If God, Why Evil? Virginia Tech Copyright Norman L. Geisler 2010.

If God, Why Evil?

If God, Why Evil?

Virginia TechVirginia Tech

Copyright Norman L. Geisler 2010

A Former Atheist on Evil “My argument was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust. A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line.... Of course I could have given up my idea of justice by saying it was nothing but a private idea of my own. But if I did that, then my argument against God collapsed too….” (MC, 45).

The Painful Logic1. We can’t know something is ultimately

in-just (not-just), unless we know what is

ultimately just.



ultimately just.2. But an ultimate standard of justice

implies there is a God, since--

The Painful Logic1. We can’t know something is ultimately in-just

(not-just), unless we know what is ultimately just.

2. But an ultimate standard of justice implies there is a God, since--– a. There cannot be a ultimate moral law, unless--– b. There is an Ultimate Moral Law Giver (=God).



2. But an ultimate standard of justice implies there is a God, since--

– a. There cannot be a ultimate moral law, unless--– b. There is an Ultimate Moral Law Giver (=God).

In brief, this argument against God turn out to be an argument for God.

The Problem for Theism

God is All-Good--and opposes evil.God is All-Knowing--and foreknew evil.God is All-Powerful--and can defeat evil.

Why then did He permit it?

Outline•I. The Nature of Evil•II. The Origin of Evil•III. The Persistence of Evil•IV. The Purpose of Evil

I. The Nature of EvilA. The Problem:


1. God created all things.


1. God created all things. 2. Evil is something.


1. God created all things. 2. Evil is something. 3. Therefore, God created evil.

I. The Nature of Evil

B. The Response: 1. Evil is not a thing. 2. Evil is a corruption of a good thing.

Evil is like rot to a treeEvil is like rot to a tree Evil is like rot to a treeEvil is like rot to a tree

Evil is like rust to a car

Evil is like moth holes in cloth

I. The Nature of Evil

A. The ProblemB. The Response:

1. God created only good things. 2. Evil is not a thing.

3. So, God did not create evil.

Outline

•I. The Nature of Evil•II. The Origin of Evil

II. The Origin of EvilThe Problem:A. God is absolutely perfect.B. God cannot create anything imperfect.C. And a perfect creature cannot do evil.D. Therefore, evil cannot arise in such a world.E. But evil did arise in this world. F. Hence, either A or B (or both) are false.

God is not perfect, and/or-- God did not create a perfect creature.

II. The Origin of Evil

The Response:A. God is absolutely perfect.B. God cannot created anything imperfect.

C. And a perfect creature cannot do evil. This premise is false.

Hence, the conclusion does not follow.

II. The Origin of EvilA. How a perfect creatures can do evil

1. God created only good things.2. One good thing God created was free will.3. Free will makes evil possible, since--

a. It is the power to do otherwise.b. But to do otherwise than good is evil.

4. Hence, a perfect free creature can do evil. Note: God made evil possible (via free will = good)

But free creatures made evil actual.

Problem 1: How can one will evil when there is no evil to

will?Response: Evil arose when:1. A good creature; 2. With the good power of free will;3. Willed the finite good of the creature;4. Over the infinite good of the Creator.Note: No evil need exist in order to will evil;

Willing a lesser good can be an evil.

Problem 2: Who Caused Lucifer to Sin?

Response: No one else caused him to do it; Lucifer was the cause of his own sin. A free act is a self-caused action. 1. It can’t be caused by another--or else

they would be responsible for it. 2. Nor can it be uncaused--since every

event has a cause. 3. Hence, it must be self-cause (i.e., caused

by my self).

Outline

•I. The Nature of Evil•II. The Origin of Evil•III. The Persistence of Evil

III. The Persistence of Evil

The Problem:A. If God is all good, He would defeat evil.

B. If God is all powerful, He could defeat evil.

C. But Evil is not defeated. D. Therefore, no such God exists.


The Response:A. If God is all good, He would defeat evil.

B. If God is all powerful, He could defeat evil. C. But Evil is not yet defeated. D. Therefore, no such God exists. Note: This conclusion does not follow, since-- Evil might yet be defeated in the future.


The New Problem:A. If God is all good, He would defeat evil.

