The Nature of Evil

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the problem of evil and the relationship between mankind's ability to sin and God's self-proclaimed omnipotence is not precisely addressed by the writers of the Bible, though certainly hints of the answer are sprinkled throughout. The author points out that St. Augustine's first argument in "Confessions suggests that people usually sin not so much out of evil intent, per se, but because they are seeking, in worldly and sinful ways, to achieve ends that God alone may grant. The paper concludes that sin is defined not by actions, but by failure to act.

From the Paper:

"This position reminds one of the old Jewish understanding that the being Christians call Satan (whom they call the "Adversary") was not actually acting against the will of God, but rather that he was created by God to enable us to grow spiritually. According to the Jews for Judaism reference library, "The rabbis say that this Satanic force is the greatest blessing that G-d ever gave us! Satan is the loyal opposition. It helps us build our spiritual muscles by giving us resistance to our spiritual progress". (Rabbi Skobac) To some degree the idea that sin is ordained by God to accomplishes his purposes is evident in Matthew, as in the opening chapters where Herod kills all of the infant Jesus' contemporaries, as "Herod... slew all the children that were in Bethlehem...[so that] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet". (Matthew 2:16-17), and again later when "evil" men killed Christ so that salvation could be achieved. If this is the case, then it certainly makes sense that God gives equally preferential treatment to good and evil men -- as it is he who allows and even causes them to sin -- and that Christ would order his people "Judge not, that ye be not judged"."

More papers on The Nature of Evil:

• Analytical Essay # 148525 : "What is the nature of evil?"
• Analytical Essay # 29796 : "The Nature of Evil"
• Analytical Essay # 104553 : "The Nature of Evil in Literary Works"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: