God an Autobiography as Told to a Philosopher

by Jerry L. Martin

The voice announced, "I am God." For Jerry Martin, that encounter began a personal, intellectual, and spiritual adventure. He had not believed in God. He was a philosopher, trained to be skeptical- to doubt everything. So his fi rst question was: Is this really God talking? There were other urgent questions: What will my wife think? Why would God want to talk to me? Does God want me to do something? He began asking all the questions about life and death and ultimate things to which he-and all of us-have sought answers: Love and loss. Happiness and suffering. Good and evil. Death and the afterlife. The world's religions. The ways God communicates with us. How to live in harmony with God. God: An Autobiography tells the story of these mind-opening conversations with God. Jerry L. Martin was raised in a Christian home. By the time he left college, he was not a believer. But he was interested in the big questions and so he studied the great thinkers. He became a philosophy professor and served as head of the philosophy department at the University of Colorado at Boulder and of the National Endowment for the Humanities. In addition to scholarly articles on epistemology, the philosophy of mind, and public policy, he wrote reports on education that received national attention and was invited to testify before Congress.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Self Help, Spirituality, Christian

376 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2016

Reviews

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book through GoodReads First Read program.

This is a tough book for me to review. I am a conservative evangelical Christian who loves God. How do you critique God's autobiography?

Martin, who was an philosophical atheist, states that God basically submitted to an interview by him through his prayers. If this is true, Martin is one of the select few God has ever done so with. God also required that Martin write the book which basically records the interview.

My problem with the book is that it contradicts God's word as set out in the Bible. In this book God says he is an evolving God who made mistakes early on with creation. Yet the Bible states God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. The book also claims that God takes on many forms to speak to people which results in many religions. Very close to a universalist approach. Yet in the Bible God states through Jesus "Nobody comes to the Father but through me."

If I am wrong in my review and face the true author of this book someday I pray that God shows me grace and compassion and forgives me. Amen.

[Kevin Brennan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I've had to bail out of this book halfway through. I approached it with "willing suspension of disbelief" -- or in my case, unbelief, but the conceit that God is anything like the voice that speaks to Mr. Martin here was too much to swallow.

Instead, I see Mr. Martin trying to deal with what feels like a reluctant agnosticism by going to a primer on world religions and tying them all together with a neat bow. His God speaks to different people and cultures differently because they're ... different! His God created life because He was lonely. Of course, Martin doesn't adequately address that age-old question, Who created God? -- instead falling back on a vague sense of "becoming" that God experienced "in the beginning." Love is held up as a prime element in this universe too, which coincides with Christian thinking, conveniently. I also kept wondering, Why didn't God create life elsewhere in the universe? (though maybe this is addressed later in the book ...). Why did He get bogged down on this little piece of chalk on the edge of the Milky Way?

From a presentational standpoint, I also didn't like the typography of the book, with God's speeches in boldface and Martin's words in Roman, with or without quotation marks depending on whether he is addressing the reader or God. And that he always calls God "Lord" became grating as well.

[Cleokatra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Unfortunately, it's not a good fit for me and I'm going to move on without finishing it.

The book seems to be a lengthy discussion that the author had with himself to justify his belief in God. That may appeal to a particular type of reader, but I am not that person.

My plan is to leave the book in a Little Free Library near my home and trust that it will find its way into the hands of a reader who will appreciate it.

[Carl]

I have not read the book yet, I just appreciate that I am entry 666 to win this book in a Goodreads giveaway. A sign from someone.

