There is something about David Gregory that keeps pulling me back in. I wasn’t a big fan of any of his previous books but decided to see how the author handled full length fiction in The Last Christian. And I am glad I gave him another chance because this book turned out to be more interesting and entertaining that I would have expected. It blended suspense and philosophical and spiritual issues into an entertaining mix.
Here is the blurb from the publisher:
A.D. 2088.
Missionary daughter Abigail Caldwell emerges from the jungle for the first time in her thirty-four years, the sole survivor of a mysterious disease that killed her village. Abby goes to America, only to discover a nation where Christianity has completely died out. A curious message from her grandfather assigns her a surprising mission: re-introduce the Christian faith in America, no matter how insurmountable the odds.
But a larger threat looms. The world’s leading artificial intelligence industrialist has perfected a technique for downloading the human brain into a silicon form. Brain transplants have begun, and with them comes the potential of eliminating physical death altogether—but at what expense?
As Abby navigates a society grown more addicted to stimulating the body than nurturing the soul, she and Creighton Daniels, a historian troubled by his father’s unexpected death, become unwitting targets of powerful men who will stop at nothing to further their nefarious goals. Hanging in the balance—the spiritual future of all humanity.
For my take read below.
I found The Last Christian to be an entertaining and interesting read. Add in the fact that it is an explicitly Christian novel and involves theological and spiritual discussion and it is a rare feat.
As noted, I was not a big fan of Gregory’s previous books so was impressed with the improvement in both ideas and execution on this one. An intriguing plot hook and some nice suspense built around the Christian message – and the message is not so heavy as to undermine the novel.
It was a pleasure to read and I found myself wanting to keep reading to found out both how the plot unfolded and how Gregory tied the various threads together. At its most basic level, any book that makes you want to keep reading and allows you to “get lost” in the story is a good one. I would imagine that your interest in Christianity and theology would have a large influence on your interest level but I don’t think non-Christians will be totally put off by the spiritual aspects of the story.
This is not serious literature by any means but it is a great beach read with not only a futuristic adventure but a combination philosophical quandry (mind body dualism) and a spiritual challenge (what is the fundamental concept of the gospel?).
So if you are looking for something different this summer check out The Last Christian.
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
I stopped reading at this point:
“powerful men who will stop at nothing to further their nefarious goals.”
I’ve read, and watched, enough conspiracy plots for one lifetime. Gee, couldn’t the author come up with something MORE CLICHED?
I just finished this awesome book!
Finding the twist and turns a very real issue that we as Christian face today. Allowing God to live a life through us! What an amazing look at what the Bible says.
It begs the question, What have you shown God today? Are you living a life that God wants to see?