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What is Evil?
Evil is an emanation that stems from severity and darkness. When not controlled it is highly destructive; when controlled it can be rather constructive. But controlling evil is a very hard task to undertake and there is only One Who can utterly control it (i.e. One Who knows when and how to make use of it in utter balance with love): its Creator.
God is the creator of all things and as such He created evil (“I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil; I am the Lord, that does all these things.” Isaiah 45:7) – He, himself, told us that He IS the genesis of evil.
Now, why did the Supreme Form of Love create such a stark emanation?
After much thought on this issue, I came to the conclusion that He created it (not only to generate Balance, but mainly) as a form of discipline. However, souls when occupying a body fail to grasp God’s purpose for evil.
When we were created, the Lord breathed life into our nostrils. This breath of existence bore two impulses that are part of His Essence: good (Yetzer Tov) and evil (Yetzer Ra).
While God uses, in full equilibrium, the evil impulse (i.e. Severity and Darkness) to discipline us; to (with love) show us the result of diverting from his plan; humans when making use of it fail in injecting love into their actions (thus generating a destructive unbalance) and are capable of the most vicious and hideous acts that make us question existence and initiate an obsessive quest for good (that is, we once more create a need for another disequilibrium).
Whenever I recall God’s words “and I create evil” I am reminded that perhaps we should leave this malefic emanation to Him, since He is the only One who Is truly able to implement it and actually grow something out of it. For example, when we transgress before God (be it either by mistreating a fellow human or breaking His basic rules) and He severely teaches us a lesson (i.e. life’s vicissitudes) we find room to grow, to evolve, to turn inward and be in touch with our own spirituality and humanity – this is constructive.
Whereas humans, when in contact with this emanation, they destroy everything around them and within. They secretly want their soul to detach itself from The Soul (i.e. they try relinquishing Love), they allow vanity to take over and, thus, materialize their evil into a whole new creature (only known to them): Demon.
The Devil (not Satan, the Accuser – God’s creation designed to implement His severity) is nothing more than a projection of human evil. A projection that can have devastating effects on others - especially those who are not protected against it (by protection I mean a Light within [i.e. Divine Love] and some artefacts that serve to help building a shield against earthly-based evil).
How many forms of human evil are there?
Quite a few. We have the nasty evil (capable of the most vile of actions: paedophilia, rape, vicious murder); then we have envy (that can lead people to do dreadful things); obsessive jealousy (that can result in murder) and torture.
Is evil really a necessary harm?
For a most interesting perspective, please beam over to LS' place: Here
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Dissecting Society™ welcomes all sorts of comments, as we are strong advocates of freedom of speech; however, we reserve the right to delete Troll Activity; libellous and offensive comments (e.g. racist and anti-Semitic) plus those with excessive foul language. This blog does not view vulgarity as being protected by the right to free speech. Cheers
Interesting post. I unfortunately had an experience with evil this weekend in the form of those who abuse the elderly. Some evil springs from a soul unwilling to turn towards the light and whose being is rooted in envy, bitterness and greed.
ReplyDeleteI look at this in a slightly different way, but I'm sure you aren't surprised by that. ;)
ReplyDeleteTo say that God created evil, could have several different meanings. First of all, God created good. He sort of drew a line in the sand about what is right, and what is wrong. By drawing that line, He defined how evil exists. In that way, it could be said that He "created evil". Without any laws, evil could not exist. But God has given laws and commandments, and defined that there is such a thing as evil. I believe that you are right, that in a sense, God created this balance as a way to teach us. The Book of Mormon teaches, "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things..." 2 Nephi 2:11 How could we understand joy if we never felt pain? We must have light to understand dark, and vice versa. It is only with opposition that we can learn and grow.
