The Problem of Pain

The age old question of how evil is in a world controlled by an omnipotent and merciful God has been debated for centuries. In reading C.S. Lewis' The Problem of Pain, I found this summary of how one must address the issue:

"In the fallen and partially redeemed universe we may distinguish the simple good descending from God, the simple evil produced by rebellious creatures, and the exploitation of that evil by God for His redemptive purposes, which produces the complex good to which accepted suffereing and repented sin contribute."

After participating in these debates here and there, I have realized that these catagories often get lumped together as a whole, instead of realizing their distinction. It is vital to realize what one is actually speaking of, instead of just arguing mere terms that have a lack of true meaning attached to them or vice versa.