Inconsistent triad

An inconsistent triad consists of three propositions of which at most two can be true. For more appropriate verbiage, see "syllogisms". For example:


 * 1) Alice loves me.
 * 2) If Alice loves me, she would have sent flowers.
 * 3) Alice hasn't sent flowers.

If one finds oneself believing all three propositions of an inconsistent triad, then (to be rational) one must give up or modify at least one of those beliefs. Maybe Alice doesn't love me, or maybe she wouldn't send flowers to me if she did, or maybe she actually has sent flowers.

The problem of evil
The problem of evil is often given in the form of an inconsistent triad. For example, J. L. Mackie gave the following three propositions:


 * 1) God is omnipotent
 * 2) God is omnibenevolent
 * 3) Evil exists

Mackie argued that these propositions were inconsistent, and thus, that there could be no all-powerful, all-loving God.

This could also be seen as:


 * 1) God is omnipotent
 * 2) God is omnibenevolent
 * 3) Suffering exists

One has to take caution, however, in calling any given triad inconsistent without considering the underlying assumptions that are made. Mackie's argument assumes that God's omnipotence and omnibenevolence would necessarily cause him to eradicate evil without delay. If one realizes that the human heart is corrupted and is the source of most evil/suffering, and if Mackie were right, then God would have to immediately eradicate all humans as well. This would fly in the face of God's benevolence toward humans. The Christian Bible teaches, however, that God has delayed his judgement of evil to a future date after which he will restore all things. Men and women are given time to embrace salvation from the evil in their own hearts : forgiveness and redemption through Jesus Christ. This taken into account reveals the real inconsistent triad:


 * 1) God is loving and merciful
 * 2) God has delayed his judgement to allow men and women to embrace his salvation
 * 3) God should have already eradicated every source of evil, including all men and women