WHAT IS EVIL?
Despite the intelligence of ancient man, mankind faces many problems due to the existence of evil in the world. Before commencing this next section on the subject of evil, please answer the following questions:
1. Did God create evil?
2. Is it a perverse sort of God who allows freedom of choice when He knows all the suffering it will bring?
What is Evil ('waaraa')?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines evil as 'bad', 'harmful', whilst Roget's Theosaurus uses such words as 'misuse', and 'misdirection', a 'missing of the mark.' Scripture says: - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Evil is a perversion of absolute truth.
Evil is wrong-doing in regard to God's original and ongoing intentions, and detrimental in terms of its effect on man.
Evil is that which goes against the very fabric and workings of the Universe - think about how destructive this is to self.
Evil is the comprehensive term under which all disturbances of the divinely appointed harmony of the Universe are included.
Note: Physical evil - disorder in the physical world = in part, that which militates against physical well-being. This evil is, to some extent at least, the effect or penalty of sin (eg Gen 6:13).
Moral Evil - The failure of rational and free beings to conform in character and conduct to the will of God (this is greatest evil, see Rom 1:18-32).
The theist does not say that God caused evil or that he is unable to prevent evil, but that he allows evil as a consequence of free will. The Bible tells us that evil will not exist forever, and that a lifetime in the midst of evil and suffering is insignificant compared to eternity in perfect peace with God. The apostle Paul said it this way: "for I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8.18)
Prof N. Geisler, 'False Gods', page 56.