The Majesty of Righteousness Part 2: Evil

So last week, we had the introduction to "The Moral Argument".

Why was this necessary? Because in order for us to understand the magnificence of Righteousness, there has to be a moral framework in order to ascribe to a person: they are righteous before [God].

And because at the bottom of this, supporting our desire for truth, justice, punishment and reward, then a moral code has to exist on which to differentiate between right and wrong, good and bad.

Last week we went through some examples of evil - current and Biblical.

So if we accept that God is necessary for a [objective] moral law on which to differentiate between good and bad, let's define bad, or evil.

How do we describe / define evil?

e·vil

  [ee-vuhl]  Show IPA

adjective

1.

morally wrong or bad; immoral; wicked: evil deeds; an evil life.

2.

harmful; injurious: evil laws.

3.

characterized or accompanied by misfortune or suffering; unfortunate; disastrous: to be fallen on evildays.

4.

due to actual or imputed bad conduct or character: an evil reputation.

5.

marked by anger, irritability, irascibility, etc.: He is known for his evil disposition.

Ravi Zacharias, defined evil this way: The misuse of something other than what it's intended purpose was for [that does not produce good].

Before we move from "How can a God of all love and power allow so much evil to occur", we HAVE TO define what evil is.

The Bible defines evil in two categories - between each other and between ourself and God.

Evil (without God) is also broken into "natural evil" and morally evil. (human induced).

Given that the majority of our problems in this world are relationally based the latter is what we're talking about today.

If we accept the definition as "the misuse of something other than what its intended purpose was for", then we have to ask ourselves, what is the purpose and intent for mankind?

Answer: To be in relationship with each other and God.

Now you can see where this is going....

For example, what do the 10 commandments state:
How to conduct relationships - first between God our yourself secondly between each other.

IF as an atheist or agnostic, the question of evil and suffering occurs and hence the reason God can't exist, then the atheist must therefore define what evil is? Then what a moral law is and then who the author of that moral law is when there is just time+matter+chance that brought all this into existence with no purpose, no intent, no moral law...

"Not one proponent of evolutionary ethics has explained how an impersonal, amoral first cause through a non moral process has produced a moral basis of life - especially as they simultaneously deny any objective moral basis of good and evil".

Can you see that in order to have righteousness, we need to agree on purpose and intention of the person, then a moral law and a moral law giver.

Have you ever noted that a moral law is always about a person or for a person. Moral law is relationally based..... what was God doing in the desert with the Jews - giving them a framework for relationships in order that humanity would FULFILL their purpose of existence.

Jesus said: I have come to FULFILL the law and the prophets.....

Resources: http://www.gotquestions.org/definition-of-evil.html