Abstract:
The reality and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic question God’s
omnibenevolence and omnipotence. Two questions that stare us in the face are a) is
God omnibenevolent given the current reality? b) is God omnipotent? This paper
addresses these questions from the African place using the African theory of duality
and its underlying logic, Ezumezu. We argue that the reality of the COVID-19
pandemic and its adverse effects (such as death, hardship and social isolation) do
not negate God’s benevolence and powerfulness. We assert that while the current
reality cannot sustain a defence of the traditional theistic qualities of omnipotence
and omnibenevolence, the notions of a powerful and benevolent God are not
necessarily undermined by the reality of Covid-19. In the light of the African theory
of duality and Ezumezu logic, we contend that the COVID-19 pandemic brings out
the argument that inherent in God’s benevolence is wickedness and inherent in
God’s powerfulness is weakness.
