intermission--omnipotent and benevolent deity

I started reading the book "Angels and Demons" by Dan Brown before i went home for winter break last semester got about halfway though and it and then just stopped. And then the other day when i finished another book, i decided that i should prolly finish it. I have been reading bits and peices of it here and there and then today i decided that instead of taking a nap i would make some coffee and then sit down and read for a bit. That's when i came across the following passage and felt that i should share...hence the intermission from Faith on the Edge. Hope you enjoy!

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Chartand took a deep breath. "I don't understand this omnipotent-benevolent thing."
The Camerlengo smiled. "You've been reading Scripture."
"I try."
"you are confused because the Bible describes God as an amipotent and benevolent deity."
"exactly"
"Omnipotent-benevolent simply means that God is all-powerful and well-meaning."
"I understand the concept. It's just...there seems to be a contradiction."
"Yes. The contradiction is pain. Man's starvation, war, sickness..."
"Exactly!" Chartrand knew the camerlengo would understand. "Terrible thinsg happen in this world. Human tragedy seems like proof that God could not possible be both all-powerful and well-meaning. If He loves us and has the power to change our situation, He would prevent our pain, wouldn't he?"
The camerlengo frowned. "Would He?"
Chartrand felt uneasy. Had he overstepped his bounds? Was this one of those religious questions you just didn't ask "Well...if God loves us, and He can protect us, He would have to. It seems He is either omnipotent and uncaring, or benevolent and powerless to help."
"Do you have children Lieutenant?"
Chartrand flushed. "No, signore." "Imagine you had an eight-year-old son...would you love him?"
"of course."
"Would you do everything in your power to prevent pain in his life?"
"Of course."
"Would you let him skateboard?"
Chartrand did a double take. The camerlengo always seemed oddly "in touch" for a clergyman. "yeah, i guess,"Chartrand said. "sure, I'd let him skateboard, but I'd tell him to be careful."
"So as this child's father you would give him some basic, good advice and then let him go off and make his own mistakes?"
"I wouldn't run behind him and mollycoddle hime if that's what you mean."
"But what if he fell and skinned his knee?"
"He would learn to be more careful."
The camerlengo smiled. " So although you have the power to interfere and prevent your child's pain, you would choose to show your love by letting him learn his own lessons?"
"Of course. Pain is part of growing up. It's how we learn."
The camerlengo nodded. "Exactly." (end of ch 89).