CIM Briefing Papers
C.I.M. Outline #39
THE PROBLEM OF EVIL
I. Introduction
A. Many philosophers have held that the existence of evil
in the universe is the "achilles heel" of Christianity,
and that it constitutes evidence for the non-existence
of the Christian God. This problem has been expressed
in the following syllogism:
If God is all-good, he would destroy evil.
If God is all-powerful, he could destroy evil.
But evil is not destroyed.
Therefore, such a God (all-good and all-powerful) does
not exist.
Another equally troublesome syllogism for Christians is:
God is the author of everything.
Evil is something.
Therefore, God is the author of evil.
Christians can accept the first two premises but not the
third, hence the problem.
B. This tension between the existence of evil and the
Christian God has been a major subject of the Arts:
Some excellent modern examples from literature are:
Dostoyevsky's BROTHERS KARAMZOV, and Camus's THE PLAGUE,
II. The Nature of the Problem
The problem stems from a seemingly insolvable tension due to
the three following beliefs of historic Christianity:
A. God is a morally perfect being (holy). The goodness of
God.
B. God is an omnipotent being (all-powerful). The
greatness of God.
C. Evil is a reality in the universe. Three types:
1. Natural evil. The natural world is in a fallen
state. Malevolence is witnessed in nature
(Contrary to what the nature religions believe!).
2. Moral evil. Evil that is the result of the will of
moral beings.
3. Metaphysical evil (i.e., the Devil and demons).
III. Types of solutions
A. Theodicies: A theodicy is a rational attempt by
theists to exonerate God as being the
source of evil. Basically, these
attempts try to modify one or more of the
above assertions about God. There are
basically two types:
1. Those that modify the nature of God. Finite-
godism. two types:
a. God is limited in power, but evil is real.
This view is known as Process theology and is
found in liberal protestantism and liberal
Judaism. (See the popular book: WHEN BAD
THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE). This view sees
god as finite and in the process of struggling
with evil. The triumph of good over evil
depends on man's cooperation with god.
Critique: This view does not explain the
origin of evil, nor is there any guarantee
that good will ultimately triumph over evil.
The news reports would seem to argue against
this view.
b. God is limited in his goodness. He is
detached from his creation. Forms of Deism
and Sadism.
Critique: If this is true (that god is
finite) then the good cannot be known. To
know the good necessitates an infinite,
absolute standard.
2. Those that re-define the nature of evil.
a. Evil is really good. Evil, i.e., suffering,
brings about good, therefore, evil itself is
good.
Critique: There is no real difference between
good and evil. The Bible warns against making
evil good and good, evil.
b. Evil comes from Satan. This results in a
dualism which teaches that good and evil are
equal.
Critique: (1) It limits God's power.
(2) No redemption or victory over
evil is possible, only an
eternal struggle.
c. Evil must exist to appreciate the good. There
is certainly some truth to this. However:
Critique: (1) This too, makes evil a good.
(2) The end justifies the means.
B. Irrational Approaches
1. Evil is an illusion. This is the teaching of
Eastern philosophy and religion, and the "Made in
America" cult, Christian Science.
Critique: (1) But isn't the illusion real? Where
did the illusion originate? Is
there a practical difference if
evil is an illusion or real?
(2) No assertions can be made about
good or evil.
(3) If evil is an illusion why fight
it?
2. Atheist position: Evil is not a thing in itself.
Critique: We must note that the problem of evil
is devastating for atheism. His problem is twice
compounded. Since there is no ultimate good, any
definition is arbitrary. His only logical
recourse is nihilism, i.e. meaninglessness.
Atheists, however, in order to live their everyday
lives smuggle in values from other worldviews.
C. The Faith Approach
1. The Goodness and Greatness of God, and reality of
evil, are affirmed, but the origin and purpose of
evil are a mystery. Something less than a
complete resolution will have to suffice for the
here and now.
a. Defense
(1) While it may not be possible to resolve
the problem, we may alleviate it
somewhat, and may see the direction from
which final solutions might come had we
more complete knowledge and
understanding.
(2) God is omnipotent, but this does not mean
God can do anything. He cannot do that
which is illogical, like make a square
circle. Likewise, how can he make a man
with free choice and at the same time
guarantee that he will always do exactly
what God desires?
(3) If God had not included evil as a part of
His plan He would have to have made man
other than what he is. To God it was
better to make man rather than androids.
(4) God could eradicate evil, but to do so
might itself be an evil. A good person
does not always eliminate all the evil he
possible can. Some suffering, for
example can lead to higher good.
(5) Some of what we term good and evil may
not actually be that. We are finite.
What is "good"? and what is "evil"?
There is also a time element. Things
must be evaluated in the light of
eternity.
(6) Evil is contingent, not a thing in
itself, a negation of that which is good,
but real nonetheless. Blindness, for
example, is real but it is a lack of
something. It is quite conceivable that
God included evil, the lack of good, in
His plan without being evil Himself. In
otherwords, some Christian philosophers
say that God did not exhaust Himself when
He created the universe. He could have
created an infinite number of
possibilities. This is not the best He
could have done; it is however, perfect
for what He designed it for.
(7) The world as it now is, is not as it was
when God created it. It is now in an
unnatural state due to the fall of man.
(8) Christianity's teaching on the hereafter
allows for ultimate justice. Evil will
be punished; good will triumph.
(9) Christians can have reasons for believing
that God has reasons for allowing evil,
even if we do not always know what they
are. We can trust Him because of what we
know about Him from Revelation, and from
our relational experience with Him.
b. Problems
(1) How could Adam have sinned if he were
created good? This is a profound
mystery. Willing is related to desiring.
Where did the desire to disobey come
from?
(2) Why didn't God just make the world
originally like Christians believe heaven
is to be? We can only speculate as to
why He created at all, or why He made the
world as it is. The answer may lie in
the expression of His attributes. How
could He express His Grace if He would
have originally made earth like heaven?
Or His justice? etc. There would not
have been a need.
III. Conclusion: As finite beings we only see a small portion
of the Divine weaving, and that the underside!
Recommended Reading:
Bridges, Jerry. TRUSTING GOD. We recommend this as a good
foundational book because of its strong (and Biblical)
emphasis on the sovereignty of God.
Geisler, Norman L. THE ROOTS OF EVIL. A short, but good
philosophical survey.
Lewis, C.S. THE PROBLEM OF PAIN. We also recommend A GRIEF
OBSERVED, and THE GREAT DIVORCE by the same author.
Murphree, JonTal. A LOVING GOD & A SUFFERING WORLD.
Peterson, Michael. EVIL AND THE CHRISTIAN GOD. Fairly high
level philosophical treatment.
Silvester, Hugh. ARGUING WITH GOD. Rich in quotations from
literature. Good even for the non-christian.
See CIM Outline #7, "Why Christians Suffer" for related
questions.
Christian Information Ministries is a non-profit ministry and is
dependent on gifts from God's people in order to operate. If you
receive a benefit from our materials would you consider giving a
tax-deductible gift to CIM. We suggest $25. a year minimum.
Send to: Christian Information Ministries
2050 N. Collins Blvd. #100
Richardson, TX 75080
 |
RAPID RESPONSE REPORT |
| BRIEFING PAPERS |
| BIBLIOGRAPHIES |
| MOVIE & BOOK REVIEWS |
| TECHNICAL PAPERS | | ARARAT REPORTS |
| CONTACT US |
| OUR STAFF |
| CIM HOME |
Do you want a printer friendly version of this paper?
Select your format below