There is another way in which God is the creator of evil. One of our LDS beliefs is that Lucifer, who is also known as Satan, or the Devil, is a spirit child of God. However, he rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven. He sought to exalt himself above God, and to destroy God's plan for mankind. "12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:" Isaiah 14: 12, 13
This scripture tells that Lucifer was fallen....fallen from a higher place to a lower place. But he was ultimately a child of God to begin with, making God the creator of evil in this way.
However, we must not make the mistake of saying that evil things come from God. The Book of Mormon teaches, "12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." Moroni 7:12,13
God does allow evil things to happen to people so that they can learn and progress. But those evil things do not emanate from Him. If God acted evily, He would cease to be God.
Dear Maximus...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations for your literary style and provocation. Now to the subject at hand...
Part 1 Since Blogger is stupid in the way they have limited comment length!
The text you have utilized for Isaiah 45:7 is not the best of translations, it also does not provide the necessary context to properly communicate the meaning of the verse, it lacks the historical framework within which the verse resides, the literary form is not clear in this presentation, your concepts that allude to the verse are not supported by the panorama of Scripture.
The translation, you appear to be using the KJV or other similarly old equally uncommunicative translation. Here are a couple of superior translations (note we are currently speaking of translations not interpretations):
7The One forming light and creating darkness,
Causing well-being and creating calamity;
I am the LORD who does all these.
-- Isaiah 45:7 NASV (a very literal translation)
7 I form the light and create darkness,
I bring prosperity and create disaster;
I, the LORD, do all these things.
-- Isaiah 45:7 TNIV (a dynamic equivalent translation)
The particular Hebrew word translated as “evil” in your quoted translation and “calamity” or “disaster” has no less than 10 shades of meaning which is drawn from its context. This verses literary context in the Hebrew is similar to another verse in Scripture (both Jewish and Christian scholars agree upon this):
3Do you put off the day of calamity,
And would you bring near the seat of violence?
- - Amos 6:3 NASV
The context of “calamity” here is judgment just as it is in Isaiah 45:7. It is not saying that God is evil or does evil; indeed Scripture tells us emphatically that He does not do evil and is actually good. Therefore in the final judgment people will feel well-being and prosperity if they are His genuine followers. For those that are not God’s true followers there will be calamity and disaster.
With the reference to light and darkness speaking of physical creation as it reflects the description of creation in Genesis 1. Indeed this is emphasised by the poetic form (Hebrew poetry is not about rhyme but contrast in concepts etc). The Old Testament frequently uses this formula, in this instance we have the beginning reflected in contrast to the end judgment followed by another allusion to the beginning with creation “all things”.
Part 2
ReplyDeleteHow does this fit with the context of Isaiah 45:7? What is the proper interpretation?
This portion of Scripture is seated within a text referring to king Cyrus. God chose to interact with this unbelieving king and His influence over Cyrus is emphasised. Lets look at the three most immediate verses:
6That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun
That there is no one besides Me.
I am the LORD, and there is no other,
7The One forming light and creating darkness,
Causing well-being and creating calamity;
I am the LORD who does all these.
8"Drip down, O heavens, from above,
And let the clouds pour down righteousness;
Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit,
And righteousness spring up with it.
I, the LORD, have created it.
- - Isaiah 45:6-8 NASV
In verses 1-5 God is talking about how He has interacted in real historical time with king Cyrus and Cyrus’s successes because of God’s interactions. Although Cyrus was powerful he was as nothing compared to God. In verse 6 God makes it clear that He is the One God. Note that He is referring to all people being able to know He is the One God. He is speaking to a non-Jewish king and explaining that for all people there is only One God there is no other God. The God of the Bible is only true God and all people may come to Him not just Jewish people...His Word is for everybody. All other gods are frauds. Note God is using His personal name when the word “LORD” is used.
Verse 7 emphasises God’s sovereignty in creation and judgement.
Verse 8 continues with God’s creation and intervention within His creation then is accentuated once again by His reference to judgment and salvation followed again to His emphasis upon creation. The Hebrew poetic form works its rhythm through the text.
