On the nature and existence of God /

Gale's book consists of two equal parts. The first is an examination of several atheological arguments having to do with the problems in immutability, with evil, and with God's relation to the world. The second part is an inquiry into four kinds of theological arguments: ontological, cosmological, religious-experience, and pragmatic arguments. The first half seeks to use the atheological arguments to refine the conception of God; the second half is a very sophisticated, meticulous examination of many subtle varieties of the argument-types indicated. Inductive arguments (design, teleology, etc.) are not considered. Gale's analyses are sound and his exposition is engaging. Philosophers of religion and philosophical theologians who follow the issues in the various works of Nelson Pike, Alvin Plantinga, William Alston, and Richard Swinburne will find Gale relevant and illuminating. There are also occasionally insightful discussions of some positions taken by Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, Leibniz, Kant, et al. Gale ends in a Kierkegaardian skepticism about the rationality of faith. Recommended for upper-division undergraduates and up.-J. Churchill, Hendrix College