Stranger in a Strange Land initially seems to be an allegory of human religious belief, one that consciously uses an aspect of traditional religious literature, such as the Bible. Heinlein provides support for this approach in the way he presents the character of Michael. He is a "new" man, innocent and unspoiled by human society. He offers a different form of the promise of salvation. After examining the entire spectrum of human religious endeavor, he invents a new religion that, to him, will realize the potential he sees in humanity.

He is guided in this process by the character who he considers his "father," Jubal Harshaw. He tries to correct those religions he considers false and, finally, succumbs to the lack of understanding found in the very people he hopes to instruct. These facets of the book suggest a conscious effort by Heinlein to create a...