“Well-being” and “calamity” are declarations of judgment. Those with “well-being” are God’s followers and those who reject Him by following other “gods” will suffer “calamity”.
God is not evil and does not do evil. You are putting words in God’s mouth when you quote Him as saying “and I create evil” even the verse you allude to does not say that quotation...God is eternally-perfectly-good-pure-holy and this is emphasised throughout Scripture. For more on this please refer to my article as I would just be repeating the arguments here.
As this is at the core of your article it seems best to move our way through it before touching upon other aspects. :)
I’m not sure if either of have surprised the other with our articles! LOL However i know you enjoy being provocative....
Ciao Max,
ReplyDeleteAnother provocative post, hein?
All I can say is that evil can be a very precious asset which can be traded by a greater common good.
I missed you; thank God you're back!
Ciao
Hi Max!
ReplyDeleteOne can argue that God knows how to master both evil and good, for He's been making use of the dualism for quite "some time" now; thus offering to mankind the Free Will. This way, each time one transgresses it can consciously stop self-inflicting severe punishment for choosing the bad over the good.
The worst of evils is to watch it slowly being eroded by & absorbed into it, and then later on coming out with a stupid excuse to justify and appease its coward consciences.
Evil is all around the planet earth and it is supposedly a necessary harm: how would one tell the difference between good and evil? Without evil would the human evolution be a reality? Not likely.
Max, this was a great provocation: congrats and thank you for being back!
Max, hope all is well. You said: 'I came to the conclusion that He created it (not only to generate Balance, but mainly) as a form of discipline.' - excellent point. How would we know how to fight against something if we ever never had it around us. The opposite force if a mus.
ReplyDeleteMax, as much I hate evil in people, it teaches us a lot how to live, appreciate life but, unfortunately on someones account.
Awaiting patiently your come back, feels kind of empty without your presence here :).
Anna :)
Interesting read and reflections Max!
ReplyDeleteI won't say evil is always a good thing, but it's often about our perceptions.
Like Anna: Looking forward to have you back and hope you've had a nice break!
I think, as much as I abhor the thought, that we need good and evil, ying and yang, light and dark -- it is the balance you cannot have one without the other.
ReplyDeleteHey Max, great post. It is very interesting to see such wide and varying viewpoints between you and Livingsword. I have a whole new appreciation for other cultures and religions since I came back from China let me tell you.
ReplyDeleteAS much as I hate evil (gee, who doesn't!), I guess it is necessary... or at least somewhat logical.
ReplyDeleteEverything has two sides: night/ day, hot/ cold, good/ bad... it's just the way the world is, at least for a non-believer like me.
I also believe deep evil can be counter attack by deep good. Therefor, because we know they are bad things out there, some try harder to be good. Basically, it set a value scale in this world.
(do I make sense? I'm sick today, brain is dead!)
Hey Beautiful,
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time. I hope your vacation was good. We missed you. Did LS inspire this evil post? LOL. Just kidding, I know LS is as sweet as molasses.
There are many aspects of evil from a personal level o a world level. When we have many evil powers that be in office, we have corruption. This can lead to people feeling a lack of faith - which is one culprit of evil.
I guess the real point of evil is to make us realize that there is another way to behave and that is to treat others with kindness, respect, honor, etc.
Kindness goes a long way.
Welcome back my friend.
Kindness Cheers.
Welcome back! Hoping your mind and body are one with the Universe after such a good? break!
ReplyDeleteI would have to say the world would be a better place without EVIL!
But seeing it's here, we must make the best of it and overcome it, whenever and wherever it raises its ugly head to show God we are worth saving!
Considering he gave up his son for us, its the least we can do!
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Mountain Woman :D!
ReplyDelete"Interesting post."
Thank you so much *bowing*!
"I unfortunately had an experience with evil this weekend in the form of those who abuse the elderly."
That is another form of evil indeed *nodding*...
"Some evil springs from a soul unwilling to turn towards the light and whose being is rooted in envy, bitterness and greed."
