Objection 1 - Theism is false because the existence of evil demonstrates that God lacks either power, knowledge or goodness.

• P1 Whoever creates unnecessarily, or allows evil in their creation does not create well.
• P2 God created unnecessarily and allowed evil in the creation.
• C1 God did not create well.

• P3 Whoever does not create well, lacks either power, knowledge, or goodness.
• P4 (C1) God did not create well.
• C2 Therefore, if God exists, God lacks power, knowledge, or goodness.

The Response:

P1 and P4 are false. Any instance of evil may be accompanied by a greater good, and since this is the best of all possible worlds, any evil that exists is necessary for the greater good.

Objection 2 - Theism is false because there is more evil than good in the universe.

The Argument:

• P1 If there is more evil than good in rational creatures, there is more evil than good in the world.
• P2 There is more evil than good in rational creatures.
• C1 There is more evil than good in the world.

The Response:

P1 and P2 are false. First, the good in non-rational beings outweighs the evil in rational beings. Second, good is infinite and evil finite; thus a fewer number of rational beings pursuing good will outweigh a larger number of rational beings pursuing evil.

Objection 3 - Theism is false because God punish us unjustly.

The Argument:

• P1 Every future event which is caused is predetermined.
• P2 Every future event is caused.
• C1 Therefore, every future event is predetermined.

• P3 Every predetermined event is a necessary event.
• P4 (C1) Every event is predetermined.
• C2 Therefore, every event is necessary.

• P5 If sin is necessary, then punishment is unjust.
• P6 (C2) All sin is necessary.
• C3 Therefore, punishment is unjust.

The Response:

P3 is false. There are two distinct forms of necessity; one is contrary to freedom of the will, and therefore morality, and one not:

• - Absolute Necessity is insuperable and related to the essence of things.
• - Conditional Necessity can include the will as a determining factor of future contingent events.

Objection 4 - Theism is false because if God exists, God is as responsible for evil as we are.

The Argument:

• P1 If a person fails to prevent and/or contributes to the immorality of another person, they are immoral (i.e., share in the moral guilt).
• P2 God can, but does not, prevent, and contributes to our immorality.
• C1 Therefore, God is immoral (i.e., shares in our guilt).

The Response:

God does not will, but allows certain evil to exist for the greater good of the universe. There is a distinction between two types of divine will:

• - Antecedent Will is God's desire for the greatest amount of good possible in the universe.
• - Consequent Will is God's permission of certain instances of evil necessary for the achievement of the greatest amount of good possible in the universe.

Objection 5 - Theism is false because if God exists, God is the cause of evil.

The Argument:

• P1 Whoever creates something is responsible for what is created.
• P2 God produces a universe in which sin exists.
• C1 Therefore, God is responsible for (i.e., the cause of) sin.

The Response:

Sin is the by-product of imperfection which in turn arises from finite nature (viz., "privative nature"). Hence, sin is the degeneration of finite perfection which is a possible future contingent state of the best possible universe.

Objection 6 - Theism is false because God punishes unjustly.

The Argument:

• P1 Anyone who punishes those who act as well as it is in their power to do punishes unjustly.
• P2 God punishes some even though they act as well as it is in their power to do.
• C1 God is unjust.

The Response:

P2 is false. God does not condemn infants or heathens.

Objection 7 - Theism is false because God fails to save all beings.

The Argument:

• P1 If God fails to give equal amounts necessary grace to all, then God lacks either sufficient power or goodness.
• P2 God fails to give equal amounts of necessary grace to all.
• C1 Therefore, God lacks either sufficient power or goodness.

The Response:

The reason for this is hidden from human from human understanding. It is necessary for the "harmony" of the best of all possible worlds.

Objection 8 - Theism is false because God is not free.

The Argument:

• P1 To be incapable of error is not to be free (i.e., to be determined by necessity).
• P2 God is incapable of error (i.e., is bound by necessity).
• C1 Therefore, God is not free.

The Response:

P1 is false. God's actions are solely determined by divine will; there are neither external nor internal forces that constrain God's desire for the good.

1. Theism is false because evil exists.
- Evil is necessary for the greater good.

2. There is a surplus of evil.
- Moral evil is outweighed by natural good and the infinity of the good of the saints.

3. Moral evil is necessary because of Divine omniscience.
- Absolute vs. Contingent necessity

4. God is an accomplice to evil.
- Antecedent vs. Consequent will of God.

5. God causes evil because God created the world.
- Evil is caused by privation, not God.

6. God is evil because he punishes the innocent.
- God does not punish the innocent.

7. God does not provide equal access to salvation, so God is evil.
- The plan of salvation is a divine mystery.

8. God is determined to cause evil and is therefore not a moral being.
- God freely chooses the good according to his nature (omniscience and omnipotence), not because he has to.