Jesus Café Ministries - Scripture Squad - Why would God create Satan knowing he would turn evil?

From: John
How can the question of Theodicy be explained? Why would God create Satan knowing he would turn evil? What is the effect of satan in the world? Does he lead us astray or is it our own "fleshly" nature. If satan is the one who influences people to be evil who turned him evil?

Hi John,
1. Theodicy, from Gr. theos = God; root dik=just. Theodicy, a term coined by Leibniz, a Germany theologian in 1710, seeks to justify the ways of God to man, showing that God is in the right and is glorious and worthy of praise despite contrary appearances. A number of philosophical systems have tried to resolve the dilemma of the coexistence of evil and a good God. As a given, we believe that God is the author of everything. However, evil itself can be the LACK of some good thing. Evil could exist in a good thing as an imperfection in it, like a hole in a piece of wood. God is the perfect creator, and made Adam a perfectly free creature. Without free choice, neither good nor evil could be chosen, so if man is ever to choose the good, he must have the freedom to choose evil as well. God made evil possible; creatures made it actual. Virtue (choosing good) is only possible where vice (choosing evil) is also possible. God created a possibility of sin by creating the possibility of righteousness.

2. We see that Satan, called Lucifer in the Hebrew text of Is.14:12, tried to make himself like the Most High or God, Is 14:14 and that he was cast down to the earth. Is 14:12. We see him in Job 1 when he and God have a conversation. As to God knowing that Satan would turn evil, please read the previous paragraph about evil.

3. Here are a few passages that define Satan's effect on the world: destroyer Rev 9:11; your enemy 1 Peter 5:8; the father of lies John 8:44; the one who leads the whole world astray Rev 12:9; the spirit at work in those who are disobedient Ephesians 2:2; the tempter Matthew 4:3. Christ shattered the power of Satan over mankind, Colossians 2:14,15 but Satan continues to be active in human affairs.

4. Satan worked through Judas's natural inclinations to encourage his betrayal of Christ. This is how he influences us. He appeals to our fleshly or sinful nature. We are reminded that "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4. His ultimate doom is stated in Matthew 25:41 and Revelation 20:7-10.

5. Satan made the choice to become evil. Please see answer No. 1 and the fact that Satan chose to make himself like the Most High.

- The Scripture Squad :
TCCaleb, TCCaff, RuthCCC & DawnCCC