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Importance of morality in religion
Importance of morality in religion
Importance of morality in religion
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Evil in Nature and a Benevolent God
The idea of the existence of evil in nature many times creates arguments between creationists and scientists concerning not only the design of nature by a creator –God, but the actual benevolence of God. In Stephen Jay Gould’s essay “Nonmoral Nature” (1984), he explores this highly controversial issue by posing the question: “If God is good and if creation reveals his goodness, why are we surrounded with pain, suffering, and apparently senseless cruelty in the animal world?” He uses the life span of the parasitic ichneumon wasp to illustrate a scientific view that the concept of evil is limited to human beings and that the world of nature is unconcerned with it. To some degree Gould may be correct in his assumption that nature is unconcerned with evil, however, a Christian view and scriptural model does provide strong argument as to how the fall of man influenced evil in nature, and how nature points directly to the benevolence of God.
The Christian believes that God created the universe and its basic life forms. According to scripture, when God originally made life, He considered it “good” and perfect (Genesis 1:25). However, the Bible also shows that the perfect state God established on earth did not last long. Scripture recognizes the existence of evil and suffering in nature, and points the finger at God Himself as being responsible. Genesis chapter 3 reveals several curses God placed on the serpent, on Eve, and on nature.
When Adam and Eve disobeyed their creator’s command not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they rejected God and demonstrated they were no longer capable of living in their perfect world. They needed a place for their fallen weakened characters, and in Genesis 3:17-18, God revealed the kind of earth they would live in
from then on, “Cursed is the ground…in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life…thorns and thistles it shall bring forth; and you shall eat the plants of the field.” After their fall, Adam and Eve live...
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Works Cited
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Further Reflections in Natural History. New York: W.W. Norton, 1994. 32-44.
Johns, Michael. “Science and Religion in the Fullness of Life.” Rev. of Rock of Ages, by
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Wheeler, Gerald. “The Cruelty of Nature” Origins 2.1 1975: 32-41.
My thoughts on Genesis 2 and 3 When I read Genesis 2 I am reminded of Donald Lawrence’s song called, Back to Eden. He sings about going back to live a life that’s full, beautiful, rich and plentiful. He calls everyone to go back to the Eden mindset and live on top of the world. I can see the rivers flowing through the land at ease with the trees and growth they produced. I can understand and appreciate the moment of birth of man and woman.
Christian Beliefs in the Origins of the World “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. ” A Description of Christian Beliefs About the Origins of The World Christians believe that God created the universe. In Chapters 1 and 2 of Genesis, we are told that God creates both the universe and everything that is in it.
eLibrary.com - a free online library. 1995. The 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Second 18 February 2014. Deslattes, Wayne. “Science Just Reveals The Scope Of God’s Work”; Re: Randalls Lord.
White, Andrew Dickinson, A History of the Warfare of Science with Theology, New York: D. Appleton and company, 1996.
Plantinga, Alvin, "Religion and Science", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2014 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), forthcoming URL = .
This act of disobedience describes the first moral flaw, and the consequential corruption of mankind. By disobeying God, Adam and Eve take the first steps towards independence and freedom. This helps them reach their spiritual and intellectual capacity. After Adam and Eve leave the Garden of Eden, they create a new harmony referred to as “the end of days” (622). To the prophets, man is right to disobey; this allows him to think for himself.
Eastman, Roger. The Ways of Religion: An Introduction to the Major Traditions. Third Edition. Oxford University Press. N.Y. 1999
God knew that since both Adam and Eve had now gained knowledge of both good and evil they would soon learn to really appreciate life and all it has to offer. And for this reason the couple was expelled from paradise. Had Eve ignored the serpent and refused to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil perhaps civilization would still exist as nirvana. However happiness and in effect perfection is relative. A beautiful spring day is only as beautiful as the worst s...
Rust, Peter. 1992. How Has Life and Its Diversity Been Produced? Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 44 (2): 80-94.
garden of Eden when Adam and Eve were given a choice as to whether they would
In the Bible the very first book, Genesis, talks of Eve in the Garden of Gethsemane. It tells us how Eve was the first woman on Earth. Adam was created first by God from the dust of the ground and then he created Eve from one of Adam’s Ribs. During this time in the Garden there was no suffering, no death, and no evil in the world for it had not been introduced to it. Eventually Eve is deceived by the serpent and the forbidden fruit of the garden became most delightful and pleasant to the eyes. Eve took of the forbidden fruit and Adam followed after her. As a result of disobeying God, they were kicked out of the garden and the Earth could know sin, pain, death, and
own place and living "off the fat of the land," as Adam and Eve did before their
Barbour, Ian G. Religion in an Age of Science. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1990. Print. (BL 240.2 .B368 1990)
Galadari, A. (2011). Science vs. religion: The debate ends.The International Journal of Science in Society,2(2), Retrieved from http://science-society.com/journal/
Wilber, Ken. The Marriage of Sense and Soul: Integrating Science and Religion. New York : Random House, 1998.