[P-Marlowe]

Thanks CDL. You know I was concerned with the direction that this thread was going. The assuredness of those who claim that God actually created evil based upon some esoteric reading of ambiguous scriptures was of concern. Yet people seemed willing to go out on a limb that I felt was a dangerous limb to climb out on.

Evil exists and God is Good. An agreement on those two facts should be enough to put an end to all the speculation.

OK what else were we arguing about? How did we get on this topic in the first place? Was this something I started?

[so_real]

Can I ask one more question about evil? It's a sincere one and I am completely open to all opinions.

As I posted earlier, I was raised with the understanding that evil is simply "rebellion against God". As such, it is not a creation, but rather a "potential" that exists simply because God exists. Anyone that rebels against God, does evil. This is one of those teachings that has always worked for me, so I've never questioned it. But I'm willing to do so now if there is more to the story and I can learn something.

[jude24]

The question was initially yours; you wanted us Calvinist to answer up or down whether God caused man to sin.

That discussion sort of spiralled out of control.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

I suppose you agreeing with a Calvinist is a good start.

Keep it up.