The Problem Of Evil
I YHWH and none else, forming light and creating darkness; making peace and creating evil – I YHWH do all these things. Isaiah 45:6-7 (translation: M. Buber)
Creating – Where did evil come from? Such a simple question. Such an enormously difficult answer, if there even is an answer. One of the greatest impediments to belief in a wholly good God is the existence of evil. For centuries theologians have struggled to find a resolution to the problem. How can a good God be the final creator of all things and yet there be evil in the universe? Usually we try to make a very big dent with an explanation about free choice and sin. But some things just don’t seem to be explained by these facts. Some things just seem too hideous to be accounted for by human failure. When pressed really hard, theologians turn to this passage in Isaiah, claiming that even though we can’t understand how this can be true, the Bible clearly states that God is not in competition with some other equally powerful demonic force. Evil does not have independent existence.
But maybe the appeal to Isaiah isn’t quite right. Maybe Isaiah’s cultural setting has more to say about this statement than the hoped-for resolution of the theological problem of evil. Martin Buber thinks so.
Buber suggests that Isaiah’s statement must be understood in the context of the 4th Century BC. In that culture, Babylonian astral gods were the creators of light and darkness and the progenitors of the second-order divine beings who caused good and evil to exist. These astral gods belonged to a tribal hierarchy of divine entities, ruling over the fate of men and requiring appeasement before showing favor. Isaiah destroys this pagan belief by claiming that “YHVH is absolutely different, as He reveals Himself to Cyrus in the word of the prophet. He creates by Himself not only the cosmic opposition pair light-darkness, but also that which constitutes the human sphere, peace-evil. That shalom, “peace,” “welfare,” and not tov, “good,” is here contrasted with ra, “evil,” is obviously in order to keep away the notions of ethical opposition. Evil in the sense of wickedness comes into the world only as a result of resistance to God; but evil in the sense of adversity and affliction . . . is fashioned by God Himself for purposes of His leadership of the world, without gaining thereby the same standing as peace, since in the last resort this rules alone.”[1]
It’s worth noting that the verb for “create” in this statement is bara’, a verb used exclusively with God as the subject (cf. Genesis 1:1 and Isaiah 65:17). Here it is applied only to the negatives “darkness” and “evil.” “Light” and “peace” use the verbs yatsar and asah. The emphasis is theological. No pagan god or gods bring about any conditions of opposition in the cosmos or in the human realm. God is God alone! He is the only divine creator.
In the end, Isaiah’s statement does not answer the question, “Where did evil come from?” It stands as a declaration of sovereignty in a cultural of pagan polytheism. It’s focus is on the immediate need to overthrow idolatry. Isaiah’s statement cannot be lifted from its cultural setting and forced into a box within the plan of the systematic theologian. In the end, we discover that God is in history, interacting with the needs of the day, involving Himself in the issues at hand. The Holy One of Israel is not the God of the eternal “present,” far above the petty concerns of human beings. God creates in history; a history that is found in the realm of men, filled with the issues of men. If we want to meet God, we will have to dress for the occasion in the garb of the day of His revelation.
Topical Index: create, bara’, evil, darkness, peace, history, Isaiah 45:6-7
[1] Martin Buber, The Prophetic Faith, p. 213.
I’m sure Mr. Buber means well, and I will cast no accusing finger toward him, but why do we not return to the exegesis oh the words of G-d as “it is written?” G-d says what He means and means what he says, both in Hebrew and in Greek.
“ra” or evil is the following:
evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity
adversity (7), calamity (4), disaster (2), evil (94), harm (2), harmful (1), hurt (1), ruin (3), surely (1), trouble (2), unpleasant (1), wickedly (1), wickedness (1).
In every generation since Adam, and through the course of the history of mankind we may view “evil” or “ra”. I love your definition of evil brother Skip: “whatever is not contained within the will of YHWH is evil. G-d is a good and compassionate Father and yes, He did (and does) create “evil.” We must also remember HaSatan is a created being. A fallen angel. A false messenger.
