Featured Does God Create Evil?

There seems to be, in some circles a basic misunderstanding of what evil is. What is often referred to in conversations about evil and its cause is the moral evil. There are a number of contexts in which the word evil is used and the meaning of evil depends on its context like most any word. This also true of scripture and we need to be sure to obtain the proper context when using such words to prop up our favorite doctrines. The word evil can also be used in other contexts like misery, affliction, or calamity. There is a distinct difference between moral evil and affliction or misery people suffer. When discussing this subject we need to make clear which context we are discussing. Scripture is clear that God has not nor does He create moral evil nor is He responsible in any way for it. The Apostle James wrote that God cannot be tempted with evil nor does He tempt anyone with evil (James 1:13). The context here is moral evil.

The Isaiah 45:7 passage is often misused as a proof text to show that God does create evil. This is often made in defending an errant view of the Sovereignty of God. This we will address further in a moment. For now we need to also understand that the evil in this Isaiah passage is not speaking of moral evil but calamity of disaster. These types of things God has admitted to being the author and instigator of. God denies being the author of moral evil while showing He creates calamity on His disobedient children.

Even while God is not the author of moral evil He most certainly remains sovereign over it. His primary source of control and sovereignty over evil is the cross of Jesus Christ. While God has given man the opportunity to choose the holiness of God or the moral evil of Satan (John 1:12) this alone shows God is not the author of moral evil and still remains sovereign over it. The ultimate control over evil is when Jesus died on the cross. Sin, Satan, and evil were defeated that day. Sin and moral evil cannot overcome the creator of the universe and all that is. God does not author moral evil and He is still in control.

 

I agree. I started to post those thoughts but every time, in the past, I have made posts to long I get little to no replies.

 

Proof texting is not an response to the op.

 

I would add further that God is good and cannot create moral evil. Evil must create moral evil and God is not both good and evil. In Genesis 1 when God created man and all of creation He said it was good not evil. Psalm 5:4 says that God does not delight in wickedness and there is no evil in Him. So it is impossible that God creates moral evil for His glory. In fact the book of Habakuk tells us that God cannot look upon moral evil or wickedness. In fact there is no darkness in God that He would ever create moral evil. It is because God is holy that it is impossible that He would create moral evil or author it in any fashion.

 

Those verses do not, in fact say that moral evil is a creation of God. They say that calamity can come from God. Two entirely different things.

 

It is absolutely. That however does not prove your point. I suggest you actually take time to read the op. It addresses this already.

 

Hmmm may you could read the op and then respond to it rather than trying to create your own op within mine and thereby starting your own discussion. If that is your desire beginning new threads are absolutely free.

 

By the way you keep taking the word translated evil in Isaiah 45:7 out of context. In fact the ESV does not translate it as evil the translation there is in fact calamity.

There is a stark difference between calamity and moral evil. Failure to recognize those will mess up your theology.

Your first response in fact ignored the different contexts the Hebrew word that sometimes gets translated evil is used in. Hard to tell what you were responding too.