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What is the Nature of Dualism, and How Does it Contradict Christian Beliefs?

Dualism presents a metaphysical worldview that posits two coeternal, often opposing, principles. It has been adopted in various religious and philosophical systems, most notably in Platonism, Zoroastrianism, Gnosticism, and Manichaeism. Dualism is fundamentally incompatible with Christian theology, which maintains the supremacy of one eternal, all-good God, Jehovah, who created all things. This article will explore the philosophical underpinnings of dualism and demonstrate how it stands in stark contrast to the biblical understanding of God, creation, good, and evil.



How Do Dualists View the World?


In metaphysical terms, dualists propose that there are two eternal principles, such as matter and form or spirit and matter, which exist in perpetual conflict. In moral or ethical dualism, this conflict manifests between good and evil, as seen in Zoroastrianism, which describes a cosmic battle between the god of good (Ahura Mazda) and the god of evil (Angra Mainyu). Similarly, Gnosticism and Manichaeism emphasize the struggle between the spiritual realm, viewed as good, and the material realm, often considered evil.


However, dualism does not present a coherent worldview in the context of Christian theology. In dualism, both principles—good and evil—are seen as eternal and self-existing. But the Bible affirms that only Jehovah, the Creator, is eternal (Psalm 90:2), and all things, including both spiritual and material realms, were created by Him (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16). There is no eternal coequal force to God; instead, evil is a corruption or perversion of what was originally good, not a self-existent, eternal principle.



How Does Creation Ex Materia Differ From the Biblical Doctrine of Creation Ex Nihilo?


Dualism often adheres to the idea of creation ex materia, meaning that the world was formed from preexisting matter. This concept assumes that matter, like God, has existed eternally. In contrast, biblical theology holds to creation ex nihilo, the doctrine that God created the universe out of nothing (Hebrews 11:3). Jehovah, being the sole eternal being, spoke the universe into existence by His power alone, without the need for preexisting materials.


Genesis 1:1 declares, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This foundational statement in Scripture clearly rejects the dualistic notion of eternal matter. Furthermore, John 1:3 affirms, “All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made,” pointing to the fact that everything, both visible and invisible, was brought into being by Jehovah.



How Does Dualism Fail to Explain the Nature of Good and Evil?


One of the most significant theological flaws in dualism is the treatment of good and evil as equally real, substantive principles. In dualism, both good and evil are seen as coeternal forces, but this is inconsistent with the biblical worldview. As Augustine rightly pointed out, evil is not an equal counterpart to good; rather, it is the absence or privation of good. Genesis 1:31 tells us that after God created the heavens and the earth, “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” There was no inherent evil in the world at creation.


Evil, then, is not something that exists independently of good, but rather it is a distortion or corruption of what God created as good. Isaiah 45:7 declares, "I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am Jehovah, who does all these things." This emphasizes that God’s sovereignty extends even over calamity and darkness, but it does not mean that God is the author of evil in the moral sense. Evil came into the world through the free will of created beings who chose to rebel against God (Romans 5:12).



Can Two Equal and Opposing Powers Explain the Universe?


The idea of two equally powerful and eternal forces—one good and one evil—poses a logical problem. As C.S. Lewis observed, if there are two opposing forces, neither can claim to be the ultimate source of all things, for both are conditioned by their opposition. This raises the question: What is more ultimate than either of these two forces? If both good and evil exist as independent powers, then something beyond them—some higher law or standard—must exist to judge between them. This, as Lewis points out, means that a higher standard or being is the true ultimate, which the Bible identifies as Jehovah.


Moreover, the Bible presents God as the ultimate source of all good and as omnipotent, whereas evil is a rebellion against His will, not a coeternal force (Isaiah 14:12-15; Revelation 20:10). The dualistic worldview fails to recognize the fundamental truth that God is sovereign and that evil is subordinate to His purposes.



What Does the Bible Teach About the Origin of Evil?


In Scripture, evil is portrayed not as an independent force but as a rebellion against the good order that God established. Satan’s rebellion, which led to the fall of man, is a key biblical example of how evil arises—not as an eternal, self-existent principle but as a deviation from God’s will. Ezekiel 28:15 refers to Satan before his rebellion: "You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you." This indicates that evil originated in a created being through his free choice to reject God's goodness.


Romans 5:12 explains how evil entered the human experience: "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned." Adam's sin, influenced by Satan, introduced evil and suffering into human existence, but this evil is not an eternal principle. It is a consequence of disobedience to God.


How Does Dualism Undermine the Concept of Divine Sovereignty?

In dualistic systems, because there are two opposing principles, neither can be said to be sovereign. This contradicts the biblical teaching of God's complete sovereignty over all creation. Scripture affirms that Jehovah is omnipotent and that His will is supreme. Psalm 115:3 states, "Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases." There is no force that can rival Jehovah’s power or thwart His purposes.


The sovereignty of God over both good and evil is further emphasized in Job 1:12, where God allows Satan to test Job but sets limits on what Satan can do. This demonstrates that evil is under God’s control and that nothing happens outside of His sovereign will.



How Should Christians Understand Good and Evil?


A biblical understanding of good and evil recognizes that Jehovah alone is the source of all good. James 1:17 tells us, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." This indicates that God is consistently and perfectly good, and His goodness is the standard by which everything else is measured.


Evil, on the other hand, is not an equal and opposite force; it is a perversion or corruption of what is good. Augustine famously argued that evil is a privation of good, meaning that evil exists where goodness is lacking. This is evident in the fact that everything God created was originally good (Genesis 1:31), and evil only came into existence through rebellion against God’s good order (Romans 5:12).


How Does Dualism Distort the Doctrine of Redemption?


In dualistic systems, because good and evil are seen as equally powerful and eternal forces, redemption from evil is either impossible or involves some form of balance between the two forces. This is completely contrary to the Christian doctrine of redemption, which teaches that through Christ, evil is ultimately defeated and good prevails.


Colossians 2:15 declares that Christ "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." The death and resurrection of Jesus are the decisive victory over evil, proving that evil is not an eternal principle but a temporary rebellion that will be fully eradicated when Christ returns.


Revelation 21:4 promises that in the new heavens and new earth, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." In this final state, there will be no trace of evil, demonstrating that evil is not eternal but will be entirely defeated by God's goodness.



Why is Creation Ex Nihilo Central to Christian Theology?


The biblical doctrine of creation ex nihilo is central to understanding the nature of God and His relationship to the world. Unlike dualism, which posits preexisting matter, the Bible teaches that God alone is eternal and that He created everything from nothing. Hebrews 11:3 states, "By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."


This teaching emphasizes the absolute sovereignty and creative power of Jehovah. There is nothing that exists outside of His control, and everything owes its existence to Him. The doctrine of creation ex nihilo also reinforces the idea that God is not in conflict with any eternal, opposing force. Instead, He is the supreme and only Creator, and all things, including matter and spirit, are subject to His will.


Conclusion: What Can Christians Learn From Rejecting Dualism?


The dualistic worldview, while historically influential in certain philosophical and religious traditions, is fundamentally incompatible with the biblical worldview. It undermines the sovereignty of Jehovah, distorts the nature of good and evil, and contradicts the doctrine of creation ex nihilo. Christians are called to recognize that God is the sole eternal being, that He created all things good, and that evil is a corruption of what God has made. Through the redemption offered in Christ, evil will be fully defeated, and God's perfect goodness will reign eternally.


By rejecting dualism, Christians affirm the truth of God’s Word and His complete sovereignty over all things, both in heaven and on earth. This understanding strengthens our faith in the ultimate triumph of good over evil and deepens our trust in the all-powerful Creator, Jehovah.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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