From the beginning, HaSatan has attempted to cast doubt upon the words of G-d and has twisted them to suit his own purpose which is “self-worship.” How he desires to be worshiped. This is what got him tossed out of heaven to begin with. His heart was lifted up by pride and he failed in his created purpose- to give unto the LORD the glory due His name (HaShem). He was exquisitely crafted, fearfully and wonderfully made and it is said when he breathed in and out, it was musical.
“If G-d is so good, why does “evil” exist? Step one. “Remember the will of G-d.” The will of G-d is found in the words of G-d. Example one- “G-d said, (to the first couple)- “don’t eat the fruit.” This was clearly, plainly the will of G-d. It is what G-d (the Creator) wanted. Did G-d know the first couple would eat the fruit? This is not the right question, even though it may be asked. It matters not, but I believe He did. And what I believe matters not either. The first couple “erred” or sinned in not hearing and doing (shema) the clear instructions of YHWH. “Don’t eat the fruit.” Exhibit “A”- disobedience to the clearly revealed will of Elohim, also widely known today as sin. Remember these three words? “G-d hath said.”
Yes, He did. (and amen).
Enter HaSatan (the Advesary). Mr. Twister. Listen to the simplicity. All he did was to slightly alter the words of our Sovereign Creator. From “G-d hath said,” to “hath G-d said?” The first introduction to “doubt”. I wonder, did G-d really say what He meant and did He mean what He said? “Don’t eat the fruit.” So, with the introduction of doubt HaSatan played upon the weakness of human flesh, (desire) and tempted the first pair three ways. In “doing, having and being.” His method of operation hasn’t changed since Adam.
First he cast doubts upon the words of G-d. Did G-d really say that? “Hath G-d said?” (remember these words?.. yes, you do- and this is good for we have been instructed over and over (and over) to “remember.” What was Adam’s sin? He failed to shema the words of Elohim. And as a reminder, (how we need to be “re-minded”), shema is to listen and obey. “Don’t eat the fruit.” Our response? “Amen.” It is so, it is true, it is a good thing, YHWH wants the best for us, we should listen and obey Him, “right honey?”- amen.
Is the word of G-d, and are the words of G-d true and faithful? (I’m not casting doubt, I’m asking openly and plainly..) Is G-d’s word dependable (and practical). Is it? Yes? Then why (o why) do we not “shema”- listen and obey?
Listen (again) to these words. Mr. Buber, you also are invited. It is written-“G-d is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23.19) Yes, (and amen) we may depend upon the words of YHWH- He never lies, but speaks only truth.
Then on the other hand, we may also according to our own free will, wrongly choose that which will bring chaos and confusion, disorder and disarray. We may of our own choosing disobey and rebel against the very One who gives us each, every breath we breathe and causes the beating of our hearts. Amazing, isn’t it? How stupid can we be? -Very. Just look around. Don’t forget to look in the mirror, either.
No one forces us to choose evil. We do it of our own free will and volition. We all willingly choose. One of the greatest gifts ever given to Adam was the ability to choose. But, (as you already know..), every choice is followed by a consequence. What was the consequence of the (wrong) choice of the first couple? Bye- bye Paradise. -But on the other hand (Praise G-d)- what is the consequence of obedience to the clearly revealed will of our Father? What Father does not enjoy obedient children? Hello? Mr. Buber, Skip, Carl, Adam.. -are you listening? “Shema” O Israel. Listen and obey. Your Father loves obedient children. -“This is the Way- walk ye in it.”
Everything outside of the will of G-d is evil. Everything inside the will of G-d is tov (good). How do we know the will of G-d? The will of G-d is clearly revealed within the words of G-d. As the mother of Christ said unto the servants,- “whatever He says unto you..do it.” (and be blessed!). Who knows? We might even see water turned into wine!!
Hi Carl – no disagreement with your analysis of the impact of disobedience. There is a small problem with the typical English translation of “Did God say?” as I have pointed out in the past. It actually isn’t a question and it doesn’t cast doubt on God’s word. The serpent (not HaSatan) simply suggests that even if God said it, we need to evaluate the requirement for ourselves. But this is part of the discussion of the moral problem of evil and most religious thinkers agree that free but disobedient choices account for moral evil. The real question is evil that seems not to have a moral background, like, for example, the devastation of a tsunami. Are we going to claim that hundreds of people died in the tidal wave as a result of human free choices? What human free choices caused an under-sea earthquake? That’s the real problem. (There are others too, of course.)
