Bruce Charlton has written an essay that I regard as an instant classic. It treats what Mormonism reveals about the true depths and temptations of evil. It is the best kind of theology: deep without being difficult–fundamental–plain–simple.

Here is an excerpt, which in no way substitutes for reading the original:

This power to hurt God is given to even the humbles, weakest and apparently most insignificant of Men – this power which is intoxicating to Pride: the power to use our own, self-inflicted suffering to ‘get back’ at God, to wound Him, to ‘show Him what He has done to me…’.

It is the power of the hate-filled suicide, and it is a real power, and a very real temptation: the temptation to destroy oneself for the pleasure (and it is a real pleasure) of defying and hurting the creator of the universe, our Heavenly Father.

Even such puny creatures as ourselves can do this thing – it is within our ability – and it will give an everlasting satisfaction which (for some people) more than compensates for everlasting misery.

Note that even this evil God can turn partly to good: Satan was tempted by it into participating in the Atonement.

Charlton’s essay reminds me of Sharky’s harrowing of the Shire. His combination of malice and pettiness is one of the most truly devilish things I’ve read (C.S. Lewis’ Perelandra comes close).