In theodicies we consider God almighty and how evil still occurs. Can God really turn Satan's heart into repentance at any time He wants, or annihilate him?
God gave a human the heart of a beast, so that the man's mind was no longer human, but that of a beast.
The man went on all fours, and began eating the vegetation of the field. Daniel 4:16, 33
So, this demonstrates that God can change a person to go in opposition to their own will.
However, a man convinced against his own will, is of the same mind still, so God would be controlling someone against their will for their entire life, and that is not the way God designed his intelligent creatures to live.
Nebuchadnezzar's experience was for a period of time, to demonstrate his limitations, and show him who is really above all.
While that humbled Nebuchadnezzar for a time, Nebuchadnezzar was back to being proud in no time.
This shows that you can't change a person really, because that change has to come from within - the heart, and one is responsible for his own heart.
It is the person they are within. Matthew 15:17-20
Some suppose that God has a special purpose for evil we don't know yet.
Why do you think we don't know?
Doesn't the Bible tell us?
Does James 1:13-15 answer this question?
If that does not help, please consider Psalm 5:4, 5, Habakkuk 1:13
Or God makes some people for Hell, but that isn't good.
The Bible says, "For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!" Ezekiel 18:32
How much less would God take pleasure in literally tormenting people.
Jeremiah 7:31 says, not only is it not good. It's not something that God has even thought of, to do.
Then one can look at the beginning of sin among the angels and, why could not God save them, or bring to a quick repentance, or know ahead of time not to create certain angels. Some say evil leads to an appreciation of the constant good, and prevents conceit and arrogance. But if God is omniscient and omnipotent, then He does not need evil for any purpose, outside or inside Himself. God needs Satan? Can God prevent us from free willing bad choices? Because of free will, I do not think He can.
You are correct.... God does not need evil, and that's why he has purposed to do away with evil... permanently.
Psalm 37:9-11; Isaiah 65:17
The reason evil exist, is because of the free will choice to go in opposition to God, and God allowing it, so that everyone can choose for themselves their reward - life. or death. Deuteronomy 30:19, 20
This goes back to what I said earlier.
Forcing people to be what they don't want to be is non-productive.
It's better to let persons choose their own course, because at the end of the day, they will choose what they want - It's sooner, or later.
God is patient, and so, people get to change their mind. 2 Peter 3:9... which is what God is all for. Repentance.
Which gives, to some limit? Onmibenevolence, Omniscience, omnipotence?
Does the Bible teach that God is omnibenevolence?
Omnibenevolence is the property of possessing maximal goodness. Some philosophers, such as Epicurus, have argued that it is impossible, or at least improbable, for a deity to exhibit such a property alongside omniscience and omnipotence, as a result of the problem of evil. However, some philosophers, such as Alvin Plantinga, argue the plausibility of co-existence.
The word "omnibenevolence" may be interpreted to mean perfectly just, all-loving, fully merciful, or any number of other qualities, depending on precisely how "good" is understood. As such, there is little agreement over how an "omnibenevolent" being would behave.
It would therefore depend on one's interpretation, or use of the term, because God is good, yes, but God's justice requires removing the bad, and this is not good for many.
So, "good" in the eyes of some may not be good.
Hence, when making philosophical arguments, one needs to get their definitions clear, and have the correct understanding and proper perspective.
However, putting aside philosophical jargon...
God is good, to the highest degree. The Bible says God is holy. There is no impurity in him. Leviticus 20:26; Joshua 24:19; 2 Chronicles 5:11; Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:16
The
quality or attribute of fully knowing all things - omniscience, is misunderstood by the majority of people.
The Bible does not paint God as one who knows everything (Please see Genesis 22:12), but one who has the ability to know everything... which is really the true meaning of omniscience.
Just as God has the ability to change the heart of all men, but chooses not to, God has the ability to know everything someone will do, but chooses not to.
This is why the prophet Habakkuk says of God, "Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil" Habakkuk 1:13
God chooses what to look at, and what not to look at.
Can we imagine God watching porn, for example?
Just as we can choose what we will look at, and turn away from looking at what is worthless, God, who is purer than we could ever be, does the same.
God refused to observe the Sodomites.
Genesis 18:20, 21
20 Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Because their sin is so grievous, 21 I will go down to see if their actions fully justify the outcry that has reached Me. If not, I will find out / get to know.”
The depravity was so great in Sodom, God did not look upon it.
He did not know all that was happening in that city.
This brings us to
God's omnipotence.
To be all-powerful, one needs to be in control of every facet of their being.
God's power allows him to control what he does. So, God chooses what he wants to know, and God allows what he will.
Who can question him, or say to him, "what are you doing?"
Behold, he snatches away; who can turn him back? Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’ Job 9:12
If God were not almighty, one who is, could question him.
However, there is none besides him.
