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The God Hater
A cranky, atheistic philosophy professor loves to shred the faith of incoming freshmen. He is chosen by a group of scientists to create a philosophy for a computer-generated world exactly like ours. Much to his frustration every model he introduces—from Darwinism, to Existentialism, to Relativism, to Buddhism—fails. The only way to preserve the computer world is to introduce laws from outside their system through a Law Giver. Of course this goes against everything he's ever believed, and he hates it. But even that doesn't completely work because the citizens of that world become legalists and completely miss the spirit behind the Law. The only way to save them is to create a computer character like himself to personally live and explain it. He does. So now there are two of him—the one in our world and the one in the computer world. Unfortunately a rival has introduced a virus into the computer world. Things grow worse until our computer-world professor sees the only way to save his world is to personally absorb the virus and the penalty for breaking the Law. Of course, it's clear to all, including our real-world professor, that this act of selfless love has become a reenactment of the Gospel. It is the only possible choice to save their computer world and, as he finally understands, our own.
305 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2010
21 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
About the author
Bill Myers
334 books396 followersBill Myers was born into a Christian home, and although as a child he became bored with Christianity, he decided at the University of Washington quote, to "make God my boss." Ironically, at the University his worst subject was writing. He claims to have prayed, and said that he would be able to do anything for God, except write. Even so, he has become a prominent Christian writer, and has a large amount of successful books and films to his credit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
November 12, 2021
A book with this kind of plot could either be really good or terrible luckily it was the first. I enjoyed the audiobook of this and it was very entertaining to listen to when I needed to relax a bit
November 22, 2010
Okay, here is a book about someone who hates God and all religion so much that he despises anything to do with it - he has only one friend (a fellow professor) and her little boy and his brother who he sees about once a year. Outside of that everyone avoids him like the plague, not a pleasant person to be around to say the least. Then suddenly, everyone is after him, literally. Nicholas is asked to help his brother on a project he has made, creating a CGI world with characters that are supposed to act and react like we do in real life. Basically it is an alternative universe but there is a problem. The characters keep killing each other off, or they let nature do it for them... that's where Nicholas comes in. His job? What do they introduce into the world that will give the characters a reason to survive? Eerie similarities to the Gospel start creeping up and everything Nicholas has believed comes into question. At the same time some intense stuff is happening in the real world.
The story goes back and forth between the two worlds and it is very fast paced. Excellent and this is a book that will make you think, hard, about everything you've ever taken for granted about the Gospel.
The story goes back and forth between the two worlds and it is very fast paced. Excellent and this is a book that will make you think, hard, about everything you've ever taken for granted about the Gospel.
December 21, 2014
This is an openly Christian novel...so don't say i didn't tell you.
Now that said as I've said about other Christian reads I think some might be able to read it simply as a novel. I don't know that, I guess each can see for him 0r her self.
Anyway...that out of the way, this is an excellent read. I've decided to go 4 stars as I think the way the book ends while having a heartwarming twist sort of still kind of pulls the plug on the point of the book.
Others however may disagree with me on that to. So again, decide for yourself.
However my main point is, this is an excellent read. It's a bit predictable (of course once you get into the story it's supposed to be). The story is told from a Christian perspective with Christian story in mind. It sets out to demonstrate a point and does it pretty well.
So, let me recommend it...highly. As said above, I really like this one.
Enjoy.
Now that said as I've said about other Christian reads I think some might be able to read it simply as a novel. I don't know that, I guess each can see for him 0r her self.
Anyway...that out of the way, this is an excellent read. I've decided to go 4 stars as I think the way the book ends while having a heartwarming twist sort of still kind of pulls the plug on the point of the book.
Others however may disagree with me on that to. So again, decide for yourself.
However my main point is, this is an excellent read. It's a bit predictable (of course once you get into the story it's supposed to be). The story is told from a Christian perspective with Christian story in mind. It sets out to demonstrate a point and does it pretty well.
So, let me recommend it...highly. As said above, I really like this one.
Enjoy.
February 22, 2016
I loved this book. I listened to the audiobook version, and it was read by the author who has a terrific narrator's voice. That always enhances the experience.