Is a tsanami evil? or an undersea earthquake? these are natural phenomenon like the dawning of the sun or a cloud that passes overhead. Devastation and loss of life may occur, but would this be considered as evil? I would much rather sunshine than rain, unless I was a farmer in desperate need of water for his crops. We do need to remember, especially those of the household of faith- “to die is gain.” I serve a G-d who is good and so do you, even when it may not appear to our limited view or “the world as I see it.” My vision is limited (and severely so) and I am far from able to see “the big picture” of how it all fits together. Even with all my degrees and brilliance (lol)- I don’t even know what happens within one square inch of soil much less a tsunami or any other natural disaster. We must, we must learn to say with Job- the LORD giveth, the LORD taketh away (and best of all..)- “blessed be the name of the LORD”. No, I have learned at all times and in every place .. “the LORD IS good..” Yes, it is true and yes, amen.. G-d is good.. all the time.. and to everyone. Happiness depends upon happenstance, it is true and would something tragic occur in my life (please believe me when I say- my house and home has seen it’s share of suffering and for that matter “every home has its hush”), but the good news is we know (yada) “all things (all things) are working for the good of those who love G-d and are the called according to His purpose(s).”
We must remember the inspired words of David who later wrote these words- “it is good for me that I have been afflicted.” Now believe me when I say I am not one to seek suffering. No sir, no way. I don’t like pain.. it hurts.. But, (always a big little word) G-d is faithful. That’s the point. That is what we may rely on- He will be there to comfort us in all our affliction (in order) that we might be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the same comfort (His comfort from His Comforter!) with which He comforts us! We share what G-d has given unto us with each other. What can I do for you? needs to be ever present in our hearts and upon our lips because (hello, hello) is this ever a world in need. And grace (the goodness of G-d) always meets need. Hallelujah!
Here’ another fun point. We are very familiar with this verse and quote it often. “But my G-d will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Very comforting and strengthening words. Amen. But (uh-oh) did you know and were you aware “suffering” is one of your needs. Ouch! -It is. The truth often.. “ouch!” Y’shua said, (are we listening?)- “in this world, (yes, the one we all are living in) you will have tribulation.” Did He lie? Does He ever lie? Has He ever lied? No, and we are tribulated. Just as He said we would be. Sometimes because of our own poor choices, at other times due to snowstorms, tsunami’s, undersea volcanoes or the hot water heater quits working after a mere twenty years of continuous service. Is this evil? No. Not all all. Just part of the flow and rhythm and the natural order of things which according to the second law of thermal dynamics (and the word of G-d) – moth and rust are continually corrupting. In this world, we do have tribulation. Maybe we could print a t-shirt- “tribulation occurs.” And one last Bible but, (love those big Bible buts!)- “But be of good cheer- I have overcome the world..”
The stories I have both heard and witnessed of the deliverance of the ONE who delivers. (including Hurricane Katrina) -Yes, O yes- “Jesus saves” (or if you prefer) “Y’shua (whose very name is Salvation) delivers.” G-d is large and He is in charge. Praise His holy Name.. (and see what happens next!!) -lol!
I know this response is growing long, but one last thing must be included. HaSatan (the Adversary) is a defeated foe. Y’shua pulled the roaring lion’s teeth at Calvary. His bark is far worse than His bite. Three hundred sixty times times we have been encouraged: “fear not.” If G-d says something once- our response should be amen. Twice, we might shout Yes! But three hundred sixty six times? -“More-than-conquerors” is what comes to mind.
It is not what happens to us in life that matters but rather how we respond to it. Happiness is fleeting and according to a good happenstance, but true joy, His joy (in the midst of anything and everything) remains.
I am currently struggling, reading the little book, “The Problem of Evil”, edited by Adams and Adams. Your article, this morning, is most helpful, Skip. Thank you. Gregory Boyd book “Satan and the Problem of Evil,” was (is) also helpful. All of the philosophy right out of the Greek culture sure makes for difficult reading, for me.
Just how I tend to see this issue in personal terms, I think we need to move beyond good and evil.
