The Shack

[Botz]

But I read it and G-d encouraged and lifted me through it.

Botz, I am curious as to what you got out of this book?

Hello Michael.

One thing that I got from this book was how approachable G-d is and how He really is rooting for humanity and is slow to anger and quick to forgive, even the vilest of sins and the wickedest of sinners.

Above all, I was surprised and enjoyed the way he attempted to express the unity and the fellowship of the G-dhead through three different persona's, and often as I read, a passage of Scripture would come to mind such as Abraham under the Oaks at Mamre, or Jesus preparing fish on the shore of Galilee, and I felt I could see what he was getting at...not trying to unravel the mystery of G-d, but concentrating on the revealed nature of our Father and our Redeemer.

Did I need to read 'the Shack', to discover this?....no I didn't, and felt I already had a reasonable understanding of Scripture regarding the nature and awesome holiness of G-d...but I felt his book managed to focus on aspects of how we can relate to a Holy G-d in a positive and realistic manner...removed from the trappings of pre-formed religious ideology.

It was in many ways a breath of fresh air to me.

Best regards. Botz

[eagleswings]

I,ll say it again... how dangerous when we use a mere book to make us understand "God" more instead of the bible!!!!!!!!!! It is flat out wrong........wrong... is it any wonder.. the bible says NOT ME the Word of God that in the end days people will give heed to lying and seducing spirits, demons and doctrines of demons!!!!! Beware!!!!!

[pokemaughan]

Are you serious!!!!! Why do you read such APOSTASY!?!?!?! http://www.worthychristianforums.com/uploads/emoticons/default_laugh.png' alt=':laugh:'> One word: HERESY!!!!!!!!!!!

Hate to pry, but do you...

(a) Watch TV

(b) Read books

© Listen to music

(d) Try and earn the righteousness of Christ

if the answer is yes to any of those, then I think your question might be troublesome...

[pokemaughan]

I,ll say it again... how dangerous when we use a mere book to make us understand "God" more instead of the bible!!!!!!!!!! It is flat out wrong........wrong... is it any wonder.. the bible says NOT ME the Word of God that in the end days people will give heed to lying and seducing spirits, demons and doctrines of demons!!!!! Beware!!!!!

Have you ever read commentaries, studies, devotionals, or the like? They're a help to me. Thankfully there are people who understand God better than I. Ever listened to a pastor? How dare we listen to a mere man to understand God more, eh?

Not saying the Shack is any good, but I'd be careful with blanket statements like that...

[Botz]

'The Shack' has come and gone...it is something I read about a year and a half ago now...it is not something I study, it is not something I go around endorsing per se. It was given to me by a friend who thought it might be helpful to me in a difficult time...which it was.

Obviously in some people it stirs up very strong negative emotions and they feel duty bound to warn of its heretical doctrines, and quote what they believe are relevant passages of Scripture that point directly to such deceptive tomes as 'the Shack'...and indirectly suggest that people such as myself are symptomatic of this age, when many will not heed sound doctrine and rather listen to deceptive and seducing spirits.

I have not buried my head in the sand at the controversy.

I have checked out sites that believe it is not a righteous book.

Nevertheless I was not strongly convinced in their arguments, and checked my heart to see if what I garnered from the book was wrong in any way, shape or form eg:- demonstating the forgiveness of G-d, and emphasizing the unity and fellowship of the G-dhead...I did not find anything wrong, and the alarm bells of the Spirit did not sound.

What I have found is that some people think they have a role as our spiritual guardians, and take it upon themselves to issue dire warnings about the book and about those like myself stupid enough to to be enticed by its subtle lying doctrines...usually these are just rants without any real substance.

I know they are out of concern for people and the Scriptures...and if anything was properly presented to me that clearly demonstrated some error on my part... I would not hesitate to re-consider. So far all I have seen are unfounded accusations and warnings that do not in any way address a particular issue.

[artsylady]

I agree with everything you said Botz. I read it awhile ago and must have lent it out. No big deal. I sure don't study it. The only time I missed having it was during this discussion. I definitely don't believe its some kind of 'doctrines of demons'. While I've read some of the criticsims, that is a brand new one.

I once read a Lynn Austin fiction novel called Atonement Child, which gave me great compassion for the mothers who abort children and deal with little known devastating consequenses. Ohhhh , awwwwe, a fiction novel that had an affect on me? Heaven forbid. It must be satanic? ???

And I agree that the assumption that we are stupid and can't see some obvious spiritual danger gets insulting after awhile. I am not the kind of Christian who looks for the devil in everything. I do believe he seeks whom he may devour, but I absolutely refuse to give him credit where the Holy Spirit should be given credit. What if the critics on some websites and here are wrong, and what if God is using the author (I don't even remember his name!) to bring comfort to those who have experienced serious tragedy? Or to give them new insight into his love and compassion?

Do you think everyone who needs God automatically picks up a Bible?

[Guest yod]

I don't keep up with a lot of movies, books, TV shows, music, media, etc....

Have never once watched American Idol, for example. If it ain't the Dallas Cowboys I probably haven't seen it on TV

But I got this review written by a Pastor that I trust immensely and thought I'd pass it on. It would be pointless for me to debate it because I haven't seen it and really didn't even know what it was until now.

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Paul Young

[BlindSeeker]

I don't keep up with a lot of movies, books, TV shows, music, media, etc....

Have never once watched American Idol, for example. If it ain't the Dallas Cowboys I probably haven't seen it on TV

But I got this review written by a Pastor that I trust immensely and thought I'd pass it on. It would be pointless for me to debate it because I haven't seen it and really didn't even know what it was until now.

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Paul Young