What if the human world just wasn’t ready for radical empathy, and marketing, politics and business mattered more? What if aliens cared more than we do? This is a science fiction-shaped philosophical reflection on what love actually means.
Written by Tom T. Skore, RESURRECTION ENCOUNTER: A Science Fiction Parable for a Nuclear Age tells the story of the Resurrection, a spaceship, and the aliens who lived upon it. It also tells the story of Jesus, preaching a message that resonated with these aliens (though not the social belief systems he lived within).
Rescued by aliens and projected onto Earth (only to return in the future), the text asks some important questions. Is reality what we think it is? What, actually, is divine intervention? What does it mean to track people to keep them safe? Is interference a part of divine destiny, or a disruption to it? How does religious belief equate to political infrastructure?
Although the philosophy may be complex, the writing itself is refreshingly free from filler or over-explanation. It’s both clearly written and easy to understand, letting the reader move easily from scene to scene. While it smoothly transitions from one chapter to another, the text also gives insight into what the characters are thinking: “Though he had a good sense of humor normally, this was hardly the time or place for semantical jokes. And while he felt slightly more relaxed, he was keeping his pistol trained on Jesus nonetheless.” With this combination, the philosophical debates appear as authentic as conversations among friends. Some elements of the book could delve deeper, however, as there are philosophical nuggets that leave the reader wanting more.
This isn’t a theological text, so much as it’s a social and emotional one. The reader can feel the longing Jesus had for a gentler world, and the alienation he felt when striving to create peace. The novel shows how political voices combine through military, media, public belief, and the church—presenting as normal and defeating the simplicity of goodness. None of the human characters appear to stop and listen.
Skore never bashes the reader with his philosophy, though. Instead he respects our intelligence throughout, offers points to engage with the text, and leaves space for reflection after the book is over. This makes RESURRECTION ENCOUNTER a clear winner for anyone who wants a thought-provoking sci-fi novel.
In RESURRECTION ENCOUNTER: A Science Fiction Parable for a Nuclear Age, author Tom T. Skore thoughtfully offers up insights into social noise and the simple messages of Jesus. This novel moves beyond identity politics, feeling like a plea for humanity.