B. If God is all powerful, He could defeat evil. C. But Evil never will be defeated. D. Therefore, no such God exists. Note: There is no way for the objector to know

this--unless he is God (I.e.,all-knowing).


The Response:A. If God is all good, He would defeat evil.

B. If God is all powerful, He could defeat evil. C. But Evil is not yet defeated. D. Therefore, evil will one day be defeated!

The nature of a theistic God guarantees it! He is all powerful and can do it. He is all good and wants to do it. Hence, He will do it.

Why Doesn’t God Intervene and Stop All

Evil?• I. Why God Can’t Destroy All Evil.

Because:



Because:– A. He can’t destroy all evil without

destroying all freedom.




destroying all freedom.• 1. But freedom is a good that God has willed.




destroying all freedom.• 1. But freedom is a good that God has willed.• 2. Hence, God can’t destroy all evil without

destroying the good He has willed.



Because:– A. He can’t destroy all evil without destroying

all freedom.• 1. But freedom is a good that God has willed.• 2. Hence, God can’t destroy all evil without


– B. This would also destroy all good.


Evil?• I. Why God Can’t Destroy All Evil. Because:

– A. He can’t destroy all evil without destroying all freedom.

• 1. But freedom is a good that God has willed.• 2. Hence, God can’t destroy all evil without


– B. This would also destroy all good. • 1. Destroying the ability to hate God also destroys

the ability to love God.


Evil?• I. Why God Can’t Destroy All Evil. Because:

– A. He can’t destroy all evil without destroying all freedom.

• 1. But freedom is a good that God has willed.• 2. Hence, God can’t destroy all evil without


– B. This would also destroy all good. • 1. Destroying the ability to hate God also destroys

the ability to love God.• 2. Destroying the ability to hate also destroys the

ability to love.


Evil?• I. Why God Can’t Destroy All Evil


Evil?• I. Why God Can’t Destroy All Evil• II. Why God Can Defeat All Evil.

Because:


Evil?• I. Why God Can’t Destroy All Evil• II. Why God Can Defeat All Evil. Because:

– A. He allows everyone to freely choose their destiny (So freedom is

preserved).– B. He defeats evil by:

• 1. Separating good from evil forever (Mt. 25:31-41).



– A. He allows everyone to freely choose their destiny (So freedom is preserved).

– B. He defeats evil by:• 1. Separating good from evil forever (Mt. 25:31-41).• 2. By quarantining evil forever (in Hell).




– B. He defeats evil by:• 1. Separating good from evil forever (Mt. 25:31-41).• 2. By quarantining evil forever (in Hell).• 3. By Punishing evil (in Hell) and rewarding good (in

Heaven).




– B. He defeats evil by:• 1. Separating good from evil forever (Mt. 25:31-41).• 2. By quarantining evil forever (in Hell).• 3. By Punishing evil and rewarding good (in Heaven).• 4. By defeating death and Satan:





– a. Officially at Christ’s First Coming (Col. 2:14-15)





– a. Officially at Christ’s First Coming (Col. 2:14-15)– b. Actually at Christ’s Second Coming (Rev. 19-22)

The Official Defeat of Evil

The Official Defeat of Evil

• Col. 2:14-15--”Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

• Heb. 2:14-15--”Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

The Actual Defeat of Evil

• Rev. 19:11--”And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he does judge and make war…. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”

• Rev. 21:1-4--


• Rev. 21:1-4--And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea…. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”


“I never said it would be easy….I only said it would be worth it.”

Outline•I. The Nature of Evil•II. The Origin of Evil•III. The Persistence of Evil•IV. The Purpose of Evil

IV. The Purpose of Evil

The Problem:A. An all-good God must have a good purpose

for everything.B. But there is no good purpose for some

suffering (e.g., useless or innocent suffering)

C. Hence, there cannot be an all-good God. Note: There is either a finite god or no God.


Response:1) Just because we don’t know a good

purpose for evil does not mean there is none.


Response:1) Just because we don’t know a good purpose

for evil does not mean there is none. 2) An all-good, all-knowing God knows a good

purpose for everything (including evil). a. Some evil seems to us to have no good

purpose..

IV. The Purpose of EvilResponse:

1) Just because we don’t know a good purpose for evil does not mean there is none.

