Hi again Dave,
I’m not sure what you mean by your first question. What I’m saying is that IF God is at all ontologically consistent, I think that His very existence must necessarily be true to the characteristics He has. Now sure, you might decide he doesn’t need to be ontologically consistent, but I don’t think there’s much point discussing that option from a pragmatic point of view, and besides I think the Bible describes God as ontologically consistent.
IF He is true to his characteristics, we need to decide what these are. I think Scripture defines Him very specifically, and not as a blank or vague being, and not merely as ‘love’. If these descriptions were all we had for God, I can understand that there is no ontological necessity for created beings. However, I think the Bible describes God much more specifically, e.g. as soulish (with a character desiring to express itself), relational, powerful and creative, exclusively ‘good’, etc, etc (add to the list whatever you think is Scriptural). Basically the God I see in Scripture has characteristics that, if He were true to them during His existence, would ‘require’ the creation of a space-time entity which is the universe, humanity, Christ, heaven and hell, etc.
Also, I don’t see it as a necessity that needs ‘relieving’. Its a glorious drive to express Himself and be true to Himself.
Yes, I do think that God is the ‘author’ of Evil in a certain sense. The Bible says this itself (Isaiah 45:7). Obviously this doesn’t mean ‘God has evil motives’ or that ‘God is involved in creating evil outcomes, ultimately’. But this isn’t what you’re asking - even if God has good motives and ensures a good outcome, you’re main concern seems to be with God performing particular actions. The ‘evil’ you are concerned about is a quality of the action, not the consequences or the motives. And this is exactly how Isaiah is using the term ‘evil’ when he says that God does it. I also think the Bible teaches that God is the author (in a certain sense) of the unique balance of sin/faith within each individual.
I understand there are many potential ‘problems’ that people have with this, but I have yet to find one that sticks when examined closely - which is good, because I don’t like feeling uncomfortable with any of the (real) implications of my particular theology!
I personally think the game of free-will and determinism can be ‘won’ But its certainly debated by a great number of Christians who know God much better than I do, so I try to stay humble and open about it! I don’t think God would ever expect us to stop seeking cognitive knowledge about Him merely because it is difficult or uncertain. There are, however, a great many ways we can use our efforts, and we do probably use too much energy on this particular game. What I ultimately care about is unity in the body of Christ THROUGH a diversity of doctrines, love for those struggling where we never use their ‘Free Will’ as an excuse to reduce our efforts, and an unshakeable hope for good in all things (including evil) through our sovereign God.