Evil

Did God Create Evil?

Since God created all things, does not in any way suggest that evil must have originated with God. God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5) it is true that all God created was good.

One of the many good things God made was creatures who had the freedom to choose good. God allowed both angels and humans to choose good or reject good (evil).

As darkness is the absence of light... evil is the absence of good, or better, evil is the absence or rejection of God and His influence. God did not have to create evil, but rather only allow for the absence of good.

While God did not create evil, He does allow evil as the result of choices made by man. If God had not allowed for the possibility of man and angels choosing evil or rejecting Him, both mankind and angels would be serving God out of obligation, not choice.

As finite human beings, we can never fully understand why an infinite God would allow for the prospect of evil. (Romans 11:33-34). God operates from a holy, eternal purpose. We perceive things from a soulish and temporal perspective. Evil is a reality that originated with Satan when He deemed himself more significant and potentially powerful than God. Satan has no raw material. He can only take that which God created and pervert it for his own glory and benefit. Ultimately, evil becomes a matter of fact in the life of sinners and Christians when we choose to yield to our fleshly inclinations for self preservation and/or glorification (Genesis 3).

Fortunately, there is a remedy for evil. It is exclusively the gospel of Jesus Christ. Grace will always be greater than evil.

Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger

Back To Q & A