I loved the way the author used the character of Nicholas, a rather unpleasant fellow, at least on the surface and especially in the beginning. And the author used modern technology in a very interesting way to tell the story. I don't want to say much more as don't want to give away any spoilers. Just say I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am glad I got around to reading it at last.
I loved the way the author used the character of Nicholas, a rather unpleasant fellow, at least on the surface and especially in the beginning. And the author used modern technology in a very interesting way to tell the story. I don't want to say much more as don't want to give away any spoilers. Just say I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am glad I got around to reading it at last.
October 29, 2010
When I started this book, I knew it sounded like a good book, but I never thought I would be as thoroughly sucked into the book as I was. In the first 5 pages I was already not wanting to put it down and I went through the first 100 pages no problem on the first night (and I was tired and not feeling well). The second night I would have finished it, but I became very sleepy, but I did get through about 150 pages, I even stayed up late to get that far.
The story in this book is really comprised of two stories. One is the story of Nicholas, Travis, Annie and Rusty. Nicholas is the atheist, he's beat Christianity and other religions out of students for many years and often shows up in Annie's class to spar with her about religious things. Annie is a biochemist and a Christian, she is a single mother to her 5-year-old son Rusty. She is Nicholas' closest friend so when things start to seem strange in Nicholas' world she is right there. Travis is Nicholas' brother and a computer programmer who has created a world that mimics our world and is further working on the artificial intelligence technology to market it. It's this world that begins to get everyone in trouble while teaching them things as well.
The second story is of the world Travis and others have created. While trying to make the society continue they learn a lot about philosophy and how religion does play a role in society. I found this computerized society fascinating. It was kind of like dystopian fiction in the midst of a suspense book and it just held my attention so well.
I enjoyed this story from Nicholas' point-of-view being an atheist. It made it very interesting and gave the whole story a more authentic feel. As things began to happen in this alternate world (computer world), I knew kind of what was going on but I enjoyed watching it all unfold.
The God Hater is an amazing story, it reads fast, the characters are interesting, the suspense is intense and the weaving of the two worlds together is wonderfully done. I think my only problem is I wish the characters had been slightly more developed, but I did get enough of a feel for them to understand motivations so it's not a major complaint. You have to give up something to get this much suspense and two worlds into 300 pages. Bill Myers does a magnificent job telling the story and really making a point without beating you over the head. There is lots to think about at the end of this book.
This was my first book by Bill Myers and I will now be checking out his backlist as well as looking forward to his new titles.
My Rating: 4.75/5.0
The story in this book is really comprised of two stories. One is the story of Nicholas, Travis, Annie and Rusty. Nicholas is the atheist, he's beat Christianity and other religions out of students for many years and often shows up in Annie's class to spar with her about religious things. Annie is a biochemist and a Christian, she is a single mother to her 5-year-old son Rusty. She is Nicholas' closest friend so when things start to seem strange in Nicholas' world she is right there. Travis is Nicholas' brother and a computer programmer who has created a world that mimics our world and is further working on the artificial intelligence technology to market it. It's this world that begins to get everyone in trouble while teaching them things as well.
The second story is of the world Travis and others have created. While trying to make the society continue they learn a lot about philosophy and how religion does play a role in society. I found this computerized society fascinating. It was kind of like dystopian fiction in the midst of a suspense book and it just held my attention so well.
I enjoyed this story from Nicholas' point-of-view being an atheist. It made it very interesting and gave the whole story a more authentic feel. As things began to happen in this alternate world (computer world), I knew kind of what was going on but I enjoyed watching it all unfold.
The God Hater is an amazing story, it reads fast, the characters are interesting, the suspense is intense and the weaving of the two worlds together is wonderfully done. I think my only problem is I wish the characters had been slightly more developed, but I did get enough of a feel for them to understand motivations so it's not a major complaint. You have to give up something to get this much suspense and two worlds into 300 pages. Bill Myers does a magnificent job telling the story and really making a point without beating you over the head. There is lots to think about at the end of this book.
This was my first book by Bill Myers and I will now be checking out his backlist as well as looking forward to his new titles.
My Rating: 4.75/5.0
March 10, 2011
You’ve met Nicholas Mackenzie before. His words are those of the argumentative atheist. Banking on his intellectual ability, he prides himself in relentlessly engaging Christians in theological debates.
