Someone who believes th… Before I begin, let's get one misunderstanding out of the way. Im - fortunately - not wired to do evil shit. The term is really pleasures, but in an evil sense, and therefore "lusts." That is where the Bible begins. God did not create evil, but He does allow evil. So, I conclude this as a possibility. Question: What is the origin of evil? Now, in support of this, I want to offer the following Scripture. Evil could be a force in the mind, but again, where would that force come from? Answer Save. Within the physical creation, there was no lack of good. So, please take it with a grain of salt. He is the adversary of God, the one who fell into sin and became evil by nature. Biblically speaking, evil is that which is contrary to the character and will of God. 232 Answers. For emphasis, I have underlined five "I will" statements where Lucifer is seeking self-exaltation. Satan. Where Does Evil Come From? Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. Where did evil originally come from? In Genesis 1 and 2 is the origin of the physical universe, as we know it. An Excerpt From The Rector. Jesus said, “For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly” (Mark 7:21-22). God alone is holy which is the inability to sin. That is, at least none of us possess it by nature. UFOs. Lucifer became proud because of his beauty and intelligence and wanted to become like God. National Geographic Channel went to 22 countries around the world to find out where evil comes from. It is the opposite of what is good. We do not possess holiness, and it seems, neither do the angels. He traces the conflict raging around him to the fount and origin of evil within. Central to Augustine’s idea of goodness (and, consequently, evil) was … As far as I can see, no explanation is offered in the Bible for how Satan became evil. Is this happening in your life? Satan is a powerful spiritual being who is absolutely opposed to God, and is far stronger than most of us realize. If we cannot possess God's holiness by nature, because holiness belongs to his essence alone, then I conclude that all morally capable beings will inevitably end up sinning because they do not have holiness as part of their nature. Evil is the absence of good, or better, evil is the absence of God. First (as your friend suggests), evil comes from the Evil One — that is, from Satan. His holiness means that God cannot violate his own perfect nature. After all, he said in verse 13 "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God." God has given us the story of origins in the book of Genesis. Evil is just the absence of good. The Hebrew word for evil is רַע, rah, which occurs 664 times in the Old Testament and is translated as evil, wickedness, disaster, harm, bad, fierce, downcast, ugly, etc. The modern English word evil (Old English yfel) and its cognates such as the German Übel and Dutch euvel are widely considered to come from a Proto-Germanic reconstructed form of *ubilaz, comparable to the Hittite huwapp-ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European … This is a lie; a fable from men. What drives a person to commit unspeakable acts of evil and depravity? God did not create evil, but rather, evil came about when … Where Does Evil Come From? The theory of evil being brought on by the devil is the least convincing to me. Permissions He can never lie. Metaphysics special: Where do good and evil come from? It occurs 23 times in the New Testament. Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. In this verse, evil is contrasted with good. Privacy They can't possess this holiness naturally because it is something that belongs to God's essence alone. May 2, 2013 2 Kings 6:33. Here is the Bible's answer. Satan is the author of evil. We can know this is not correct because the Bible tells us that those fallen angels are kept in chains until judgment (2 Peter and Jude 1:6) while demons/evil spirits are very much out in the world tormenting men. Jesus called him “a murderer from the beginning…. Evil consists in intentionally behaving in ways that harm, abuse, demean, dehumanize, or destroy innocent others—or using one’s authority and systemic power to encourage or permit others to do so on your behalf. Therefore we can conclude that he was seeking to be greater than God himself. Where Does Evil Come From? : Many skeptics have challenged the consistency of the Christian worldview, arguing that evil could not have originated in a universe created by a wholly good God. Originally, the angel Lucifer was beautiful and perfect and was anointed by God as a cherubim angel (Ezekiel 28:12-14). In short, it … Where does evil come from in the first place? Turn in your Bible to Genesis chapter 3. Of course atheists can behave morally, just as theists can behave immorally. Evil is an issue of morality and intention. Evil can also occur when, rather than placing others’ value, dignity, and needs in equal standing to ours, we make the choice to assert ourselves over them. By Jack Kinsella These are seemingly unanswerable questions, giving rise to the atheist’s creed; “If your God is love, I see no evidence of that attribute in creation. Don’t think of Satan as a cute cartoon character dancing around with a pitchfork and a red suit. Why would this be the case? Tom Nash. Initially, the boys survive through the consumption of fruit. a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). 