I just got finished reading The Shack (http://www.theshackbook.com/). Wow! It is a book about a man who has an abusive childhood and loses one of his children. He goes back to the place where his daughter was murdered and finds God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit there.
There is so much jam packed into this 246 pg, very easy to read book. Some people have argued that it is not a true description of the Trinity. I believe it is a great book, very descriptive and has so many things in it that tell you exactly who the Trinity is and why Christ had to suffer and die for us. Granted, the picture of what God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit look like may not be what I've always imagined (or been taught), but there is a reason for each of their physical appearances in the story. I believe it would be a great book of healing for those who have known God, but have blamed him for something horrible that happened in their own life or who have "fallen away" from him.
It speaks so much to how we should forgive and love and how HARD it is to truly do those things. It has great examples of how we judge others without wanting to be judged ourselves. We expect others to pay for the wrongs they have committed and be punished, yet when we harbor anger toward someone we are the ones who are being punished. Is there such a thing as "true" forgiveness? Yes, through Christ there is. Not only does it encourage you to forgive others, but it also encourages you to forgive yourself.
With that said, this is not a book that should replace the bible, nor does it quote the bible...it is a work of fiction. Read it with an open mind--open by saying that you already believe in Christ and this just puts in layman's terms what He longs for us to have in Him. He wants us to dwell with Him and allow Him to control our lives.
"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper, not to harm you, to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
4 comments:
hi rebecca!
i've heard a lot about this book... after your description, i am tempted to read it! have you read frank peretti? cant remember the title, but it's about the fight of evil and good over our souls. totally fiction, totally science-fiction type writing (but that's kinda what draws you in). good read.
hope you are well!!
Patty,
Yes, Frank Peretti is great. We have several of his books. I was really curious about this one at the beginning, but you do get drawn in. I think ANY Christian fiction book you read, you just have to read with an open mind. You KNOW what you believe and just go from there. :)
I love The Shack! I think it's an amazing picture of how God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit not only interact with each other, but how They've invited us to have a place in Their relationship. The people who have negative thoughts towards the book are people who can't handle God not being in the box they have Him in.
Rebecca, I also LOVED the Shack! I have heard/read so many of the negative remarks surrounding the book...but you said it clearly - it is a work of FICTION. It isn't supposed to be a book on theology or doctrine...it's about relationship, I think. Loved your description of the book!!
And your blog is looking great! I haven't been in awhile, cause i was trying to stay off...but you're doing a great job! :)
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