Divine Freedom and the Problem of Evil

Based on the presented materials, God's place in the global context is examined from a Christian perspective, where His creative act and the gift of free will to humanity play a fundamental role. On one hand, creation, made by God, is inherently good; evil is not part of the original nature of the world but arises as a result of straying from the divine order. As stated in one of the sources, “This is an eternal characteristic of all creation: creation came from the hands of God, Who is good, and therefore it is good.

But then, where did evil come from in the world?
The problem of evil is essentially a Christian problem…” (source: link txt). This emphasizes that the issue of evil is viewed exclusively in a Christian light, where the material world is characterized by original goodness and evil emerges only from the distortion of God’s intended order.

On the other hand, a key cause for the emergence of evil is linked to the gift of free will that God bestowed upon humanity. In this context, human choice—displaying both a tendency toward good and an inclination toward sin—imbues life with moral significance. As noted in another source: “The primary cause lies in the free will of man. Our free will is the imprint of the Divine likeness. This divine gift elevates man above all other creatures in the world... In the free choice of good and the deviation from evil, a person exalts God, glorifies God, and perfects himself. God gives people with a good will the opportunity to earn Heaven, while those with an evil will face Hell. But both outcomes occur solely through the freedom of human will... Thus, the internal cause of the origin of evil, or sin, lies in human free will. The second reason, or the meaning of the existence of evil, is that God also directs evil toward good. But God permits evil not for the sake of good…” (source: link txt). Thus, even the presence of evil in the world does not diminish God's preeminence; rather, it underscores that through the free choice of humanity and the consequences of those choices, a final process of glorification unfolds—one in which evil, woven into the fabric of the world, can ultimately lead to spiritual elevation and transformation.

In summary, God occupies a central position as the Creator who grants freedom, and even the manifestations of evil associated with the exercise of this freedom are incorporated into His eternal plan, wherein evil can ultimately serve a higher good.

Supporting citation(s):
“This is an eternal characteristic of all creation: creation came from the hands of God, Who is good, and therefore it is good.
But then, where did evil come from in the world?
The problem of evil is essentially a Christian problem…” (source: link txt)

“The primary cause lies in the free will of man. Our free will is the imprint of the Divine likeness. This divine gift elevates man above all other creatures in the world... In the free choice of good and the deviation from evil, a person exalts God, glorifies God, and perfects himself. God gives people with a good will the opportunity to earn Heaven, while those with an evil will face Hell. But both outcomes occur solely through the freedom of human will... Thus, the internal cause of the origin of evil, or sin, lies in human free will. The second reason, or the meaning of the existence of evil, is that God also directs evil toward good. But God permits evil not for the sake of good...” (source: link txt)

Divine Freedom and the Problem of Evil

But then, where did evil come from in the world?

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