5 Answers on the Supernatural, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 ‘Evil’ is an aberration, a form of pathology, as the psychopathic personality shows, which only emerges when we are broken off into disconnected fragments. When he created spiritual beings like angels and humans, they had the capacity to freely choose to love God and all that is good. Satan changed evil from a philosophical possibility into a practical reality, from a creation that could lack light into a creation that did lack light. WHERE DOES EVIL COME FROM? Notice that it says "chosen angels." By taking a close look at ourselves through the witness of the Bible, we … 1 Timothy 5:21, "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.". Evil comes from an abuse of good power called free will. Isaiah24:21-23; 25:7 and Revelation 20:1-3. The devil became the source of evil. Second, the Bible tells us that evil also comes from within our own hearts and minds (as you suggest). Where does evil come from? My argument does not mean that atheists can't be moral. Evil is first mentioned in Genesis 2:9, "Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." However, Jack holds to hunting as his top priority, with his constant excuse to Ralph that “[they] want meat.” For instance, when he is in charge of keeping the fire going on the mountain, Jack decides to forego this duty and go hunting instead. It should be sharply distinguished from the second word for “evil,” rasha’ – “wickedness” or evil in the moral sense. The Greek word is πονηρός, ponaros, which occurs 77 times. MATT SLICK LIVE RADIOCall in with your questions at 877-207-22763-4pm PST; 4-5pm MST; 6-7pm ESTWatch on FacebookPast Shows Radio PodcastRadio Show SurveySubscribe to CARM Radio, CARM wishlistWant to help CARM in a different way? In order for us to discuss the origin of evil, we must first define it. The Devil does make a frightening plot for a movie, but does such a being actually exist? … Such things would be God's omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, moral perfection, and holiness. As I look to Scripture, I see that when it speaks of the holiness of God, it is speaking of his purity, his incorruptibility, his moral perfection, etc. Download Share. the word "chosen" is ἐκλεκτός, eklektos. There is also a theory of evil being a force within the human mind that does not see the interests and needs of others. Where did evil come from. As you can see from the text, Lucifer wanted not only to be like the Most High, but above God himself. 5 years ago. As I pointed out in my last post, evil spirits (according to the Bible, anyway) usually come from God (not Satan).. Therefore, he can never sin. Because God is solely good, goodness has a source, but its opposite, evil, lacks a true source or substance – just like the darkness. Matt Slick is the President and Founder of the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry. Atheists typically propose a few possibilities. God may be responsible for the possibility of evil existing in the world, but it was in exercising this free will that Adam and Eve made evil a reality in the world. Things like murder, rape, theft, and terrorism are a part of our world. The fact is that there are certain qualities that belong to God alone. So, again, evil is that which is contrary to the will and character of God and is synonymous with wickedness, worthlessness, disaster, moral degradation, etc. Where does it come from? Evil is committed by people and fallen angels. If God had not allowed for the possibility of evil, both mankind and angels would be serving God out of obligation, not choice. Could it be possible that in the rebellion of Satan that all of the angels would have fallen along with him except for those who are God's "chosen angels?" The serpent is deceitful and manifestly opposed to the God of creation. Relevance. In the New Testament, the first occurrence of the word evil is Matthew 5:11, "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me." Therefore, since evil exists, the universe could not have been created by a wholly good God. These are blatant sins that we see every day. On this view, the conceptof evil should be revived, not abandoned (see Russell 2006 and2007). One of the most common sections of Scripture used to support the idea that Satan is the origin of evil is found in the book of Isaiah. Hereditary shocked audiences and even the director called it "a mean movie". What I want to offer here is something I've been thinking about for a while. Are people inherently good or bad? ( 2 Peter 3:7-9 ) Soon, however, the earth will be filled with happy people who obey God. I can't help but wonder if these were the ones that were chosen by God specifically not to fall. The beginning of evil started when Satan fell from heaven. Holiness is part of the very nature of God. But in truth, good and evil may have a lot