[Vernon Luckert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe the author believes he is a prophet, but the Bible warns, in more than one location, to beware of false prophets. The author may well be hearing the voices he says he is, but I would be more than surprised that the voice he is hearing is from God. Seems like this might be an attempt to suggest to others, or move others, into moving towards a one world religion - perhaps part of the attempts to move others toward a one world, or globalist, government. It is my hope that the author comes to an understanding, and an unshakable belief, that Jesus Christ is indeed who he says he is in the Bible - and that the author accepts the gracious gift of salvation that only Jesus Christ offers.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for any religion, but mostly those of esoteric philosophy. This is one of those books where you will get out of it what you put into it. I read just one chapter every night, underlining and making notations, allowing what was said to sink in and ponder over it. Whether or not you want to accept the idea that Mr. Martin is actually hearing the voice of God, the conversations are insightful and poignant. Even if read as only Mr. Martin's philosophy, he highlights the truth that is already known to the soul and the importance of listening to your soul and not your ego.

I was worried that this book was going to be to "Christian", but I read "praying" as "meditating" and "God" with just "Divine Mind". As the philosophy of the book really dealt more with esoteric concepts there was not an underlying them of any religion.

I won this book with the goodreads giveaways and know that I will look to it again in the future. I already purchased another to give as a gift.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I take away from this book is that God talks to us we just need to listen,really listen. I won this book on Goodreads.

[Mary Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Jerry L. Martin has an interesting premise with God: An Autobiography, As Told to a Philosopher, this book has a structure that made it a challenge to read for any length of time. Going back and forth from what the reader is to believe is an authentic 'interview' with God to Martin's self-talk, I found myself having to reread sections to differentiate between the two.

Martin states that God told him that mistakes were made early on, that God is in everyone, and that there are times God tries to speak to everyone. Again, some interesting ideas that mesh transcendental thoughts, other religions, and Christianity, but many readers, myself included, will balk at statements that seem to go against some basic tenets of the Christian faith.

I think this book would benefit from actually adding interviews with religious leaders to offer what the traditional or mainstream thoughts are and how those leaders respond to God's and Martin's new thoughts. Perhaps some charts or diagrams, then a discussion of why the 'new' thoughts are better. Addressing why Martin is the only one to have this interview and to be given the task might be a good addition to the book, too.

[Tobyann Aparisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads (Hardcopy) for an honest review.

First, I want to say I am so glad I won this book! This surprisingly wonderful book is so brilliantly written. It is written with such honesty and backs everything said with scripture. There is true humor, dignity and even places that completely touched me to tears. Just as God spoke to Saul whom we all know became Paul one of Gods greatest spiritual followers, Jerry tells Gods story as God wanted it to be told. With an ever evolving newness and fresh perspective. I highly recommend this book to all!! Those who DO believe in GOD and those...yes even those that do not. Just as you would no undoubtedly read even Jerry the author of this book at one point did not believe in God. I believe he speaks a different tune now. This is an excellent read that I know I will read again and again.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written book, which is why I gave it 4 stars, however I'm not buying the premise. I don't believe in the same God the author espouses to have spoken to him. My God is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent.

I received this book free from Goodreads First Reads.

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really awesome book about a philosopher who was specially trained to not believe in God. And this book is telling about this man, who slowly keeps hearing callings from God.

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about a philosopher, a person who is specially trained to not believe in God. But Jerry keeps hearing callings from God.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads. This book is an interesting read about God. It ultimately left me with more questions but it is a fascinating look into God. At times it was written from an academic's mindset rather than lay terminology (such as concepts like Atman and telos) it left me with the impression that God, is everywhere but not fully omnipotent. God needs people as much as we need God. God is evolving and developing as we do. This book will challenge many people's views of God as omnipotent for sure although omnipresent. The author has done a tremendous amount of work to put this together, reading about a lot of cultures and religion to make sure of all that was being told to him. At times it felt the work is esoteric in nature, yet it is meant for everyone. It really left me wanting more of my questions to be answered but captivating and thought provoking.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a difficult book for me to read. It is essentially a 355 page interview with God. I felt the format itself was hard to follow, bouncing back and forth between Jerry's thoughts and "God's" speaking to him. I struggled to stay focused and often found myself trying to figure out if it was a thought of Jerry's or something he was saying to God. I think the premises was a good one but much too lengthy of a book for this sort of format.

