The Problem of Evil: Is Calvinism’s God the Author of Sin?

Introduction: The Theological Dilemma

Calvinism asserts God’s absolute sovereignty, including His decree of all events (Ephesians 1:11). Critics argue this makes God the author of sin—a claim Calvinists vehemently deny. Yet, if God ordains evil acts (like Judas’ betrayal), how is He not culpable? James 1:13 states, “God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone,” directly challenging divine determinism. This article critiques Calvinism’s view of evil, arguing that God’s holiness and human responsibility are incompatible with a system where He decrees sin.

Calvinist Proof Texts Rebutted

1. Isaiah 45:7 (“I create calamity”):
   • Calvinist View: God ordains both good and evil for His glory.
   • Counterargument:
     • “Calamity” (Hebrew ra‘) refers to judicial punishment, not moral evil (cf. Lamentations 3:38). God permits evil but does not originate it (James 1:13–14).
     • James White (The Potter’s Freedom) claims, “God uses evil without being tainted” (p. 242), yet ordaining sin’s commission logically implicates Him.
2. Acts 4:27–28 (Herod and Pilate’s “predetermined plan”):
   • Calvinist Claim: God decreed Christ’s crucifixion, yet humans acted freely.
   • Counterargument:
     • God’s foreknowledge (1 Peter 1:2) ≠ compulsion. Christ’s death was foreknown, not coerced (John 10:17–18).
     • Judas’ betrayal involved divine permission, not determinism (Acts 1:16–20).
3. Romans 9:22 (“Vessels of wrath prepared for destruction”):
   • Calvinists argue God actively hardens sinners (Romans 9:18).
   • Counterargument:
     • Pharaoh self-hardened first (Exodus 8:15, 32), prompting God’s judicial confirmation (Romans 1:24).

Biblical Refutations of Divine Determinism

1. James 1:13–14 (“God does not tempt”):
   • If God cannot tempt or be tempted by evil, He cannot decree evil acts without violating His nature. Sin originates in human desire, not divine decree.
2. 1 John 1:5 (“God is light; no darkness in Him”):
   • A holy God cannot be the source of sin. Calvinism’s “secondary causes” defense fails—evil’s existence under God’s decree still implicates Him.
3. Habakkuk 1:13 (“Your eyes are too pure to look on evil”):
   • God’s holiness requires a distinction between ordaining good and permitting evil (contrary to deterministic frameworks).

Theological and Philosophical Problems

1. Moral Accountability vs. Divine Decree:
   • If God decrees sin, humans are mere puppets. Calvinism’s compatibilism (“free” acts under divine control) collapses moral responsibility (Deuteronomy 30:19).
2. God’s Character at Stake:
   • A God who decrees child abuse, genocide, or Christ’s murder contradicts 1 John 4:8 (“God is love”). Love cannot ordain evil for “greater good” without ceasing to be love.
3. Theodicy of Coercion:
   • White argues sin exists to “display God’s glory” (p. 219), but a sovereign who requires evil for His glory is morally deficient (Ezekiel 18:23).

Addressing Calvinist Defenses

1. “Greater Good Defense”:
   • Calvinists claim evil serves God’s plan (Genesis 50:20). Counter: If God needs evil, He is not omnipotent. A truly sovereign God could achieve His ends without sin.
2. “Permission vs. Decree”:
   • Calvinists distinguish God’s permissive and decretive wills. Counter: If God ordains all events (Westminster Confession 3.1), this distinction collapses. Permission under determinism is semantic.
3. “Human Responsibility”:
   • Calvinism asserts sinners “freely” act according to their nature. Counter: A nature determined by God negates guilt (Romans 9:19).

Practical Implications

1. Evangelism:
   • If God decrees who believes, preaching becomes redundant (contra Romans 10:14–15).
2. Prayer:
   • Why pray if outcomes are fixed? Calvinism undermines Jesus’ model of supplication (Matthew 6:10).
3. Assurance:
   • A God who decrees sin breeds fear, not trust. 1 John 1:9 offers forgiveness to repentant hearts, not fatalistic resignation.

Conclusion: Upholding God’s Holiness

Calvinism’s God risks becoming the author of sin, violating James 1:13 and the Bible’s portrait of divine purity. Human free will—enabled by prevenient grace (John 12:32)—preserves God’s goodness while affirming moral responsibility. Evil stems from rebellion (Genesis 3), not divine decree. The Potter is free to reshape clay, but a holy God cannot mold sin.

Key Verse:
“God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”
—1 Corinthians 14:33