Is the God of Christianity Evil?

Last night, the host of the Christian Worldview Project, Bro. Jordan had a debate with Anthony Renna on the subject: “Is the God of Christianity Evil?” which was hosted by Bro. Aaron Sy from Saved Radio. The debate lasted for two hours. In this blog, we will have bro. Jordan’s opening statement.

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WHAT THE DEBATE IS NOT ABOUT

Before I start presenting my defense, let me clarify things first:

1. The debate is not about the existence of God. In fact, the necessary presupposition of this debate is that the God of Christianity exists (for this debate to make sense). Or else, my opponent couldn’t make sense of his case if God doesn’t exist.
2. I will also clarify that I will be arguing in favor of Christian theism and not a generic form of theism. Therefore, an appeal to a so-called god/gods is irrelevant in tonight’s debate.
3. I will not be arguing in favor of “free will” to justify the entrance of evil. Rather, I will submit tonight that while God has morally sufficient reason for permitting evil in the world, he is not responsible nor the source of it. In fact, he is sovereign over it. But to know every detail as to why is there so much evil in the world? Well, I don’t know. But there is one answer that I know as to why God allowed evil to take place. The answer is for his glory and his glory alone. God chooses to glorify himself in the salvation of a particular people and to demonstrate his justice in his just punishment of others that will continue to harden their hearts.
4. The debate is also not about alleged Bible contradictions, that God revealed himself to be good, and then drown helpless babies to death. We can also see in 1 Samuel 15:3 that God commanded to kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey. Now, if my opponent will appeal to that, then he is not proving his case that God is evil. This is simply raising an alleged Bible contradiction which is completely irrelevant to the issue of tonight’s debate.
5. The debate is also not about “Is there evil that’s happening in the world? I will not be pretending and justify all the evil things that are happening in this world and call them good because that idea is contrary to what the Bible teaches. (Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil). To say that God is evil because there is so much evil happening in the world is to commit a logical fallacy called Non-Sequitur.
6. Lastly, one thing that I fear the most in discussing this particular issue is when someone appeals to his emotion to push his arguments as a valid one. You cannot do that here. Rather, we must engage in rational discourse and not appeal to our emotions. It is hard to reason with an emotionally pre-occupied person.

THE REAL ISSUE

So what is the real issue of tonight’s debate? The real issue of tonight’s debate can be summarized into three points:

1. God’s true character.
2. Our knowledge about God’s character.
3. Where do we get our knowledge about God’s character?

If we are saying that “God is evil, or God is good then where do we get our knowledge about God? How can we know Him for real? To effectively argue positively that God is evil…

1. My opponent must establish an epistemological grounding to justify what he knows (to justify his knowledge) about God’s moral character as evil. Where did he get that particular knowledge? He must establish that first.

2. My opponent must establish that there is a moral law above God upon which God is accountable and must submit to that law. That law must be my opponent’s objective moral basis upon which this standard applies universally and binding (including God), and how can he know that? (that moral standard is above God, and universally binding).

So how do I know that God is not evil, is the same answer to the question “How do I know that God is good?”. I know it, by and through revelation from God. Now, would it make sense if someone asks me: How do you know God’s character? And I will answer them this: Well according to my neighbor God is a murderer, therefore, God is evil because my neighbor says so and we’re done. Would it make sense that my knowledge about God’s character is based on my neighbor’s story?

How do I know if my neighbor is telling the truth? So, guys, it doesn’t make sense at all. I know God by and through His revelation. That is, if this God that we are talking about can communicate to his creature and chooses to reveal himself such that we can know him for certain. Then I don’t think we can’t know who he is.

Therefore, my opponent and I must use the same standard to prove our points this evening. He is forced to prove his point from the word of God so as I.

Now, if he’s going to use a different standard, then he’s not engaging in the debate yet.

Here are the texts that speak about God’s goodness.

• Mark 10:18: No one is good except God alone.
• Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good. A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.”
• Psalm 34:8 “O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”
• Psalm 86:5 “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon You.”
• Psalm 100:5 “For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.”
• Psalm 107:1 “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
• Psalm 135:3 “Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.”
• Psalm 145:7 “They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.”
• Psalm 145:9 “The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works.”
• 1 Chronicles 16:34 “O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
• James 1:17 “Every good thing is given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”
• Romans 2:4 “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”
• Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
• Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
• God’s Good Purposes: Genesis 50:15-21 • 15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: 17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”‘ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Is God evil after reading all of those texts? No. Keep this in mind. God does not do good things to make Himself good. Rather, He is good that’s why He does good things. Thank you!

SOLI DEO GLORIA!