It is his vitamin of choice, his adrenaline rush. In truth, it is his defense mechanism.
When you learn of his history, you understand why. His son is dead and he was to blame. It was a plane crash. Nicholas was the pilot. It is true that suffering tragedy and trials will either make us bitter or better.
In Nicholas’ case, he became bitter.
When I began this book, I thought I had the plotline down. I thought it would be a good read that parallels the greatest story ever told. But, as I read through it, I was engaged, then enlightened, and finally amazed me. Bill Myers has written a classic here.
The story centers on an AI (artificial intelligence) community created by Nicholas’ brother, Travis. The AI community reacts to its world just as mankind reacts and continues to react to ours. Travis is stumped. As the AI community progresses, chaos is always its end.
Nicholas is pulled in because of his intellect and his history of debating and debunking religion. He advises Travis to introduce several ‘beliefs systems’ into the program. Each one fails.
As Nicholas watches this story unfold, he sees his own logic dissolve. He realizes the only way this group will survive is to engage in the deeper logic which is the story of the Gospel.
Hate is not the opposite of Love, apathy is. I’ve never known, heard, or read of an atheist that, after thoroughly researching the bible, did not agree with the beautiful logic in it.
This is truly one of the best books I’ve ever read. You will not be able to put it down. I finished it in one day. It is an incredible read. I explored The God Hater website (www.thegodhater.com) and found several great resources for my bible study.
If you have questions about the logic of the bible, pick this one up. Buy it for yourself, for someone else, or, as I plan to do, buy it to use in my weekly Ladies Bible Study class.
It is his vitamin of choice, his adrenaline rush. In truth, it is his defense mechanism.
When you learn of his history, you understand why. His son is dead and he was to blame. It was a plane crash. Nicholas was the pilot. It is true that suffering tragedy and trials will either make us bitter or better.
In Nicholas’ case, he became bitter.
When I began this book, I thought I had the plotline down. I thought it would be a good read that parallels the greatest story ever told. But, as I read through it, I was engaged, then enlightened, and finally amazed me. Bill Myers has written a classic here.
The story centers on an AI (artificial intelligence) community created by Nicholas’ brother, Travis. The AI community reacts to its world just as mankind reacts and continues to react to ours. Travis is stumped. As the AI community progresses, chaos is always its end.
Nicholas is pulled in because of his intellect and his history of debating and debunking religion. He advises Travis to introduce several ‘beliefs systems’ into the program. Each one fails.
As Nicholas watches this story unfold, he sees his own logic dissolve. He realizes the only way this group will survive is to engage in the deeper logic which is the story of the Gospel.
Hate is not the opposite of Love, apathy is. I’ve never known, heard, or read of an atheist that, after thoroughly researching the bible, did not agree with the beautiful logic in it.
This is truly one of the best books I’ve ever read. You will not be able to put it down. I finished it in one day. It is an incredible read. I explored The God Hater website (www.thegodhater.com) and found several great resources for my bible study.
If you have questions about the logic of the bible, pick this one up. Buy it for yourself, for someone else, or, as I plan to do, buy it to use in my weekly Ladies Bible Study class.
November 1, 2010
The God Hater by Bill Myers is a fast-paced novel that is hard to put down. It is an interesting concept, what would happen if a world were created without the concept of God? What would people do? How would they survive and advance in life? Well, in The God Hater a virtual reality world has been created just like that and what happens is very intriguing.
Our main character Nicholas MacKenzie, is an atheist who has been roped into helping his brother Travis with an unusual computer program. A virtual reality world that has at its centre, Nicholas' dead son - alive and walking around in his VR world. The problem is, this replica and everyone in his world, is dying and Travis needs Nicholas' philosophical mind to figure out why they can't help themselves. It soon becomes apparent that a world without God is a sorry place indeed.
But that isn't all this book is about of course. There are more characters whose lives are in danger because of this VR program and they will kill to get their hands on it!
Another suspenseful novel by Bill Myers that will keep you riveted until the last page and depicts so well, what our Lord actually did for us.
