Why would a perfect God make perfect beings?
The questions often arise from the obstacles we encounter when collecting information on a topic of interest. If we are simply curious about the topic, a perfunctory response may suffice. But, if we really need precise answers for some urgent need, the questions are usually of a higher quality, with a lot of reflection before the inquiry.
I recently received these questions from a visitor to my website: “Why didn’t God just create us perfect to begin with? And how does a perfect God create imperfect beings? At the end of time, He will make us all perfect beings, those who have accepted Him, so why not do this?” to get started …?” These questions are the product of… thought.
When God calls me to stand before Him, the material that comes… maybe not. But then again… it could.
the perfect god
The Bible declares that we have a perfect Creator (Deut 32:4, Mt 5:48 and Heb 7:28). When he was alone, sin did not exist. “In Him there is no sin” (1 Jn 3,5). This “Self” is beyond anything we can comprehend. At some point, he decided to create morally conscious beings and reveal things about himself to those creatures. Now let me ask you a few questions. If all those creatures were perfect for eternity, how well would God really be known? For example, we now know that He is capable of being angry. If everything was perfect around you forever, how would that ever be exposed? How could his long-suffering, patience, empathy, mercy or justice be known? You already know the answer. These traits would be veiled forever.
I believe that God chose to reveal aspects of His character that would only come to light if there were morally responsible beings in rebellion against Him. In that scenario, many complexities of His character, some subtle and some not so subtle, would be revealed for all to see. .
Created Innocent… and with the capacity to sin.
God created two orders of beings with the capacity to sin: angels and man. If they had been created perfect, they would never have sinned. They were created innocent – and then he sinned. Most believe this passage refers to Satan: “You were in Eden, the Garden of God… You were perfect in all your ways from the day you were created, until injustice was found in you… You were full of violence within and sinned… Your heart was exalted by your beauty” (Ezekiel 28:13, 15-17). “You said in your heart… ‘I will raise my throne above the stars of God… I will make myself like the Most High'” (Isaiah 14:13,14). This was probably the first sin. He did not surprise God. He declares that he knows “the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 41:21-23, 42:9, 44:6-8, 45:21, Revelation 1:8, 22:13).
Adam was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26,27). Initially, he was without sin. God allowed Satan access to innocent Adam and Eve in the garden. Had they been perfect, Satan’s plot would have failed. But, the fallen angel prevailed. With Adam’s rebellion, monumental changes were introduced in this world. Here’s a couple. God decided that Adam’s “gift” to billions of descendants would be… to inherit a sinful nature. But, there was another “win”. satan turned “the god of this world” (2 Cor 4,4). And he brought the legions of him.
God allowed these disasters in both orders, but He Himself is innocent of all evil. “God cannot be tempted by evil, and He himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is led and seduced by his own lusts” (James 1:13-15). Every sinful creature will recognize this at the Judgment: “even the one who didn’t keep his soul alive” (Ps 22:29 and Isa 45:23,24). Our perfect Creator is going to come out of this cleansing.
More about angels
Many believe that a third of the angels were infected by sin. The dragon of Revelation 12 is identified as Satan and “his tail swept a third of the sky” – a third of the angels joined his rebellion (Rev 12:3-9). My guess is that God created a finite number of angels and they do not reproduce (Mt 22:30).
We can find that all the angels could have rebelled, but only some did. If that is true, it is possible that at a certain point, the spotless angels were confirmed in righteousness forever. On the other hand, Michael, Gabriel and the rest, may have been locked up just as fair from the start as “His Chosen Angels” (1 Timothy 5:21). But whatever the case, I think the angels “who kept their place” give God credit for that, or else they too would have gone Satan’s way. It is doubtful that they are considered “higher angels” (Jude 9). Do you think they trust themselves, even now, to avoid ever sinning, even once, for all eternity? But my point here: I think Satan’s angelic ranks have reached their limit. There will be no increase.
God’s opportunity
With this scenario and reality, God made some determinations. Since He remains the supreme Ruler, He can impose his will on him, at will. “Whatever the Lord wants, He does, in heaven and on earth…” (Ps 135:6). To begin with, it seems that the fallen angels are so responsible that no remedy for their rebellion will ever be extended. But, with the man, God decided to mount a “rescue operation”. But how could he justly redeem man without violating his own standards of justice? How could he work in this environment and come out blameless and sinless and yet deal with rebellious creatures in a powerful and domineering way? These are “things in which angels long to look” (1 Peter 1:12).
In this complex setting, God revealed many things about himself. But, some of these “scenes” are one-time events. For example, I don’t believe that He will ever prepare another body for Himself, he will enter that order of creatures and allow himself to be killed. But, that is exactly what happened in Jesus Christ. Through that death, God could extend mercy, with justice served. He requires life for sin, and when He gave His (which had no guilt of sin), He was able to apply it against my guilt. That’s why I say, “Jesus died for me.” He died to pay for my sins. This is an act of undeserved but necessary mercy. The act of the cross is intertwined with inexhaustible depths of wisdom, compassion, righteousness, justice, and power that I believe will be on display for eternity. But the act itself will be a once in eternity event.
This fallen creation offers many opportunities for God to expose some things. for example, like “the god of this world” How was the government of Satan? Perhaps this fallen age will stand as an eternal demonstration (and warning) of what kind of government comes from a creature that wants to be God. And he looks at the children he helped produce…us! Jesus told the Pharisees that his father was the devil (Jn 8:44). Morally responsible creatures outside the moral jurisdiction of the true and living God bring about an age of violence, wickedness, and death.
“I don’t like this! I never asked to be born!”
Well, I’m not that excited either. But, if my suspicions are true, can you stop God? His only restriction is that He cannot and will not violate his moral character. “…He does according to His will in the host of the heavens (angels) and among the inhabitants of the earth; and no one can withdraw His Hand or say to Him: ‘What have you done?'” (Daniel 4:35).
“For the Lord of Hosts has planned it, and who can thwart it? And as for His outstretched Hand, who can turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:27).
“Even from eternity, I am He; and there is no one who can deliver from My Hand; I act and who can reverse it?” (Isaiah 43:13).
“I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be frustrated” (Job 42:2).
“… our God is in heaven; he does what he wants” (Ps 115:3).
Also read Job 9:1-12, Isaiah 45:9, and Romans 9:10-22.
conclusion
I think this situation of fallen moral creatures will turn out to be a limited event that will happen once in eternity. Sin will only be a reality in two created orders: angels and man. Any other order (assuming there are, or will be, others) will never be affected as much. I realize that some of you may not like what I have posted here. But if you have a better answer as to why a perfect God created imperfect beings… well, I’m listening.