The Problem of Evil: What is the inconsistent trial?

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 at least one of these propositions must be false. Either:

• God is omnipotent and omnibenevolent, and evil does not exist.
• God is omnipotent, but not omnibenevolent; thus, evil exists by God's will.
• God is omnibenevolent, but not omnipotent; thus, evil exists, but it is not within God's power to stop it (at least not instantaneously).