence, apart from God, there would be no evil.

A strong argument against naturalism (atheism) is the fact that nor the physical world, logic, or science can explain the existence of evil apart from God.

We ONLY see evil because we are given clear instruction directly from God about evil (and righteousness)

Our proper understanding of morality comes from God’s word

Our proper understanding or worship comes from God’s word

Even our understanding of evil’s origin comes from God’s word!

However, we do not see evil as God sees evil—we see what God reveals to us! (Huge Distinction)

God is the only omniscient, omnipotent, omnirighteous, loving, and perfect being—we are not.

Everything we see and comprehend is distorted because we are fallen creatures—this includes how we view God, how we interact with God, how we view each other, and how we understand evil and its purposes.

If we cannot understand EXACTLY what heaven will be like, do we think we can EXACTLY understand the purpose of evil in God’s hands?

I might even go so far to argue, that it might be impossible for God to do anything evil since ALL morality comes from Him and nothing reigns over Him.

In fact, the very IDEA of SOVEREIGNTY is that God is the soul authority and no one or thing reigns over Him.

There is nothing He cannot do that He is not allowed to do—for who would call Him out?!?

Our laws come from God, but no one gives God a single law.

Consequently, it is only humanity and the angels that are capable of evil!

So far is this concept from us, and so unfamiliar is it, that you and I cannot fathom what it means to be God.

With this in mind, the Scriptures say God’s ways are not our ways:

Isaiah 55:8–9 ESV

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Romans 11:33 ESV

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

Proverbs 14:12 ESV

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Isaiah 40:13–14 ESV

Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?

If there is anything we can take from these verses it is this thought.... THE WAYS OF THE LORD ARE NOT READILY SENSIBLE TO ME, NOR CAN I CHALLENGE HIS WAYS!

Let’s move into our final phase of this sermon/lecture...

Because Evil DOES exist, so does God!

It is illogical to call something evil without an absolute standard.

It is illogical to assume that the God who created the universe is somehow more stupid than I am.

It is illogical to assume that the God who gave us love, pleasure, and beauty somehow values it less than I do!

It is illogical to assume that God does not have a GOOD and JUST purpose in allowing and controlling evil.

It is illogical to assume that allowing evil (temporarily) is the same as committing evil.

Additionally, it is illogical to use your freewill and thought to argue against freewill and thought.

If, in God’s plan, He created us with freewill knowing we would use it to sin against Him, but at the same time—from the moment of the first sin—promise a way to resolve it… why do we fight this?

It is illogical to get upset with God for making us with the very freedoms that allow us to get upset, discern beauty, praise righteousness, and abhor evil.

Lastly, it is illogical to disregard God’s redemptive plans in order to attack Him solely on the grounds of His ordaining of evil.

How does this comfort us?

Three obvious points:

First, there is a purpose to evil that fits perfectly within God’s plan—life is not out of control!

Second, because God hates evil, He will bring an end to all wickedness—God is not dominated by evil.

Lastly, when we come to Jesus, He not only sets us free from the eternal consequences of evil, He empowers us through His Spirit’s presence to resist evil now—God helps us grow in righteousness beyond sin!

Christianity does not shy away from the problem of evil, it looks it square in the face and, then, kills it on the cross of Jesus Christ!

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