Fate Crimes
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An interesting topic came up in my history class today. We are
currently studying ancient civilizations and specifically we are
looking at the ancient Egyptians. Some of our reading
requirements include the books of Genesis and Exodus, obviously for the
historical content it contains about Egypt. So as my professor is
summerizing the story of Joseph and his brothers, he wants us to "think
about how God has caused evil to happen" referring to Gen 45:5,
"Now do not be grieved or angry with yoursleves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life."
He also mentioned that it required the evil of Judas in order for Christ to die, and in response to Mark 14:21b,
"It would have been good for that man if he had not been born!"
(Christ referring to Judas) is "stupid" because if he was never born than Christ could not have been crucified.
So.....very interesting. The issue here, then, is not whether God allows evil to happen, but rather if He causes and is in control of evil or sin. It is pretty apparent that God does indeed let evil things occur, but to make them happen!?
Hmmmm......let's go the Bible for this one.
Let's check out Romans 8:28,"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called to His purpose." Uh oh...He causes all things to happen, not just uses them for good? Well how about Lamentations 3:37,38, "Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both good and ill go forth?(Lit. the evil things and the good) Jeez...Lamentations is filled with all sorts of stuff you would want to read before going to bed. And don't forget about all the cities decemated and people He commanded to be obliterated.
Alright, check it out. There does seem to be at least a small case for God causing evil to happen, but remember that there is no evil in God: "For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You." Psalm 5:4
So what's it gonna be? Does God act in a way that would appear sinful but is done out of love and for that person's best interest? Is it similar to the difference between a serial killer hacking you up to put in his freezer and a surgeon hacking you up to save your life? My history professor is dying to know what you think. So let's hear it.
"Now do not be grieved or angry with yoursleves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life."
He also mentioned that it required the evil of Judas in order for Christ to die, and in response to Mark 14:21b,
"It would have been good for that man if he had not been born!"
(Christ referring to Judas) is "stupid" because if he was never born than Christ could not have been crucified.
So.....very interesting. The issue here, then, is not whether God allows evil to happen, but rather if He causes and is in control of evil or sin. It is pretty apparent that God does indeed let evil things occur, but to make them happen!?
Hmmmm......let's go the Bible for this one.
Let's check out Romans 8:28,"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called to His purpose." Uh oh...He causes all things to happen, not just uses them for good? Well how about Lamentations 3:37,38, "Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both good and ill go forth?(Lit. the evil things and the good) Jeez...Lamentations is filled with all sorts of stuff you would want to read before going to bed. And don't forget about all the cities decemated and people He commanded to be obliterated.
Alright, check it out. There does seem to be at least a small case for God causing evil to happen, but remember that there is no evil in God: "For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You." Psalm 5:4
So what's it gonna be? Does God act in a way that would appear sinful but is done out of love and for that person's best interest? Is it similar to the difference between a serial killer hacking you up to put in his freezer and a surgeon hacking you up to save your life? My history professor is dying to know what you think. So let's hear it.
Back to entries Comment on this entry
Keith McCallum
on September 16, 2005 at 11:11 PM
Well what's your personal take, Jake? 
0 Star(s) awarded This question is interesting because we just read Gen. 37-50, The Story of Joseph, in my World Literatures class. To my utmost surprise, my professor (who must be a Christian) attributed Joseph's suffering to the evil, sinful nature of man and the fallen world due, which are a result of God's gift of free will. He went on to emphasize how God used Joseph's faithfulness and the suffering he experienced for good (he quoted Rom. 8:28) in the lives of Joseph, his family, and the entire famine-stricken area. I was bracing myself for a postmodern or otherwise misguided reading of the text, but was pleasantly surprised by an interpretation that I entirely agreed with. To sum up, God allows evil to occur because he wants us to have free will. However, he can use anything, no matter how evil or painful, for His plan when we are willing to remain faithful to Him.
Keith McCallum
on September 19, 2005 at 11:07 PM
Jake, see my trackback link reponse on this stuff - I wrote a long one, and (I might add) a thought-provoking one. 0 Star(s) awarded
andiemcphee
on September 22, 2005 at 12:11 AM
HEYYYYYYYYYY! What's going on? How's school? How's being married? I miss you! 0 Star(s) awarded
drhugs
on September 23, 2005 at 9:51 AM
Who is this professor? Interesting how faculty feel free to throw rocks at God and Christianity. Jesus is "stupd?" That sounds like a motivated comment...look at the logic. Judas was evil, but God does not need to make people evil to have some evil people hanging around. They come that way. Judas betrayed Jesus, and God is able to use that evil act for good. Judas is still responsible and will be judged, so it would have been better for him if he had never been born. All these things are consistent; there is no "stupid" inconsistency here. There is instead a hyper-literal interpretation. "It would be better if he were never born" sounds like a figure of speech (that other people in the Bible have also echoed). It does not mean that it would be better for God's plan or better in any ultimate sense, a higher good for the universe or anything. Rather, he is so screwed that in hindsight, I bet he wishes he never even existed.
0 Star(s) awarded
diblogs
on September 24, 2005 at 11:05 PM
Who is your history professor? I got totally bombarded with the rantings of my God hating History of CivilizationI professor. It was pretty tough to take but it made me consider issues like this and other issues I had not thought through before. It's amazing to see that Kalie has heard good interpretation of a biblical execerpt in school! 0 Star(s) awarded
