This highly impressive book is nothing less than a philosophical exploration of the intricate relations between two dimensions of meaning: linguistic meaning and the meaning (significance) of our lives. Pihlström proceeds, more specifically, by investigating the deep connection between two kinds of critique of "meaning-making" in the philosophy of religion: criticism of cognitivist readings of religious language and critique of theodicies attributing significance to senseless suffering. In this context, he addresses with great subtlety the potential tension between the pragmatist linking of linguistic meaning and the significance of our lives, on the one hand, and the antitheodicist recognition of the meaninglessness of evil and ill, on the other hand. One of the many striking facets of Pihlström's complex approach is his understanding of theodicies as transcendental illusions-- ethically as well as conceptually speaking. Another important aspect is his defense of a Jamesian humanism that stresses the importance of employing not only theoretical arguments but also literary tools in the critique of meaning and meaning-making.According to Pihlström, we humans are by transcendental necessity engaged in a tragic search for meaning. His work is one of the most philosophically profound and humane attempts to come to terms with that.