Our main character Nicholas MacKenzie, is an atheist who has been roped into helping his brother Travis with an unusual computer program. A virtual reality world that has at its centre, Nicholas' dead son - alive and walking around in his VR world. The problem is, this replica and everyone in his world, is dying and Travis needs Nicholas' philosophical mind to figure out why they can't help themselves. It soon becomes apparent that a world without God is a sorry place indeed.
But that isn't all this book is about of course. There are more characters whose lives are in danger because of this VR program and they will kill to get their hands on it!
Another suspenseful novel by Bill Myers that will keep you riveted until the last page and depicts so well, what our Lord actually did for us.
June 3, 2017
Unique way of saying we can't do without God.
February 23, 2011
The God Hater is about an atheistic philosophy professor, Nicholas Mackenzie, who is asked to help with a computer program. This computer program contains an entire world and characters who think, react, and feel just like real people. The programmers believe they have thought of everything and made the program perfect. But everytime they run it, the characters end up self-destructing. Nicholas reluctantly decides that they need to introduce religion into the program. But that too fails. Even giving them laws doesn't help, but instead turns them into unforgiving legalists. He is forced to realize that the characters' only hope is for someone to go into the program and show them how to live. So he steps into the program with them as a character just like himself and begins a mission to save them from themselves.
When I read the description of this book, I thought it sounded like a very cool idea and possibly a good book. I was right. This book is fascinating and touching, and it shows man's need for redemption from a Creator-like perspective. I loved reading things I'd heard before about sin, the payment for sin, redemption, and forgiveness in new terms, since most of it was in the computer program's terms. It made things fresh and made me look at them in a new way.
I only had a couple things that bothered me. One problem I had was with an inconsistency I noticed. The programmers said that the characters didn't eat food and instead survived on life units. And yet, later in the book, the characters were eating life units fried in crumbs, drinking wine, etc. Unless I misunderstood something, that was a big inconsistency.
The other thing that bothered me was the ending. Its bittersweet nature frustrated me, and it didn't end with as much resolution as I would have liked. There's a key event I was expecting that I'm upset about being left out. But that didn't diminish my overall enjoyment of the book, and the ending actually was pretty good. It just felt like it was missing something.
I connected with the characters well, especially Nicholas and Alpha 11. I could feel their inner struggles clearly, as well as Nicholas' father-like love and sadness. That was essential to making the book work, and Bill Myers did a great job.
One of my favorite quotes from the book:
"It's impossible to adequately capture every nuance of truth with words. To convey the truths of life...you have to live that life."
I recommend The God Hater to both believers and those who don't yet believe. The philosophy is presented logically and never preaches. It's an entertaining read that also makes you think.
You can find my original review on my blog, The Writer's Sword, here: http://thewriterssword.blogspot.com/2...
When I read the description of this book, I thought it sounded like a very cool idea and possibly a good book. I was right. This book is fascinating and touching, and it shows man's need for redemption from a Creator-like perspective. I loved reading things I'd heard before about sin, the payment for sin, redemption, and forgiveness in new terms, since most of it was in the computer program's terms. It made things fresh and made me look at them in a new way.
I only had a couple things that bothered me. One problem I had was with an inconsistency I noticed. The programmers said that the characters didn't eat food and instead survived on life units. And yet, later in the book, the characters were eating life units fried in crumbs, drinking wine, etc. Unless I misunderstood something, that was a big inconsistency.
The other thing that bothered me was the ending. Its bittersweet nature frustrated me, and it didn't end with as much resolution as I would have liked. There's a key event I was expecting that I'm upset about being left out. But that didn't diminish my overall enjoyment of the book, and the ending actually was pretty good. It just felt like it was missing something.
I connected with the characters well, especially Nicholas and Alpha 11. I could feel their inner struggles clearly, as well as Nicholas' father-like love and sadness. That was essential to making the book work, and Bill Myers did a great job.
One of my favorite quotes from the book:
"It's impossible to adequately capture every nuance of truth with words. To convey the truths of life...you have to live that life."
I recommend The God Hater to both believers and those who don't yet believe. The philosophy is presented logically and never preaches. It's an entertaining read that also makes you think.
You can find my original review on my blog, The Writer's Sword, here: http://thewriterssword.blogspot.com/2...
