The God Hater: An Allegory

23 Feb

(Spoiler Alert:  don’t read any further if you don’t want any details of the novel)


al·le·go·ry

[al-uh-gawr-ee, -gohr-ee]

–noun, plural -ries.1.  a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another. 

2.  a symbolical narrative: the allegory of  Piers Plowman
(taken from Dictionary.com)


In his Author’s Note, Bill Myers describes The God Hater as an allegory, with a few caveats.  He warns the reader to examine scripture for theology and not rely solely on the pieces of truth expressed in his novel.   So the question is posed:  which area of The God Hater gives the reader a greater appreciation of an aspect of the original story — the Gospel of Jesus Christ (taken from the Discussion Questions at the end of the book).


All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.  Isaiah 53:6  NKJV

Our sin was placed on Jesus while He hung on the cross — a concept I understand and believe with all my heart. Yet a concept that is hard to visualize, until I read the passage in The God Hater in which the virtual Nicholas willingly makes payment on the Grid to free the Breakers from bondage to the Law.   Nicholas doesn’t just take on their punishment, he becomes them experiencing the guilt, shame, pain involved with their sin.

Milliseconds becoming lifetimes in Nicholas’s mind and body, as he experienced the freedom of breaking, then its cost and death and bottomless darkness . . .  until he became alive again with new energy and experienced another life and death.  And another.  And another.  Hoping each time would be his last.   But each time being wrong. (p. 285)


This scene, so wonderfully crafted by Myers, caused me to really see and feel what it meant for Jesus to take on the sins of those before Him and the sins of those to come, including mine.  The sins placed on Jesus at the crucifixion are no longer concepts but a reality for me.
Which scene from The God Hater spoke to you?

Find out what others think:

(I received The God Hater from the publisher in return for an honest review.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

4 Responses to “The God Hater: An Allegory”

  1. Dona Watson February 23, 2011 at 6:21 pm #

    I found the scenes with the cyber-human were fascinating, especially in terms of how the society changed depending on the input. I found Myers’ philosphical and theological arguments fascinating.

  2. Rebecca LuElla Miller February 23, 2011 at 8:45 pm #

    That was a powerful scene, wasn’t it. I don’t think I can come up with just one scene off the top of my head. It’s a good question. I’ll have to think about it a bit.

    Becky

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

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