Is it “GOOD, BAD OR INDIFFERENT?
We hear this common phrase used on a daily basis. But, do we truly understand the question’s significance? In a world that all too often associates any form of pain, discomfort or difficulty as “bad” (taken to mean “evil”), I suspect this all important question has unfortunately been reduced to nothing more than a cliché. If its implications were seriously considered, it would go a long way towards helping us better understand and cope with the evil and suffering experienced in the world.
IN THE NEWS
In May of 2011, the city of Joplin, Missouri was decimated by a ferocious EF5 tornado; more than 150 souls perished as a result of the storm. Video and images revealed the small mid-western town was in complete ruin. Yet, as news reports emerged from the scene, a narrative began to unfold of wide-spread perseverance, resiliency, community and brotherly love among the victims of this tragic event. So, what can be said of this tornado: good, bad or indifferent?
In August of 2005, the Gulf coast (central Floridia to Texas) of the United States was hit by one of the largest, strongest hurricanes in recent years. Thousands of people lost their lives and the region was completely devastated. But, the news reports coming out of New Orleans, Louisiana – one of the hardest hit areas – were not those of “brother helping brother.” Instead, stories of crime and criminal chaos surfaced..And, although some of the more horrific stories were later reported as fabrications and falsehoods, the theme surrounding this natural disaster was starkly different than that of Joplin. So, what can be said of this hurricane: good, bad or indifferent? The simple answer is “yes” – a tornado in Joplin and a hurricane in New Orleans are good, bad and indifferent. A more detailed answer involves a distinction between intrinsic and instrumental good and evil. Dr. Thomas B. Warren wrote in his book Have Atheists Proved There is No God that sin, “is the only real evil, that nothing subhuman is really evil, that man is responsible for his own sins.” Thus, tornados and hurricanes are not “intrinsically” evil – that is evil in of themselves. In fact, events such as these have no moral value; tornados, hurricane and the like are morally indifferent. They are neither good nor bad. However, such events can hold an instrumental value of good or evil – that is, a morally indifferent event serves as a catalyst towards producing an effect of good or evil. In light of these distinctions, one might say the Joplin tornado was instrumentally good, for a great deal of love, brotherhood and other “intrinsic goods” resulted from it. Conversely, Hurricane Katrina may be considered instrumentally evil, for wide spread crime (intrinsic evil) ensued in the aftermath.
IS GOOD, BAD OR INDIFFERNT?
What is intrinsically good or evil? God is good (Mark 10:18 NASB). And, throughout the Bible there are various lists of good and evil, right and wrong such as the “deeds of the flesh” and the “fruits of the spirit” (Galatians 5). These lists detail various intrinsic goods and evils that do not change; they will always be intrinsically good or evil. But, the Bible doesn’t provide an exhaustive list of possible actions, attitudes or events; so, what moral value is to be placed on those things not appearing on a “do-and-don’t” list? The answer is whatever effect or result is produced by the event. Dr. David Lipe states in his graduate Bible class at Freed-Hardeman University that in the context of Matthew 22:34-40, “Whatever helps ‘son-ship’ and ‘brotherhood’ is instrumentally good; whatever hinders ‘son-ship’ and ‘brotherhood’ is instrumentally evil.” There are numerous examples throughout the Scriptures of instrumental goods and evils. For example, nowhere does the Bible say that money is intrinsically good or evil; it is morally indifferent. However, depending on how that money is earned or used will determine its moral value. If it is utilized for a worthy cause as defined by the Bible, it is good (2 Corinthians 9:7). But, if the pursuit or use of that money produces an effect that violates a Biblical principle, it is evil (1 Timothy 6:10).
OUR RESPONSE
In a world designed by the Creator for “soul-making,” the presence of evil and the ability to choose between it and the path of righteousness is a daily reality. Our adversary, “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour,” (1 Peter 5:8) so let us not help his cause by automatically assigning negative connotations and “knee-jerk” definitions of “evil” to tragic and unfortunate events. Yes, intrinsic evil does exist (sin), so does intrinsic good. But, then there are those things which carry no intrinsic moral value. How we choose to respond to these actions, attitudes and events will determine their instrumental moral value. If we grow closer to God as a result of some “tragic” event, we must ask ourselves, “How bad is it really?” On the other, allowing ourselves to become down-trodden, disgruntled and disheartened by “unfortunate” events that truly hold no moral value yet lead to a loss of faith, despair and ungodly living is, indeed, tragic, unnecessary and instrumentally evil. So, let us make sure we accurately recognize and define evil as we go about our Christian journey. Let us ask ourselves daily, “Is this good, bad or indifferent?”