Basic to qualifying as a mystery is its unknowns. Something is known about a mystery but not enough to answer all important, nagging questions, the answers to which might provide solution and closure for those probing the mystery. The Bible does not shy away from admitting that there are divine mysteries. The Lord acknowledges that there are mysteries in the kingdom of heaven, or the kingdom of God, and that he grants resources to stewards of the mysteries of God. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians that to speak in an unknown tongue is to extend mystery. The New Testament recites a number of mysteries such as revelation from God, the wisdom of God, the resurrection of the dead, the meaning of Christ, the relationship of Christ and the Church, the gospel itself, even faith and other mysteries, including the mystery of iniquity. (2 Thessalonians 2:7.) This last refers to a heavy depravity burden for mankind. For the doubter of all this, the Christian bows the head in acknowledgment that earth does not have all the answers, and that is what faith is for, in part. It is not for want of knowing/sensing. Limited human beings do not have the extensions of language and understanding that complete the larger spiritual context.
Mystery begs for our attention, and the mystery of evil is particularly troubling. It is so great and threatening that most persons walk by it as they do much else in life, without conscious thought – so to get on with something else. Or they deny it with observations, usually related to belief that God would not permit it. Lance Morrow, an essayist for a leading secular magazine wrote in his book, Evil: An Investigation: Evil is the most powerful word in the language, and the most elusive. Although this may be overstatement, it does accent the ugly mystery of evil. Morrow used it to give limited biographical information on Hitler, Jack the Ripper, Osama bin Laden, and others. It is likely that most persons might ascribe evil to the worst of persons, but they are put off at inclusive uses of the term to the whole of the race. An American President was extensively criticized when he labeled an enemy group evil in characterizing its empire. According to Scripture, all persons are bent to sin, an inborn evil tendency. Evil does not mean or imply that all evil is as objectionable as that of Hitler or Herod. A person is ill, whether with a cold or cancer.
Evil, like good, is both a noun and a modifier. Many life factors can be modified as evil or good. Christian theology has made evil a major matter in its view of creation. According to Scripture, evil entered nature’s context after man’s arrival. Evil is condemned of God, and what he condemns is evil. Church interpretation has held through the centuries that mankind fell from a perfect state, becoming depraved. To be acceptable with God, mankind must be rescued from that condition. The condition of human depravity is countered in the offering of Christ in behalf of the condemned. So the noun evil, as a condition, is dealt with, and no other has dealt with it effectively except Jesus Christ. The modifier, evil, is partly dealt with by mankind in collaboration with God’s provision for relief. We can, in mortality, overcome evil conduct with good. This may be done in right choices for Christian life, service to others, and evasion of negative conducts so to fulfill standards. There is righteous (good) conduct that should characterize any people or nation. Even though there is a mystery of the condition of evil (depravity), the rescue from it is not secret. That is enough to satisfy the person of faith. Full knowledge of evil is beyond human comprehension. Enough is known for repair so to manage life well and effectively – if we learn to apply divine promise. Unwilling to acknowledge need for recovery we will miss the mark. We should refuse to be left alone by God. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020