Just as executive Warren Cole is accepting a community award on behalf of his efforts in establishing Faemad, a local computer complex, his college-aged son Jeff is being interviewed at school by a local television station. Because Jeff expresses doubts about Faemad and the future of a world run by computers, the interview results in headlines in the city newspaper, much to Warren's annoyance. At dinner that night, Fran Cole tries to make Warren understand that their son is not like him, but the rift between father and son erupts into a heated argument, after which Warren demands that Jeff return his credit card, causing Jeff to storm out of the house and drive off in his van. The next day, Jeff attends a class in which David Green, Warren's partner and a close family friend, tries to explain that science in general, and computers in particular, are not going to replace man's intellect but enable man to advance at a greater pace. When the skeptical students are unresponsive to his lecture, David invites them to visit Faemad's headquarters the next day. After class, when Jeff talks with David, he refuses to consider the idea that he try to look at Warren's side of their argument, even though he likes and respects David. That afternoon, Jeff's girl friend, Michelle, reads the poem "The Hound of Heaven," which annoys the agnostic Jeff. Michelle's increasing spirituality and refusal to advance their affection beyond kissing, causes a riff in their relationship. On the morning of the class trip to Faemad, Jeff, who is now living in his van, arrives late, then tries to hide from security cameras, knowing that his father will be looking for him. Later, Fran goes to see Michelle to ask about Jeff. Michelle tells her that, while Jeff is not a believer, he enjoys going to the "happenings" and concerts that she attends. When Fran and David go to a happening that afternoon, they do not find Jeff, but Fran is touched by the Bible homilies. The next day, Warren, who is jealous that Dave accompanied Fran to the concert, argues with him and dismisses the new spirituality among young people as a fad, like rock music. Later, Michelle goes to see Jeff, who has broken through a gate and moved into a deserted estate. After Jeff tells her that he will soon “split” because he can never live up to his father’s expectations, the couple again argue over her spirituality. After expressing regret that Jeff, whom she loves, cannot understand the fact that faith is the most important thing in her life, she leaves. That night, while Jeff is at a laundromat, Warren arrives after having been alerted by Andy, a friend and policeman. Although Warren asks Jeff to come home, Jeff refuses and leaves after Warren pushes some money into his hand. The next day, when an old woman who feeds cats on the estate sees smoke coming from the chimney she calls the police, who arrest Jeff for trespassing. Warren, again alerted by Andy, picks Jeff up from the police station and takes him home. Although Warren thinks that he is being sympathetic, Jeff views him as condescending, and the entire family begins to argue. A short time later, when Warren goes into Jeff’s room, he realizes that Jeff has left home again. Jeff immediately goes to Faemad and is spotted by a security guard watching a surveillance camera as Jeff goes through the offices and spray paints the computers. The guard does not recognize Jeff, but immediately calls Warren. When Warren and David arrive, they soon realize that the intruder, now in the conference room, is Jeff. Warren goes to talk with him and asks why he has done this, but Jeff accuses him of foisting his own dreams onto his son. Just then, David and Warren realize that one of Jeff’s pranks may have caused some damage to their computer and rush to address the problem, enabling Jeff to sneak away. Some time later, as Jeff is driving along the highway, he picks up a young hitchhiker. Although seemingly good-natured, the hitchhiker laughs when they see a couple whose car has broken down, calling them “Jesus freaks.” He admits that he has, occasionally, taken advantage of the generosity of the Jesus freaks, but counters that they use religion the way he uses “grass” to get high. A short time later, when Jeff’s van gets a flat tire, the hitchhiker leaves Jeff to take a ride with another passing motorist. After fixing the tire and buying $3 worth of gas, Jeff goes back to the stranded couple and offers them a ride. Meanwhile, at home, Fran has had a spiritual awakening after stopping at a church to pray. When she returns home, Warren suggests that they take a trip together and apologizes for being so obsessed with his work, saying that he would like to get back his relationship with her, even if Jeff is now lost to him. On the highway, when Jeff learns that the couple is on their way to a Billy Graham Crusade, he offers to drive them to the event. Although he refuses to go inside, Jeff listens to the sermon on the parking lot loudspeaker as Graham preaches that a life without God has no meaning. At the same time, Fran and Warren are listening to Graham’s televised broadcast of the event. Driving back on the highway, Jeff gives a young woman a ride but the next morning discovers that she is gone and taken the last of his money. Now destitute, Jeff is forced to sell his van and work at some menial jobs before returning to his hometown. He goes to visit Michelle to let her know that he is starting to find his way spiritually. They then go to a park, where Jeff asks her what he should do, and Michelle replies that God is the Hound of Heaven and will know when Jeff stops running. Sometime later, Michelle calls Fran to let her know that Jeff is back in town and is at a Christian happening in the park. As people at the happening discuss their love of Jesus, Jeff goes before them to say that he finally realizes that Jesus will show him the way. Just then, Warren and Fran arrive in the park. Jeff greets his parents and the three share a hug while Jeff and his father both say that they are sorry.