Updated: Apr.06.2004

Did God Create Evil? (3 Principles)

(Isaiah 45:7, KJV) - "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things."
(Amos 3:6 KJV) - "Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?"

How could our loving God create Evil?

First of all, the Hebrew word for evil "rah" is used in many different ways in the Bible. It is translated as "evil", "wicked", "bad", "hurt", "harm", "ill", "sorrow", "mischief", "displeased", "adversity", "affliction", "trouble", "calamity", "grievous", "misery", and "trouble." So we can see that the word does not require that it be translated as "evil."

This we must look closer at the context of the word use. Let's look at the surrounding words.

Isaiah 45 (KJV) 5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. 7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

This is similar to the other verse.

Amos 3 (KJV) Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? 5 Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all? 6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?

The verses are speaking of natural phenomena. In Isaiah they are even using opposites. Light vs dark and then peace vs ____. Evil? Or War? Or Destruction? Unpeace? In amos, people are afraid after a trumpet call. Would that be evil blowing a trumpet? Or an invading army? Both these verses speak of calamity or destruction.
Lesson one: Context is important!

Here are the newer NIV translations:

Isaiah 45 (NIV) 7 I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD , do all these things.

Amos 3 (NIV) 6 When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?
Lesson two: Get a good/newer translation or several!

“The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He," (Deut. 32:4).

"Thine eyes are too pure to approve evil, and Thou canst not look on wickedness with favor," (Habakkuk. 1:13).
Lesson 3: Read more/other verses for clarity!

So now you have 3 lessons. Try them out on this verse!
Acts 27:31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved."

What does this verse mean? Thus the use of the word Saved here refer to salvation to Heaven?

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