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The concept of Good and evil in Christianity

The concepts of Good and evil play a significant role across various Christian traditions, emphasizing a fundamental moral dichotomy between righteousness and sin. This distinction is vital for understanding forgiveness, moral judgment, and human choices. In Christianity, good aligns with virtue and connection to God while evil is associated with sin and separation from Him. Furthermore, these principles are not only foundational to individual moral choices but also reflective of divine justice and the license granted to humans to discern between beneficial and harmful actions.

Synonyms: Virtue and vice, Righteousness and wickedness, Morality and immorality, Light and darkness, Right and wrong

In Dutch: Goed en kwaad; In Finnish: Hyvä ja paha; In Spanish: El bien y el mal; In German: Gut und Böse; In Malay: Baik dan jahat; In Swedish: Gott och ont; In French: Le bien et le mal

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Good and evil'

Christianity Books

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) The text states that good and evil are known by nature, yet life is not thereby spent under the discipline of God, which teaches men the proper liberty of their will and action.[1] (2) The text identifies the existence of two opposing forces, one representing virtuous behavior and the other representing malicious behavior, which are in conflict with each other.[2] (3) The text discusses the capacity for good and evil in rational creatures, emphasizing the freedom of will and the possibility of moral choices.[3] (4) The inherent capacity of humanity involves distinguishing between actions, concepts, or behaviors that are considered morally right or wrong, virtuous or harmful.[4] (5) Man consists of two parts, body and soul, of which the one is earthly, the other heavenly, and man might be susceptible of good and evil, and the knowledge of good and of evil was given at the same time to the first man.[5]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Global Christian community:
Catholic Church Books

From: Summa Theologica (English translation)

(1) Concepts representing virtue and sin, where good is singular in nature while evil manifests diversely.[6] (2) Moral distinctions that are drawn between intentions and actions in the context of marriage.[7] (3) Concepts discussed in relation to divination, specifically whether divination can be classified as a sin.[8] (4) These are moral concepts that are integral to the discussion of virtue; performing good deeds and refraining from evil actions.[9] (5) Concepts that relate to the moral quality of actions, with God's actions always ultimately aimed at bringing about good, even if they involve evil.[10]

From: The city of God

(1) The text explores the usage of love and regard (amor and dilectio) in scripture, indicating that they are used interchangeably for both positive and negative affections.[11] (2) These are the concepts that divine providence grants promiscuously, and they are contrasted with the eternal life, everlasting gifts, and the society of the heavenly city, according to the text.[12]

From: Works of St. Anselm

(1) Moral concepts that are central to God's justice in recompensing individuals according to their actions.[13]

The Catholic Church is a global Christian community with over a billion members, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is led by the Pope and emphasizes the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Catholicism is a denomination centered on the teachings thereof. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage.

Significance in Christianity (general):

From: Expositions of Holy Scripture

(1) This phrase represents the fundamental opposition between righteousness and sin, which must be recognized in any discussion of forgiveness.[14] (2) These are fundamental concepts representing moral qualities, where 'good' signifies righteousness and virtue, and 'evil' denotes wickedness and moral corruption.[15] (3) Good and evil principles work themselves out in the period of development, and when it has been reached, the blending gives place to separation.[16] (4) The moral dichotomy that arises from one's choices, emphasizing that all good is found in connection with God while all evil is associated with separation from Him.[17] (5) The moral dichotomy emphasized in the text, illustrating that it matters to God whether people live righteously or not.[18]

From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)

(1) This refers to the concepts of morality and the ability to discern between them, highlighting the fundamental values of human existence.[19] (2) This refers to the ability to discern between beneficial and harmful aspects, indicating a state of understanding, and it suggests a capacity to make sound judgments and choices in various situations.[20]

From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature

(1) Refers to the dual nature of Athenian history, where moments of greatness coexisted with challenges and darkness.[21]

Significance in Church of the East (or the East Syriac Church):
Church of the East Books

From: The Book of the Bee

(1) This is the difference between what God gave Adam the knowledge of, as well as what Adam went from in terms of knowledge, as mentioned in the text.[22] (2) Adam cut off a branch for a staff from the tree of good and evil, indicating a symbolic item associated with his actions.[23] (3) Good and evil are the properties that the tree in Paradise possessed, and it is the knowledge of good and evil that was gained by eating the fruit.[24] (4) This phrase describes the knowledge Adam was not supposed to have, and the tree was associated with this concept, leading to significant consequences for Adam and Eve.[25]

From: The Kebra Nagast

(1) The moral duality that exists within creation, acknowledged in the context of worshiping God.[26]

The Church of the East emerged in the 5th century and separated from the Roman Empire's state church by adopting Nestorianism. It emphasizes the distinct human and divine natures of Jesus Christ. It is also called the Assyrian Church, Nestorian Church or the East Syriac Church.

Significance in Protestantism (Christian movement emphasizing faith and scripture):
Protestantism Books

From: The Existence and Attributes of God

(1) Concepts that refer to moral values and the distinction between right and wrong actions, which are affected by the nature of objects and the disposition of individuals.[27] (2) A concept introduced in the context of God's law, representing the moral dichotomy present in the universe, highlighted by the command regarding the tree of knowledge.[28] (3) The fundamental moral dichotomy that individuals are able to recognize and differentiate, rooted in an internal law.[29]

From: The Second Helvetic Confession

(1) These are the two natures that the Manichaeans and Marcionites imagined; it is the opposing forces that the condemned groups believed in, as stated in the provided text.[30]

Protestantism (or simply the protestant church) is a major branch of Christianity originating from the Reformation in the 16th century, led by figures like Martin Luther. It emphasizes salvation by faith alone and the Bible as the ultimate authority. Variants of Protestantism include Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, Methodism and Presbyterianism, each with unique practices but generally united by these core principles.

Significance in Eastern Orthodoxy (or the Eastern Orthodox Church):
Eastern Orthodoxy Books

From: The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite

(1) The concepts of Good and Evil are contrasted, with Good representing the positive, necessary, and generative aspect of existence, while Evil is depicted as a deficiency, lack of power, and a privation that cannot sustain or nurture life.[31]

Eastern Orthodoxy, or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main branches of Christianity. It consists of independently governed churches with strong cultural ties to Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Eastern Orthodox theology focuses on the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Believers strive for theosis, or becoming closer to God, through grace and spiritual practices.