This study seeks to understand how Saramago s criticism in his book Cain can aid in overturning spurious images of God. For this purpose it was necessary to pursue various paths; the first one being a reconciliation between theology and literature. Since the literature of the chosen author is characterized by his atheism, this required an understanding of how theology canaccomodate atheistic criticism. In the second step, by means of a short biographical sketch that included the literary and religious thinking of the Portuguese writer, it was noted that in many of his plots he does a rewriting of the Bible, using intertextuality, by divesting it of its sacred qualities. From this basis,a conclusion was drawn that Saramago possessed a passion for religious questions that are embedded in many of his works. Even so, in these texts Saramago (de)constructs understandings about the representations of God that were forged within Christianity and which are still in force in many of its branches. That is to say, he creates an nontheology, or what can be called an upside down theology. The last step narrowed down the discussion to include only the novel Cain. In the retelling of many biblical episodes, the Lusophone author continues his project of a profane rewrite of the Scriptures as well as his project of creating a nontheology. Through his pen he paints a portrait of a God who is egocentric, arbitrary and indifferent to human suffering. It is just such a God that some theologians have tried to kill. In summary, the criticism found in the novel Cain offers a dialogue with theology that contributes to the overturning of spurious images of God.