Dead Dog Like Me

July 20, 2015
Prolific author Davis (The Insanity of Unbelief) explores the natures of grace and forgiveness with this deeply intimate story of Nick Gregory, a wealthy, mega-church pastor who loses everything and wrestles with his purpose and faith. At intervals, Gregory is taken back in time and transformed into Mephibosheth, who considered himself a "dead dog" before the mighty King David. Fantastical elements aside, Davis's own biography tracks a similar course to that of his protagonist: the ascent to the head of a popular church and precipitous fall. Some readers may find the time-travel episodes a bit of a contrived way to explain the title, but others will welcome them, perhaps surprised to find their basis in the Old Testament. Davis writes a simple, straightforward style; the plot is easy to follow and the characters are engaging, particularly Gregory's lifesaving dog, Deuce. Regular references to messages from God and Satan might be unconvincing to nonbelievers. However, the uplifting narrative of a deeply flawed person living with the consequences of his mistakes and struggling to find a better way forward will be especially appealing to Christians seeking encouragement and redemption within their own lives.