January 22, 2011
Brilliant!.. that's how I'd describe Bill Myers THE GOD HATER in one word.
Our protagonist is Dr. Nicholas Mackenzie, a God and religion hating, atheist Philosophy Professor who has made a career and a name for himself disparaging all who dare challenge him on the topic of creation. When his delinquent younger brother Travis is successfull in creating a cyber world of true Artificial Intelligence, Nicholas reluctantly agrees to to help him overcome the programs only manger flaw.. the civilizations keeps destroying it's self. No matter what model is used Darwinism, Existentialism, Marxism, Epicureanism, Machiavellianism to Buddhism, etc the result is the same extinction, self destruction. Logically (but not without distaste) they have one option left; they agree that the only way to preserve the AI's free will is to offer them basic common sense laws from their outside world.. resulting in the knowledge of a creator, or in this case the "Programmer".
THE GOD HATER does an excellent job giving a fair showing of all sides of the creation debate. The atheist is not painted a villain, quite the contrary (granted, not exactly a cheery guy) he is a very likable character who argues some very strong points on the behalf of atheism. But ultimately the the skillfully crafted cyber story with in the story, exposes the flaws of eliminating God from a world of free will. Myers does a beautiful job of showing (not telling) why God did what he did sending Jesus Christ, our savior to die for our sins and how they are separate, but also one in the same.
This book is a thrilling page turner from the get go, that is sure to suck any reader in; making you think and feel as you are faced with some tough questions.. and for some readers, some even tougher answers.
Our protagonist is Dr. Nicholas Mackenzie, a God and religion hating, atheist Philosophy Professor who has made a career and a name for himself disparaging all who dare challenge him on the topic of creation. When his delinquent younger brother Travis is successfull in creating a cyber world of true Artificial Intelligence, Nicholas reluctantly agrees to to help him overcome the programs only manger flaw.. the civilizations keeps destroying it's self. No matter what model is used Darwinism, Existentialism, Marxism, Epicureanism, Machiavellianism to Buddhism, etc the result is the same extinction, self destruction. Logically (but not without distaste) they have one option left; they agree that the only way to preserve the AI's free will is to offer them basic common sense laws from their outside world.. resulting in the knowledge of a creator, or in this case the "Programmer".
THE GOD HATER does an excellent job giving a fair showing of all sides of the creation debate. The atheist is not painted a villain, quite the contrary (granted, not exactly a cheery guy) he is a very likable character who argues some very strong points on the behalf of atheism. But ultimately the the skillfully crafted cyber story with in the story, exposes the flaws of eliminating God from a world of free will. Myers does a beautiful job of showing (not telling) why God did what he did sending Jesus Christ, our savior to die for our sins and how they are separate, but also one in the same.
This book is a thrilling page turner from the get go, that is sure to suck any reader in; making you think and feel as you are faced with some tough questions.. and for some readers, some even tougher answers.
July 31, 2015
What can I say… I’m the God Hater hater. This book should have a target audience of 15 year old boys with its ridiculous high action parts that ruin what could have been an almost readable book. However, it is targeted to Christians with an updated cyber-Jesus version of the Bible which is somewhat interesting, but becomes tacky at the end and at times I even tasted a little bile in my mouth. This one really needed to go back to the drawing board a few more times, but that is not to say that there are not some lost souls out there who would not enjoy this take on an altered reality with all of its high action and chaos.
November 6, 2013
My mom recommended Myers and I almost didn't pick up this book because of the title, but am I ever glad I did. As a busy mom of 5, I can't remember the last time I read a book in a day. The characters are fairly well developed for a novel of this size and the plot moves quickly. I was facinated by the allegory. The other reviews sum up the plot nicely, so I'll leave it at that.
September 6, 2015
I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars. The story itself and the execution of it would be 2.5 - 3 stars, but the fact that it brings up some good points and the analogy in it deserves 4 stars! So my 3 star rating is based on the fact that Goodreads says it means I liked it. :D
Definitely worth the read, but I wish the story had been developed a bit more.
Definitely worth the read, but I wish the story had been developed a bit more.
