This is the second book in the Great Thinkers series published by Presbyterian and Reformed. In the introduction to the series the editor Nathan Shannon tells us the threefold goal for each work in the series: First it is intended to be academically informed. Second it seeks to maintain a high standard of biblical and theological faithfulness. Third the series aim is to be accessible for readers without unnecessary difficult jargons and vocabulary. This particular work is written by Christian philosopher and apologist William D. Dennison. In this work Dennison examines and critiques the thought of Karl Marx the father of Communism. Reading this book in 2018 I realize that though Marx was born exactly two hundred years ago sadly his ideology has had a harmful impact even today. While this work is critical of Marx it also aim to be fair in accurately describing his beliefs.
The book is divided into five chapters. The first chapter is titled “Marx and the Marxian Tradition.” Here the author gives us an excellent survey of the various groups, streams and individuals who are Marxists. As I was reading the first chapter I thought about how this is a helpful introduction to the various “denominations” of Marxism and readers who want to study more of the academic thoughts of Marxism for research purposes would benefit in reading this chapter and using it as a reference. The second chapter is a biography of Marx’s life. Like the first chapter Dennison does a good job presenting the facts. The third chapter then zooms into Marx’s philosophy of history which is followed by the fourth chapter that is a Presuppositional apologetics’ critique of Marx’s view of history. The fifth chapter gives the author’s concluding remarks. The book also has a helpful glossary of Marx’s and Marxist terminology.
This book is quite academic. Those who are looking for soundbites or sensational attack on Marx would best look elsewhere. However if you want to see what a Christian author describing the view accurately of someone he’s critical of, this book definitely models it. In fact you have to get through sixty six percentage of the book before the author offers his critique of Karl Marx. Reading this book reminded me a lot of my college days when I actually had a Marxist professor; that’s how well the author presented Marx’s view. The author employs a critique from the perspective of Reformed Theology. Dennison uses Van Tillian framework in his critique though I wish he was able to do it in more details. I enjoyed the author pointing out how Marx’s view of history is eschatological; and how Marx believed the end determines and define the beginning. Yet Marx’s view of origin is unverifiable given his own admission of his finite speculation. Dennisson is right that if one unfold Marx’s eschatology one will discover Marx’s view of man’s salvation. Yet Dennison faults Marx for him not being able to see that his system in free the oppressed from their oppressor ends up having the system itself become the new oppressors. You see this played out empirically in history especially in the twentieth century. Again I wished the book could have offered more in terms of a critique and refutation but I am thankful this book contributed to the academic discussion and a unique Christian theological critique of Marxism.
NOTE: This book was provided to me free by P&R Publishing and Net Galley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

Karl Marx by William D. Dennison this is a very educational book. I learned a lot about Marxism.