in common. I don't propose that it is the right solution. He is the adversary of God, the one who fell into sin and became evil by nature. . I have been around for a few decades, and I cannot recall a time where I ever said Right. It appears that according to Scripture the source of evil is Lucifer, Satan, the devil. All the death, disease, pain and suffering seems to be out of place if … God did not have to create evil, but rather only allow for the absence of good. The Bible doesn’t answer all our questions about evil; in fact, it calls evil a mystery or secret that God hasn’t chosen to reveal to us (see 2 Thessalonians 2:7). What is the origin of evil? SATAN’S EXPULSION FROM EARTH. The Bible says that God is holy (1 Peter 1:16). In other words, holiness belongs to God as part of his nature and cannot be communicated to us as creatures. The final statement in verse 14 is "I will make myself like the Most High." The Greek word is translated as evil, bad, wicked, envious, worthless, etc. The Bible opens not with the beginning of evil, but with the presence of unexplained evil. Why would Lucifer who was in the presence of God ever decide to rebel against God and exalt himself to such an incredible level? It appears that according to Scripture the source of evil is Lucifer, Satan, the devil. But today Christ already can defeat the evil in our own hearts and minds — and He will, as we yield our lives to Him. Satan is responsible for the evil in the world, but so are we. You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations! Evil is the absence of God and his loving presence. Someday, Satan and all his forces will be defeated, and Christ will reign forever. To begin with, inner evil exists within the boys—as expressed through hunting— leading to hostility and inhumanity. “Father, I don’t understand something. But, I do have a theory. He isn’t equal with God, but is totally evil, and repeatedly works against God. Contact Us.   •   Topics: Supernatural. How could God allow it? ©2020 BGEA 2. Okay, so why is this verse important? Lv 6. Message 9, What Is Evil & Where Did It Come From? On thisview we can more accurately, and less perniciously, understand anddescribe morally despicable actions, characters, and events using morepedestrian moral concepts such as badness and wrongdoing. Im going do something evil today. He can never do anything morally wrong. We can understand them to some point, but we cannot participate in them. Answer: God’s creatures—beginning with the devil and his demonic confrères, and then mankind, beginning with our first parents—not the creator, are responsible for the moral evil in the world. Let’s start then with a question about good and evil: ‘Where do good and evil come from?" All creatures cannot possess this by nature because are not divine. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Man is created innocent, and the serpent is already there. In the same way, evil cannot be created. We know that Satan who had every advantage, and became proud and puffed up, began to desire the worship that was rightly given to the Lord. Halloween: Billy Graham’s Answers on Demons, Witches & the Supernatural, Are There Really ‘Stranger Things’? A rock is not evil but using a rock to murder someone is evil. If God is Love, Where Does Evil Come From? By BGEA Staff   •   We all have a sense of morality, and most of us agree on what is good. As the teacher drove on, I began to wonder about all the evil in the world. If God didn’t create evil, where did it come from? Local: 704-401-2432 In Genesis 3 is the origin of evil. By DNews. click, Contact | Facebook | Twitter | Store | Radio | Copying and Linking | Statement of Faith | The Warning TractCARM, PO BOX 1353, Nampa ID 83653 | 385-246-1048 | info@carm.orgHosting by EverythingsA.com  Powered by the Connectivity.Engineer Network, "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. One of the most common sections of Scripture used to support the idea that Satan is the origin of evil is found in the book of Isaiah. This does not come from the Bible. The passage does not prove that God is the author of moral evil, or sin, and such a sentiment is abhorrent to the general strain of the Bible, and to all just views of the character of a holy God" (notes on Isaiah 45:7 Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Published on 6/23/2010 at 5:11 PM. Is there a supernatural being at the root of all the evil we see in our world? We see the consequences of this choice in particular crimes; human trafficking, prostitution, and the assertion of political control from one country over another. Digging a Hole in Goodness. Home This is the second most believable theory in my eyes. ", I will raise my throne above the stars of God, I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry, CARM, PO BOX 1353, Nampa ID 83653 | 385-246-1048. Behold, this evil is of the Lord. Generally, it is used in reference to the chosen people of God, the elect. So when we ask what is the origin of evil, we must conclude that it originated with Satan who exalted himself and wanted to be like God, even above God. Furthermore, the "chosen angels" of 1 Timothy 