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| Chapter LVI
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Chapter LVI.
If we speak, however, of what are called
“corporeal” and “external” evils,—which
are improperly so termed,—then it may be granted that there
are occasions when some of these have been called into existence
by God, in order that by their means the conversion of certain
individuals might be effected. And what absurdity would follow
from such a course? For as, if we should hear those
sufferings4563
improperly termed
“evils” which are inflicted by fathers, and instructors,
and pedagogues upon those who are under their care, or upon patients
who are operated upon or cauterized by the surgeons in order to effect
a cure, we were to say that a father was ill-treating his son, or
pedagogues and instructors their pupils, or physicians their patients,
no blame would be laid upon the operators or chastisers; so, in the
same way, if God is said to bring upon men such evils for the
conversion and cure of those who need this discipline, there would be
no absurdity in the view, nor would “evils come down from the
Lord upon the gates of
Jerusalem,”4564
—which evils
consist of the punishments inflicted upon the Israelites by their
enemies with a view to their conversion; nor would one visit
“with a rod the transgressions of those who forsake the law of
the Lord, and their iniquities with stripes;”4565
nor could it be said, “Thou hast coals
of fire to set upon them; they shall be to thee a help.”4566
In the same way also we explain the
expressions, “I, who make peace, and create evil;”4567
for He calls into existence
“corporeal” or “external” evils, while
purifying and training those who would not be disciplined by the word
and sound doctrine. This, then, is our answer to the question,
“How is it that God created evil?”E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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