Expert: Tom Schott - 10/2/2006

Question
A Sunday school teacher I know recently told me about an interesting question she was asked by one of her young students. The child asked why6 God created Satan, knowing that he would cause such trouble for mankind. My friend said something about how God wanted us to be able to enjoy a relationship with Him based on choice, not force. What do you think of this answer?

Answer
Andrew,

 It's a good answer to a good question that we don't really know the answer to. We humans can only think in linear time, so the idea that God "knew" something before it happened is the only way we can conceive it. But actually, time doesn't exist for God, everything including time is contained within him. So are all our choices. Trying to understand just a part of the mystery of God, this small part about the creation of Satan, is bewildering. Depending on who's asking the question, the explanation your friend gives is a good as any other.

Pax Christi,
Deacon Tom