Why is there evil in the world?

If man is absolutely enslaved to a sinful nature which God caused, then God is responsible for man's evil.

If I program a robot to do good, I am responsible for it's actions. If I program a robot to do evil, I am responsible for the robot's actions.

Nowhere do the scriptures ever teach that a man is absolutely compelled to do evil. There are hundreds of verses where God pleads with men to turn from evil and do good. This would be non-sensical if man is absolutely enslaved to always do evil, and God is NEVER non-sensical.

Eze 33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

God says he has no pleasure in the death of the wicked and pleads with men to turn from evil. This would make no sense unless man has the ability to turn from sin.

Calvinism makes God to be a very confused person. According to Calvinism, God curses men with a sinful nature that completely enslaves him. Man has absolutely no power to do good. God knows this perfectly well, as he is the one who placed this curse on man. Nevertheless, God pleads with men to do good when he knows it is absolutely impossible for man to do so.

So Calvinism almost portrays God to be crazy.

You may think you honor God by making him responsible for every action that occurs, but you actually accuse him of evil, and of being a very mixed up and confused person as well.

The Jews sacrificed their children to Baal, and God said he never commanded or spoke it, or that it ever came into his heart or mind.

Jer 7:31 And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.

God does not control every event as Calvinism falsely teaches. God never commanded the Jews to sacrifice their children in fire to Baal, and it never came into his heart.

 

16Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

17But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

18Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness

17But thank God, though you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient with all your heart to the standard of teaching in which you were instructed and to which you were committed.

18And having been set free from sin, you have become the servants of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in thought, purpose, and action).

Winman
this kind of opinion and accuasation about God is evil speaking

5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually

3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

This is a vile statement,please stop. If you cannot handle the accurate teaching then back out of it.

then you say this;

Winman.....learn the lesson of Dan 4 before you continue to blaspheme God.

31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! 32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”

33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.

Nebuchadnezzar Praises God


34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever:

For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?” 36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.

 

You don't even realize the scripture you quoted to support your view actually refutes it.

Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Does this verse say that you are a slave to sin and must therefore obey it?

No, it says to whom ye "yield yourselves" servants to obey, his servants ye are.

This verse is not saying you must sin because you are a slave to sin, it is saying the exact opposite. It is saying that whoever you yield yourselves to obey, you become their servant.

You don't rob a bank because you were born a bank robber, you become a bank robber when you rob a bank. How could you be a bank robber if you never robbed a bank? It is the same with sin, how can you possibly be a slave to sin unless you first sin?

This is yet another case of Calvinism teaching exactly the opposite of what the scriptures truly say. You need to read more carefully with comprehension.

 

Winman,
The context of Romans 6 is that of Spirit baptized persons 6:3-6
Jesus has set them free,they are now free from sins reign and able to obey, by the indwelling Spirit.

21What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

22But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

This verse does not teach man is compelled to sin, it is simply saying that men were doing evil continually at that time. You add to this verse what it does not say.

 

I don't know what you are saying here, I fully agree the wages of sin is death.

But Romans 6:16 does not teach that a person must sin because they are enslaved to sin, it teaches the opposite, that men are enslaved because they sin.

Being free from sin is speaking of the penalty of sin. It is not saying you must sin, it is saying you must die because you sinned (vs. 21). Now, in that respect we are enslaved to sin, if we sin we must die. But that is altogether different from saying we are absolutely compelled to sin as you falsely teach.

 

One of us is teaching falsehood....I agree.:thumbs:

lets go from 14

Paul thanks God.....not the sinner....that they were under sins dominion,its power, but Jesus set them free....they do not thank themselves for saving them self by a false philosophical free will
\

 

Sin does not have dominion over me since I accepted Christ. Before I accepted Christ I was under the dominion of sin and would have died forever and gone to hell. After receiving Christ I am no longer under sin's dominion and now I have everlasting life and will go to heaven.

I still sin though. And if you are honest you will admit you do too. If your intepretation is correct, then we should not be able to sin after receiving Christ. After all, now we are slaves or servants to God.

No, go back and read Romans 6:16 again. It does not teach that you sin because you are a slave of sin, it teaches the very opposite, you are a slave to sin when you choose (yield yourself) to sin.

You are not born a drug addict, you become a drug addict (a slave to drugs) when you choose to start taking drugs. This is what Rom 6:16 is saying of sin.

Calvinism turns much scripture around to say the very opposite of what it truly says.

 

Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.


What about Noah and his family? They were NOT evil. They were the only ones on the earth that believed God.


Now the reason man was so evil could be because of the fallen angels that procreated with women which produced a race of totally evil beings (Satan's attempt to stop the bloodline of the Messiah), and God had to destroy them. But that is another topic.

 

23Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually
it does not say...only at that time....it says only evil continually

the passage teaches that sins dominion is broken,over any sinner that
God draws to himself.

[QUOTEQUOTE]I still sin though. And if you are honest you will admit you do too.[/QUOTE]

yes thats why Paul wrote romans 7.....then 8...it is a complete salvation

false again.....the bondage to sin is broken, yet we are able to sin 1jn1:9

No....you turn the truth around with a man centered gospel,resisting the historic position of the church.

 

Amy......good question,lets see if the bible gives a reason for Noah's belief in God.....

Yes.....Moses was also a calvinist....he has to point out by the Spirit why noah believed.

and then this;

oh no.....covenant theology why can't it just stay simple?
Is God preserving the godly line by destroying the wicked?

The grace of God always causes faith and obedience.God is always mindful of His covenant.

 

winman.....i missed this quote when you said this;
[QUOTEYou are not born a drug addict, you become a drug addict (a slave to drugs) when you choose to start taking drugs. This is what Rom 6:16 is saying of sin.][/QUOTE]

Why can you not see it this way?

QUOTEYou are not born a drug addict.......you are born a sinner dead in adam
rom5:12-19

you become a drug addict (a slave to drugs) when you choose to start taking drugs.....when your sin and rebellion leads you to drug s or alcohol....
you choose it because you are bound to a life in rebellion to God that desires wickedness......

the word servant means willing bondslave......

 

Doctrine

1 Timothy 1:

Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
The Lord’s Grace to Paul
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 4:
16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

2 Timothy 4

1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

James 5:
19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

God isn't waiting on no one. We who believe God isn't depending on us to believe we are depending on God that His promise will save us. Who are we to question God and His sovereignty on how He decided to save mankind.

Can we really tell God He can't do what He is doing because of Him destroying His sovereignty? He is the one who said He is going to save those who believe in His Son, who gave us the right to judge God?

 

Created man

God created with a free will even Calvinist believe this about Adam and Eve, why because God isn't going to force one to love Him and He wouldn't created man this way that is what you what us to think, but we do not. He should of done something to avoid this, but God would not create man that way, by the fact that He didn't and He could.

Those who don't love Him do it by their own evil desire, not God's. God is only going to keep the meek and humble who trust in the Lord and they will persevere to the end.

A Creator create that is what He does, if they are evil it is not God's desire, but their own evil desire.

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

 

How do you interpret Romans 9:6-18 then?

 

The only thing we equate with Adam is original sin. Our free will falls under the permissive will of God, a subtitle under absolute sovereignty. Man has the free will to sin, and he is dead in his sins.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Will of God

The children Abraham are those who believed God. It isn't by natural decent or by human choice.

It is God choice to save them, and God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy on, and there is nothing you can do about it.

God can do what He want to to those who have not trusted in His name.

 

Promise

God can hate Esua and love Jacob on this earth, but when it comes to the judgement seat of Christ there will be no favoritism.