"Good cannot exist without evil, and vice versa." Is this idea part of traditional Christian theology?

Comments

• Ahem... i made an error.
  
  This sentence: So good existed in the absence of evil, it is only tolerated now, and will be done away with in the future"
  
  Should read like this: "So good existed in the absence of evil, evil is only tolerated now, and will be done away with in the future."

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  by no_one_special on February 15th, 2012

• You might like to take up the following points:
  
  you can't have darkness with out light and vice versa.
  
  there's a flaw in that. Good could exist it just wouldn't be referred to as good [in other words for it to be referred to as good, there would have to be evil]
  
  and
  
  "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things." Isaiah 45:7
  
  at
  
  http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/11855332
  and
  http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/11854797

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  by borasalama on February 15th, 2012

• Thats easy. Darkness is merely the absence of light. Good is the absence of evil.
  
  God creates "calamity" Hebrew "ra`". Creating calamity is not creating evil in and of itself. Like taking the life of wrong doers. God will eradicate them at some point but that is righteous and calamitous if you are on the receiving end. Remember, righteousness (according to Christian belief) is a Godly standard - NOT - something evil ones may/will find undesirable.
  
  At Isaiah 45:7 we see a contrast being shown and God saying he can cause light as well as darkness, peace as well as calamity, but, he isn't specifying "how" those conditions are met only that he can make those conditions come to be - if he so chooses.

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  by no_one_special on February 15th, 2012

• not really into this one, but just like point out your God "can make those conditions come to be - if he so chooses" with God's "I the Lord DO all these things." not 'I can if I choose to'

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  by borasalama on February 15th, 2012

• Hey since you seem interested in talking about this again, does that mean you will answer why the Koran states Allah created man with "its evil"?
  
  Here: www.answerbag.com/a_view/11762153
  
  Or on this thread it will be fine. Please don't use the excuse that this thread is too long or the subject is too complicated, please.
  
  If you can't offer an answer or the Koran doesn't offer enough details on that subject so you can make a logical response, but, despite what it says you won't believe what it says - just say so.
  
  I can't blame you, I wouldn't think a morally perfect being like God would create man with "its evil" as a balance to counter act the good.

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  by no_one_special on February 15th, 2012

• Oops, I see you are not interested in this one. I posted before it showed up in my feedback. Sorry bout that.

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  by no_one_special on February 15th, 2012

• just like point out your God "can make those conditions come to be - if he so chooses" with God's "I the Lord DO all these things." not 'I can if I choose to'
  
  Oh I see your point. However, it doesn't affect that evil should be "calamity" and calamity is not evil - its good that he will kill serial killers, etc. Therefore your point that evil and good are "two sides of the same coin" is nullified.
  
  It also does not negate he creates these conditions, as in light and darkness nor does it show they are the same nor does it show one needs the other. In no way is your point supported.
  
  So "I the Lord DO all these things." makes no contradiction at all since calamity is not bad/evil nor is darkness even if he indeed makes them.

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  by no_one_special on February 15th, 2012

• hmmm!

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  by borasalama on February 15th, 2012

• Come on bora say it... say it... :-D

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  by no_one_special on February 15th, 2012

• Nick posted the following link under one of my answers this morning. It is an article by a well-researched Historian of religion:
  http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/8683429/289031623/name/KING%20CHRISTINE%20IJLPS%202011%20Leadership%20lessons%20from%20history%20J
  
  So far I have only read the beginning and the end but intend to read it all later.
  
  
  
  (Matthew 7:15-20) “Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to YOU in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruits YOU will recognize them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they? 17 Likewise every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit; 18 a good tree cannot bear worthless fruit, neither can a rotten tree produce fine fruit. 19 Every tree not producing fine fruit gets cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Really, then, by their fruits YOU will recognize those [men].
  (John 13:34, 35) I am giving YOU a new commandment, that YOU love one another; just as I have loved YOU, that YOU also love one another. 35 By this all will know that YOU are my disciples, if YOU have love among yourselves.”

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  by Texasescimo on February 16th, 2012

• The link seems dead. Can you direct us to the link Nick posted under one of your answers?

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  by no_one_special on February 16th, 2012

• It worked for me, but here is where nick commented with it:
  http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/11856173

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  by Texasescimo on February 16th, 2012

• OK got it now. Thanks Tex. :D

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  by no_one_special on February 16th, 2012