So I just finished “The Shack”, and per the author’s suggestion, decided to Blog my thoughts about it.
First of all, this is not a SPOILER review. I just want to address the major themes, and attempt to tackle some of the negative controversy surrounding this book.
Ok, let’s get started by stating the obvious. It’s a book of Fiction. I’ve seen several posts where people are attacking the Theology of this book. I don’t think the author is attempting to solve any great theological debate; just someone saying, “God reached down and touched me, and here’s how it feels”.
The second biggest complaint is the supposed trivialization of the Godhead, and how they are depicted. OK, once again just to clarify, this is a work of fiction. However, at what length would Jesus not go to reach out and re-establish relationship with His creation?
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:6-8
Now, to get back to what this book is about. It’s about forgiveness, redemption, and most of all…relationship; the kind of relationship that God longs for with His creation.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.”
Matthew 23:37
The kind of relationship depicted here, a place of warmth, safety, comfort, and complete peace. The kind of relationship that Luke describes for us at the end of Chapter 10, where Jesus is relishing in the time spent with Mary, just sitting back, sharing, and being in the moment. So many Christians today are just like Martha, where they are so busy about the doing, that they forget about the being.
Now don’t get me wrong. Obedience and action are very important, and necessary for the furtherance of God’s kingdom. But, obedience that stems out of relationship, not obedience in an attempt to gain it.
We busy ourselves with our huge lists of do’s and don’ts in an effort to keep favor, and when we feel that someone “jumps the line” by coming in and sitting at the feet of Jesus, we get bent out of shape. See Matthew 20:1-16.
“I’ve sat in this pew for 20 years, made every Wednesday night service, served on 2 committees, even made visitation most of the time. I’ve paid my dues. You just can’t wonder off the street and receive the same portion of Grace I’m entitled to…”
How many people have heard, or even felt that. I know I have. That’s why so many Christians have a problem with the thief on the cross. And here’s that phrase that comes screaming out of our childhood…
It’s not fair!
Wow, if we all got what’s fair…heaven would be a very lonely place. Thanks be to God that, through His son, He paid a price we would never be able to pay, in order to redeem us and re-establish the relationship we were ultimately created for.
So read the book and enjoy it for what it is; A picture of forgiveness, redemption, and relationship. And the next time you find yourself too busy, take a moment to sit at the feet of Jesus and breathe Him deep. It’s a reminder we all can take to heart.
First of all, this is not a SPOILER review. I just want to address the major themes, and attempt to tackle some of the negative controversy surrounding this book.
Ok, let’s get started by stating the obvious. It’s a book of Fiction. I’ve seen several posts where people are attacking the Theology of this book. I don’t think the author is attempting to solve any great theological debate; just someone saying, “God reached down and touched me, and here’s how it feels”.
The second biggest complaint is the supposed trivialization of the Godhead, and how they are depicted. OK, once again just to clarify, this is a work of fiction. However, at what length would Jesus not go to reach out and re-establish relationship with His creation?
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:6-8
Now, to get back to what this book is about. It’s about forgiveness, redemption, and most of all…relationship; the kind of relationship that God longs for with His creation.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.”
Matthew 23:37
The kind of relationship depicted here, a place of warmth, safety, comfort, and complete peace. The kind of relationship that Luke describes for us at the end of Chapter 10, where Jesus is relishing in the time spent with Mary, just sitting back, sharing, and being in the moment. So many Christians today are just like Martha, where they are so busy about the doing, that they forget about the being.
Now don’t get me wrong. Obedience and action are very important, and necessary for the furtherance of God’s kingdom. But, obedience that stems out of relationship, not obedience in an attempt to gain it.
We busy ourselves with our huge lists of do’s and don’ts in an effort to keep favor, and when we feel that someone “jumps the line” by coming in and sitting at the feet of Jesus, we get bent out of shape. See Matthew 20:1-16.
“I’ve sat in this pew for 20 years, made every Wednesday night service, served on 2 committees, even made visitation most of the time. I’ve paid my dues. You just can’t wonder off the street and receive the same portion of Grace I’m entitled to…”
How many people have heard, or even felt that. I know I have. That’s why so many Christians have a problem with the thief on the cross. And here’s that phrase that comes screaming out of our childhood…
It’s not fair!
Wow, if we all got what’s fair…heaven would be a very lonely place. Thanks be to God that, through His son, He paid a price we would never be able to pay, in order to redeem us and re-establish the relationship we were ultimately created for.
So read the book and enjoy it for what it is; A picture of forgiveness, redemption, and relationship. And the next time you find yourself too busy, take a moment to sit at the feet of Jesus and breathe Him deep. It’s a reminder we all can take to heart.
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