Why did God create evil? The answer struck me to the core of my soul! A professor at the university asked his students the following question:
- Everything that exists was created by God? One student bravely answered:
- Yes, created by God.
- Did God create everything? - a professor asked. βYes, sir,β replied the student. The professor asked :
- If God created everything, then God created evil, since it exists. And according to the principle that our deeds define ourselves, then God is evil. The student became silent after hearing such an answer. The professor was very pleased with himself. He boasted to students for proving once again that faith in God is a myth. Another student raised his hand and said:
- Can I ask you a question, professor? "Of course," replied the professor. A student got up and asked:
- Professor, is cold a thing?
- What kind of question? Of course it exists. Have you ever been cold? Students laughed at the young man's question. The young man answered:
- Actually, sir, cold doesn't exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is actually the absence of heat. A person or object can be studied on whether it has or transmits energy. Absolute zero (-460 degrees Fahrenheit) is a complete absence of heat. All matter becomes inert and unable to react at this temperature. Cold does not exist. We created this word to describe what we feel in the absence of heat. A student continued:
- Professor, does darkness exist? β Of course it exists.
- You're wrong again, sir. Darkness also does not exist. Darkness is actually the absence of light. We can study the light but not the darkness. We can use Newton's prism to spread white light across multiple colors and explore the different wavelengths of each color. You can't measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into the world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you tell how dark a certain space is? You measure how much light is presented. Isn't it so? Darkness is a term man uses to describe what happens in the absence of light. In the end, the young man asked the professor:
- Sir, does evil exist? This time it was uncertain, the professor answered:
- Of course, as I said before. We see him every day. Cruelty, numerous crimes and violence throughout the world. These examples are nothing but a manifestation of evil. To this, the student answered:
- Evil does not exist, sir, or at least it does not exist for itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is like darkness and coldβa man-made word to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is not faith or love, which exist as light and warmth. Evil is the result of the absence of Divine love in the human heart. Itβs the kind of cold that comes when there is no heat, or the kind of darkness that comes when thereβs no light.
'Allegedly' The student's name was Albert Einstein. ππ
Excellent question!
Thomas Aquinas addressed this very question in his Summa Theologica.
In Aquinas' view, angels were created with intellect and will, enabling them to choose good or evil. When Satan and other angels rebelled, it was due to their misuse of free will, particularly through pride. Unlike humans, angels' decision to reject God was immediate and final, without the possibility of redemption. This separation from God is seen as the absence of divine love in their spiritual beings.
Angels, being purely spiritual beings, make a single, irrevocable choice either for or against God at the moment of their creation. This choice is believed to be final and eternal, without the possibility of redemption or change.
Humans, on the other hand, are seen as having a lifetime during which they can make choices that either align them with God or lead them away from Him. This process of decision-making is seen as ongoing, with the ultimate consequences of these choices being finalized at death. At death, it's believed that humans' eternal destinies are fixed based on their choices made during their lives.
If you're interested in reading more about Aquinas' discussions on the nature of angels, their intellect and will, and the hierarchy of angels, then def check out his Summa Theologica. He also explores the question of evil in relation to angels and humans, including the concept of fallen angels and their irrevocable choice against God.
Hope this helps!
Ephesians 2:8-9 :
"For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, Not of works, lest any man should boast himself."
"...choices made during their lives"
"Choices" regarding the person of Jesus Christ. Wasn't meant to imply works based salvation.
I am late to the show
Kek!
Thank you. Brilliant analysis, and I just put Summa Theologica in my iPhone for future research.
We must remember it is Aquinas view albeit quite logical in the sense of the intellect and free will part. Free will for Angel also, interesting as they do Gods will. Thank you, thank you for the blessing. Amen!