Why didn’t God create a world without evil?  This question has arisen from the mind of each of us at some point or another. I suppose it presses most intensely upon the mind when life slaps us across the face with the stinging reality that the world is not as we would like it to be. It is then we wonder, “Wait a minute! If God is really all-knowing and all-powerful, couldn’t He have figured out a way in which there is no evil in our world?” Doesn’t the existence of our evil-stricken world make God look a bit like a sadist, or one who receives pleasure from inflicting pain on another person? So . . . why didn’t God create a world without evil?
The simple answer is . . . He did create a world without evil. The biblical account of beginnings portrays God as establishing a world which is called “good” time and time again (Genesis 1-3). However, through the decision of our first parents (Adam & Eve), humanity rebelled against its Creator and fell into a life of continual sin, culminating in death. So, it was the free choice of God’s creatures that introduced evil into the world.
THE REAL QUESTION WE’RE ASKING:
But maybe that’s not the question we’re really asking. Maybe what we’re really wanting to know is why God didn’t create a world in which evil was impossible. Why didn’t God create a “good” world, in which everyone chooses moral goodness all the time? I think there is an answer to this question. So, let’s consider for a moment what the different options were that God had. There are only four. He could have done:
1. Nothing. No world at all. It was not necessary that God create anything at all.
2. An amoral world. A world in which there were neither good nor evil—we might conceive of it as a world of rocks, trees, and the like.
3. A world in which everyone “chooses” good all the time. This would be a kind of robotic world.
4. A world like ours. There would be the possibility of both good and evil.
So, the big question is why did God act upon #4 rather than one of the others? Or maybe we should just focus in on why He did not act upon option #3. Option #3 seems to be the world that we all really want, isn’t it?Â
The reason why God did not create a world in which everyone “chooses” good all the time is because the concept of “choice” presupposes the real possibility of alternate choice (love vs. hate). Think of it this way—the highest good in the universe is love. Yet, love is only possible when it’s opposite—hate—is also possible. Otherwise, it’s not love. It’s compulsion. When I log on to the internet on my home computer, it says to me each time either “Good morning,” “Good afternoon,” or “Good evening,” depending on the time of day. Now, suppose I programmed my computer to tell me each day that it loved me. Would it actually love me? No, because it would simply be me talking to myself. I would have programmed it to verbalize the words, “I-love-you,” but the sentence would not be a real expression of love from one individual to another. Again, it would be compulsory, and love is never compulsory.
So, when God created this world in which there could be real instances of love—the highest good in the world—there had to be the possibility of love’s contrary—hate. The problem with above option #3 is that it is an impossible reality. It is a contradiction in terms.  He could have created that world of rocks and trees only (the amoral world of option #2 above), but it would have been a world without your or me. It could not have included any moral creatures. Therefore, God did create the best of all possible worlds. He created the only world in which the beauty and ecstasy of love could be experienced and known by His finite human creatures.
19 Comments on “Why didn’t God create a world without evil?”
Wasn’t it in the spiritual realm before creation that Satan was originally one of the angels in heaven, but tried to put himself as being equal with God (or a similar situation), and at that point was cast out of heaven into hell? So, originally, there was never to be any evil, then out of one being’s selfish ambition comes the evil that led to the temptation of the downfall of humankind?
Brent….? Hate is not the opposite of love is it? I always thought it to be ‘indifference’. If you have hate in your heart, doesn’t that mean that you care enough about the person or situation to have ‘feelings’ about them, whether it be love or hate? With indifference, you just don’t care. Anyway, this is another subject, as I’ve mentioned before, that I have struggled with spiritually for years and years; mostly because of my distorted view of God the Father. I wanted Him to create a world in which Satan had been destroyed after his rebellion in heaven and NOT sent to earth to destroy God’s children. After years of prayer and working to fight the lies that had been embedded inside me of the Father, I know now that it was necessary to “choose” love. Choose God. As a mother, I could not get past that God the Father ‘could’ do something to stop the evil, violence, etc. and yet does nothing, whereas, I would do ANYTHING to save my children if they were in danger, being hurt etc. Of course, knowing of Jesus and His sacrifice for most of my life, it didn’t hit me that God DID do ‘everything’ to stop the evil, the torture, etc. It’s so hard to grasp. It’s a very personal struggle of mine, but for me, it comes down to Faith. We’re not God and He IS in control and of course, knows what He’s doing. My sin in questioning His plan came from arrogance and pride…..Hard pill to swallow. God is so patient. Thank you for this post.
