DOES GOD CREATE EVIL?
PROVERBS 16:4By Tom Adcock
"The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil." Proverbs 16:4
Response to a Calvinist claim God predestined particular individuals to heaven and others to hell. All their "proof text" arguments are fallacious.
Many Calvinists have used this verse to support Predestination -- even though Calvin himself said "Predestination to evil would be a horrible dogma." Delitzsch comments that "The wickedness of free agents is contemplated in this plan in this verse" (O.T. Commentary Keil and Delitzsch)
God does not create evil. -- Isaiah 45:7 says "I make peace and create evil." This clearly does not mean moral evil, but calamity. (Wycliffe Commentary on the Bible.)
"In studying this subject of "God making and creating evil" you will find this often refers to his judgments against free agents, individuals or nations, that freely do evil and the making or creating He does is calamity that comes finally upon them by natural catastrophes or destruction by other nations. -- A thought all Americans should seriously consider." (Tom Adcock)
"Everything will meet with it's proper end and those who do evil will suffer the just punishment of God. God does not create or encourage evil or wickedness." (Notes on Proverbs 16:4, Full Life Study Bible).
"The Lord has wrought everything for its own end; and this includes the appointment of an evil day for "the wicked" who deserve it." (Note on Proverbs 16:4 from the 27 volume commentary "Barnes Notes" by Presbyterian Albert Barnes.)
"Even the wicked for the day of evil. The whole verse is translated by the Chaldee thus: "All the works of the Lord are for those who obey Him; and the wicked is reserved for the evil day." (Commentary on the Bible by Adam Clarke.)
I could go on but let me just summarize by saying, it is a shame that MOST Christians just believe and parrot what someone taught them, without checking it out for themselves. For example; the doctrine of Calvinism teaches all people are born sinners, evil from the cradle and only have the freedom to sin. They can do "no good" at all until they are irresistibly saved by God. Does this really pan out in real life. Has an atheist, or a Jew or a Buddhist never done any good act? An Act God considers good? Those who say no do not know the Bible or reality. See our Book list for study books on this very fundamental doctrine of the nature of God and the world (reality) under book headings " Calvinism and Arminianism"
The Bible clearly teaches sin is a moral act. The doctrine of "original sin" many churches teach is from Augustine not the Bible. Augustine overreacted to Pelagius in his argument and ended up having all infants going to hell, unless of course they got water baptized. It was so offensive that out of thin air Augustine created "Limbo" for these lost children. Someplace outside, on the edge of hell. It was Augustine who gave us the doctrine of Purgatory and many other unbiblical teachings.
It was Gnostic heretics that taught the body of flesh was evil, not the Bible or early Christians. Our book list and Bible course are just offers to help those searching for more knowledge. It is an intensive study; but let me say none of us are born as innocent as Adam was created, but neither was anyone born as "totally depraved" as Augustine, Calvin and others teach. Genesis 9:6.