Essay: What is Evil? part 2
Animals: Tradition - Philosophy - Religion Article from All-Creatures.org
FROM
Stephen Kaufman, M.D., Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)
Essay: What is Evil? part 2
Last essay, I argued that evil isn’t real, as in a material or spiritual
substance. What, then, is evil?
I think evil is the part of human nature that separates us from God and from
each other (including God’s creatures). We all have egocentric desires,
including the desire for self-esteem and desires to experience sensual
pleasures. Desires become evil when they alienate us from God or God’s
creation. I think “satanic desires” can be used interchangeably with “evil
desires.”
This was exemplified by Jesus’ response to Peter’s denial that Jesus would
be killed and raised after three days. Peter hoped that he would gain fame
and fortune as a leading disciple of Jesus. But Jesus saw these as evil,
satanic desires that conflicted with Jesus’ ministry. Mark 8:33 reads, “But
turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter, and said, ‘Get behind
me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men.’ ”
All of us have satanic desires – it’s part of our being human. Having such
desires is one way to regard us as “fallen” and in need of God’s grace. How
do we transcend satanic desires? I will consider this question next essay.
Go on to: Transcending
Satanic Desires
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