Forgive me if I’m off base here, I’ve never attended Timberline & long ago feel away from the church of my youth, though my beliefs have never wavered & I download the sermons each week from the web.
The choices of our “First Parents” may have brought evil to this world. In Genisis, did God not give 2 commandments to Adam & Eve? Was it possible for both commandments to be kept or would keeping the one prevent keeping the othern? Was there one commandment that was a higher commandment?
If I am to be at church worshipping & on my way I pass a mother & her children in a broken down vehicle on the side of the road, which commandment should I follow? Church/Worship? or Provide service and tend to the needed of the party stranded on the roadside?
Throughout my childhood I learned many valuable lessons about good & evil, though it was not until adulthood that I really came to realize that without Saddness, one can never really know what Happiness feels like. Without Heartacke we can not understand Joy. Without Evil we can not understand what Good is.
The choice made by Adam & Eve had to be made, the evil and freedom of choice and knowing/experiencing right and wrong could not have taken place had Adam & Even not made the decision they made. We could not have a full understanding of what God is and represents if we did not know or have opportunity to learn the opposite.
Being able to make choices and learn and grow from those choices makes us stronger beings, in a perfect evil-free world there would be no choices no opportunities to grom no opportunities to truely understand that joys and happiness that come from making the right choices or repenting from our wrong choices.
I do think that although God certainly does not bring or cause evil/painful things to happen to people, as the above person touched on, it is through these experiences that we can have profound growth. Even if we don’t realize it until years later, our sin will always have reprocussions. But out of our sin can come blessings in the form of forgiveness if we choose God, lessons to grow from, and new paths that we can take that we may never have seen if we had not grown.
In my youth, I made some choices that snowballed into some unfortunate consequences. But despite them, I know that God never has abandoned me and has blessed me more than I know I deserve. I have grown in ways that I may not have if I had not gone down the paths that I went down. That’s unfortunate; I wish I could have achieved the growth without the pain and mistakes, but when we choose our own way and not God’s way, that’s what happens. But God is patient, God is kind, God is not arrogant, he keeps no record of wrongs……Sounds a lot like love?
Hey Brent,
I’ve got a question maybe you can answer. Is it OK to be cremated? I had read somewhere that this wasn’t Ok and that you had to be buried in the earth. Maybe you can clarify this for me and if you know of an area in the bible to read that would be great.
I guess the thing I choose to remember is this. Any one of us in the same position of Adam and Eve would have done the same exact thing, because we were given choice. Because we’re all human and we’re all sinful by nature, including Adam and Eve. SImple but a huge truth.
Alan, yes, that’s a great question! I think I put that out there in a poll a while back. Maybe the best way to address that is to write a post, as it’s an interesting discussion. I’ll do that within the next few days. Thanks for the great consideration!
RFH, you wrote,
“The choices of our “First Parentsâ€? may have brought evil to this world. In Genisis, did God not give 2 commandments to Adam & Eve? Was it possible for both commandments to be kept or would keeping the one prevent keeping the othern? Was there one commandment that was a higher commandment?”
What 2 commandments are you referring to?
Alright Pastor Brent, you got me in a hard spot here. I’ve always said that reading the bible should never endanger one’s health. Well, somewhere around the house I have my Bible (probly a King James Version) though I am sure the dust must be an inch thick by now, surely resulting in emphazema. Guess I should go find my dust mask before looking for my bible.
I’m trying to think back to days gone by, days when I knew the bible very thoroughly & was actively participating in every aspect of the church of my youth. I’m a little rusty – too many years have passed. The two commandments I refer to are “be fruitful & multiply & replenish [fill] the earth”. The other commandment was to not partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good & evil.
Initially it was possible to keep both commandments; however, once Eve had partaken of the fruit, Adam could not keep both commandments. Eve would be cast from the garden for partaking of the fruit, without Eve, Adam could not “be fruitful & multiply”. So Adam was in a position where he had to make the choice of which commandment was the higher law as he could not keep both laws.
I find it interesting that when God came to visit the garden after Adam & Eve had eaten the fruit, God said something to the effect of: The Man has become as one of Us, knowing good from evil. (I’m thinking that is Genesis 3, probly near the end but there again, too many years have passed for me to be sure).
From that passage I gather that for man to be as God or for us to have the capabilities of becoming Gods ourselves, we must have the knowledge of good AND evil. If that is the case, then Eve simply broke the commandment & Adam followed in an attempt to keep a higher law. By so doing, we can become Gods ourselves.
