Book excerpt:  The book you hold in your hands is an ambitious attempt to draw a contrast between the simplicity and certainty of the gospel and the complexity and obscurity of secular philosophies. Some readers may find the sections on philosophy difficult, especially if they have no prior knowledge of the various schools of philosophy. Yet Ian Traill has given a succinct outline of each brand of philosophy, and recourse, say, to the online Wikipedia, will enable any reader to clarify what may at first seem obscure. The apostle Paul boldly declares that philosophers are unable to find God through their arguing because God himself has decreed their failure! (1 Cor 1:19-20) That is why even the most brilliant minds have been unable to penetrate the truth by thought alone. It is why, as the 19th century English jurist, Lord Charles Bowen, once said, philosophers are “like a blind man in a dark room feeling for a black hat – that isn’t there!” But he was preceded, fifty years before Jesus was born, by the Roman orator Cicero: “There is nothing so ridiculous but some philosopher has said it.” Likewise, the intellectual 20th century philosopher and mathematician, Lord Bertrand Russell, talking about the seeming certainties of mathematics, had to confess that “mathematics may be defined as the subject in which we never know what we are talking about, nor whether what we are saying is true.” Human philosophy, despite its fascination and genius, must be included with those uncertainties. In the end, absolute truth rests only in the glorious gospel of Christ. Ian’s book offers a fine explanation of this marvellous reality. Rev Dr Ken Chant (M.R.E., Ph.D) Principal Emeritus, Vision Christian College Inc, Australia.