[Johnny Wimmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved this book in a goodreads giveaway, and enjoyed it very much. Many people might find God's voice and words delusional, but the author took the oracle to new heights. Answering many basic biblical themes and questions, this book is a good resource for the unbeliever.Although the book lacks a cross reference with bible verses, it's a touching a warm story. The author's personal spiritual journey is deeply moving and a good change from the violence seen on the news. PEACE

[Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I rec'd this book as part of a giveaway. It's an improbable story. Having a conversation with God. The book is really a read of the author's philosophy on religion in conversation form. His life (or background) is written in standard type and anything that God is to have said is in bold print. I read most of the book just reading the bold print thinking it would reveal something interesting. This I would not recommend. Reading it reminds me of The Republic.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting but it was over my head. Too many references to different philosophers and theories that I have no knowledge of which made it difficult to follow and understand. I did find it hard to accept where it contradicts the Bible, such as God is evolving.
I did not finish the book (read about a third of it).

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought after the first couple of chapters this was going to be a great book asking some good questions. But as the author progressed I found it difficult to follow and totally against my worldview. If you like philosophy you will probably like this book.

[Alan Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

An OK read. Nothing really stood out as exceptional.

Received a complementary copy via #GoodreadsGiveaway

[Gini · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't know who the author tried to portray in this work or who his target audience was meant to be. I found that lack of clarity discouraging and abandoned the book.

[Leyre · Rating 1 out of 5]

Goodreads Giveaway. Unfortunately, couldn’t finish the book. Deep philosophical journey for a man that starts listening to God and wants to know if He is real. Not my kind of book.

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway.
I had a difficult time finishing this. Delusional is the kindest thing I can say.

[Anne Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Supposedly, this book relates the story of God as told by God Himself. However, I seriously question whether this is the wok of God or the work of the author himself. Disputed are many of the accounts found in the Bible, and it likewise seems to take the Christian viewpoint above other religions of the world. Really? Did God only reveal Himself to Christians? Yes, he touches on Hindu, Jewish, and Chinese concepts, but should it surprise anyone that this man, raised a Christian, sees Jesus as a superior revelator?

I came away feeling that a statement made early in the text was perhaps the most revealing: "If somebody talks to God, that's praying. If God talks to them, that's schizophrenia." Your mileage may vary, but that's my honest assessment.

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting to read the reason why the author believed.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Won this book on GoodReads). This book was a difficult yet interesting read. It was hard to really think this was God talking to him yet the information provided by "God" seemed understandably reasonable. I like the idea of explaining the reason for different religions and in the end hoping that everyone can review all the religions and closely understand who God is and what He wants. A very good read to have in a bible group for mass discussion.

[Diane Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this book answers a lot of questions I had about reading some things in the bible I love how this author goes in details to explain who God is and how he handled things .

[Ajit Dass · Rating 5 out of 5]

During my over 25 year spiritual journey I have read a large number of channelled books on life and spirituality.

God - an autobiography is the latest among them and it has given me the widest and deepest knowledge about God and what God is up to with humans on planet earth.

Among many things, it importantly tells us about the role of humans vis-a-vis God and also how God is evolving as humans evolve.

Though the book is an autobiography of God earnestly channelled by Jerry Martin a former professor of philosophy at the University of Colorado at Boulder in USA, through whom God chooses to narrate the amazing experience during the Big Bang and also the revelation of the relationship with God beyond God - the soul of God, to me, this illuminating book has also served as a self-help guide!

