This work is notable for including a shortened version of Plantinga’s solution to the Problem of Evil. He claims that devils or The Devil are responsible for “natural” evil--disease, volcanos, tsunamis and the like--a view which has sort of grown on me. Contrast this with the “vale of soul making” solution, best expressed recently by John Hick--all evils, human and natural, exist so as to result in our own eventual benefit. Among other things, Plantinga’s argument is more theologically sound--Jesus himself claimed that disease was the work of The Devil--as well as allowing us to fight and, yes, even hate natural evils in a way that comports more with common sense. Claiming, as some Christians do, that everything is all to the good in the face of (say) the awful suffering and destruction caused by the recent tsunami, is pretty thin, and in my opinion, is more of an affront to reason and moral health than the belief that there exist invisible beings who do not mean us well. That said, it is not precluded that God might attempt to use the evil actions of humans or others to rebound at least partly to the good. But Christians should be careful not to go too far there.

Described as a "treasure trove" by Peter van Inwagen, Platinga's _The Nature of Necessity_ is a justly famous work on the metaphysics of de re modality. It also has an influential defense of a modal ontological argument, as well as a treatment of fictional characters from an actualist point of view. This is essential reading for any serious students of metaphysics and philosophy of religion. ( )