Evil II

The challenge of reconciling God and evil theologically is termed Theodicy – which is “the vindication of divine goodness and providence in view of the existence of evil,” (W. Grudem)

So, we live in a world of both good and evil and it seems everyone has their take on where the line is between the two such as:

• Driving 7 or 8 mph over the posted speed limit is evil or any speeding is evil.
• Or white lies are not evil or all lies are evil.
• Or occasional immorality is not evil or any immorality is evil.

Then there is God who declares things good (Acts 10:38) and things evil (Luke 6:45).  And He takes note that men confuse good and evil which He condemns.  Isaiah 5:20, Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

And God calls man to do good – per His standard!  Romans 12:9, Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

So evil: is God the maker? is there something God can’t control? is God unaware?

What should we think about God in light of the evil all around?

We will let Wayne Grudem in his Systematic Theology, p. 327, published by Zondervan, give us some help:

1. God uses evil (Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20) and God is glorified to punish evil (Psalm 76:10).
   –So, the dentist gives a shot causing some pain now for greater good.
   –And you spank your child causing pain now for a greater good.
   –And you forgo spending a dollar for a pleasure now for a future good.
2. God never does evil – In the Bible He is never blamed for doing evil (Luke 22:22, James 1:13).  The comeback is that if God is not allowing and using evil then there is something else out there ruling.
3. God rightly accuses and judges for evil (Isaiah 66:3-4, Acts 5:30).
4. Evil is real – it harms, so never a right to do evil, Matthew 6:13; deliver us from evil, James 5:19; and with neglect of health, bills, or study comes evil – the condemnation is just, Romans 3:8.
5. We do not understand – some is just a mystery and/or perplexing.

And why does evil seem to win?  Psalm 73 gives us an insight:

3 For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm.
7 Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish.
8 They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return here, And waters of a full cup are drained by them.
11 And they say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches.
13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence.
14 For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning.
15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
16 When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me—
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.

Jeremiah 51:24, “I will repay Babylon…for all the evil they have done…”, says the LORD.

God sees all evil and promises that all will be punished.

Evil is present, controlled, and punished by God!