Emmanuel Ojo Ademola

THEODICY & The Evil Around Us Emmanuel Ojo Ademola

Webster defines evil as 'that which produces unhappiness; anything which either directly or remotely causes suffering of any kind.' So, we may ask: If God is love, why does he allow tragedies to occur? Is it just for some higher purpose? The heinous events of World War II (among which were over 12 million murders, levelled cities, and numerous gas chambers), followed by the continuing senseless acceleration of war, crime and violence (daylight school shooting, 9/11, religious riots and political assassination) have forced man to take a second look at the problem of evil and sin. The question of suffering and evil, especially as relates to a loving God, has always been an enigma to man. Philosophers of all times and ages have pondered the question to no avail. But the Scriptures provide logical answers to this question which leave one in awe. Indeed, God desires man to live in peace, harmony and happiness. He knows this will only happen as each practises the principles of righteousness and love. Nevertheless, in this supposition also is what the author can safely call the 'dilemma of God'-the planetary systems move in mechanical obedience; the animal creation is driven mainly by instinct, but God desires that man has free will and to also 'worship him in spirit and truth'. Thus, this freewill has an inbuilt dilemma: Man can rebel against his Creator. The Lord was willing to bestow free will, fully cognizant that it would cost Him dearly before man became fully responsible for this freedom. What awesome power! Man can stand in stiff-necked rebellion against his Creator. For by free will, man created by God will always remain man, created in the image of God, and neither an animal nor a machine. In Theodicy and the Evil around Us, Dr Emmanuel Ojo Ademola, presents to us, in Bible truth, the problem of evil, evil works and evildoers, demonic oppression, judgement of evildoers, deliverance from evil works and, of course, living above evil.