Understanding the origin of evil

UNDERSTANDING THE ORIGIN OF EVIL

A. Where Did Evil Come From?

1 – Three competing views:

a. The view: evil exist.

b. The view: evil is a .

c. The view: evil is not the of something; it is the of something. i. Evil is the absence of , (and “good” is the of God.)

B. Why Did God Permit the Possibility of Evil?

1 – God’s nature is ‘‘: the love imaginable.

“…God is love.” (1 John 4:8b)

2 – You were created in God’s image: to and with God…

“God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

3 – You were created to and the purest love imaginable…

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knowsGod. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)

4 – The ability to love requires the ability to , (and the possibility to .)

“The Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” (John 16:27)

“Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Matthew 22:37-39)

Today’s Big Idea…

Evil is not a of God; Evil is the of God.