The Myth of the Problem of Evil

My thesis is simply this: There is no good. There is no bad / evil. There is only an event and the interpretation of that event. This destroys the idea of an absolute truth (god) and leaves us with simply an interpretation of an action founded upon the contextual needs of society. As far a religion goes, it is only a tool made either good or bad/evil by the faithful in that the living give life to past so-called deities who are demanded to have moral and ethical goodness. A living religion is kept good by the social needs of the living.

So in the religious context, is “God good”? Simply depends on the time the Biblical text was written and how society defines a “Good God”. Primary interest here is the Hebrew text of Numbers 22: 22 where (as in Job) God uses Satan to doing his bidding. The Hebrew of Numbers 22: 22 clearly reads “Elohim” used "Satan" block Balaam’s donkey. To keep God looking good, the English text follows the LXX (Septuagint) translating “Satan” as “Angel”. Scholars have noted that Yahweh’s messenger here is (as elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible) is basically a hypostatization of God or, as noted by R.S. Kluger (Satan in the Old Testament, 1967); the real Satan in Numbers 22 is none other than Yahweh (God) himself!

Thus, when the Judeo-Christian traditions needs “Good” or “Evil”, an earlier text of an infamous deity can simply be revitalized via theological relevancy as an ideological move towards some concept of “goodness”. This fact can be readily heard in the sermons of the radio and TV evangelist who beat to death several dozen Old Testament verses while staying away from such horrific texts as Numbers 31 or, put another away, the Biblical text is like a cow pasture; when its preached from (to kept the concepts of good and evil relevant) preachers must watch where they step (preach). God is only good because the preacher is good via selective reading and theological interpretation of the scriptural text.

So how do I know what is to be considered good or bad (evil)? The same as my dog! And one thing is for sure: He sure the hell is not religious!

Finally, my question to all the C.S. Lewis fans that need some standard of good to know what is evil and, as one of the “Lewis Christians” asked me once: Why are you not out killing, stealing and raping?

My reply: I’ll leave that to God, Moses and the Israelites in the Hebrew Bible!