Did God create evil?

The question of whether God created evil is one of the most profound and challenging inquiries within Christian theology. To address this question, we must delve deeply into Scripture, theological tradition, and philosophical reasoning. This exploration will help us understand the nature of God, the existence of evil, and the interplay between divine sovereignty and human free will.

Firstly, it is essential to affirm the nature of God as revealed in the Bible. Scripture consistently portrays God as wholly good, righteous, and just. In 1 John 1:5, we read, "God is light; in him, there is no darkness at all." Similarly, Psalm 145:17 declares, "The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does." These verses, among many others, establish that God's nature is fundamentally opposed to evil.

Given this understanding, it becomes difficult to reconcile the existence of evil with the nature of a wholly good and omnipotent God. This dilemma, often referred to as the "problem of evil," has been a central issue in Christian thought for centuries. To address it, we must consider the origin and nature of evil.

The Bible provides some insights into the origin of evil, particularly in the narrative of the Fall in Genesis 3. Here, we see that evil enters the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, who were tempted by Satan. It is crucial to note that God did not create Adam and Eve as evil beings; rather, He created them with the capacity for free will. Genesis 1:31 states, "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." This includes humanity, which was created in God's image (Genesis 1:27).

The concept of free will is vital in understanding the existence of evil. Free will is the ability to choose between different courses of action unimpeded. For love and goodness to be genuine, they must be chosen freely rather than coerced. In giving humanity free will, God allowed for the possibility of choosing against His will, which is the essence of sin and evil. C.S. Lewis, in his book "The Problem of Pain," writes, "If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible."

However, this does not mean that God is the author of evil. Rather, evil is a corruption or privation of the good that God created. Augustine of Hippo, one of the early Church Fathers, articulated this idea by describing evil not as a substance but as a lack or absence of good. In his work "Confessions," Augustine explains, "For evil has no positive nature; but the loss of good has received the name 'evil.'" This perspective helps us understand that while God created a world with the potential for evil, He did not create evil itself.

Furthermore, the presence of evil in the world serves a greater purpose within God's sovereign plan. Romans 8:28 assures us, "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." While this does not imply that evil is good, it does suggest that God can bring about good even from evil circumstances. The story of Joseph in Genesis 50:20 illustrates this principle: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

God's ultimate response to the problem of evil is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus has defeated the power of sin and evil. Colossians 2:15 proclaims, "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." The cross demonstrates God's profound love and justice, as He takes upon Himself the consequences of human sin and offers redemption and reconciliation.

The existence of evil also points us toward the eschatological hope of the Christian faith. The Bible promises that there will come a time when evil will be eradicated, and God's perfect justice will be established. Revelation 21:4 provides a glimpse of this future reality: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." This hope assures us that evil is not the final word, and God's ultimate plan is to restore creation to its intended goodness.

In summary, while God did not create evil, He created a world with the potential for evil by granting humanity free will. Evil is a result of the misuse of this freedom, a corruption of the good that God intended. Yet, God's sovereignty and goodness are not undermined by the presence of evil. Instead, He works through and beyond it to bring about His redemptive purposes. The cross of Christ and the promise of a future without evil offer profound hope and assurance to believers as they navigate the complexities of this fallen world.

This theological understanding calls us to trust in God's character and His ultimate plan, even when faced with the reality of evil. It encourages us to live faithfully, seeking to align our wills with God's and to participate in His redemptive work in the world. As we do so, we bear witness to the truth that God's goodness and love will ultimately prevail over all forms of evil.