2) An all-good, all-knowing God knows a good purpose for everything (including evil). a. Some evil seems to us to have no good

purpose. b. But an all-good God has a good purpose

for everything.

IV. The Purpose of EvilResponse:

1) Just because we don’t know a good purpose for evil does not mean there is none.

2) An all-good, all-knowing God knows a good purpose for everything (including evil). a. Some evil seems to us to have no good purpose. b. But an all-good God has a good purpose for

everything. c. So, even evil that seems to us to have no good

purpose, does have a good purpose.

Why We Don’t Know a Good Purpose for All Evil

• 1) We do not know all things.• 2) We do not know the end of all things.• 3) But an all-knowing God knows both, so--• “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but

to us and to our children the things that are revealed” (Deut. 29:29).

• “His ways are unsearchable and His judgments past finding out” (Rom. 11:33).

Paul Harvey: “The Rest of the Story”

• “I do not believe that the Divine Architect of the universe ever builds a staircase that leads to nowhere”(A young man dying of cancer)

What We Do Know About Suffering

1. Some pain has a good purpose (e.g., warning pains).



– A tooth ache



– A tooth ache– A pain in the chest



– A tooth ache– A pain in the chest– A pain in the lower right side




2. We learn more through pain than pleasure:




2. We learn more through pain than pleasure:– Few enduring lessons are learned through pleasure




2. We learn more through pain than pleasure:– Few enduring lessons are learned through pleasure.– Most enduring lessons are learned through pain.

Pain is God’s Megaphone

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world” (C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain, 81).

What God Does Through Allowing Suffering

• “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Gen. 50:20)

• “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness...” (Heb. 21:11).

• “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2Cor. 4:17).

What God Will Do Through Suffering

• However,– An all-knowing God knows the end of all

things.



things.– An all-good God wants to bring all things

to a good end.



things.– An all-good God wants to bring all things

to a good end. – An all-powerful God can bring all things to

a good end.



things.– An all-good God wants to bring all things to a

good end. – An all-powerful God can bring all things to a

good end.– Therefore, all things (including suffering) will

come to a good end.


• However,– An all-knowing God knows the end of all things.– An all-good God wants to bring all things to a

good end. – An all-powerful God can bring all things to a good

end.– Therefore, all things (including suffering) will come

to a good end.– Note: Only a theistic God guarantees a good end.

A Former Atheist on Evil “My argument was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust. A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line.... Of course I could have given up my idea of justice by saying it was nothing but a private idea of my own. But if I did that, then my argument against God collapsed too….” (MC, 45).



ultimately just.



ultimately just.2. But an ultimate standard of justice

implies there is a God, since--



2. But an ultimate standard of justice implies there is a God, since--– a. There cannot be a ultimate moral law, unless--– b. There is an Ultimate Moral Law Giver (=God).

The Best Way to the Best World

This is not the best world possible (cf. Candide).But it may be the best way to the best world,

since:1) Evil has to be permitted to be defeated.3) Permitting evil is necessary to producing

higher goods. – a) No courage without danger.– b) No patience without tribulation.


This is not the best world possible (cf. Candide).But it may be the best way to the best world, since:1) Evil has to be permitted to be defeated.3) Permitting evil is necessary to producing

higher goods. – a) No courage without danger.– b) No patience without tribulation.– c) No character without adversity.– d) No pain, no gain..


This is not the best world possible (cf. Candide).But it may be the best way to the best world, since:1) Evil has to be permitted to be defeated.3) Permitting evil is necessary to producing higher

goods. – a) No courage without danger.– b) No patience without tribulation.– c) No character without adversity.– d) No pain, no gain.– e) No forgiveness without sin.


1) This is not the best world possible (cf. Candide).

2) And God is the Best Being possible.3) Now the best Being possible must accomplish

the best end possible.4) But this world is best way to the best world.5) Therefore, making this world was the best

way to achieve the best world possible.

Thy Will be Done!• Jesus said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,…how often I

have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing” (Mt. 23:37).

• C.S. Lewis said, “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, `Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end. `Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, chose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell.”

Satan Said:“Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven” (in Milton’s Paradise Lost)


God Said:


God Said:

You’ve got it!

The End

If God, Why Evil?

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If God, Why Evil? Virginia Tech Copyright Norman L. Geisler 2010.

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