The question came up today in discussion. What do you think and why?
You’ve got your methods
I’m done with trying to guess all your moves
I’m going where you want me to go
I’ve got nothing left to lose
Now I don’t wanna suffer
But that’s in fact the nature of the beast
If you want to get to higher ground
You got to get there on your knees
I would sit down and answer this but thought this would be better to hear than me trying to answer....
Amazingly, I have just finished sharing an 2 part audio message from Dr Robert Jeffress - First Baptist Church Dallas on our forum.
"Healing Words for Hurting Hearts"
“If there really is a God, why does he allow evil in the world?” That question confounds Christians and non-Christians alike. In the following message, “Healing Words for Hurting Hearts,” Dr. Robert Jeffress takes us through the Bible to explain God’s role in our suffering.
Series: Politically Incorrect Click to hear these messages:-
Please note:- As his original sermons are around 45 mins in real time, these two parts may over lap quite a bit. Deefinatly worth the listen too though.
Usually in the bible "evil" is a bad circumstance or intention toward another. An "evil" spirit is not necessarily one who is evil intrinsically, but one that does evil actions toward human beings.
If by "evil" we mean people who do actions that harm others on a regular basis, certainly. If by "evil" we mean people whose intention is to do evil without justification, I would say certainly not. It is in the human heart to be justified and right in all of our actions, even our most evil one. This is why good intentions are not enough. Every "bad guy" from Antiochus Epiphanies to Hitler had "good" reasons for what they did. We must also be committed to not harm, no matter what our intentions.
Post by christopher on Jul 24, 2012 8:42:16 GMT -8
I don't see evil existing as a thing itself, but the corruption things that are good. It's the broken parts of creation, including the will of free agents.
Last Edit: Jul 24, 2012 8:45:53 GMT -8 by christopher
"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32
I don't see evil existing as a thing itself, but the corruption things that are good. It's the broken parts of creation, including the will of free agents.
This is akin to my view, largely influenced by C.S. Lewis (and, ultimately, I'd argue, Scripture)
My answer to the question is, yes and no.
No, in the sense that evil is a dependent variable. Good can exist without evil, but evil cannot exist without good.
But if we just say that "evil doesn't really exist", we would be denying the very real experience of evil. Just as other dependent variables like fear or coldness are very real experiences (and therefore exist) things that don't exist on their own can still exist in another very real sense. And I think it's important to recognize and not downplay the reality of the experience of evil in the world. That's why, for instance, Scripture talks a lot about evil.
You’ve got your methods
I’m done with trying to guess all your moves
I’m going where you want me to go
I’ve got nothing left to lose
Now I don’t wanna suffer
But that’s in fact the nature of the beast
If you want to get to higher ground
You got to get there on your knees