Before we discuss Jesus’ temptations (Luke 4:1-2), it might be a good idea to consider the problem of evil in our world and how this affects God. One of the problems of traditional Christian thought about God and evil spirit beings, including Satan, is that the doctrine makes out like God and an evil-spirit-world are in conflict, a conflict in which God seems to be losing. In fact, Jesus, himself, was asked if there would be only a few people saved (Luke 13:23). This idea is a product of dualism, which is a philosophy or, in our case, a theology that claims God (the good) is in conflict with Satan (the evil), and these entities are equal or nearly equal in power.
Although Christianity would never agree that Satan is equal to God in power, the picture painted of their apparent or theorized conflict, seems to show Satan is at least equal, perhaps even more powerful than God, since the evil seems to be winning the overall battle with the good. How else could we conclude such a thing?
If God represents the good, but the evil has gained the victory in terms of power over the world, how could God be more powerful than the evil? It seems to me that, if God is more powerful than evil, our interpretation of what we see in the world, in terms of a good and evil conflict, must be redefined.
Simply put, if God created all things, and all things continue to exist by the power of God, then God cannot lose anything. Even if evil could somehow gain an upper hand in a battle against God, all God would have to do is cease to empower the evil (or the evil people or the evil spirit beings) to exist. In such an event, both the evil and the opposition to the good would immediately cease (Psalm 75:3; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3). God would win the battle, and who or what could cause events to transpire differently?
The Judeo-Christian God is all powerful! Nothing, absolutely nothing, could oppose his will successfully. Therefore, the fact that evil exists in our world[1] tells us that it must exist for another purpose. It cannot exist as something that opposes God. God is above all things, and he accomplishes his purpose through all things (including evil).
From the very beginning the Scriptures show us that God is not in conflict with evil (Genesis 3:22). The Scriptures simply conclude God knows both the good and the evil, and his knowledge of evil existed before any sin was committed. If the act of sin was an act of rebellion against God, then before evil was committed, it existed as part of God’s knowledge and as a possible direction for man to choose. That is, God created the possibility of man coming to know evil (Genesis 2:9, 17; 3:5, 22). Therefore, the existence of evil in our world today is due to God’s own power to continue to allow its existence (Colossians 1:17).
The problem of evil has been a question man has pondered throughout the ages. Epicurus is recorded to have mused:
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is impotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Whence then is evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?”
The problem with such a philosophy is that it presumes evil exists under its own power or the power of another besides God. Nevertheless, the Judeo-Christian God shows himself in the Scriptures to be the **only** power in existence. All other powers or authorities exist by the permission of this Almighty Creator God. All things serve him, absolutely nothing could ever oppose him. To entertain such a thought is like pondering if God would ever commit suicide. God does not oppose God. If he created all that exists, then all that exists continues to exist to serve his purpose.
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[1] Ultimately our world is a product of God’s creation, and the evil in our world continues to exist with his permission. God could at any moment abolish evil by simply now empowering it to exist.
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8 responses to “God and Dualism”
I wouldn’t use the word “succumb”, because I don’t believe Adam was overpowered. Paul claims he wasn’t deceived, and Genesis says Eve simply gave the “fruit” to her husband and he ate–no overpowering, no temptation; he simply took it from his wife and ate. Later, of course, he blamed God for the whole event.
The living “entity” which was Satan, was, in fact, Adam. If death and sin entered humanity through Adam, he had to have rebelled before Eve, otherwise sin and death would have entered through her. Real serpents don’t speak, but evil men who plan wickedness are compared to and even called serpents in Scripture. As I see it, and of course you are free to disagree, Adam was Eve’s tempter. He seems to have given her wrong information about God, when we consider her response about “touching” the tree. God never told Adam not to “touch” it. He was told not to eat of it. So, at least the possibility of Adam setting Eve up for her “fall” can be found in the Scriptures. Throughout the Old Testament it seems sin / rebellion against God begins with a lack of faith / trust. Adam simply didn’t trust God and wanted to find out about good and evil on his own.
Before the Fall, God seems to have been teaching Adam about good and evil through animal behavior. In Genesis 2 Adam was given the responsibility of naming the animals. In the Old Testament giving names not only expressed authority over the one / thing named, but it also expressed identity or definition (cf. Genesis 27:35-36). The point is Adam “named” the animals according to how they behaved. The serpent was cunning, the lion and wolf were ferocious. The rabbit was non-threatening etc. Here in nature is seen how “evil” is able to overpower a victim like a rabbit or a sheep. It seems to me, that God was a good Parent, teaching Adam the difference between correct behavior and wrong behavior. It was all there in nature. Of course some well meaning folks today will deny this, saying death didn’t exist even in the animal kingdom before Adam’s rebellion. However, I don’t think this can be supported by Romans 5:12. There Paul is speaking not of all creation, because all creation doesn’t sin, only mankind is able to sin. Paul is speaking of sin and death entering our “world” the “world” of humanity–our race. Adam is responsible, because he was the generator of all who came later.
Knowledge of “evil” (actually corrupt knowledge of “evil”) has been past on to the rest of mankind from Adam. Nevertheless, Genesis 2 seems to indicate, or at least an implication can be derived from there, that God was teaching Adam about good and evil by commanding him to name the animals.
I agree about the new heaven and new earth. I long for that day, because there are so many things I regret saying and doing. I understand I’ve been forgiven, but the knowledge of my sin is still with me.
Lord bless you, Clifford, in your study of his word.
Wow, well that’s certainly an interesting perspective, I must say. And I appreciate how you set scriptural foundation for all of your assertions.
I found your blog doing research for a novel that I am trying to write. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Eddie, and since I have subscribed, I look forward to keeping up with you. Thanks!
Greetings Clifford, and let me say it is always a pleasure for me to discuss what I believe with folks as friendly as you. I am so glad you stopped by. May the Lord bless you in your decision to write a novel, and I hope your diversion to my website didn’t hurt your concentration on your research. You are welcome here anytime.