Did God create evil?

Isaiah 45:7 (KJV) I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].

The Word 'evil' in this passage is not speaking of evil as in 'sin', but rather, it is speaking of trouble... calamity.

 

Just curious...

...what 2 verses did you find that say God created evil? I only find the one.. even in my modern version search.

 

It is funny you bring this up. Monday night at our Young Life campaigner meeting with some high school kids, the son of our pastor brought up the exact same question. He (the 17 year old boy) thought that since God always was, from the beginning, love, then the absence of God, or love, is evil. So he was saying that evil always was just as God always was. He also brought up the fact that we have free will to choose God or choose evil. I can't wait to hear what others have to say on this issue.:godisgood:

 

Let me know when you find it.

 

Exactly.

For some reason, we have trouble distinguishing between trouble (evil) that God causes and sin.

When God causes trouble (evil) against His people (or enemies, as the case may be), it is in righteous judgement. Forcing the Hebrew children to wander the desert for a generation was certainly troublesome (evil) for them, yet it was a righteous punishment for their sins against God. And, it was certainly calamitous when God rained down all of the plagues on Egypt.

The word evil, as used in scripture, is not as we would usually use the word today. It still has the same meaning, but we (especially Americans) like to invent our own meanings to certain words.

I would imagine you would get the same reaction if you told your pastor friend that you have a hope that you are saved. He probably wants you to say that you know you are saved, and may be thinking of the word hope as we usually do today, in an uncertain, inconclusive fashion. Of course, we (and Apostle Paul) know differently.

 

Amen brother Reed, like in Jeremiah 18:8-10 If that nation against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

God to repent of his mercy or judgment is for the waivering man that he (man) might take heed to his own conduct and understand the consquences of his actions before an all knowing and just God.

Yes the Hope vs. Knowledge thing I have heard so many times. And i have learned the debate is the "i know i am going to heaven" group say that because they trust in what Christ did and the "I Hope i am going to heaven people" are the ones trying to get good enough to be accepted. But I am like you the Hope is not a wish but Jesus Christ. Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

I had said I had a Hope of eternal life to some at work and they wanted to know if I believed in eternal security and I said probably more so then them because they base their eternal life on something they did and said while I base my on what Christ did. therefore my Hope is Christ and we may fall from our surety and steadfastness, but Christ can never fall therefore our eternal life is secure.

But the word Evil on Gods part in this scripture is talking of judgement. God has a wrath that is just on Gods part to pour out on man. And man that has the wrath of God poured out on him will not say its good but that its bad if you will.

 

If you mean evil, as in sin, which I think is probably the most common way we think of evil, then man created that.

...by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin...
Romans 5:12