Can evil lead one to God?

[mek42]

Can someone be led to God as a result of unrepentantly being involved with something the Church states as inconsistent with Catholicism? If this is a distinct question from the subject, please feel free to answer either or both.

Thanks!

 

[VanSensei]

There’s a pretty famous series of evangelical, non-denominational videos called “I Am Second” on YouTube. They’re about people brought to the Lord Jesus through something, and sharing said stories. Some of the people, for example, include Brian Welch of KoRn, Annie Lobert, among others. Some of those people also came from harrowing, dark backgrounds of debauchery, drug use, profligacy, and sooner or later, they almost die.

This very thing causes them to seek the Lord Jesus as a way of deliverance [2 Samuel 22:7*] and they find a new life in Christ. Annie Lobert, for example, leads a ministry for women trying to get out of prostitution IIRC.

[BIBLEDRB]2 Samuel 22:7[/BIBLEDRB]

So, yes, evil can lead one to God.

 

[polytropos]

God can make good come out of evil… that’s why He’s great.

 

[wmw]

The crucifixion of an innocent man is a great evil that leads us all to salvation and life with God. God is all powerful and often takes evil and turns it to be exactly what we need for a greater good. Paul teaches this and concludes, should we sin more so more grace will be given?, his answer is, No, we shouldn’t be so deceitful and attempt any such theft of grace. Or as it says in other passages, All the flock must enter by the Gate, that is Jesus, only vagabonds and deceivers try to enter in any other way.

When you say “unrepentantly” it can be true at the time, but to be saved eventually and before we die we must repent and you have a guarantee of a good repentance in the confessional.

 

[fhansen]

Can someone be led to God as a result of unrepentantly being involved with something the Church states as inconsistent with Catholicism? If this is a distinct question from the subject, please feel free to answer either or both.

Thanks!

Only in the sense that evil can drive us away from itself, and towards good, alone, as we come to our senses. We possess the knowledge of good and evil in this world, and God in His wisdom deemed that this situation would still be worthwhile, so for a time He’s allowed the evil that would result from the abuse of our free will to exist, purposing to bring an even greater good out of it in the end.

 

[JerryZ]

Can someone be led to God as a result of unrepentantly being involved with something the Church states as inconsistent with Catholicism? If this is a distinct question from the subject, please feel free to answer either or both.

Thanks!

Fr. Apostoli on today’s program “Sunday Night Prime” mentioned a certain abortion Dr. that performed thousands of them. Obviously he was “unrepentant” while he was practicing this “trade” however he saw once a video I believe where the fetus reacted violently at the probe that would eventually KILL him.
Yes he was convicted in one instant that he WAS MURDERING a baby, a human being.
Not a collection of random cells as the media wants to portray.
I guess that at that moment he “repented” of his past actions, never performed another abortion and converted to the Catholic faith.

I guess great evil can be used by GOD, but surely it would be better if it was not necessary! Don’t you think?

 

[ConstantineTG]

Can someone be led to God as a result of unrepentantly being involved with something the Church states as inconsistent with Catholicism? If this is a distinct question from the subject, please feel free to answer either or both.

Thanks!

Two things here. The evil one will not lead you to God, but often will lead one on a path they thought is leading to God but it really isn’t. On the other hand, some people who experience trials can end up finding God amidst what seems to be evil circumstances.

 

[Trishie]

God’s grace can lead the repentant to God.

However, remember that Jesus rejected the temptations of satan in the desert. The devil tried to persuade Jesus to submit to evil, to submit to him, in order to bring about good, and Jesus rejected those temptations. As must we, in following Him.

Matthew chapter 4 verses 1-11

 

[Charlemagne_II]

Fortunately, evil has a way of doing itself in. It may take a long time doing so, but because evil presents a false beauty to those drawn toward it, sooner or later this false beauty is detected for the ugliness it really is. The exception to this rule, of course, is Satan, who endlessly worships his own ugly self.

 

[tonyrey]

An English philosopher, Professor C.E.M. Joad, became a Christian because he realised not all the evil in the world can be explained by natural causes.

 

[fhansen]

An English philosopher, Professor C.E.M. Joad, became a Christian because he realised not all the evil in the world can be explained by natural causes.

Yes! I hadn’t heard anyone mentioning this as a reason for conversion, although I’m sure it always at least plays a part in the background for everyone. But there’s something transcendent about evil, not as things “should be”. And this is why our faith addresses evil head-on rather than ignoring it, or considering it to be an illusion. Central to this is the doctrine on Original Sin, of course.

 

[tonyrey]

An English philosopher, Professor C.E.M. Joad, became a Christian because he realised not all the evil in the world can be explained by natural

The scientific theory that all “evil” behaviour is due to mental disorders is self-destructive because it implies that we are never responsible for our thoughts, choices and decisions!

 

[Robert_Sock]

An English philosopher, Professor C.E.M. Joad, became a Christian because he realised not all the evil in the world can be explained by natural causes.

I returned to Catholicism because I thought I could see that I was one small step away from Hell… I saw Satan before I saw God.

 

[tonyrey]

I returned to Catholicism because I thought I could see that I was one small step away from Hell… I saw Satan before I saw God.

In our secular society it is fashionable to deny the reality of evil. Politicians often use the word “unacceptable” to avoid committing themselves…

 

[shoe]

Yes, I think that evil can lead people to God in the sense that God can use evil to lead people to Him, notwithstanding evil’s terrible nature. Jesus, for instance, was crucified to the Cross by evil people; and God used that evil act of crucifixion in order to make it possible for anyone to spend eternity with Him if they desire to.

 

[Ismael]

Can someone be led to God as a result of unrepentantly being involved with something the Church states as inconsistent with Catholicism? If this is a distinct question from the subject, please feel free to answer either or both.

Thanks!

Depends. What kind of evil are we talking about? Natural ‘evils’ (eg a Tsunami) or a moral evil (eg killing an innocent person).

In both cases one can say that God ‘can use evil occurences to draw good out of it’, as a matter of fact even a greater good.

Yet, acting evil (i.e. sinning) is to walk away from God, so in this case the answer is NO. Sure God can lead that person back IN SPITE of his or her sins, but by definition being evil separating yourself from God, not going to Him.

 

[mek42]

Depends. What kind of evil are we talking about? Natural ‘evils’ (eg a Tsunami) or a moral evil (eg killing an innocent person).

In both cases one can say that God ‘can use evil occurences to draw good out of it’, as a matter of fact even a greater good.

Yet, acting evil (i.e. sinning) is to walk away from God, so in this case the answer is NO. Sure God can lead that person back IN SPITE of his or her sins, but by definition being evil separating yourself from God, not going to Him.

Let’s say it is behavior prohibited by Canon Law. I should probably clarify whether an act that separates one from the Church also separates one from God. I have been assuming this to be the case, but I may be wrong.