Evil Quote by D. A. Carson
““In this primal sense, then, evil is evil because it is rebellion against God. Evil is the failure to do what God demands or the performance of what God forbids. Not to love God with heart and soul and mind and strength is a great evil, for God has demanded it; not to love our neighbor as ourself is a great evil, for the same reason. To covet someone’s house or car or wife is a great evil, for God has forbidden covetousness; to nurture bitterness and self-pity is evil, for a similar reason. The dimensions of evil are thus established by the dimensions of God; the ugliness of evil is established by the beauty of God; the filth of evil is established by the purity of God; the selfishness of evil is established by the love of God.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Christian Faith, 2015
Evil is defined as rebellion against God, measured by God’s moral standards.
In simple terms: Evil opposes God’s commands.
Key Takeaway
Align actions with divine moral law.
Themes
theology
ethics
spirituality
human nature
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
doctrinal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal conduct
- community ethics
- religious teaching
Key Concepts
sin
rebellion
divine command
Questions to Reflect On
- What does rebellion mean in modern life?
- How do we discern divine demands?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations of God’s will vary across cultures.
![“Evil cannot be "treated" -- nor should it be. Evil has to [be] confronted and destroyed and it matters not why the evil is in play. Society has no obligation to try to rehabilitate evil.” quote by Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b89/bill-o-reilly-1019_destroyed_evil-cannot-be-treated-nor-should-it-be_3597.jpg)