I totally agree with you. And whenever I witness this my being saddens *nodding*.
MW, thank you so much for having shared your experience with us; and I am sorry you had to witness this :(...
Cheers
Hi D!
ReplyDelete:D
"I look at this in a slightly different way, but I'm sure you aren't surprised by that. ;)"
LOL no, I am not surprised...and you know I love hearing different points of view...so, let's hear it! :)
"To say that God created evil, could have several different meanings. First of all, God created good. He sort of drew a line in the sand about what is right, and what is wrong.By drawing that line, He defined how evil exists."
Indeed...
"In that way, it could be said that He "created evil". Without any laws, evil could not exist. But God has given laws and commandments, and defined that there is such a thing as evil. I believe that you are right, that in a sense, God created this balance as a way to teach us."
Very well explained!
We are on the same page so far.
"The Book of Mormon teaches, "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things..." 2 Nephi 2:11 How could we understand joy if we never felt pain? We must have light to understand dark, and vice versa. It is only with opposition that we can learn and grow."
Exactly!!
"This scripture tells that Lucifer was fallen....fallen from a higher place to a lower place. But he was ultimately a child of God to begin with, making God the creator of evil in this way."
Again, well explained...
"However, we must not make the mistake of saying that evil things come from God."
I agree...one thing is to say that He created Evil (which He did) another thing is to say that evil things come from Him - two different things. And those who would say this are probably those who seek unaccountability from their own choices and decisions.
But I do not see Satan the same way as Christians do. To me, Satan (the Accuser) is a Divine creation to implement God's severity (which, to us on earth, seem to be evil).
The Moroni passage is very beautiful: thank you for sharing :D!
"God does allow evil things to happen to people so that they can learn and progress."
I agree...
"But those evil things do not emanate from Him. If God acted evily, He would cease to be God."
Hmmm...it depends. I make the distinction between Evil (i.e. God's Severity that to humans is perceived as evil, even if not) and evil (human evil stemming from the ill-use of Free Will). Now, Evil emanates from God (since it refers to His Severity implemented by Satan to help us grow), but evil comes from humans (many times with the help of lower-spirits [spirits that haven't followed the Light]).
God doesn't act evily, God implements Severity...only we, humans, perceive it as evil...know what I mean?
D, outstanding comment!! Thank you so much, it is always a pleasure to converse with you :D!
Cheers
Hello LSus :D!
ReplyDeletePart I
"Congratulations for your literary style and provocation. Now to the subject at hand..."
Thank you so much *bowing*...
"Part 1 Since Blogger is stupid in the way they have limited comment length!"
Blogger is tripping...*nodding*.
"The translation, you appear to be using the KJV or other similarly old equally uncommunicative translation. Here are a couple of superior translations (note we are currently speaking of translations not interpretations):"
Thank you for the so-called "superior translations", darling....
"7The One forming light and creating darkness,"
In the original language, this passage says "Yotzeir or uvrei khoshekh" meaning "I form light and create darkness", since God in the end of this verse says "Ani Adonai, oseh kol-eileh" (I am the Lord who does all these things), meaning the Participle "Yotzeir" refers not to the Gerund but to the first person of the Present tense.
"Causing well-being and creating calamity;"
In the original language it says "oseh shalom uvorei ra", oseh shalom = I make peace and uvorei ra= I create evil (for consistency reasons it should be inferred that the Present is being used and not the Gerund).
"-- Isaiah 45:7 NASV (a very literal translation)"
Right....
"The particular Hebrew word translated as “evil” in your quoted translation and “calamity” or “disaster” has no less than 10 shades of meaning which is drawn from its context. This verses literary context in the Hebrew is similar to another verse in Scripture (both Jewish and Christian scholars agree upon this):"
So, what you are saying is that certain Jewish and Christian scholars prefer to manipulate the translation of the Hebrew word "ra" (which means evil), according to their own views of what IS...interesting.
