Did God create evil?

[YYZ Skinhead]

The verse in Job where God asks Job "will you accept good from God, and not evil?" has frightened me for years because it sounds as though God either creates evil or permits it in people's lives. What is the point of living if God isn't going to protect you from evil, in fact will cause it to happen? Yes, humans put a curse on the earth when they obeyed Satan and made him the god of this world, but why do people living now (particularly children) have to "pick up the tab" for what Adam and Eve did? Is it blasphemous to ask (O man, who are you that replies against God)?

[sheep wrecked]

(01-18-2011 02:42 PM)YYZ Skinhead Wrote:  The verse in Job where God asks Job "will you accept good from God, and not evil?" has frightened me for years because it sounds as though God either creates evil or permits it in people's lives. What is the point of living if God isn't going to protect you from evil, in fact will cause it to happen? Yes, humans put a curse on the earth when they obeyed Satan and made him the god of this world, but why do people living now (particularly children) have to "pick up the tab" for what Adam and Eve did? Is it blasphemous to ask (O man, who are you that replies against God)?

God does permit evil in our lives. We have Job for an example, and he was a very righteous man. I don't think any of us are exempt from evil, because we live in a cursed world. The Kingdom of God/Christ is not of this world, yet we still live here. The promise is that the Lord will be with us, seeing us through, giving us strength to endure. And yes, at times He does protect us according to His will. Nothing can stop God but performing His plans in us if we love and serve Him. I cannot count the number of times that evil has been kept from me and I know it was the grace of God. Other times I have faced and endured evil, knowing He was there with me every nanosecond

I often think of Paul who was chosen of Christ. Yet it was prophesied at his conversion that he would suffer for the sake of the Gospel:

2Co 11:20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
2Co 11:21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
2Co 11:22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
2Co 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
2Co 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
2Co 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
2Co 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
2Co 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
2Co 11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
2Co 11:29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
2Co 11:30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

I don't really believe that Adam put a curse on the world. It is the curse of sin, a direct result of Adam's disobedience. We often endure the consequences of sin, it does not mean we created it, or made satan force us to endure evil. We will all endure evil - that is a consistent theme throughout the Bible. It is, as they say, a fact of life.

Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

[Vic]

And probably the most well known promise concerning evil is found here:

Psalms 23:1-6 <A Psalm of David.> The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

God allows things in our lives to test us and prove us, and purify us in our walk with Him. The reality of believers is, that He is more than able to keep us, regardless of what comes into our lives, no matter where or how.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Psa 46:1 <To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.> God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psa 46:2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Psa 46:3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

[james broad]

Yeah i think its right that God created the evil angel but he was dropped from the heaven when he didnt obeyed the GOD...
Thats the whole story