God vs. Evil free essay sample

God, like Adam and Eve, suffered consequences. Genesis 3:14-17, God says: â€Å"Because you did this†¦Ã¢â‚¬  referring to the serpent who tempted Eve, then to Eve, and finally to Adam, â€Å"Because you did†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Humankind invited the existence of Evil into the goodness of God’s creation. No longer did God walk in the breeze of the Garden of Eden; no longer did God remain in the actual presence of humankind. No longer did Adam and Eve enjoy the comforts of the Garden, like God, they too were cast out. With their newfound awareness and understanding, Adam and Eve were sent into the reality of all else outside of the Garden. Where other humans and animals did not know God, they did not obey God. Adam and Eve became the first Creation of good to endure the duality of Good and Evil. It was the existence of Evil which made its home in the world outside of the Garden. Natural evil took its rightful hold upon the wonder of the earth before God’s children lived in its presence. The cause of suffering Adam and Eve were innocent to, and yet the grey clouds of cognizance beckoned their attention. It was an actuality quickly seen and felt upon entry. The eating of the Tree of Knowledge instilled wisdom fit for the gods came with a responsibility God was not ready for. As creatures of God, there were consequences Adam and Eve now had to bear. Cast into the world full of â€Å"Natural evil†, they soon discovered their newfound awareness highlighted a different kind of evil: â€Å"Moral evil† (Pojman, Rea. 277). As children of God made in God’s image, their breath of life given by God, Adam and Eve were distinct individuals in this world of Natural evil and chaos. They were given the gift of free-will, the gift to choose their morality, choose their ethic, and their values. Outside of Eden, they were no longer creations untouched by these evils, protected by the Creator God. Eating of the Tree of Knowledge became a blessing and a curse. They now understood the difference between right and wrong, good and bad. Moral evil is introduced into the world when Adam and Eve’s son, Cain, killed his brother Abel in Genesis 4:8. The lessons of moral responsibility catapulted the pure creation of God into the stark reality of God’s separation from them. If God is omniscient, omnipotent, perfectly good, and wholly love, then God created that which God could exist around and within. Evil exists outside of that creation. Hence, God could no longer walk amongst creation; God could not prevent the creation of something God did not create. Though, the essence of God withstands within God’s children. As Adam and Eve produced within the world of duality, God’s essence endured. Humankind’s free-will allowed for the development of soul-making; a â€Å"movement†¦from one level of existence, that of animal life (Bios), to another land higher level, that of eternal life (Zoe)† (Pojman, Rea. 350). It is the journey Adam and Eve’s children faced, upon the exit of Eden. Jews call it the punishment of their defiance; a battle of the evil created within their own hearts. Christians called it the battle between good and evil; God and the devil’s battle for souls. Muslims call it the battle of the jihad; both inner and exterior. All of which refer to evil being separate from God and God’s creation. Yet, when tragedy strikes, when harm or death comes to those that gain nothing more than the lessons of pain and suffering; people of all raise their fists to God. It is easy to forget the transition that took place following the exit of Eden. Just as humankind was separated, God was separated. It was the will of the human heart. And, with the god-like wisdom gained from the Tree of Knowledge, humankind was instilled with conscience and accountability. Natural evil in a living world is unavoidable but Moral evil, no matter the extent is avoidable and it is wholly human. It is the unknown, the unanswered, and the misunderstood that people cry out to God for. For the Jews, Christians, and Muslims, God has heeded the call. A savior, a prophet, the Word, the lifestyle of worship through piety and humility; were given to create faith, hope, and restore confidence in God’s promise to creation. The defeat of death, the promise of life, and the end of suffering is the agreement God made with creation. Though, without the duality of Good and Evil, there would not be a need for this agreement. There would not be a need for a savior, for a revelation, for a new beginning in which God re-creates a world without evil. If Evil was within God’s control and creation, then God would not need to defeat it. If the unknown is wrapped with the understanding of death and God created it, there would be no need to overcome it. The problem with Evil is that it exists outside of God. All major religions that reflect a dualistic relation between good and evil are in effect building upon the separation between God and creation. Catering to the ‘battle’ between good and evil identifies that good exists outside of evil and vise-versa. Both can exist independent of each other, and both can cease, independent of each other. Perhaps the unprepared God in the Garden of Eden did not expect the pure Creation to defy the rules so effortlessly. Perhaps God, being of pure love, is omniscient and omnipotent within the boundary of the original Creation. Yet, because the essence of God is within all that came from the line of Adam and Eve, God is able to remain omniscient and omnipotent at the distance of separation each creation gives. Hence, there is no interference. It is a part of our curse, being conscious to the duality in life. Being that God’s Creation created, and as Creation, we are simply exercising the gifts God gave as God made within God’s own image. By the choice of free-will, we are able to commit Moral evil; we are able to embody the will of Evil itself. It is logical and reasonable to accept the possibility that Evil exists beyond the realm of God’s entire creation. Written in the creation story grounded within the three largest Monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; the Tree of Knowledge bore a fruit which enlightened the innocent ignorance of humankind. God laid out the consequences to the act made by the serpent, Eve, and Adam; consequences that were already in existence and simply unveiled to the eyes of the created. It was not a punishment; it was merely the truth of reality. The understanding that outside of the love and will of God stood Evil, the contrast and enemy of all God was and will always be. We, as individuals, are bestowed with the duty to maintain our connection to God, in order to see the fulfillment of God’s promise; to defeat Evil forever. Works Cited Pojman, Louis, and Michael Rea. Philosophy of Religion: An Anthology. 6th ed. Boston: Wadsworth, 2012. P. 277, 350. Print. Bible, English Standard Version 2001. Biblos, 2011. Web. 21 May 2012. lt;http://www. biblos. com/gt;.