Evil WT: A Catalyst for Real Spiritual Growth

by cameo-d 6 Replies latest social current

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  cameo-d

  Could it be that the reason for all lies, deception and evil in the world is actually part of a grand design to act as a catalyst for our spiritual development?

  Could it be that it is necessary to know evil in order to appreciate the beauty of goodness and peace?

  Could it be that those who knowingly participate in evil for their own gain will receive a punishment for it, while others who are victims of the evil will grow closer to spiritual perfection if they mature through it and triumph over it?

  Is evil necessary for spiritual development?
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  serenitynow!

  No.
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  cameo-d

  Then why not?

  Does the bible really say that Adam (and Eve) were created perfect?

  The scriptures say that god said his creation "was good"...but I cannot find where it says that humans were created perfect in every way.

  Could it be that man was imperfect and needed learning experiences that could only come through an adverserial encounter to challenge his reasoning and courage?
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  TheLoveDoctor

  it-1p.772Evil

  That which results in pain, sorrow, or distress. In order to convey the correct thought in English, the very comprehensive Hebrew word ra? is variously translated as “bad,” “gloomy,” “ugly,” “evil,” “calamitous,” “malignant,” “ungenerous,” and “envious,” depending upon the context. (Ge 2:9; 40:7; 41:3; Ex 33:4; De 6:22; 28:35; Pr 23:6; 28:22) The Greek word ka·kos′ may be defined as that which is (1) morally evil and (2) destructive; among the ways it has been translated are: “bad,” “evil,” “hurtful,” “injurious,” “wrong.” (Ro 7:19; 12:17; Col 3:5; Tit 1:12; Heb 5:14) The Hebrew verb qa·lal′ means “call down evil upon.”—See MALEDICTION.

  The MeaningofJehovah’sBringingEvil. Rightly, Jehovah brought evil or calamity upon Adam for his disobedience. Hence, in the Scriptures, Jehovah is referred to as the Creator of evil or calamity. (Isa 45:7; compare KJ.) His enforcing of the penalty for sin, namely, death, has proved to be an evil, or a calamity, for mankind. So, then, evil is not always synonymous with wrongdoing. Examples of evils or calamities created by Jehovah are the Flood of Noah’s day and the Ten Plagues visited upon Egypt. But these evils were not wrongs. Rather, the rightful administration of justice against wrongdoers was involved in both cases. However, at times Jehovah, in his mercy, has refrained from bringing the intended calamity or evil in execution of his righteous judgment because of the repentance on the part of those concerned. (Jon 3:10) Additionally, in having a warning given, Jehovah has undeservedly provided opportunities for the practicers of bad to change their course and thus to keep living.—Eze 33:11.
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  myelaine

  dear cameo-d...

  you asked: "Could it be that the reason for all lies, deception and evil in the world is actually part of a grand design to act as a catalyst for our spiritual development?

  Could it be that it is necessary to know evil in order to appreciate the beauty of goodness and peace?"...

  The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, “Thus speaks the LORD God of Israel, saying: ‘Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you. For behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,’ says the LORD. ‘And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.’”

  Now these are the words that the LORD spoke concerning Israel and Judah.

  “For thus says the LORD:
  
  
  ‘ We have heard a voice of trembling,
  Of fear, and not of peace.

  Ask now, and see,
  Whether a man is ever in labor with child?
  So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins
  Like a woman in labor,
  And all faces turned pale?

  Alas! For that day is great,
  So that none is like it;
  And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble,
  But he shall be saved out of it.

  ‘ For it shall come to pass in that day,’
  Says the LORD of hosts,
  
  ‘ That I will break his yoke from your neck,
  And will burst your bonds;
  Foreigners shall no more enslave them.

  But they shall serve the LORD their God,
  And David their king,
  Whom I will raise up for them.

  ‘ Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,’ says the LORD,
  
  ‘ Nor be dismayed, O Israel;
  For behold, I will save you from afar,
  And your seed from the land of their captivity.
  Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet,
  And no one shall make him afraid.

  For I am with you,’ says the LORD, ‘to save you;
  Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you,
  Yet I will not make a complete end of you.
  But I will correct you in justice,
  And will not let you go altogether unpunished.’ (jeremiah 30:1-11)

  love michelle
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  sir82

  So, then, evil is not always synonymous with wrongdoing.

  Ya gotta love the WTS. When confronted with facts that contradict their theology....just redefine the words!

  They do the same thing with "lying".
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  JonathanH

  Now that you have a question cameo-d you must think of exactly what you're asserting, what is the opposite of your assertion, and how you can determine which is correct. If you want an actual answer rather than a fuzzy "maybe", then you must make your exploration as concrete as possible.

  Is evil required for spiritual growth?

  What is defined as "evil" and what is defined as "spiritual growth"?

  What are observances of "spiritual growth" in the face of "evil"?

  Are there any examples of "spiritual growth" in the absence of "evil"?

  Are there any opportunities for "spiritual growth" without the presence of "evil"?

  Is there a consistent correlation between experiencing "evil" and experiencing "spiritual growth"? If so is the correlation consistently positive, or consistenly negative? Is there any kind of exponential curve to the correlation, or diminishing returns?

  Find a means of defining "evil" and "spiritual growth", then find a reliable means of quantifying your terms, then seek as many random case studies under specific conditions to test your hypothesis, and generate a statistical model.

  You must start asking concrete questions and attempting to find a means of falsifying the premise, and then attempting to do so. Anything "could be", but the real question is "is it really?"

  Happy hunting.