From the book I learnt what God would have us do to take forward the goal of the universe referred to as "telos". I also learnt and applied to my life a cardinal rule that we must be OBEDIENT to God. I inferred that this can be done in various ways -
1. Thinking before every action what God would prefer and the book has made clear that what God prefers is whatever would make you your best self.
2. Not getting attached to material pleasures because this may turn you away from being obedient to God.
3. Allowing yourself to be guided by God by letting go of your mind as often as you can and following the divine light of God like sunflowers following the path of the sun.
4. Taking guidance and acting upon it like two singers in harmony. That is how God would like us to relate.
5. Not going over the deep-end of spirituality thereby serving the purpose of life and action on earth.
My understandings of the book certainly led to greater harmony within and outside of me.

Another great part of the book is that you get a synopsis of many different philosophies of the world at one place from none other than the author of these philosophies - God! The Chinese philosophies of Confucius, Tao and I-Ching, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Christianity to name a few are all condensed here brilliantly. This has been done for us to realise that all these philosophies are chapters in one big continuing story of mankind.

If you have even the slightest interest in spirituality, this is a book that you may end up reading more than once and there will be newness to it every time you read it.

[John Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

God, an Autobiography is clever. Clever because it takes the trope of theology, and fits it neatly into a series of inquiries, with the main witness as, well, God. Jerry L. Martin is not a believer, in any traditional sense. Yet, having left his early Christian upbringing, he was nevertheless enraptured with the concept of God. What to make of a being that transcends all times, cultures, and continents? What commonalities, or disjunctures can this idea of God reveal? Martin is by profession a philosopher, having taught at the University of Colorado, Boulder. His myriad studies, of great minds from across cultures, as far afield as India and China, not to mention the ancients, informs this work. We discover God to be aware of how difficult belief in him can be. After all, whole belief systems try to place him in various boxes, the easier to understand him. He might be self aware, but people need to define him so they can understand. And evil? Evil could have been when chaos reigned before God brought order. Chaos was the raging seas, stilled by God when he created the land, when he parted the Red Sea, when he rescued Noah, or when Jesus stilled the waters. Of course, be ready to see what other faiths, other belief systems say. Martin brings all his mastery of story telling to bear. Not Zoroaster, not moral perfectibility, not polytheism, nor ancient Egyptians escape his remarks. After all, he has all speculations on God to choose from. Some are indeed astounding. Some may make you read further.

[Michelle Arredondo · Rating 4 out of 5]

God: An Autobiography, As Told To a Philosopher is a pretty big book which surprised me. What I expected I did not get. I don't know quite what I was expecting but it was not this. For one...the detail and thought put into creating this book itself is impressive. Without the cover this book is beautiful. With cover..sophisticated and sleek.

Content: I'm a bit confused with the premise. Author Jerry L. Martin was a Christian but by the time he went to college he was Agnostic. He is now an Agnostic man that had studied Philosophy...and here's where I am confused, this particular piece of work is him still being these things....however he is admitting that God does exist and he is justifying that existence and why??? Interesting read. I give him that. I was curious to see his take on this. Maybe it felt a little presumptuous at times..many times actually, but maybe it did have it's thought provoking moments, many at times. How Jerry L. Martin writes is no issue. He writes well and I did not mind that at all. Much to ponder..great book to discuss with others who have read it. An interesting take. Serious discussion. Still a book to give a try.


Thanks to the people at goodreads for my free copy of this book via giveaway. I received. I read. I reviewed this book with honesty and voluntarily.

[Arianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a hard one to review. If you believe in any god of any religion, the premise of this book is going to smack you upside the head. Is it for real? Is it just Jerry L. Martin with a wild imagination? Setting aside any inevitable misgivings you'll probably have reading this if you have any sort of religious mindset, the book is sort of an interesting overview of world religions over time. To be fair, most religions tell people to value compassion, honesty, and integrity, so it's not a stretch to think maybe everyone is on to something there (and it could be the same god telling us all this). But if we're going to look at God: An Autobiography, as told to a philosopher just from this perspective, the delivery of the information is hard to follow and poorly presented from meandering thoughts written in constantly changing typeface. I found myself wanting to like it way more than I actually did. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