The World Now Fallen.       We have begun looking at what Jesus Christ and the Bible tell us about this world.       In creating humankind, God’s goodness made us in His own image and likeness ( Gen1:26-27 ; Wis 2:23 ), part of which includes our intellect (ability to reason) and will (ability to choose, to act or not act). With these powers we have freedom of choice or “free will.” Free will attains its highest purpose, its perfection, when directed towards God.       What if we use our free will to direct our actions in opposition to God – against the Good?       That brings about evil. All of God’s creation is “very good” ( Gen 1:31 ), but we have now removed some of that good by our willing something contrary to the Good, God. We have brought about some evil. All the evil we see in the world comes from humanity (and fallen angels) exercising their free will against God – God the total Goo...

The World: Very Good.       Last week’s article began a series looking at what Jesus Christ and the Bible tell us about the world, particularly our current up-side-down world where lies abound, and how we should live in it. It all begins with Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God also says all that He created is “good” ( Gen 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 20, 25 ) and “very good” ( Gen 1:31 ).       Now, really, is everything in the world good? How can it be? In this crazy, evil world?       I know a guy who regularly says, “Well, we live in dualism,” or that things are this way “so long as we live in a dualistic universe.” He’s part of a crowd of folks in the world who believe that in order for a god of light and good to create matter (or density), that there had to be a corresponding god of darkness and evil, and both must always be in balance. They believe nothing could exist without that balance ...