Look at what Yahweh, the God Father, does to his loyal servant Job and his only son Jesus.
To argue that behavior is good does not make any sense.
Rather than use a binary opposition (good|evil), maybe we need to think dialectically, like Hegel 🙂
And use a dynamic conceptual structure to argue that everything changes in time from end to end:
thesis > antithesis > synthesis ad infinitum
In any case, for me it all comes down to an existential choice.
God’s will is by definition good and it is our job to see it that way.
God knows where we are going; He sees the light, but we don’t.
I was under the impression that the earth was groaning under the weight of sin. There’s a verse in scripture (somewhere?) that states this.
Wouldn’t a tsunami (or any natural disaster) be considered one of the many consequences of “collective sin?”
Hi Judy,
I don’t think we can know if a natural disaster is one of the many consequences of “collective sin.”
In any case it doesn’t seem rational for a just God to punish innocent children for the sins of men.
The verse is Romans 8:23. Yes, there is a sense (and Paul knew this) that the creation is groaning in wait for redemption. But how earthquakes and natural disasters and birth defects and all of the other terrible things we experience can happen when there doesn’t seem to be any rational connection to our personal sin or to a God of compassion is a big problem.
Well…that opens up the discussion who you consider to be “innocent.”
When disaster strikes, perhaps the question to ask isn’t “WHY.” but rather, “WHY NOT.”
And the debate begins. Welcome to one of the most intractable problems in theology. From the perspective of Judaism and the Hebraic worldview, the question might really boil down to this: why did God put the Tree in the garden if the garden is a place of His delight? OR what is the reason God allowed the yetzer ha’ra to become a part of our experience?
“The yetzer tov is the moral conscience, the inner voice that reminds you of G-d’s law when you consider doing something that is forbidden. According to some views, it does not enter a person until his 13th birthday, when he becomes responsible for following the commandments. See Bar Mitzvah.”
Hi Judy,
The quotation above is from Judaism 101.
If God creates us without a moral conscience on the one hand and an evil impulse on the other.
Then we can’t be guilty of doing what we were designed to do, until we are taught otherwise.
Can we?
In my view, my dog Max is innocent and so are most children that I know.
So, that would suggest that if God takes an innocent life, he would also provide eternal salvation for that person, since they never reached the responsible age to be able to make a choice to accept or reject God.
And, the innocent life is in good hands…God’s hands. We don’t need to worry, blame or be angry…just accept that we don’t understand everything.
why did God put the Tree in the garden if the garden is a place of His delight? OR what is the reason God allowed the yetzer ha’ra to become a part of our experience?
-because of love. Love is a choice. We must choose G-d and we must choose (of our own free will) to obey Him. G-d does not force His love on anyone. Forced love is (of course) not love. Love is a choice. G-d gave our great, great, (not so great) parental units the ability to choose just as even today millenia later, we also have the same ability to choose. “Choose you this day who you will serve” may also be properly translated “who you will love. ” Do I love G-d, then I will as a response to His love for me, obey His clearly revealed word(s). I delight to do His will- why? because I love Him and want to live my live as He would want me to. His desires (not mine) have become my focus. Am I perfect? Not by a long shot (I guarantee it). Do I want to be? I want to please my Father in everything I think, say and do. I want to love the LORD, my G-d, with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and I want to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of the Christ. Why? – maybe for selfish reasons, but this is the pathway of holiness and happiness just happens to be a byproduct of holiness. I enjoy being a Christian and it delights me to delight Him. What delights the Father? “obedience.” How do we know this? Read the book. -“It is written.”
The why of suffering is such a burdensome question to me. The bigger reality to me is that the King is with us! He promised: “I will never leave you or forsake you.” This does not minimize our suffering or the suffering of this world. We cannot allow what we have gone through or are going through to blind us from the Greatness of the ONE who with us!
When my little girl was little younger and had an owie/boo-boo; she wasn’t looking for me to tell her why she was suffering. All she wanted from me was to hold and comfort her, and make the owie go away……………………. and go away it did. The “WHY” is not the most important thing.
Answers to our why’s???????????????????????? will not necessarily heal our pain. But………………….. the Greatness of our Father’s loving embrace, WILL MAKE THE OWIE GO AWAY!
