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Reconciling Evil with God's Goodness in Theology

Reconciliation, in a theological context, signifies a change from enmity to friendship, a mutual transformation affecting both parties previously in conflict [1]. This concept is central to understanding the relationship between God and humanity, particularly in light of human sin and God's goodness. The Bible presents reconciliation as a divine initiative, primarily accomplished through Jesus Christ [2].

The New Testament frequently speaks of reconciliation in terms of God reconciling humanity to himself. For instance, 2 Corinthians 5:18 states that "all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ" [15]. This reconciliation is not merely a change in human disposition towards God, but also involves God himself as the reconciling party [1]. Romans 5:10 emphasizes this: "For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life" [3]. This verse highlights that reconciliation occurred while humanity was still in a state of enmity with God, underscoring God's proactive role [2].

The means of reconciliation is consistently identified as the death of Christ. Ephesians 2:16 states that Christ "might reconcile both unto God in one body by his cross, and slay hatred thereby" [5]. Similarly, Colossians 1:21-22 speaks of believers, who were once alienated and hostile in mind because of evil deeds, now being reconciled "in his body of flesh by his death" [1]. The shedding of Christ's blood is presented as the price and pledge of this reconciliation [11]. This act of atonement, effected by Christ alone, demonstrates God's grace, mercy, and love [8]. It is through Christ's sacrifice that the barrier of God's justice against humanity is removed, allowing for union with God [11].

The nature of this reconciliation is further elaborated by various theological traditions. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:18 explains that God "restored us ('the world,' 2 Corinthians 5:19) to His favor by satisfying the claims of justice against us" [9]. This perspective emphasizes that the mediation of Christ did not change God's character or produce His love, but rather was the provision of God's pre-existing love [9]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, interprets 2 Corinthians 5:18 as God being "in Christ reconciling the world unto himself," meaning God was in Christ drawing the scheme and fixing the method of reconciliation [12]. Gill also notes that it was God's good will and pleasure from eternity to reconcile his chosen people to himself through Christ [13]. Adam Clarke, a Methodist/Wesleyan commentator, views the reconciliation as God giving Jesus Christ to die for sinners, through whom they receive salvation [15]. He also notes that Christ's death on the cross made reconciliation between God and man, and His Spirit removes the enmity of fallen, sinful nature [14].

The concept of reconciliation also addresses the problem of evil in relation to God's goodness. If God is good and all-powerful, why does evil exist? The biblical narrative suggests that evil entered the world through human sin, creating a state of enmity between humanity and God [1, 2]. God's goodness is demonstrated not by preventing all evil, but by providing a means of reconciliation despite it. The atonement, through Christ, is seen as reconciling both the justice and mercy of God [8]. God's justice demands a response to sin, while His mercy provides a way for forgiveness and restoration. The Psalms express a desire for God to "put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds" [4]. This reflects a belief in God's ultimate intention to address and overcome evil, while also upholding righteousness.

Reconciliation leads to a transformed relationship with God, characterized by delight and godly fear [6, 7]. When individuals are reconciled to God, they are encouraged to delight in Him and His goodness [6]. This delight is experienced in communion with God, in His law, and in His comforts [6]. Godly fear, described as a hatred of evil and a form of wisdom, is also a consequence of reconciliation [7]. It is a filial and reverential fear, motivated by God's holiness, greatness, goodness, and forgiveness [7].

