The Cosmic Struggle between Good and Evil in Scripture

The concept of a cosmic struggle between good and evil is deeply rooted in biblical teachings. Isaiah 5:20 warns against those who "call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter" ^[1]. This verse highlights the fundamental opposition between good and evil, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between the two.

The biblical narrative presents good and evil as two opposing forces that are in constant conflict. Sirach 33:15 states, "Good is set against evil, and life against death: so also is the sinner against a just man" ^[2]. This dichotomy is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, with Ecclesiastes 12:14 affirming that "God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil" ^[3].

The struggle between good and evil is not limited to human actions but is also reflected in the spiritual realm. The Bible describes a cosmic conflict involving spiritual entities, with Satan being a key adversary. According to Smith's Bible Dictionary, the term "Satan" originally means "adversary" and is used to describe a being that opposes God's will ^[7].

The New Testament writers often referenced this cosmic struggle, with the apostle Paul describing the Christian life as a warfare against evil forces. In Ephesians 6:12, he writes that believers are engaged in a struggle "against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" ^[5]. This theme is also echoed in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, where the "god of this world" is described as blinding the minds of unbelievers ^[10].

The conflict between good and evil is also reflected in the human experience. According to Matthew Henry, the apostle Paul describes the internal struggle between the "law of God" and the "law of sin" in Romans 7:14 ^[8]. This inner conflict is a manifestation of the larger cosmic struggle, with believers being called to participate in the fight against evil.

Different Christian traditions have understood this cosmic struggle in various ways. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, interprets Romans 5:21 as indicating that sin has a dominating power over humanity, but that grace is more powerful and can overcome sin ^[11]. In contrast, Adam Clarke, a Methodist/Wesleyan commentator, emphasizes the role of human will in the struggle against evil, arguing that the will is on the side of God and truth ^[9].

The biblical account of the cosmic struggle between good and evil is closely tied to the concept of judgment. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that the Bible teaches that there will be a final judgment, where God will judge both the righteous and the wicked ^[4]. This judgment is a key aspect of the cosmic struggle, as it represents the ultimate resolution of the conflict between good and evil.

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in Genesis 2-3 serves as a foundational narrative for understanding the cosmic struggle. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, this tree represented the choice between obedience and disobedience to God's command, with the consequence of sin and death entering the world through Adam and Eve's disobedience ^[6].

The cosmic struggle between good and evil is a pervasive theme in Scripture, reflecting a fundamental aspect of the biblical worldview. As the biblical narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that this struggle is not limited to human actions but involves a deeper spiritual conflict. The various Christian traditions represented in the sources offer nuanced understandings of this struggle, but all affirm the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

Sources

Isaiah “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! -- Isaiah 5:20”
Sirach “Sirach 33:15 (DRC) — Good is set against evil, and life against death: so also is the sinner against a just man. And so look upon all the works of the most High. Two and two, and one against another.”
Ecclesiastes “For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil. -- Ecclesiastes 12:14”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Judgment, The — Predicted in the Old Testament -- 1Ch 16:33; Ps 9:7; 96:13; Ec 3:17. A first principle of the gospel -- Heb 6:2. A day appointed for -- Ac 17:31; Ro 2:16. Time of, unknown to us -- Mr 13:32. Called the Day of wrath. -- Ro 2:5; Re 6:17. Revelation of the righteous judgment of God. -- Ro 2:5. Day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. -- 2Pe 3:7. Day of destruction. -- Job 21:30. Judgment of the great day. -- Jude 1:6. Shall be administered by Christ -- Joh 5:22,27; Ac 10:42; Ro 14:10; 2Co 5:10. Saints shall sit with Christ in -- 1Co 6:2; Re 20:4. Sh”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Warfare of Saints — Is not after the flesh -- 2Co 10:3. Is a good warfare -- 1Ti 1:18,19. Called the good fight of faith -- 1Ti 6:12. Is against The devil. -- Ge 3:15; 2Co 2:11; Eph 6:12; Jas 4:7; 1Pe 5:8; Re 12:17. The flesh. -- Ro 7:23; 1Co 9:25-27; 2Co 12:7; Ga 5:17; 1Pe 2:11. Enemies. -- Ps 38:19; 56:2; 59:3. The world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4,5. Death. -- 1Co 15:26; Heb 2:14,15. Often arises from the opposition of friends or relatives -- Mic 7:6; Mt 10:35,36. To be carried on Under Christ, as our captain. -- Heb 2:10. Under the Lord's banner. -- Ps 60:4. With fait”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Tree of the knowledge of good and evil — Stood in the midst of the garden of Eden, beside the tree of life (Gen. 2, 3). Adam and Eve were forbidden to take of the fruit which grew upon it. But they disobeyed the divine injunction, and so sin and death by sin entered our world and became the heritage of Adam's posterity. (See [641]ADAM.)”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Satan — The word itself, the Hebrew satan, is simply an "adversary," and is so used in (1 Samuel 29:4; 2 Samuel 19:22; 1 Kings 6:4; 11:14,23,25; Numbers 22:22,33; Psalms 109:6) This original sense is still found in our Lord's application of the name to St. Peter in (Matthew 16:23) It is used as a proper name or title only four times in the Old Testament, vis. (with the article) in (Job 1:6; 12; 2:1; Zechariah 2:1) and without the article in (1 Chronicles 21:1) It is with the scriptural revelation on the subject that we are here concerned; and it is clear, from this si”
Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 7:14: Here is a description of the conflict between grace and corruption in the heart, between the law of God and the law of sin. And it is applicable two ways: - 1. To the struggles that are in a convinced soul, but yet unregenerate, in the person of whom it is supposed, by some, that Paul speaks. 2. To the struggles that are in a renewed sanctified soul, but yet in a state of imperfection; as other apprehend. And a great controversy there is of which of these we are to understand the apostle here. So far does the evil prevail here, when he speaks of one sold under sin”
Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 7:19: For the good that I would I do not - Here again is the most decisive proof that the will is on the side of God and truth. But the evil which I would not - And here is equally decisive proof that the will is against, or opposed to evil. There is not a man in ten millions, who will carefully watch the operations of this faculty, that will find it opposed to good and obstinately attached to evil, as is generally supposed. Nay, it is found almost uniformly on God's side, while the whole sensual system is against him. - It is not the Will that leads men astray; but the c”
2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 4:3: 4:3-4 The Good News divides people into two categories: those who remain in darkness and those who are enlightened by God (see Acts 26:18, cp. John 3:19-21). God’s action in bringing people to himself is a movement from a realm governed by darkness to the light of God’s presence (Col 1:12-14; 1 Pet 2:9). The god of this world fights against the change that the Good News brings to people’s hearts and minds.”
Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 5:21: That as sin hath reigned unto death,.... This is another end of the law's entrance, or rather an illustration of the grace of God, by comparing the reigns of sin and grace together: sin has such a power over man in a state of nature, as amounts to a dominion; it has not only an enticing, ensnaring power, to draw into a compliance with it, and an obstructive power to hinder that which is good, and an operative one of that which is evil, and a captivating, enslaving one to the same; but it has a kingly, governing, and commanding power: its dominion is universal as to me”

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