June 7, 2011
I thought this was a work of genius! It brought together the whole thought process about what God thinks and feels for us, and what we think about what God does in our lives. Brilliant! I was glued to the pages trying to decide what would happen next.
February 15, 2011
Full review coming soon.
July 30, 2018
I love this book....the second read was better.....
I am enjoying his writing. This was a great read of bringing Christ's love alive.
I am enjoying his writing. This was a great read of bringing Christ's love alive.
January 9, 2018
I'm not certain where I should start.
So the summary is this: Nicholas is an atheist. He rips apart any defense of any religion without mercy. He thinks religion is useless. His brother Travis contacts him and asks for help with a project he's working on. They've created a computer-generated society...but it keeps failing. The people keep dying off, or killing themselves off. Nicholas's expertise as a philosophy professor is requested. He needs to find out why. So he tries, but every model he introduces fails. They realize they, the Programmers, the society's creators, will have to make themselves known to their creation and give them guidelines on how to live. See a parallel to anything yet? Read the book. It's well done, and puts an interesting perspective on things.
I liked this book. I liked the plot, the writing, and the characters. I liked Annie because she was a great mother to Rusty and a good friend to Nicholas. I liked Nicholas because in spite of him being bitter about the loss of his son, and him being the "God Hater", he wasn't portrayed as a terrible person. He cared for Annie and Rusty. He was prickly, but not some evil human being.
But I only liked this story. I think 3 stars is the best I can do. I can't point exactly to what I'd like changed to make it better, but something was missing. For one thing, I don't know why Annie got her own POV. The main plot in the story was the cyber world Travis and Nicholas were working on. Annie was...Nicholas's friend. One could say she was important because of what happens with Rusty later on...but I don't know.
That's all I have. Good book, but not great. I'm not sure I'd read it again.
So the summary is this: Nicholas is an atheist. He rips apart any defense of any religion without mercy. He thinks religion is useless. His brother Travis contacts him and asks for help with a project he's working on. They've created a computer-generated society...but it keeps failing. The people keep dying off, or killing themselves off. Nicholas's expertise as a philosophy professor is requested. He needs to find out why. So he tries, but every model he introduces fails. They realize they, the Programmers, the society's creators, will have to make themselves known to their creation and give them guidelines on how to live. See a parallel to anything yet? Read the book. It's well done, and puts an interesting perspective on things.
I liked this book. I liked the plot, the writing, and the characters. I liked Annie because she was a great mother to Rusty and a good friend to Nicholas. I liked Nicholas because in spite of him being bitter about the loss of his son, and him being the "God Hater", he wasn't portrayed as a terrible person. He cared for Annie and Rusty. He was prickly, but not some evil human being.
But I only liked this story. I think 3 stars is the best I can do. I can't point exactly to what I'd like changed to make it better, but something was missing. For one thing, I don't know why Annie got her own POV. The main plot in the story was the cyber world Travis and Nicholas were working on. Annie was...Nicholas's friend. One could say she was important because of what happens with Rusty later on...but I don't know.
That's all I have. Good book, but not great. I'm not sure I'd read it again.
January 10, 2018
Another great book!!!
Professor Nicholas Mackenzie, the atheist is also prominent in the harbinger series written by Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt and Alton Gansky each writing one of the 12 books with Jeff Gerske writng instead of Frank Peretti in the last 8 books. This book was a great page turner with a very interesting storyline. Because of reading about the professor in the harbinger books I really felt like I knew him.
Bill Myers books are always thought provoking and am anxious to read another book he has written.
Professor Nicholas Mackenzie, the atheist is also prominent in the harbinger series written by Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt and Alton Gansky each writing one of the 12 books with Jeff Gerske writng instead of Frank Peretti in the last 8 books. This book was a great page turner with a very interesting storyline. Because of reading about the professor in the harbinger books I really felt like I knew him.
Bill Myers books are always thought provoking and am anxious to read another book he has written.
February 19, 2018
This book was a little bit like seeing God's reasons for the Gospel plan from His perspective.
I've never thought to deeply imagine God's need to save humanity, or His motivation for planning it "from the foundation of the world". Of course, analogies can only ever go so far, but interweaving AI and programming, along with a touch of philosophical questioning, appealed to me.