I guess it is easier to believe that God creates no evil; than understanding that He creates Evil and Good yet manages to balance the two in utter perfection...I can understand that.
As long as the word "ra" appears in the original texts, it should be translated as "evil".
"The context of “calamity” here is judgment just as it is in Isaiah 45:7. It is not saying that God is evil or does evil; indeed Scripture tells us emphatically that He does not do evil and is actually good."
No, it does not say that God is evil or does evil...but it does say that He creates evil.
Now, to create evil He must Know it, and if He knows it, it is because He Has it in Him - remember, El-Shaddai is the Supreme Duality.
When you say that God does no evil it depends on the point of view and on the circumstance...it is not rare to see people blaming God for their loss (of any kind) and they call it evil, not a calamity (but if we think about it, calamity derives from some sort of evil, of wickedness). Now, many times it is God, Himself Who does these things so that people can evolve, grow...therefore He does Evil (not evil) - in a sense that His actions cause pain, sometimes extreme pain (i.e. His Severity [Evil] can be perceived as evil, by humans).
"For those that are not God’s true followers there will be calamity and disaster."
I do not believe in this. Even if you are a true follower of God calamity or disaster may come upon you as either a test or karma.
LS,
ReplyDeletePart II
"This portion of Scripture is seated within a text referring to king Cyrus. God chose to interact with this unbelieving king and His influence over Cyrus is emphasised. Lets look at the three most immediate verses:"
LS, the context of this passage does not alter the fact that God said He created Evil. God doesn't change His word according to whom He speaks to, or to when He speaks.
"As this is at the core of your article it seems best to move our way through it before touching upon other aspects. :)"
LOL LOL LOL....
"I’m not sure if either of have surprised the other with our articles! LOL However i know you enjoy being provocative...."
LOL you always manage to surprise me, LS *bowing*! LOL LOL provocative, moi?
LS, thank you ever so much for your outstanding comment...I missed this :D!
Cheers
Ciao Dux :D!
ReplyDelete"Another provocative post, hein?"
LOL you reckon? LOL...
"All I can say is that evil can be a very precious asset which can be traded by a greater common good."
I must admit that the thought has crossed my mind...so, I am inclined to agree with you *bowing*!
"I missed you; thank God you're back!"
Aww, thank you! It is good to be back :D!
Dux Probus, thanks a million for sharing your thoughts with us: I loved it :D!
Cheers
Hi C.C :D!
ReplyDelete"One can argue that God knows how to master both evil and good, for He's been making use of the dualism for quite "some time" now; thus offering to mankind the Free Will. This way, each time one transgresses it can consciously stop self-inflicting severe punishment for choosing the bad over the good."
Beautiful!! Very well said *applause*! And of course, I must agree with you *bowing*!
"The worst of evils is to watch it slowly being eroded by & absorbed into it, and then later on coming out with a stupid excuse to justify and appease its coward consciences."
*nodding in agreement*....
"Evil is all around the planet earth and it is supposedly a necessary harm: how would one tell the difference between good and evil? Without evil would the human evolution be a reality? Not likely."
Not likely indeed, my friends...*amazed face*!
"Max, this was a great provocation: congrats and thank you for being back!"
LOL here we go...
Thank you so much and it is good to be back *bowing*!
C.C, I am still in total amazement by this super comment: thank you ever so much :D!
Cheers
Hi Anna :D!
ReplyDelete"Max, hope all is well. You said: 'I came to the conclusion that He created it (not only to generate Balance, but mainly) as a form of discipline.' - excellent point. How would we know how to fight against something if we ever never had it around us. The opposite force if a mus."
Darling, all is well...thanks :)!
You got my point in utter perfection, thank you!
"Max, as much I hate evil in people, it teaches us a lot how to live, appreciate life but, unfortunately on someones account."
So true, girl...so true *nodding*.
"Awaiting patiently your come back, feels kind of empty without your presence here :)."