Would that be possible had mankind always remained within the garden of Eden? Within the garden there was no evil, no knowledge that there was an opposite to the perfection of the garden.
One point of clarification I should make, regarding my original post, is that I am not saying that evil must exist for good to exist. That belief is called Taoism—yin, yang—the eternal relationship between the eternal realities of good & evil. According to a biblical worldview, evil did not exist at one time, and then it did exist later. For instance, prior to God creating anything, there was nothing evil. In fact, even immediately after creation there was no evil.
Evil cannot exist without good (remember, evil is a corruption of the good), but good can exist without evil.
RFH,
1. Prior to Eve sinning:
It doesn’t sound like this is what you’re referring to, but just in case . . .
The moral dilemma of which commandment to obey prior to Eve’s sining (multiply humanity or don’t eat of the fruit) is not something that historic Christianity has argued for. That is, however, what the Mormon Church teaches (LDS). The knowledge of evil that came through Adam and Eve’s disobedience is never considered a good or even necessary state of affairs within the Bible.
2. After Eve sinning:
I think this is more what you mean (correct me if I’m wrong though).
I’ve never gotten the idea from the text of Genesis 3 that Adam saw a dilemma of which two of God’s commands to obey. I don’t read that this was part of his decision making. Rather, I believe what is being communicated seems to be that he distrusted and/or rebelled against God’s clear mandate to not engage in the knowledge/experience of evil.
And again, the concept of experiencing evil as a necessary prerequisite to becoming God’s ourselves is the general teachings of Mormonism, rather than historic Christianity. I would argue that the Bible teaches that we never become God’s, but are adopted into God’s family. This is the significance of Jesus being called the “only begotten,� “one of a kind,� or “one and only� (depending on the English translation) Son of God the Father (John 3:16).
I agree that the world was created without evil and that good can exist without evil where evil can not exist without good. I firmly believe that we are each born as inherently good beings, with virtually no capability of doing evil, the evil comes from things we learn as we grow. I just simply question if one can ever really understand good too it’s fullest degree if we are never exposed to the opposite. We DO NOT have to experience the opposite but I question if we can ever really grasp the truest good if we don’t have some means of recognizing the opposite.
I think of the child who reaches out to touch a steam heat radiator & as a parent I say “don’t touch that, it’s hot”. Sometimes the kid touches it anyway, sometimes not, sometimes they’ll go back & touch when you’re not watching – maybe they’ve never experienced or don’t understand what you meant by the word hot?
It’s a pleasant morning this morning. I know this how? I’ve experienced feeding cows & goats & pigs on mornings that were below zero & on mornings that were so hot & hummid & muggy it was unbearable. I know when something feels right & good to me, how? Because I’ve seen (not necessarily experienced) the opposite.
You mentioned mormonism as few times in your reply, I guess I probly should touch on that. I am glad to know that is where some of things I recall from my childhood likely came from.
I feel as if I have some really wraped views of God & religion & I haven’t stayed active in any specific church but do in fact feel the need to bring my family closer to God & to Christ. My ancestry comes from many different & “powerful” religious sects. Staying with various relative & even family members seeking God, rather seeking a God or rather a church that taught of a God they could accept & believe in.
Mormonism being one of those, staunch Roman Catholic a second & many others. I must too mention the Amish linage, “old Amish” as some call them – ultra conservative. Many cousins that are Amish are now “new Amish”, not so conservative. I had childhood experiences with Amish Mennonite & find myself now more comfortable with many of the ways of the not-so-conservative Mennonite.
All those teachings & religions that thru one means or another I experienced for a time in my life. Most I could not tell you what they teach, though they each had their own way of interpreting & teaching the very same versus from the Bible. So I frequently feel as if my views are warped & do not fit into the teachings of any one particular church – I don’t fit in anywhere!
Irregaurdless I do know one thing for sure: I believe in God & the Only Begotton, Jesus Christ. I do believe that Christ died to take upon himself the sins of the world, my sins & wrongs included. I recognize the impact that belief has had on my life & there are many things which I can identify in my life that I attribute directly to their helping me find my way. In even my darkest times there has always been that little glimmer or light, that piece of hope, that faith, belief.
A friend introduced me to Timberline some time ago. I have yet to take him up on his offer to join his family & attend services, though I do download those services from the Internet & listen & relisten to each one of them. The first few sermons I listened to caught my attention & I have felt drawn more & more to Timberline in the year that has passed.
