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

Advent 2 - "Bible Sunday"

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant that we may in such wise hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience, and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Collect for Advent 2, 1928 BCP Pg. 91

The Second Sunday in Advent is traditionally known as "Bible Sunday". The collect, which dates from the Reformation, asks for God's grace that we might "...read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest..." the sacred scriptures. Thomas Cranmer (First Archbishop of Canterbury under Henry the VIII) issued a decree that an English Bible should be placed in every church. One of the great things about the Reformation was that its leaders wanted to give the Bible to the people. The problem was most of the people couldn’t read…. so the bible became the reading primer of the day. Imagine that in today’s modern public schools.

Cranmer also made sure scripture would be the foundation of our prayer book. From its beginning in 1552 the prayer book was and is still two-thirds direct scripture, while the remaining third is scripture put into a devotional form. That means that all the prayers, collects, thanksgivings, invocations, litanies etc., as well as the responses of the people are biblically based.

So there you have it - Bible Sunday but there’s more to the story! (Cue the scary music and dim the lights.) The Gospel of St. Luke 21:25 has Jesus talking about the end of the world; the prophesy of destruction, and the end of all things. But it is not just about end times - all that scary passing away of stuff and the final judgment of this and that. It’s also about Christ coming in power and glory! The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, now all earthly things are passing… But Jesus is forever. His words will never pass.

The Epistle appointed for Advent 2 is also perfect for the Christmas season. Romans 15:4-13 also tells us that Advent is a season of hope, faith, and expectation to both Jews and Gentiles. Paul speaks of the promises of God, referring to Isaiah's prophecy:

There shall be a root of Jesse,
And he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,
In him shall the Gentiles hope.

Advent 2 is indeed Bible Sunday; a book full of promises fulfilled, and some yet to come. What a joy to know that we are heirs of those universal promises, that by patience, and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen
Collect for Advent 2, 1928 BCP Pg. 91

Be hearing, be marking, be learning…

+Ian