Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Mikhail Kelnikov's book Rational Theism, Part Two: The Problem of Evil, and God's Omnibenevolence is a critique of atheistic perspectives on the existence of God and the nature of evil. He argues that atheists, who often reject scriptural truths in favor of scientific nihilism, fail to account for the intricacies of existence and moral order. Kelnikov tells us that God's existence provides a rational foundation for understanding evil, suggesting that suffering may result from God's absence rather than His actions. He leans into his argument against God's existence based on evil, speaking on flawed assumptions about divine attributes and human judgment. Kelnikov uses multiple biblical references, such as Job's suffering, to illustrate God's higher purpose and future judgment, harnessing the role of free will and the necessity of Christ's sacrifice for salvation and redemption.

As a theological study, Rational Theism by Mikhail Kelnikov provides a massive amount of rigorous biblical exegesis, with the work integrating reason and faith, engaging with contemporary scientific and atheistic views critically, and connecting theological doctrines to practical implications—all of which are evidenced by specific examples not just from the Bible, but from science as well. This is despite vigorous attempts to reduce humanity to “mere cosmic stardust.” The standout in the book to me is Kelnikov's critique of moral relativism, in which he objects to the idea that moral truths are subjective, and that the existence of absolute moral laws is derived from God, are unchanging, and are universal. This was fascinating to me as it veers into a subject where the secular world largely agrees with what is moral and what is not, but has trouble pinpointing the basis of it, and where lines are drawn. The writing is primarily academic and in the style of a doctoral thesis, but remains accessible, and would be a strong addition to any theological library. Recommended.