The Trouble with God: A Divine Comedy About Judgment

by Chris Matheson

In this riotous, globetrotting sequel to The Story of God, the universe’s premier antihero, God, returns, as lonely, misguided, angry, and troubled as ever. Regretting many of the decisions he made in his debut book, and wrestling with his continued ambivalence to both his son(s) Jesus and his frenemy Satan, God decides to set things right with creation - again. But this time, he asks, why stick around the dusty Land of Israel or a decaying heaven when there’s a much bigger world to explore - and countless others out there just waiting to love and praise him? And why work with the same tired old prophets, when there are much better candidates for the job?

Journeying from the sands of Arabia to the hills of Utah to the stars of Southern California, God works to set his message - and record - straight. But with each new book he commissions, the same old questions, demons, and troubles remain. Forever haunted, he decides to do away with creation once and for all...or wait, maybe just apologize?

Returning to where it all began, God makes one final judgment, with the fate of the universe - and himself - hanging in the balance.

Genres: Fiction, Religion

Audible Audio

First published May 15, 2018

Reviews

[Audra Coldiron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally divine!

This book, a follow up to the Story of God is equally as hilarious but explores not just the story in the Bible, but also the Koran, the Book of Mormon, and Scientology. Loved it!

[Ben Skyrme · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this book. The other reviews and the advance praise inside promised much, but I felt the book failed to deliver.

As an atheist, I was looking forward to reading a humorous takedown of the various religious texts, but this failed to raise a single laugh for me, instead feeling like it was knocks out pretty rapidly with little concern for quality. Oh well, on to the next book!

[Billie Pritchett · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the irreverently conceived The Trouble With God, Chris Matheson tells the story of God, part two, in this sequel to his first book, The Story of God. This book tries to make sense of and mesh the various religions that followed Judaism that were centered around God, Christianity, Islam, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and Scientology the most prominent religions mentioned by name. The fusion is fun. As a Christian, I'm impressed by how well-read Matheson ease in the monotheistic religions, and while not being a Christian himself or of any of these faiths, it's evident that he finds wisdom in each of these traditions. If you're likely to get bent out of shape at someone having a go at you about your faith, avoid this book like the plagues Moses visited on Pharaoh. But if you're willing to have a laugh at your own expense, check it out.

[Mike Harper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is history, as told by God himself. It’s short and hilariously funny in places. It’s the most sacreligious thing I have ever read.
I recommend this if you don’t believe in God, or if you think God is too wonderful to worry about a somewhat mean-spirited attack. Mormons and Muslims probably ought to stay away. Ditto Christians without senses of humor and Jews in general.

[Edie Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as his first book but still enjoyable