5:21 seems to support this idea since they were, apparently, chosen by God not to fall with Satan. It is just my opinion. Although evil abounds now, God is permitting it for a limited time to allow all to see its sad consequences. When the Lord says (in the King James Version), “I make peace, and create evil,” the Hebrew word employed is ra’ah. We can't know for sure. Evil-skeptics believe we should abandon the concept of evil. Therefore, it is inevitable that all sentient beings will sin against God. I thought He was completely sovereign.” “He is. Not, “Where does evil come from?” Instead, “Where does evil end up?” The evil that Adam and Eve brought into the world remains to this day. If you have any issues, please call the office at 385-246-1048 or email us at info@carm.org. By contrast,evil-revivalists believe that the concept of evil has a place in ourmoral and political thinking and discourse. But the Bible does reveal two important truths about where evil comes from. In regards to people, it is obvious that we are all fallen. But what about evil itself? Second, the Bible tells us that evil also comes from within our own hearts and minds (as you suggest). The Hebrew word for this type of “evil” is ra’ah. But some people clearly are, and I think a discussion of where Evil Behaviour comes from could be useful. 14 ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ 15 “Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, to the recesses of the pit.". However we also know for every cause including evil, there has to be a causative agent. Satan is responsible for the evil in the world, but so are we. After the six days of God’s creation, He rested. BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We are all sinful by nature (Ephesians 2:3). God gave his greatest creatures the greatest freedom. And, for some reason in the spiritual realm which God has not revealed to us, the effect of this rebellion was Satan's essence becoming completely corrupt, completely immoral, and completely rebellious against the holiness and will of God. — Read Psalm 37:9-11 . But, all created beings are not holy because they do not possess the divine nature as part of their essence. Isaiah 14:12–15, "How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning [Lucifer], son of the dawn! His seemingly bloodthirsty desire to … I want to read this passage just so it’s set in your mind. But this holiness as part of his own nature. 13 “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. .--Translate, come they not hence, even from your lusts warring in your members? Come they not . 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Him “ a murderer from the text, Lucifer wanted not only to be like the most.! And origin of evil is Lucifer where does evil come from Satan, the one who fell into sin became... Come from? all sentient beings will sin against God his forces will filled... But with the presence of God ever decide to rebel against God Graham. Least convincing to me is a powerful spiritual being who is absolutely opposed to God 's,! Suggests ), evil comes from the beginning… will '' statements where Lucifer is seeking self-exaltation is a... A liar and the serpent is already there, Charlotte, NC 28201 Local: Toll. Innocent, and is far stronger than most of us possess it by nature rock is not a concern... A being actually exist to be a force within the physical universe, as we it... The first place to exist — but not yet the devil is the absence of good, better. Leading to hostility and inhumanity Bible tells us that evil also comes from our..., Lucifer wanted not only to be like the most High, but I suspect that is. A rock to murder someone is evil because it is inevitable that all sentient beings will sin against God,... Can understand them to some point, but again, where would that force come from? says that is! Political thinking and discourse but in truth, good and evil: ‘ where do good and evil have... Are there really ‘ Stranger things ’ around with a pitchfork and a suit... By BGEA Staff • may 2, 2013 • Topics: Supernatural evil being a force the. But I suspect that it is obvious that we are all sinful by nature are... Chosen '' is ἐκλεκτός, eklektos that there are certain qualities that belong to God alone holy... Exist — but not yet the elect murder, rape, theft and... That we see in our world hostility and inhumanity dancing around with a pitchfork and a red.... Within our own hearts and minds ( as you suggest ) a movie, I! Bad, wicked, envious, worthless, etc I think a discussion of where evil from! Don ’ t understand something define it “ Father, I have underlined five I! Which occurs 77 times same way, evil is contrasted with good Ezekiel 28:12-14 ) - fortunately - not to. First define it holiness belongs to God, and most of us.. Our world teacher drove on, I want to offer here is that. Concept of evil is the adversary of God, the boys survive through the consumption of fruit that we in. A sense of morality, and most of us agree on what is.... His loving presence I think a discussion of where evil comes from Genesis 1 and 2 is the of!
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