The concepts, the lessons, seem to be possed in such a simplistic way, ways that I begin to understand things I had not before understood. I’m intrigued & like the concepts that seem to be ever so prevelant of God being a forgiving God, a patient & kind God, willing to wait & help us if we allow – as Amanda commented earlier in this blog – a lot like Love. And that feels good!
I hadn’t thought of this before but just maybe, having been bounced around so many religious sects while growing up also confuses my answers to the 3 questions you pose in your Novemeber 19 blog.
I probly should clarify one thing I wrote just above:
I know when something feels right & good to me, how? Because I’ve seen (not necessarily experienced) the opposite.
That’s not saying that to know something as good I have to have actually see or know the opposite. Rather, I need to have some means of knowing or having been told or taught to identify the opposite & what the opposite represents.
Yes, as a toddler I was the child that would return to the radiator when no one was watching & touch it. That wasn’t so hot! But it was hot the next morning – & there are still remnants of that morning on my palm – though they are now hidden by the time that has passed. My teenage years would have been a lot easier had I learned to listen & obey without always having to find out for myself!
Now Brent, I know there is some pastorial response to my having just said that. I can reread it myself & can almost identify that response, even never having met you. As frustrating as I might be to you, I am learning & recognizing a lot here!
A coworker “caught” me when I was writing that last post, it’s all good though as it spurred a good conversation & redirected some of my thoughts. He did however say one thing that I thought was very interesting. The original post is: Why Didn’t God Create A World Without Evil?
Shouldn’t the question really be: Why Didn’t God Prevent Evil From Entering This World?
God was able to create this world as is described in Genesis, then doesn’t God also have the power to prevent the serpent from entering it? Why didn’t he? He did create a world without evil, no question there. Why didn’t he exhert his power to forbid & prevent Evil from entering it?
In the Amish-Mennonite world they avoid teaching certain things in school, like science, as it opens the door to free independant thought processes. There is no right & wrong decision if you do not open the door or permit the freedom of exploring beyond the current realm of conforminity.
I don’t always make the right choices, but if I had to choose between this world & that world, I’d choose to have choices & options that come with this world!
RFH,
It really sounds like you’ve been on an interesting journey, and have found yourself in a number of places in the past. I’m encouraged to know that you’re walking in a relationship with Jesus, and therefore, with God. And I’m glad that Timberline has been a resource to you. I hope that one day you’ll be our guest on a Sat. evening, Sun morning, or Wed. evening. I’d be pleased to meet you in person if you do. Thanks for your thoughtful and thought provoking responses. Please keep the dialogue going. It’s sharpening for all of us! Thanks!
Thanks Brent.
I really wish that I had been a little older as I was “dragged” to the various religious venues. I recall things but don’t really know or remember or even know the context. I remember much but I feel I lack the understanding.
My parents finally settled with mormonism. As for myself? In many ways I’m still wandering. I am relearning Pennsylvania Deitsh as that and German were the languages of the bibles and sermons I recall most strongly from my childhood.
I don’t want to return to a life that conservative, but I find myself intrigued & drawn to many of aspects from that lifestyle. For now, from the religious sense, I’m comfortable with what I am gaining from Timberline.
Thanks Again!
Pastor Brent,
Our “small group” has come upon a bit of a back and forth dialogue regarding whether or not Satan can read our minds. I’m convinced he is not able to do that. I’m convinced there is somewhere in scripture (taught to me during my earlier “growing up” years) which confirms he is not capable of reading our minds and that only God knows the thoughts in our mind and hearts. Satan, I believe has the power of influencing our thoughts and behaviors by knowing our past and our present behaviors. Please give us some clarification regarding this discussion and scripture to support the correct thinking (either way). Thanks!
PEB
Well, I know that Satan can’t hear our thoughts and have searched all night for scripture but can’t find it. I know that I learned via a bible study to verbally tell Satan to “be gone” or “leave in the name of Jesus Christ” because he could not hear it otherwise. Hoping Pastor Brent knows where this is taught. I did come across scriptures where others told Satan to flee and in every one, it stated they “said” which I take to mean “verbally”….Pastor Brent??? 🙂
Okay, well, I asked a “theologian” about this question of omnipresence and the like. He said there is nothing in the bible that specifically states that Satan cannot read our minds but that the bible consistenly that God is the only one who IS omnipresent and has the power to do such things…..this is a resource he recommended for more information, but for me, the bible is good enough. 🙂
The Serpent of Paradise by Erwin Lutzer