In Christian theology evil is a function of moral freedom. The painful results of evil can be felt by each of us, to varying degrees, every day. Many skeptics tell me that this situation is logically incompatible with the very God described in Christian theology. Therefore the barest hint of evil – let alone the gross injustice that persistently plagues our world – is enough to negate Christianity completely.
But Christian theology also posits a comprehensive solution to the problem of evil, one "built in" to the creation from the beginning. That solution begins with the work of atonement and subsequent resurrection of Christ, and culminates in everlasting life in the kingdom of heaven. Many skeptics tell me that such a scenario is just wishful thinking, a failure to squarely face the harsh realities of life.
It seems to me, then, that for many skeptics any amount of evil is too much and no evil at all is not enough. But that can't be right. Tell me what I'm missing here.One of the more thoughtful skeptics replied in part,
Since it's apparently not moral freedom itself that gives beings intrinsic value, what was God's moral imperative to create morally free beings?I thought that deserved a reply and so I answered,
Great question. I'd say that confusion here arises from thinking that unrestricted moral freedom must be perpetual to give beings intrinsic value. My position is that great moral latitude is initially (i.e., here and now) necessary for us to decide what it is we really want, specifically whether we want to spend eternity with a holy God. In other words, an eternal friendship with God freely chosen may be morally preferable to one which has been simply imposed upon me. On this view the wedding of the Lamb and his bride is not the result of an arranged marriage.
It is only after I have decided over the course of a lifetime that I only want to taste the fruit of life, not of both good and evil, that moral freedom becomes much more restricted in scope. In the kingdom of heaven I will still be free to love others, to bless and honor God, and to forever discover God's greatness and the glory of his kingdom. I will not be free to do evil. But right now I am acutely aware that evil only causes suffering anyway, so why should I want to retain the power to commit it?In a very real and very sobering way, we have been granted freedom by God to choose our eternal destiny. We get what we want. But even on earth this powerful liberty to do with salvation as we will has an expiration date, known only to God. Every day we resist the gracious conviction and pleading of the Holy Spirit we run the danger of death, of missing the imminent return of Jesus Christ, and perhaps most frightening of all, of our own hearts becoming irreversibly hardened to the truth of the gospel. God loves you and wants to receive you into the glory of his eternal kingdom. Believe it.
"For He says: 'In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2).
