Posted on 02/14/2017 10:42:07 AM PST by Gamecock
Narnia is a clear metaphor.
The Shack ain’t.
A friend of mine who is a convert LOVED that book and decided it was for our Catholic book club. So glad I checked it out first. I let her know this wasn’t what we should be reading.
My very good friend, who is an evangelical, gave me this book. With all respect to him I tried to read it. I got about 7/8 of the way thru it & had to quit for all of the obvious reasons mention in this review.
I think I need that stamp as well.
From the article, posted below, it appears the author does not know the Bible. God DID come to earth in the form of man. And Jesus, that man, did nothing in His own power but all in God’s power and authority:
“Nowhere in the Bible is the Father or the Spirit described as taking on human existence. The Christology of the book is likewise confused. “Papa” tells Mack that, though Jesus is fully God, “he has never drawn upon his nature as God to do anything. He has only lived out of his relationship with me, living in the very same manner that I desire to be in relationship with every human being.” When Jesus healed the blind, “He did so only as a dependent, limited human being trusting in my life and power to be at work within him and through him. Jesus, as a human being, had no power within himself to heal anyone.” “
I’m with you. I couldn’t get past the list of characters .. I’d rather read what the Bible says .. !!!!
Yep!
Me Too! :-)
God tell us in Genesis that we (men and women) are made in His image.
I don’t claim the Shack is biblical truth through and through but it is more like a parabel; like Pilgrim’s Progress.
I do have an issue with anyone coming away with the idea that you can get to Eternity without Jesus Christ.
Jesus is referred to as a lion in the Bible also. However, the Holy Spirit in the Bible in not metaphorically charaterized as a wispy Asian lady.
“Narnia is a clear metaphor.
The Shack ain’t.”
In “The Brothers Karamazov”, there is a character who is an avowed atheist and Nihilist. However, he keeps a candle burning in front of an icon “just in case” LOL. It is a very cool depiction of the person’s character and adds much to the story.
However, Dostoevsky, in depicting this interesting character, was not recommending that this become our belief system.
“The Shack”, on the other hand, markets itself as a “Life changing” book. It claims that it “Challenges Christian Preconceptions” and is actually a tract disguised with narrative and dialogue. People who are secure in their faith are not going to be swayed by it, and recognize it for what it is: Propaganda. People who have either shaky faith or no faith, but burn a candle “just in case” are the ones who are most easily led astray by stuff like this.
Narnia is a clear metaphor.
The Shack ain’t.
I do not have much problem with people who consider what God can do. I have difficulty with people who attempt to put God in a box, and say what he cannot do.
God, in the Bible, never shows himself as a human (other than Jesus), as far as I recall. But he manifests in other forms (burning bush, Giant Hand, writing on wall). Could he manifest as a woman, or a set of three people? Could he do so in a vision?
I am unwilling to say that such would be impossible for God to do.
I had no idea what “The Shack” was about when it was chosen for my book club. Had I known, I wouldn’t have read it. As it was, I didn’t go to that month’s meeting. My daughter and only child died, so this book was very upsetting for me. I will not be going to the movie version.
I recommend that people NOT read it — pure trash.
Same thing happened with me. I passed out points of view from Catholic Culture and another source at the discussion of this book.
Jesus is also referred to as a lamb.
Lamb of God,...........have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,...........have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,...........grant us peace.
Oh, I am going to get me one of those stamps made!
Oh, I am going to get me one of those stamps made!
All of these examples show he can and does sometimes punishes.
But it still does not demonstrate his “currency”
He doesn’t normally deal in it, but he has to use it when there is nothing else.
Peace, Love, forgiveness and life is his currency.
Mostly LIFE! “I have come that You may have life. and have it more abundantly” -Jesus
When there is patience, forgiveness and true repentance, he can deal in his own currency.
Otherwise, he is forced to leave the wicked to their own sin and wages it brings - death.
Do you think He wants to punish?
Do you think it breaks His heart to go through that because of things we do?
Do you think He is waiting for the final judgment and return in order to save the last possible person before He returns?
Not in our time, His.
When he deals in our “currency” because it is what we understand, it is not usually a good thing.
David was punished and was still a “man of God’s own heart.”
Should we look forward to “The Snack” with Allah coming back as Michelle Obama?
Exactly the point of the book.
I think God's hobby is to shatter pre-conceived notions about him and his nature.
It is completely possible to present to us - humans any form he wants to and sometimes to shatter our illusions about what he should be or not.
Keep in mind:
He invented the whole concept of male and female. Do you think he can't control his representation to suit our needs?
He invented the entire concept of TIME/SPACE. Do you think he is not the master of it?
Not a single leaf falls in the woods without his hand. Even in space where there is literally nothing, he is there.
We can't even begin to imagine how he can present himself. Your imagination is not broad enough to fill that space.
He amazes me every day with his beauty and grace. Awesome power, patience with me and all of us. I wouldn't want to be in His judgment but since he died for me, I don't have to.
It was a gift given from need before we even knew we needed it.
God's currency is nothing like punishment or death. He deals in life and love. All is for us out of Love.
Even tough love. His heart is broken daily because of us.
He had a plan from the beginning, knowing we would screw things up. - Because he designed us that way!
Let that one sink in.
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