The Problem of Evil.

 

 

The Problem of Evil: A Response in Light of Current Events.

Of course, we all know of events that are of evil or purposes that are evil. While that is perfectly true, knowing that is only a portion of the recognition and understanding of the presence of evil. Are we able to solve evil after we have reached an understanding of it? Perhaps. 

Although I wire- frame an approach to understanding evil, I do not hope to summarize nor really contribute anything new to it.

I hope to accomplish a little  with these few words in this post. You may have wrestled, recently in the light of recent events, with this very topic.

On your bed, with friends, in reading, online or on TV, sharing your  ideas and thoughts about the recent event of former President Trump assassination attempt in the USA. So controversial and unfailingly political, even generally clear yet to many turbid from conspiracy theorists to unanswered questions from the populace; the assassination attempt 'event' clearly divided.the western world It .has even come to light that Big tech Giants waded in  “mistakenly” censoring news of the event.

Though you may not agree with it, evil is a valid subject of philosophy and beyond. Whatever your worldview, you are debating with yourself or others.Afterall you want answers. Well I may provide a  tenous framework (only) with my thoughts underlying the "event.'

 Suffice to say an honest debate needs to be presented clearly and disclosed to all.

 

With that I present a  view on evil.

Wrestling with the problem of evil, Augustine defined evil in purely negative terms. Evil is a lack (or negation) of the good.

 

Only that which was first good can become evil. Evil is defined against the backdrop of the prior concept of the good. Evil depends on the good for its very definition. We speak of evil in terms of unlawful, injustice and lawlessness. As a parasite depends on its host for its existence, so evil depends on the good for its existence. If anything were wholly or purely evil, it could not exist. Why? Evil is not a substance or a thing. It is a lack (or negation) of the good.

 

At this, Augustine seems to define evil in purely ontological terms. If this were the case, Augustine would have to say that evil is a necessary consequence of finitude. God cannot create a “perfect” being. To do so would be to create another God. Even God cannot create another God, because the second God would be, by definition, a creature.

 

To avoid the ontological necessity of evil, Augustine turned to free will. God created man with free will in which he also enjoyed perfect freedom. Man had the faculty of choosing what he wanted. He could sin and had the ability not to sin. He could choose evil or not. But he freely chose to sin out of his inclination that leans to sin but is not sin.

 

As a result of the first sin, ( disobedient evil ) he lost his freedom but not his free will. He was plunged, as a divine punishment, into a corrupt state known as original sin, losing the ability to incline himself to the things of God.

 This resulted in man’s absolute dependence on a work of divine grace in his soul (the core of the heart, mind,emotions and feelings) if he were ever to move toward God. 

Fallen man is in bondage to sin. He still has the faculty of choosing, a will free from coercion, but he now is free only to sin, because his desires are inclined only toward sin and away from God. Now the ability not to sin, is lost and in its place is the inability not to sin. 

With this view Augustine and others combated those who argue and deny original sin. Many argued that first sin affected Adam alone and that all people have the ability to live perfect  lives. 

Of course this view is  fundamentally opposed to reality. Man is unable to live free from evil or sin. But the Eternal One has provided a way back toward good. He did so by sending His Son to rescue humankind from their evil state. By paying for the penalty of evil disobedience himself to make upright, the wretched. He paves the way to wholeness, peace,love,and healing for the individual receiving with the availability of Heaven.

Thanks for your patience. All errors are mine.

 

Based initially on the book Ideas Have Consequences by R C Sproul.

Your views and comments are most welcome, whether for or against or to amplify.