The ministry of reconciliation is committed to ministers, who proclaim this message to the world [2]. This underscores the ongoing nature of God's redemptive work and the call for humanity to respond to His initiative. The reconciliation achieved through Christ is comprehensive, aiming to reconcile "all things" to God [11, 13]. This suggests a cosmic scope to Christ's work, not limited solely to individual human beings. The ultimate goal is complete amity, where enmity is laid aside [10].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reconcilation — A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity. (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconcile”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Reconciliation With God — Predicted -- Da 9:24; Isa 53:5. Proclaimed by angels at the birth of Christ -- Lu 2:14. Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances is necessary to -- Eph 2:16; Col 2:14. Effected for men By God in Christ. -- 2Co 5:19. By Christ as High Priest. -- Heb 2:17. By the death of Christ. -- Ro 5:10; Eph 2:16; Col 1:21,22. By the blood of Christ. -- Eph 2:13; Col 1:20. While alienated from God. -- Col 1:21. Without strength. -- Ro 5:6. Yet sinners. -- Ro 5:8. While enemies to God. -- Ro 5:10. The ministry of committed to ministers -- 2Co 5:18,19. Mi”
  3. Romans “For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life. -- Romans 5:10”
  4. Psalms “Psalms 7:9 (BSB) — Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds.”
  5. Ephesians “Ephesians 2:16 (Geneva1599) — And that he might reconcile both vnto God in one body by his crosse, and slay hatred thereby,”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Delighting In God — Commanded -- Ps 37:4. Reconciliation leads to -- Job 22:21,26. Observing the sabbath leads to -- Isa 58:13,14. Saints' experience in Communion with God. -- Song 2:3. The law of God. -- Ps 1:1; 119:24,35. The goodness of God. -- Ne 9:25. The comforts of God. -- Ps 94:19. Hypocrites Pretend to. -- Isa 58:2. In heart despise. -- Job 27:10; Jer 6:10. Promises to. -- Ps 37:4. Blessedness. -- Ps 112:1.”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Godly — God is the object of -- Isa 8:13. God is the author of -- Jer 32:39,40. Searching the Scriptures gives the understanding of -- Pr 2:3-5. Described as Hatred of evil. -- Pr 8:13. Wisdom. -- Job 28:28; Ps 111:10. A treasure to saints. -- Pr 15:16; Isa 33:6. A fountain of life. -- Pr 14:27. Sanctifying. -- Ps 19:9. Filial and reverential. -- Heb 12:9,28. Commanded -- De 13:4; Ps 22:23; Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Motives to The holiness of God. -- Re 15:4. The greatness of God. -- De 10:12,17. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The forgiveness of God. -- Ps 130:4.”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, The — Explained -- Ro 5:8-11; 2Co 5:18,19; Ga 1:4; 1Jo 2:2; 4:10. Foreordained -- Ro 3:25; 1Pe 1:11,20; Re 13:8. Foretold -- Isa 53:4-6,8-12; Da 9:24-27; Zec 13:1,7; Joh 11:50,51. Effected by Christ alone -- Joh 1:29,36; Ac 4:10,12; 1Th 1:10; 1Ti 2:5,6; Heb 2:9; 1Pe 2:24. Was voluntary -- Ps 40:6-8; Heb 10:5-9; Joh 10:11,15,17,18. Exhibits the Grace and mercy of God. -- Ro 8:32; Eph 2:4,5,7; 1Ti 2:4; Heb 2:9. Love of God. -- Ro 5:8; 1Jo 4:9,10. Love of Christ. -- Joh 15:13; Ga 2:20; Eph 5:2,25; Re 1:5. Reconciles the justice and mercy of God -- Isa 45:21; ”
  9. 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 5:18: all--Greek, "THE." things--all our privileges in this new creation (Co2 5:14-15). reconciled us--that is, restored us ("the world," Co2 5:19) to His favor by satisfying the claims of justice against us. Our position judicially considered in the eye of the law is altered, not as though the mediation of Christ had made a change in God's character, nor as if the love of God was produced by the mediation of Christ; nay, the mediation and sacrifice of Christ was the provision of God's love, not its moving cause (Rom 8:32). Christ's blood was the ”
  10. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 2:16: Translate, "might altogether reconcile them both in one body (the Church, Col 3:15) unto God through His cross." The Greek for "reconcile" (apocatalaxe), found only here and in Col 1:20, expresses not only a return to favor with one (catallage), but so to lay aside enmity that complete amity follows; to pass from enmity to complete reconciliation [TITTMANN]. slain the enmity--namely, that had been between man and God; and so that between Jew and Gentile which had resulted from it. By His being slain, He slew it (compare Heb 2:14). thereby--Greek”
  11. Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:20: The Greek order is, "And through Him (Christ) to reconcile again completely (see on Eph 2:16) all things (Greek, 'the whole universe of things') unto Himself (unto God the Father, Co2 5:19), having made peace (God the Father having made peace) through the blood of His (Christ's) cross," that is, shed by Christ on the cross: the price and pledge of our reconciliation with God. The Scripture phrase, "God reconciles man to Himself," implies that He takes away by the blood of Jesus the barrier which God's justice interposes against man's being in union”
  12. 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 5:18: To wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself,.... This expresses and explains the subject matter of the ministration of the Gospel, especially that part of it which concerns our reconciliation with God; and declares the scheme, the author, the subjects, the way, and means, and consequence of it. The phrase, "in Christ", may be either joined with the word "God", as in our version, "God was in Christ reconciling"; that is, he was in Christ drawing the scheme, fixing the method of reconciliation; his thoughts were employed about it, which were”
  13. Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 1:20: And by him to reconcile all things to himself,.... This depends upon the preceding verse, and is to be connected with that phrase in it, it pleased the Father, Col 1:19; and the sense is, that it was the good will and pleasure of God from all eternity, as to lay up all fulness in Christ for his chosen people, so to reconcile them to himself by him; and which is another reason why Christ is, and ought to be considered as the head of the church, whose reconciliation he has procured, and why he ought to have the chief place in all things, and among all persons. Recon”
  14. Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 2:16: That he might reconcile both - in one body - That the Jews and Gentiles, believing on the Lord Jesus, might lay aside all their causes of contention, and become one spiritual body, or society of men, influenced by the Spirit, and acting according to the precepts of the Gospel. Having slain the enmity thereby - Having, by his death upon the cross, made reconciliation between God and man, and by his Spirit in their hearts removed the enmity of their fallen, sinful nature. Dr. Macknight thinks that abolishing the enmity is spoken of the removal of the hatred which t”
  15. 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 5:18: And all things are of God - As the thorough conversion of the soul is compared to a new creation, and creation is the proper work of an all-wise, almighty Being; then this total change of heart, soul, and life, which takes place under the preaching of the Gospel, is effected by the power and grace of God: this is salvation, and salvation must ever be of the Lord; and therefore men should apply to him, who alone can work this wondrous change. Who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ - Having given Jesus Christ to die for sinners, they have through him”
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