I know this is 8 years ago, but your comment is SO helpful!!
Hi Skip,
I received a copy of The Guardian Angel today and look forward to reading it.
I ordered a copy of your dissertation some time ago, but have not received it.
Do you think we have an issue?
Mike
It pleases our G-d for us (all) to walk by faith. Faith is our response to what G-d says. Faith is our response to the word(s) of YHWH. “It is written”, “He hath said”, etc. Every word of G-d is pure. “What saith the scripture” should be (not always is), but should be my right response to every forseen and unforseen situation, story and circumstance. My life (and your life) is related (directly tied) to the scripture. Man (that’s me, and that is the true meaning of my name, “man”,) shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of G-d.” May I share more?
Is your name written in the Lamb’s book of life? A very necessary question containing an answer of untold wealth. Is it? Mine is. Absolutely, positively yes.. – How do I know this? Because G-d never lies. Not once, ever.
When we read our Bible, we are ready a story that endures for all generations. Real people, real events and also parables (an earthly story but with a heavenly meaning) are present as well. In all of these combined books (sixty-six of them) G-d is unveiling His heart towards His chosen ones.
Our past, present and future are all unveiled within His book. Do you see your name written in the Lamb’s book of life? I do- it’s everywhere.
Example 1: (there’s a bunch, but I will mention a few and see if your story is the same as mine (and his and hers!). The “story” of the prodigal son. (Actually the father is the prodigal one, as “prodigal” means lavish- Who “lavished” love upon the returning son?- lol!). I was the prodigal son. Yes, – a wandering son who squandered his inheritance with riotous living. Would you like to hear all about my sinning? – sorry.. -its not going to happen!- lol! Would you like to hear about my coming to the Father and begging His forgiveness? Now that I can share with you. Hallelujah!- He forgives. And not only does He forgive, but as you know, the “rest of the story,”- He restores, renews, and we together now rejoice!
Oh, what a lavish (prodigal), kind, longsuffering, generous, loving Father. Our Abba- praise His name!
My friends, this is only one example of my name written in the Lamb’s book of life. There are hundreds. Would you like to hear my “Lazurus” story? I too was dead in tresspasses and sins, but Yeshua called me (by name) and said not only – “Carl” come forth, but also (again praise His name)- “loose him (me) and let him go.” I am free. Free. Glorious liberty from the chains of sin. My sins are gone (g-o-n-e), I’ve been set free, my G-d, my Savior has ransomed me, and like a flood His mercy reigns- amazing love, amazing grace. This is “my” story (also)- this is “my” song- praising my Savior all the day long.
But wait!.. there’s more! lol! I’ll wear your ears to a nub telling the neverending story of G-d’s amazing grace. Story after story- Do you have a story to tell?
We’ve a story to tell to the nations,
That shall turn their hearts to the right,
A story of truth and mercy,
A story of peace and light,
A story of peace and light.
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
And the dawning to noonday bright;
And Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth,
The kingdom of love and light.
We’ve a song to be sung to the nations,
That shall lift their hearts to the LORD,
A song that shall conquer evil
And shatter the spear and sword,
And shatter the spear and sword.
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
And the dawning to noonday bright;
And Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth,
The kingdom of love and light.
We’ve a message to give to the nations,
That the LORD who reigns up above
Has sent us His Son to save us,
And show us that God is love,
And show us that God is love.
We’ve a Savior to show to the nations,
Who the path of sorrow has trod,
That all of the world’s great peoples
Might come to the truth of God,
Might come to the truth of God.
One last “story” from the never-ending story..- According to “it is written”- , according to the truth of the word(s) of G-d, “thus saith the LORD”- “We are (now) more than conquerors through Him that loved us”- (and loves us still, today.) Do you know Him? Yes, yada. And is your name written in the Lamb’s book of life? By the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Ruach HaKodesh- we must, (according to G-d the Son, be “born again.” Made new. Re-generated. Recycled- if you wish to call it that- “if any man, (any man include this man), be in Christ- he (or she) is a new creation.” Are you in Christ? Does His Spirit bear witness with your spirit- “I belong to Him?” Can we say it, know it, mean it, share it- the LORD is “my” Shepherd?