Did God Create Evil?

This question often comes about, whether it is because its our first time reading the scriptures, or if it is because we are sceptical of the scriptures, and because the King James Version actually gives us all the opportunity to ask such a question.. Most beginners will question it because it just sounds so out of place. "My God, creating evil. No way." And then these beginners go on to study and find out whether it is so. The skeptics use these verses to reject the existence of God because of the fact that there is the presence of evil in this universe. In their minds it is perfectly reasonable that a perfect God would not create a universe in which evil exists. And so these verses in the King James Versin give the skeptics the ability to claim that since God created everything that God must have also created evil. These verses in the King James Version are as follows:

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. (Isaiah 45:7, KJV)
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? (Amos 3:6, KJV)
Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good? (Lamentations 3:38)

When you really sit down and think about it, how can evil be created? It can't be created, so evil is not really a created thing. Can you see it? Can you touch it? Can you feel it? Or even smell or hear evil in the wind? The truth is, you can not do any of those things. It is not one of the fundamental forces of physics, nor does it consist of matter, nor energy. But again there are many skeptics whom like to claim that God created evil and use the King James to show that what they believe is true. On the other hand scriptures are proving the opposite. God is not the author of evil and demands our attention to this very fact.He is incapable of doing so.

If you were a skeptic, the best way to show these kinds of things is by the use of this translation. In its day, it was a wonderful book. In our day, it is so problematic since it uses an archaic version of modern English, which doesn't necessarily mean the same things today as when it was translated over 400 years ago.

When anyone looks at the original, any original, even the Septuagint, you will be able to see that what is written in the King James is not what we would use in our English today. And many of the modern translations points to that very fact.

The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the LORD who does all these. (Isaiah 45:7, NASB)
I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. (Isaiah 45:7, NIV)

Isaiah 45:7 is a verse the expels a contrasts of opposites. Look at its context. Darkness is the opposite of light. Can the word "evil" be used to contrast peace? Not at all. The Hebrew word translated "peace" is shâlôm, which has many meanings, mostly related to the well being of individuals. Râ‛âh, the Hebrew word translated "evil" in the KJV often refers to adversity or calamity. There are two forms of the word. Strong's H7451a most often refers to moral evil, whereas Strong's H7451b (the form used here) most often refers to calamity or distress. Obviously, "calamity" is a better antonym of "peace" than "evil."

Amos 3:6

If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? If a calamity occurs in a city has not the LORD done it? (Amos 3:6, NASB)
When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it? (Amos 3:6, NIV)

Likewise, Amos 3:6 uses the same word, râ‛âh, referring to calamity or disaster. the context (a disaster happening to a city) does not refer to moral evil.

Lamentations 3:38

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? (Lamentations 3:38, NIV)
Is it not from the mouth of the Most High That both good and ill go forth? (Lamentations 3:38, NASB)

The King James Version of Lamentations 3:38 seems to suggest that God speaks both good and evil. However, if one reads the verse in context, the preceding verses indicate that God does not do or approve of evil. The verse following indicates that people should not complain in view of their sins. What the verse really is saying that God decrees times of good things and times of judgment. Lamentations was written by Jeremiah during a time of judgment, when Judah had gone off into exile. Jeremiah was chosen by God to be the prophet to tell Judah to reform or be judged. The people did not believe Jeremiah, and, therefore, fell under God's judgment. In Lamentations 3:38, the word translated "good" is ṭôb (Strong's H2896). The word usually refers to good things as opposed to bad things. Again, râ‛âh does not refer to moral evil, but calamities, in this verse. Likewise, the Bible commentaries indicate that the verse refers to God's judgment based upon people's sin.

Conclusion

God is not the author of evil. However, God does reward and punish on the basis of good and bad behavior. Therefore, God does bring judgment and calamity (either directly or through human authorities) on those who rebel.