A Higher Court, One Man's Search For The Truth Of God's Existence (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
June 5, 2013A Review by Anthony T. Riggio of John L. Betcher’s Novel: A Higher CourtAfter reading The 19th Element I decided to put this author on hold for a while. Going to the next book on my list, it was the “A Higher Court” and I held back because I was not really impressed with the “The 19th Element”. After reading some reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, I decided that this was a different type book and I was in the mood for “something different”. Wow, this definitely was different.I read this book over three days and after the first night reading, I had a hard time sleeping and the thoughts being pondered in this novel were causing me to be “ober” discerning. What would I do if I were called to be on this jury? The hero of the book is an ordinary family man with two daughters living in contemporary small town Minnesota. He is an attorney whose father recently passed away and the hero, William Kinsey is less than affected by the event. He receives in the mail, a notice to appear for jury duty. As a former attorney, myself, I found this unusual since lawyers are routinely dismissed from this duty, but, I guess not always.When he appears for this duty, the court takes on an appearance of something out of the “Twilight zone" as the setting is nothing like the attorney hero was ever inside. He determines that the litigation was one between “atheist” and “believers” and they were to determine the existence or nonexistence of God.They were advised to listen to the arguments on both sides before coming to a final conclusion. The arguments were somewhat predictable depending, on the readers’ background and there were some that I found unique and different. While the arguments may seem to some to be cerebral, they are not and are presented in everyday speak I was able to follow them quite easily and even found myself vacillating on occasion. The arguer/attorney for the repudiation of God is perceived as a professorial type while the proponent for God is a middle aged, plain dressed black woman, while both had tremendous credentials, you are pushed, because of the initial impressions, to judge the deck stacked. The Judge is a crippled, wheel chair bound but very stern in his judicial role.All of the arguments were profound and enlightening and the jury was also atypical in this presentation. There were 36 jurors and all were empanelled (no voir dire) to decide the case. There are several discussion periods allowed for the jurors, between presentations of the evidence and these allow the reader to collect his thoughts and calm his/her emotions before going forward.The reader will find that he/she is being pushed pulled in opposing directions as they wait for both sides to conclude their arguments and summations. Then the verdict! You will have to read the book.i What if the next time you opened your mail box there was a jury duty summons and what if you go to court and find out you are on a jury to determine God's existence. This is the premise of an exceedingly interesting book. Unfortunately as egotistical as we have become as humans that may well be the next step.This is a book that causes you to think. It is a book that you will not want to put down and will remember long after you turn the last page.I highly recommend this book.
What do You think about A Higher Court, One Man's Search For The Truth Of God's Existence (2010)?
OK, but finished it only because I started it and once I start a book, I do finish it regardless.
—mynameismerf
It's a great book to read however I thought I know of climax beforehand
—DrewB
I enjoyed the read even if I didn't believe in the verdict!
—jeyn1407
Review to follow...when I don't have a cold :)
—EMPlulzKikaz
