Opposites in language suggest that both good/evil are necessary for human development! But who is the ultimate source that allows/originates both good and evil on planet earth?
While in college I took a philosophy class and the first real discussion topic given for consideration was the idea of EVIL as presented in the book of JOB. JOB is a spiritual book which many scholars think might have predated all scripture. No-one really knows for sure. The message of JOB is very serious and also very complex and confusing. But I read this scripture many times to get my core beliefs on this issue of EVIL for my philosophy class. Do we have evil on this planet (now) and who is ultimately responsible for this reality? Let's discuss a few questions which emerged from my reading this scripture called JOB:
1. Did Job have 'freewill' during his experiences with evil (during his lifetime). Job 1:6 says that "Satan was among the sons of God (in heaven). Satan was evidently a 'son' of God. Satan, apparently, goes to and fro on planet earth" and plays a role within God's overall Sovereignty over this planet (so it seems). My interpretation is that Job (a righteous man/relatively speaking) was given his experiences with evil as a test from our Sovereign God (Yahweh). The message is clear, to me. Satan is an 'agent' of our Sovereign God (Yahweh) and operates with the permission of this Source. Satan can DO (only) what God allows and nothing more. Job did not have the 'freewill' (apparently) to reject this test from God Almighty. The message for mankind today is that God is responsible for EVIL and evil is a test for man to overcome. Ultimately, however, redemption comes after the TEST is complete. Job 42:10. Amazing information!
2. Did Job desire this test from God so he could learn more about this Sovereign King of our universe? The message in scripture is that Job did not desire this test but he did (eventually) survive the test which God allowed (and he also learned from the test). Satan was, apparently, an 'agent' of God during this entire process/ordeal. Satan could not choose the punishment of Job. God allowed this 'agent' (Satan) to inflict Job with boils and dire skin issues so he could learn about the REAL Sovereignty of this God who rules over planet earth. Job was a proxy (so it seems) for ALL of us to learn from. The message is that a Sovereign God (Yahweh) rules over both GOOD and EVIL on planet earth. We humans must learn from these 'opposites' which emerge within our language and our experiences. Ultimately, the test is meant to bring us spiritual growth, wisdom, and understanding. God is our Potter and we (me/you) are the Clay!
3. The philosophy of Christianity recognizes evil as originating with Satan. Judaism views evil as originating with God. The view of Christianity is partially valid IMO. Yes, Satan, does inflict mankind with evil influences and evil outcomes (experiences). But the flaw within Christianity is that this theology omits/rejects the ULTIMATE cause for evil (God Almighty). Christianity attempts to resolve the issue of evil by viewing evil as the sole responsibility of Satan. Satan is against God and chooses his rulership independent of God. This mindset is clearly rejected in the scripture of JOB IMO. The source of EVIL (in JOB) is ultimately derived directly from God Almighty (Yahweh). Satan is merely an AGENT of God (Yahweh) not the ultimate SOURCE. Satan can DO (only) what God allows and permits. This places the actions of Satan as being subservient to God and I would suggest an 'agent' of God.
4. So what is the purpose of Satan in the scheme of human history? I would suggest that Satan (also called the Prince of Darkness) is acting so as humans can grow in knowledge, understanding, and spiritual wisdom as we experience reality in the NOW. Satan will create an 'opposite' to any thought and/or concept (of the mind). This 'opposite' is meant to confuse and also make me/you think about the consequences and the meaning of our behavior. Ultimately, God is our Potter (originator) of all thoughts and behavior. God is the LOGOS who creates/originates the 'words' which we think with. Adam and Eve were created by God (Yahweh) and after the physical creation God breathed his 'spirit' (consciousness) into them. They then became human. This creation was dual in that the BODY gets created first and then the MIND (consciousness) follows. Words then 'appear' within my/your mind (consciousness) for construction into experiences/behavior. Both 'good' words and 'evil' words will appear within our consciousness. I must learn from these experiences (words) and grow in discipline, knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. It's all meant for spiritual human development over time.
5. How can God be the Source of evil? The Christian God is 'all good' (this is their theology). Christian theology tries to maintain the idea that God is total LOVE and GOODNESS. This mindset is promulgated in their teaching and theology. I was brought up with this theology. Judaism, however, does not have this mindset. Orthodox Judaism (from which Christianity supposedly started) has the mindset that God is the SOURCE of every thought/concept/idea (all opposites). The WORD, in Judaism, originates with God (who is our Logos). Christianity, however, has created a theology where the Logos is Jesus (the glorified Jesus) and they then maintain that Jesus is God (now and also while living on our planet). Some denominations separate Jesus from God the Father and others maintain that Jesus is the only God/Creator/the Almighty. This Trinity doctrine is meant to exalt this human Jew to Deity status (after his death and glorification). Others who espouse the Jesus Only doctrine will maintain that there is only one God and this God is Jesus (an illogical viewpoint IMO). How can a prior human being (Jew from Nazareth) be both God and fully human simultaneously? Impossible in my view of logic and history. Think on this!
6. Is Jesus (this human being/Jew) God Almighty/our Creator? My viewpoint says absolutely NOT. Jesus (called Yeshua during his lifetime...as he was Aramaic) did not pray to himself while on this planet. He did not worship himself while on this planet. He did not portray himself as the God of Israel to his followers. The reality is that Jesus/Yeshua was baptised (as a human being) and then he was anointed by Father God (Yahweh) after coming UP from his dip into the water. He did not view himself as Yahweh God during his lifetime. He prayed to his God (Yahweh), he worshiped his God (Yahweh) at the Temple in Jerusalem, he viewed his God as Greater then himself, he tried to do the WILL of his God while on this earth, he recognized that his talents were derived from his God, he elevated his God (Yahweh) on many occasions as he lived his life. Jesus was totally a SERVANT of Yahweh God and he was exalted (when he died) to the right-hand side of his God (by his God/Yahweh). His role/ministry (now) is to act as a High Priest to those who desire additional connections with the God of Israel (Yahweh). The real God of history is Yahweh/Father who many also call Jehovah God. Is it time to wake-up to the reality of our REAL GOD?
7. Are today's events on this planet derived from our singular God (Yahweh)? My sense is absolutely! I operated 'at effect' on this planet (now). I propose that you operate 'at effect' on this planet (now). We all operate 'at effect' and most do not know this. Many assume that they have total 'freewill' to do as they please (always). I would suggest that this is not reality. In reality, I operate 'at effect'. This means that I can not play God on this planet. I do not have the capability to PLAY GOD. I assume that you and all our politicians must submit to this reality also. We ALL operate 'at effect' and our CAUSE is Superior to us. The LOGOS is superior as the Logos rules this planet with his WORDS. Words create behavior and human action. No one can flaunt the AUTHORITY of the LOGOS. The Logos is the ultimate CAUSE of all human action on this planet. Both GOOD and EVIL derive from this LOGOS. Today, we witness MUCH evil (lies, deceptions, crimes, and bad behavior). Our situation is DIRE as evil is rampant and ubiquitous. We all need to recognize the SOURCE of evil and turn to this SOURCE (God the Father) for redemption. That is my viewpoint! Think for yourself on all these difficult issues of theology/reality. The above is totally MY viewpoint!
What is the viewpoint of orthodox Judaism on the issue of Satan's role in our universe! Tovia Singer, Rabbi, provides some insights on this issue within Judaism's theology! Who was Satan and who is Satan today? Can Satan flaunt the desires of Almighty God?I am: Donald B. Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, donaldswenson.blogspot.com.
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