Evil: The Explanation

I have been teaching the adult class at Resurrection Protestant Episcopal Church on comparative religions. We started addressing the questions, What is the Trinity? What is God’s nature? Who is Jesus of the bible? A question came up as we were talking about God and His creation regarding evil as referenced in Isaiah 45:7. What is evil?

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. (Isaiah 45:7, KJV)

Basically, they were confused. I had said during class that God did not create evil. Evil exists as the opposite of God’s love and it is rebellion against God’s law. To start with, evil is not really a created thing (unless you know my sister but that’s another story.) Still, it’s a valid question and Isaiah seems to indicate that God created evil. However, the Bible is quite clear that God is not the author of evil and insists that He is incapable of doing so.

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19 ESV)

So what’s the deal? Well, Isaiah 45:7 is simply a contrast of opposites, such as darkness is the opposite of light. However, evil is not the opposite of peace. The Hebrew word for peace is shâlôm, which has many meanings, mostly related to the well being of a person – their welfare, health, and prosperity. Râ‛âh, the Hebrew word for evil in the KJV often refers to adversity or distress, misery, injury, calamity. The ESV translates it this way:

I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things. (Isaiah 45:7 ESV)

So the Hebrew word râ‛âh does not refer to moral evil, but calamities. They indicate that the verse refers to God's judgment based upon people's sin, not God as the author of evil.

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.
(Psalm 5:4 ESV)

God does bring judgment and calamity (either directly or through human authorities) on those who rebel.

Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. (Romans 13:2-4 ESV)

Be the light,

Bishop Ian

What Kind of Sheep Are Ewe?

In the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, this week’s scripture reading is John 10: 11-19. Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd. I always found it strange that the Bible describes Christians as sheep. I mean c’mon sheep are dirty, disobedient, defenseless and dumb (have you ever seen anyone trying to train sheep?). Maybe that’s why the prophet Isaiah wrote:

"We all like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.." (Isaiah 53:6a)

Well, in my estimation, if we are being honest, Isaiah hits the nail on the head. Isaiah also tells us that in spite of our "sheepness," the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ was willing to be punished for us.

"And the Lord (God the Father) has laid on him (God the Son) the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6b)

Not only was Jesus willing to be punished in our place as our substitute; he was also willing to lay down his life for us so that we could have eternal life through him.

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - and I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:14-15)

To say that this is profound is an astronomical understatement! Think about it. Not only was Jesus willing to be punished as our substitute; and not only was Jesus willing to die the death that we deserved, but John goes on further to say that Jesus came looking for us when we were lost and defenseless.

"I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen (that would be us!). I must bring them also (again he is talking about you and me). They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." (John 10:16)

We were dirty, disobedient, dumb and defenseless. Yet Jesus, the Good Shepherd, was willing to go through all that he did so that we could be brought into the family of God. Who are we? What is our life that Jesus would actually lay down his life, so that we could have the free gift of eternal life? Take the time in prayer this week to thank our Good Shepherd. Being one of Christ’s flock, a sheep of His pasture, is truly amazing grace!

Be a Sheep,

Bishop Ian

Bike rides, Wildlife and God

Occasionally someone asks me why I ride a bicycle. I think back to my time as a child and remember it was the best mode of transportation available. It was also the workhorse when I delivered newspapers. As a child I hated gym class. I was a total klutz. I was always the last one picked when choosing team members. I simply wasn't any good at sports, and the taunts of my classmates ensured that I would forever view exercise as torture.

It’s not the same now. Riding my bike gives me two great benefits; first a time in prayer, which is very good for my soul’s health. Second, riding is something I need to do physically as well. I have diabetes (Type II), so it’s also good for my body’s health.

"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:8)

I am redeemed and I don’t fear death. But I am mindful of my responsibility to take care of my body, as well as my soul. As a child, I recall enjoying the time alone with my thoughts as I rode, but I didn't think of it as exercise at the time. Riding my bike felt like total freedom when I was a 10 year old. And in a different way, and for different reasons, it’s also freedom to a 54 year old.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

I like to ride early. I get up, feed the cats, let the dog out, and fill my water bottles. I mentally go over what route I will take, the 22 or the 30 mile course. Each one winds around lakes and trees with lots of wildlife to look at. Occasionally I find the wayward Florida Box turtle that needs a hand up over the curb, or I hear the screech of a Red-shouldered Hawk, or the ospreys hovering over the lakes looking for breakfast. The wild turkeys scratch the ground just at the forest’s perimeter. More importantly it’s my time to be alone with God and my thoughts.

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2)

So why do I ride? To give thanks to God for my type II Diabetes. I know that sounds strange, but it keeps me focused on my health and it keeps me on my knees. Without it I would not be riding my bike. And it's is a unique and special time alone with God that I never would have had.

Be healthy of body and soul,

Bishop Ian

He Is Risen!

God in His mercy sent Jesus, God the Son, to once and for all pay the price for sin for all time and eternity. Yet, I am just amazed, given the overwhelming evidence of Jesus as Messiah, that he is not recognized as Savior by the majority of the world. We are blessed in that we can see and celebrate the completed work of Salvation.

The Old Testament prophets recognized him.

The prophet Micah reveals that Bethlehem would be the birthplace of the Messiah, about 700 hundred years before he was born there. Or, how about the prophet Isaiah; he reveals that the Messiah would be born of a Virgin, that he would minister in Galilee, that he would be tortured and killed as a “guilt offering” for the sins of mankind. The Prophet Isaiah also wrote that the Messiah would not remain in the grave but that he would rise again, and “prolong his days.”

But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
(Isaiah 53:5- 10)

The disciples on the road to Emmaus didn't recognize the risen Jesus, as he walked along with them and explained to them all of the things that happened in Jerusalem those previous days.

Mary Magdalene didn't recognize him when he was standing right in front of her until he spoke her name.

Cleophas and the other disciple (who I like to think was Mrs. Cleophas) didn't recognize him until they invited him into their home and he sat down with them at table, took bread, broke it, and gave it to them. They recognized him, says St. Luke, in the "breaking of the bread." (Luke 24:35).

That anti-Christian persecutor, Saul, didn't recognize the risen Lord either - until he was knocked off his high horse. "Who are you Lord?" ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting’” (Acts 9:5). It was the presence of the risen Lord appearing to Saul that transforming and converting him, that made him St. Paul.

So how do we recognize Him? We encounter the risen Lord, the Messiah, in many ways. He is with us in our midst. Recognize him in the Eucharist, in the breaking of the bread. Recognize him in his word in the Sacred Scriptures as he speaks to you. And recognize him in one another in your community of believers because here he dwells in the midst of his Church. This is what we celebrate. This is what makes us an Easter People, we recognize Jesus, and we fall on our face and worship him.

“And he said to them, do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen; He is not here." (Mark 16:6)

Today, Easter Sunday is so much more than a commemoration of a past event. It is a celebration of an event that is happening in our midst now. Look around you and see. The Lord is truly risen. He is risen indeed. He is with us all days until the end of the world!

Be Blessed,

Bishop Ian