The Problem of Evil and Hell

I accept.GodSince this debate focuses on God as revealed in the Holy Bible, I think it's prudent to ascribe to Him all the same characteristics the Bible ascribes to Him. The Westminster Confession of Faith does a great job of this:There is but one only, living, and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions; immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him; and withal, most just, and terrible in His judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.God has all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of Himself; and is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which He has made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them. He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things; and has most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them whatsoever Himself pleases. In His sight all things are open and manifest, His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to Him contingent, or uncertain. He is most holy in all His counsels, in all His works, and in all His commands. To Him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience He is pleased to require of them.In the unity of the Godhead there be three Persons of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. The Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son. [1]DefinitionsThe following definitions are all the primary definitions from each dictionary. These represent a starting point for communication, as some of these definitions might be disputed throughout the course of the debate.om·nip·o·tent [2]adj. Having unlimited or universal power, authority, or force; all-powerful. (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language) Having very great or unlimited power. (Collins English Dictionary) om·nis·cient [3]adj. Having total knowledge; knowing everything. (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language) Having infinite knowledge or understanding. (Collins English Dictionary) Omnibenevolent [4]adj. Unlimited or infinite benevolence. (Oxford English Dictionary) be·nev·o·lent [5]adj. Characterized by or suggestive of doing good. (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language) Intending or showing goodwill; kindly; friendly. (Collins English Dictionary) e·vil [6]adj. Morally bad or wrong; wicked. (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language) Morally wrong or bad; wicked. (Collins English Dictionary) Hell [7]n. The abode of condemned souls and devils in some religions; the place of eternal punishment for the wicked after death, presided over by Satan; A state of separation from God; exclusion from God's presence. (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language) The place or state of eternal punishment of the wicked after death, with Satan as its ruler; forces of evil regarded as residing there. (Collins English Dictionary) Sources http://www.reformed.org... http://www.thefreedictionary.com... http://www.thefreedictionary.com... http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com... http://www.thefreedictionary.com... http://www.thefreedictionary.com... http://www.thefreedictionary.com...