Does Evil Exist?

One day, a professor of a university decided to defy his pupils. He asked: “Did God create everything that exists?” A student answered bravely: “Yes, He did.” “Everything?” asked the teacher. “Yes, everything.” was the answer of the student. “In that case, God also created evil, correct? Because evil exists,” said the teacher. To that, the student had no answer and remained in silence. The teacher was delighted at the opportunity to prove one more time that faith was only a myth.

Suddenly, another student raised his hand and asked, “May I ask you a question, professor?” “Of course,” was the answer. “Does cold exist?” “Of course,” answered the professor. “Did you never feel cold?”

“Actually, sir, cold does not exist. According to studies in Physics, cold is the total and complete absence of heat. An object can only be studied if it has and transmits energy and it is the heat of an object that transmits its energy. Without heat, the objects are inert, incapable to react. But cold does not exist. We created the term cold to explain the lack of heat. … What about darkness?”

“It exists,” replied the professor. “Again, you’re wrong sir, as darkness is the total absence of light. You can study light and brightness, but not darkness. The prism of Nichols shows the variety of different colors in which the light can be decomposed according to the longitude of the waves. Darkness is the term we created to explain the total absence of light.”

And finally, the student asked: “And evil, sir, does evil exist? God did not create evil. Evil is the absence of God in people’s hearts, it is the absence of love, humanity, and faith. Love and faith are like heat and light. They exist. Their absence leads to evil.” Now, it was the professor’s turn to remain silent. ~Unknown Author

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

Well, didn’t you just love the student’s response? Some of you Bible scholars may be saying, “Oh wait just a minute, the Bible says in Isaiah 45:7, “I (God) form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil: I, the Lord, do all these things.” Please notice “light” and “darkness” are opposite. Isaiah is also saying that “peace” and “evil” in this scripture are opposite. The Vine’s Expository Dictionary comments on this verse: “moral evil is not intended in the context, but rather the antithesis (opposite) of shalom (‘peace, welfare, well-being’). The whole verse affirms that as absolute Sovereign, the Lord creates a universe governed by a moral order. Calamity and misfortune will surely ensue from the wickedness of ungodly men.” We read in 1John 1:5, “…God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”