The Purpose of Evil in the BibleGod looked at everything He had made, and it was very good (Genesis 1:31) Five times in Genesis 1, God looks at what He created Him and declares it "good". Then on the sixth day He creates Man and says His creation is now "very good." God's declaration of His creation, which would be everything around us and including ourselves, as "very good" is difficult to reconcile with what we see daily - a reality in which we experience much pain and cruelty from man and of nature. . We call these negative experiences “bad.” Evil, in this sense, is a very broad term and needs to be defined. In general terms, “evil” is that which works against the life-giving power of God and seeks to thwart God's will. In the Bible, the term “evil” is used to describe anything that brings pain, distress, calamity, and evil. moral conduct. In more modern times, “evil” has been associated with war, particularly chemical and nuclear warfare, as well as problems associated with overpopulation, racism, ecological destruction, and global disease. In fact, evil is so much a part of our lives that the term itself seems to have lost its meaning. It is not uncommon in public debates to hear one side associate the other with evil, casually placing their opponents on the side of Satan and destruction. So, what did God mean when He said His creation was “very good”? Did He simply mean that it was finished and that evil was an intentional part of His plan? Or did evil come later, suggesting it was out of His control? This is a vexing question for those who believe, especially in the Judeo-Christian faith, who believe in an all-powerful and loving God. If God is good and I ... middle of paper ... regardless of my worth in God's eyes, I know I will fall. If I choose to do something wrong, I know the responsibility is mine. If I got an illness, I wouldn't blame God, or ask why He chose me to suffer. If I am to accept all the possible positive aspects of being a human being who thinks and reasons with freedom of will, I must accept the fact that I live in an existence in which evil can happen. Works Cited Dobson, James C. (1993). When God makes no sense. Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Green, Joel B. and Longman, Tremper (eds.). (1996). Holy Bible: Daily Study Edition. Dallas: Word Publishing.Hick, John H. (1990). Philosophy of religion. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.Kushner, Harold S. (1981). When bad things happen to good people. New York: Avon Books. McFague, Sallie. (1987). Patterns of God. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.