Protestantism

» Brian Tubbs - Evil Is A Concept

Your post alludes to a couple issues....1) what is the proper way to identify and confirm that which is "evil" as opposed to that which might be simply distasteful to us, and 2) how do we DEAL with evil on a day-to-day basis?

That second question is addressed a lot in the New Testament. Jesus frequently admonishes his followers to "turn the other cheek" and "go the extra mile" and to "love your enemies." Paul, though sadly denigrated by many liberals and other biblical critics, also preaches this message of love in response to evil. He writes:

Recompense to no man evil for evil...avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (Romans 12:17,19)

The New Testament teaches that God will settle all accounts in the end, that we need not take justice into our own hands.

There is ONE exception to this, however....

It deals with the discussion going on in a different thread....

GOVERNMENT! In Romans, Paul makes it clear that government is given the "sword" to "execute wrath for judgment sake." That government is to punish evildoers and reward the good. Therefore, the government is, under certain circumtances, authorized to take life. (Romans 13:1-7) But we as individuals, acting as our own agents, are not authorized to take justice into our own hands or to "avenge" ourselves. Instead, we are called to love our enemies and turn the other cheek.