I am back now!! Aww, that is so kind of you...thank you *hug*! Now, I feel special :D!
Anna, my good friend, thanks for having shared your point of view with us :D!
Cheers
Hey Renny :D!
ReplyDelete"Interesting read and reflections Max!"
Thank you, my friend *bowing*!
"I won't say evil is always a good thing, but it's often about our perceptions."
Exactly! As humans, we tend to perceive God's Severity as evil, when it is not.
"Like Anna: Looking forward to have you back and hope you've had a nice break!"
:D thank you so much! I had a reasonable break, yes :).
Renny, thanks a million for your input :D!
Cheers
Hey Beth :D!
ReplyDelete"I think, as much as I abhor the thought, that we need good and evil, ying and yang, light and dark -- it is the balance you cannot have one without the other."
I hear you!
Darling, thank you so much for having dropped by and left such a good thought on this :D!
Cheers
Hey Bob :D!
ReplyDelete"Hey Max, great post. It is very interesting to see such wide and varying viewpoints between you and Livingsword."
Thanks, Lord of the Astrostuff! Yes, LS and I are quite a phenomenon LOL ;).
But we aim to please *bowing*...
"I have a whole new appreciation for other cultures and religions since I came back from China let me tell you."
I know exactly that feeling, my friend :D! I can see that this trip was quite a trip for you, eh? I am happy for you! :D
Bob, thanks a million for having dropped and left a word :D!
Cheers
Salut Zhu :D!
ReplyDelete"AS much as I hate evil (gee, who doesn't!), I guess it is necessary... or at least somewhat logical."
LOL (yeah, who doesn't?)...I hear you!
"Everything has two sides: night/ day, hot/ cold, good/ bad... it's just the way the world is, at least for a non-believer like me."
Girl, you got it right!! The world is exactly that: a duality! :D
"I also believe deep evil can be counter attack by deep good. Therefor, because we know they are bad things out there, some try harder to be good. Basically, it set a value scale in this world."
You are an optimist...I like that :). This was very well explained: thank you!!
"(do I make sense? I'm sick today, brain is dead!)"
You make utter sense, girl! I am sorry to hear that :(...I hope you are feeling better by now :)!
Zhu, thank you so so much for this fantastic comment (I loved it) :D!
Cheers
Hi Beautiful Lady A :D!
ReplyDelete"It's been a long time. I hope your vacation was good. We missed you. Did LS inspire this evil post? LOL. Just kidding, I know LS is as sweet as molasses."
It has! It was good enough, thank you :)! I missed you too, believe me!
LOL LOL no, as odd as it may seem...this theme was my idea.
He is...LS is a sweet man (although he doesn't show it).
"There are many aspects of evil from a personal level o a world level. When we have many evil powers that be in office, we have corruption. This can lead to people feeling a lack of faith - which is one culprit of evil."
Very well put! I like this perspective...
"I guess the real point of evil is to make us realize that there is another way to behave and that is to treat others with kindness, respect, honor, etc.
Kindness goes a long way."
Again, excellently put *applause*! I agree with you!
"Welcome back my friend."
Thank you, Lady A *bowing*! It is good to be back :D!
A, thanks a million for your amazing perspective; very good indeed :D!
Love Cheers
Hi Peter :D!
ReplyDelete"Welcome back! Hoping your mind and body are one with the Universe after such a good? break!"
Thanks!!! They are one with the Universe indeed, my friend :D!
"I would have to say the world would be a better place without EVIL!"
lol...but having absolute good would perhaps unbalance things a bit, and then new forms of evil would be re-created in other to restablish the equilibrium...Hmmm...a nice (or not) thought...
"But seeing it's here, we must make the best of it and overcome it, whenever and wherever it raises its ugly head to show God we are worth saving!"
This is beautiful!!
"Considering he gave up his son for us, its the least we can do!"
That is respectful, Pete :)!
Peter, thank you ever so much for this fab comment: I love listening to you :D!
Cheers