The Problem of Evil and the Glory of God, part 5

Why does God allow evil? This is a question that Geisler answers by asking another question, is it possible to destroy evil? He says the theist responds as follows:
1. God cannot do what is actually impossible.
2. It is actually impossible to destroy evil without destroying free choice.
3. But free choice is necessary to a moral universe.
4. Therefore, God cannot destroy evil without destroying this good and moral universe.

He then states something that is a simply a contradiction to the omnipotence of God,

It is impossible for God to do what is contradictory. He cannot make an affirmation to be true and false at the same time. He can do nothing which involves such an impossibility, such as, making a square circle or a stone so heavy He cannot lift it. Even an omnipotent being cannot do anything. It can only do what is possible. But it is not possible to force people to freely choose the good. Forced freedom is a contradiction. Therefore, God cannot literally destroy all evil without annihilating free choice.

So Norman Geisler holds to a complete free-will answer to the problem of evil. The origin, nature and persistence of evil is a result of created beings that are free to choose what they will and out of some, but not all, of that evil God will have a good purpose in it. One thing that is noticeable in Geisler’s work is the minimal use of scripture to support his claims, this in itself if a red flag to question his thought.

Filed under: Norman Geisler, The Problem of Evil and the Glory of God

The Problem of Evil and the Glory of God, part 4

There are differing positions regarding of the existence of evil. Norman Geisler presents a position, which many in modern evangelicalism would hold today. In simple terms this is simply a free-will position. In trying to answer the question of where evil came from, Geisler says that the basic elements in the theistic response to this problem are found in Augustine and Thomas Aquinas. Since their time theists have followed the contours of their thought. Both agreed on the response that can be stated as follows:
1. God is absolutely perfect.
2. God created only perfect creatures.
3. One of the perfections God gave some of His creatures was the power of free choice.
4. Some of these creatures freely chose to do evil.
5. Therefore, a perfect creature caused evil.

In a nutshell Geisler says,

God is good, and He created good creatures with a good power called free will. Unfortunately, they used this power to bring evil into the universe by rebelling against their Creator. So evil did arise from good, not directly but indirectly, by the abuse of a good power called freedom. Freedom in itself is not evil. It is good to be free. But with freedom comes the possibility of evil. So God is responsible for making evil possible, but free creatures are responsible for making it actual.

Filed under: Norman Geisler, The Problem of Evil and the Glory of God