In entertaining fashion, Paul Chamberlain pursues the question which serves as the title of this book. Five people from varying philosophical backgrounds are invited by a mysterious individual to gather for meals and discussion. The players are an atheist, a moral relativist, an evolutionist, a humanist, and a Christian. In their very first meeting, the issue is raised whether it is possible for people to know right from wrong. Since only the Christian would give credit to God for goodness, the discussion revolves around each of the players trying to demonstrate how his/her philosophy accounts for goodness in our world.

One at a time, they present their respective cases which are then challenged, and rightly so, with logic and honesty. The thoughts are compelling and the arguments clear. My only real problem is that I had a bit of difficulty understanding that the Christian's position did not fail for some of the same reasons as did the others. When I shared this book with a friend, she expressed the same concern.

This book will not change the world, but it will demonstrate the need for someone or something like God to account for the very idea of "right and wrong." It is certainly a worthy addition to the teacher's library. -submitted by Rod Nielsen, La Porte, IN 

Back to Contents Does God Exist?, NovDec00.