When I caught on to what Myers was doing, I thought "Aah, okay. I want to follow this". I just wish I would have read it all in one sitting. Somehow, it felt like I would have appreciated it more that way.
I've never thought to deeply imagine God's need to save humanity, or His motivation for planning it "from the foundation of the world". Of course, analogies can only ever go so far, but interweaving AI and programming, along with a touch of philosophical questioning, appealed to me.
When I caught on to what Myers was doing, I thought "Aah, okay. I want to follow this". I just wish I would have read it all in one sitting. Somehow, it felt like I would have appreciated it more that way.
May 22, 2019
I've been wanting to read this book for a long time. I was so involved I started and finished it in one day. What a creative and interesting book. There are in a way two different things happening in two different worlds. One is a computer generated world. This world was to have free will but nothing of God in it. To see the different ways the computer generated world is destroying itself is very interesting. This is a totally different take on showing how a world needs God, not religion. This is my type of book. Loved it.
April 21, 2018
I've heard a great deal about this author, my first, I wasn't to taken with the story. The main character ends up giving his life for a child, but also in the parallel world his brother created for some rich philanthropist. Also it had a parallel to the story of Christ, dying sacrificially for the good of His creation.
January 9, 2019
Captures the Essence of the Gospel
This book should be required reading for every Christian. Although every allegory has certain failings, Bill Myers weaves together a story that will strengthen faith in the One True God, showing that the Christian worldview is the only worldview that gives humanity any hope at all.
This book should be required reading for every Christian. Although every allegory has certain failings, Bill Myers weaves together a story that will strengthen faith in the One True God, showing that the Christian worldview is the only worldview that gives humanity any hope at all.
June 25, 2023
I'd probably give this book a 4.5 stars, actually.
I enjoyed it enough to want to read the "flipside" project to this work, Eli. There were some twists and turns that I didn't see coming, and I must say the end of it?!?!? Bittersweet. The God Hater was my first Bill Myers' novel and won't be by last.
I enjoyed it enough to want to read the "flipside" project to this work, Eli. There were some twists and turns that I didn't see coming, and I must say the end of it?!?!? Bittersweet. The God Hater was my first Bill Myers' novel and won't be by last.
March 8, 2024
3.5 stars. A computer artificial intelligence program builds a civilization untouched by “religion”, but runs into serious problems which prevent it from thriving. The characters involved in the project try various ways to improve it and thereby lies the story, which includes outside interference. Intriguing and clever idea to depict the Gospel.
July 14, 2018
A must read before it is too late.
For all who are holding back from acknowledging
the Creator. I wish all of you see the selfless acts of love as how we should love each other. I was too late for someone in my life who died to young.
Read this book.
For all who are holding back from acknowledging
the Creator. I wish all of you see the selfless acts of love as how we should love each other. I was too late for someone in my life who died to young.
Read this book.
August 15, 2018
So, Nicholas hated religion. He minces no words when sharing his opinion and is always the case, he teaches Philosophy.
Events occurred in the book that opened his eyes to the import of sacrifice and a supreme being. He finally understood.
I recommend this one for all the cynics out there.
Events occurred in the book that opened his eyes to the import of sacrifice and a supreme being. He finally understood.
I recommend this one for all the cynics out there.
November 5, 2019
Read this book!!!
I know it is fiction, but the parallels of the Gospel were so well written! I didn't want this one to end. I believe that I started Eli long ago and never finished but now I must revisit.
I know it is fiction, but the parallels of the Gospel were so well written! I didn't want this one to end. I believe that I started Eli long ago and never finished but now I must revisit.
November 7, 2021
This story will stay with you long after you finish it. A fresh perspective on what the Savior did over 2,000 years ago. Meyers creativity shines through from the beginning sentence to the last word.
January 13, 2017
This is a work of fiction. An allegory of how a man comes to understand God, by experiencing life from God's point of view. Its like a cross between 'God's Not Dead' and "Matrix'.
August 9, 2017
Fascinating
This book is a good read. It was not my favorite that he's written. That said it was not as good as the other books he's written. However, it's a good rainy day book.
This book is a good read. It was not my favorite that he's written. That said it was not as good as the other books he's written. However, it's a good rainy day book.
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