David Gregory (1) (1959–)

Another INSPY read, The Last Christian failed to thrill and raise questions of faith in what I would consider an appropriate manner. It concerns itself with the struggle for eternal life, both spiritual and physical by asking if living forever physically truly means losing one's connection with God. This is presented in the context of a future American society in which Christianity has supposedly died out. While Mr. Gregory presents some great arguments as for the reasons why Christianity show more failed to exist beyond the 21st Century, the probability of this occurring to a country founded on Christian ideals is low; as a result, The Last Christian loses some credibility with its premise.

Unfortunately, the story itself is weak. Almost all the main characters are self-righteous with little to no character development. The reader is forced to accept the idea that someone growing up in a tribal culture with no access to the modern world would adapt as quickly and as successfully as Abby does. Add to that a plot line that contains more pontificating than it does action, and the novel quickly spirals downward.

As for the faith aspect of the story, it contains a very limited view of what it means to be a Christian, one in which the Bible states all of the rules, regardless of the inconsistencies contained within. No other religion is acceptable; I even felt this attitude to be applicable towards other Christian religions, like Roman Catholicism. It is a disturbing, isolationist approach to faith that does more harm than good and is the reason why the idea of Christian living holds negative stereotypes.

This was not a novel that I felt promoted Christian ideals in a harmonious light but rather did more to confirm the divide between "Christians" and non-Christians. This is so unfortunate because the message of the story is quite special, this idea that one person can make a difference in this large world of ours. Unfortunately, the delivery of this message is so exclusive that it turns off a large majority of the world's population. As a result, The Last Christian is not a novel I can recommend to anyone in good faith. There were too many disturbing aspects of the faith discussion to be able to promote this as a book that people should read. show less

Emma Jameson can’t seem to get past her break-up with Jason. While he’s moving on with his life, she’s stuck, struggling with why God allows lives to be painful, why the Gospel seems so irrelevant to her life.

When she receives an invitation for “a real adventure with Jesus,” she follows the instructions to walk through the nearest open door and finds herself in the first century where Jesus takes her through several well-known Gospel accounts.

Combining fiction with Gospel show more narrative, the author pulls readers into the moment along with Emma. Each story, [Mary and Martha, raising Lazarus, the woman at the well, among others] offers readers insight and greater understanding. The well-drawn crucifixion scene is particularly moving and is acutely compelling. Together, the scenes in which Jesus gently teaches Emma result in a powerful, thoughtful discourse on what it means to grow in faith. Emma asks all the questions readers might wish to ask if they’d found themselves in her position; the answer, always encouraging, always thought-provoking, is revealed to be a Person.

This message in this short, easy-to-read narrative is likely to remain with readers long after they’ve turned the final page.

Highly recommended. show less

Christian Science Fiction with a twist, because in 2088 Christianity in America in a thing of the past. Artificial Intelligence is common place, and Virtual Reality is where most people spend their time. 34 year old Abby Caldwell, born to missionary parents, spent her entire life in an isolated jungle village in New Guinea. She leaves the village to get help when the villagers mysteriously start dying. She hopes to find the answer in America. There is also another reason to go to America: show more her grandfather left her a message about what was happening to Christianity—a message posted 16 years earlier on the Grid.

History Professor Dr. Creighton Daniels comes across a story on the Grid about Abby returning to America, and as an expert in historical religion, he is intrigued by her story. As he contemplates meeting her, he also finds a message from his recently deceased father and slowly realizes that his father and her grandfather knew each other.

David Gregory’s well researched novel, took me into a world I never want to see—a world where speaking about God can get you arrested. A society that does whatever it wants in VR, and an individual’s wants are more important than the family. Where AI, taken to the limit, is no longer used for limb replacements and to help people with sight and hearing, but has industrialists funding silicon brain transplants to make people transhuman. A brilliantly written, futuristic thriller that leaves you questioning what is important in life. show less

The Last Christian is a story that could very well happen in the future. This book is really about two things. The technology that allows for artificial brain transplants and Jesus/God. In 2088 the internet is obsolete as is Christianity. One has been replaced by the Grid and the other has not. People have no memories of religion. Life is all about technology. Cars that need no drivers and books are also obsolete. People would prefer to read all they need on the Grid. Virtual Reality is no show more longer a dream for the future, it is the future.
A tribe in Cameroon is wiped out by a strange disease and the only survivor is a young woman named Abigail Caldwell. She has lived in the jungle for 34 years and is forced to come to the U.S. to try to find out what happened to her tribe and to try to do what her grandfather wants her to do to try to spread the word of God. What ensues is a roller coaster ride of suspense. This futuristic thriller keeps the reader wanting more. A large cast of characters, political intrique, medical marvels and greed has the story going in a fast pace. I enjoyed this story very much. show less