Abstract

This paper attempts to defend the attributes of omnipotence and omnibenevolence in light of evil. Possible worlds can be used to show that God perhaps has reasons for permiting evil, and these reasons can reconcile God's attributes with the existence of evil. Using Plantinga's Freewill Defense, free will is seen to be a conduit for moral good, but because of transworld depravity, some evil is present along with this good. Flemming objects to this account and seeks something stronger. Through evil's presence, we learn to identify it and learn to show benevolence to one another in light of its presence. Eleonore Stump's work on suffering is used to show that there are spiritual goods that suffering can bring. Suffering is used to bring us into relationship with God and this is an indispensable good, according to Aquinas. God’s omnipotence and omnibenevolence can be defended in light of evil