Patrick tackled a BIG question from Jay in California: If God is perfect and sinless, how can He create beings (like the devil or us) that sin? 💭

Here’s what Patrick explained:

1️⃣ God Can’t Contradict His Nature

God is all-good, all-knowing, and perfect. He can’t act in a way that goes against His nature: like creating a square circle or a rock so heavy He can’t lift it. (Sorry, philosophy 101 debaters. 🪨🔄❌)

When God creates, His creations are finite: that means they can mess up. Why? Because only God is infinite and perfect. Everything else? Subject to error.

2️⃣ Free Will = True Love ❤️

God gives angels and humans free will. It’s the secret sauce that lets us love Him back authentically. Without free will, we’d just be robots programmed to love. 🤖💌

But free will also means we can say, “Nah, God, I’m good without You,” and choose sin. God doesn’t force His love on us. And just like with human relationships, that’s a risk: love can be rejected. 💔

3️⃣ Why Did He Risk It?

God made us out of pure love, knowing some would turn away. He didn’t make us perfect because then we’d be God, and that’s impossible. He can’t create another God because… being God is exclusive.

4️⃣ Where Does Evil Come From?

Evil isn’t a thing God created. It’s a lack of goodness: a hole we make when we choose to reject Him. 🌪️

Two kinds of evil:

• • Moral evil: Choices like lying, stealing, or hating.
• • Physical evil: Things like earthquakes or cancer, which aren’t tied to free will but still reflect the brokenness of creation.

5️⃣ A Practical Takeaway

Jay’s aha moment? Sin isn’t some mysterious force God willed into existence: it’s the byproduct of our free choices. God doesn’t create sin; He creates beings who are free to choose Him… or not.

Final Advice: 📚

Patrick recommending Theology and Sanity by Frank Sheed. It’s great for deep thinkers like Jay (and maybe you too!). 🧠📖

And remember: God’s love is constant, even when we’re not. Free will is risky, but it’s what makes love real. 🙌💕

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