The Shack - Day 3: A Theodicy

“I’m not who you think I am, Mackenzie” (Papa, 95). The more I think through the book, and re-read it, the more I’m convinced that it is apparent that one of the main goals of the author in writing The Shack was to present a theodicy. A theodicy is an explanation or defense of God’s goodness in light of the reality of evil, pain and suffering. The book is a response for the reason God allows evil to go on in general, and in the life of Mack, in particular. Why had God allowed (caused) The Great Sadness in Mack’s life?

The questions surrounding a theodicy are many, but well known to most people. How can evil exist if God is good? If God is all-powerful then why does he allow senseless suffering to happen? If God is all-powerful, then why doesn’t he just control man’s actions and limit the pain? Why do I have to suffer? For Mack, his question was, “Why did my Missy have to die the way she did?” The book is full of arguments that ‘defend’ God in light of unexplainable senseless evil and pain (See for example, pages: 90, 91, 94, 95, 99, 124, 125, 126, 132, 133, 146, 165, 166, 178, and 188).

On one occasion Mack asks Sarayu (the personification of the Holy Spirit), “What am I supposed to think? I just don’t understand how God could love Missy and let her go through that horror. She was innocent. She didn’t do anything to deserve that” (165). This in fact is a legitimate objection. Some of the writers in the Book of Psalms wrestle with how to deal with what we know about God’s goodness and power in light of his hesitancy to intervene against the evil that surrounds us (e.g., Psalm 10, 73; see also Habakkuk 1). To Mack’s next accusation about God not stopping Missy’s death, Sarayu says: “No, he didn’t. He doesn’t stop a lot of things that cause him pain. Your world is severely broken. You demanded your independence, and now you are angry with the one who love you enough to give it to you. Nothing is as it should be, as Papa desires it to be, and as it will be one day” (165).

The explanations the author provides for suffering constitute the better theological sections of the book. They affirm the reality of evil, a God who allows man to live out the actions which often come from the evil in his own heart, a God who suffers with his creation, who redeems the pain of those willing to give up their independence, and a God who one day will categorically do away with evil.

The Scriptures affirm both God’s goodness and his will to allow evil to continue, at least for now. Furthermore, although God hasn’t chosen to disclose the reasons behind most of our suffering he will often use pain to bring about the good. In another conversation with Mack Papa tells him: “Mack, just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn’t mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don’t ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me” (188).

This reminds me of the very subject of evil that Jesus’ disciples brought up concerning a particular man born blind. Had the blind man sinned to deserve his fate, or did his parents cause his suffering? Jesus responded, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:3). Of course, space here doesn’t allow us to ponder more deeply the theology of suffering which is much broader than this statement given by Jesus.

It is important to recognize that the sections on the reasons for suffering are probably one of the best points of entry in The Shack. People quickly identify with Mack’s tragedy because everyone’s life is sprinkled with moments of evil and suffering. Sooner or later, tragedy or great suffering of some kind or some unexplained pain will come to each of our lives. This is the great given of life.

How can we use the book at this juncture? For example, a simple question to a seeker, or reader of the book who wishes to discuss it, could be: What do you think of how Papa explains the reasons for why God allows suffering? This is an open-ended question that will invite opinions and give you an opportunity to discuss what the Bible teaches. It would also be helpful to share your own sufferings in life, some of the doubts or unexplained questions you have, and how you have chosen (and been able) to continue believing in God and his goodness.

Tomorrow we will look at the Trinity and the matter of hierarchy in the Godhead.
Shalam Shalum (stay healthy, at peace and prosperous) in 2009

The Shack - Day 2: A Theological Awakening

The Shack is having a powerful effect on readers. For example, here’s one comment left at the book’s web site: “This book has allowed me to finally deal with my emotions and forgive someone who has so desperately needed it. Amazingly, I had been in therapy with Christian counselors who could not reach me the way The Shack finally did. . . .Today, because I have finally been able to forgive, I feel so light and so happy. Now I want ‘Papa’ to work on my abuser and allow him to give up his grief too” (From the web site: www.theshackbook.com).

What is The Shack about? Mack lost his little daughter the last day of what had been a most delightful camping trip with his children. The question burning in his heart for the last three years had been, “How could God have allowed this atrocity to happen to a little girl?” As he returned to the shack Mack had the opportunity to ask God - ‘himself’ - about that day and about his unwillingness to save his daughter.

When he returned to the shack, and to his utter surprise, the ‘Trinity’ was waiting for him. However, what he found to be the true nature of God was nothing short of a paradigm shift in his theology. To his shock God the ‘mother’ and not the Father, welcomed him with open arms, as she revealed herself to him as a very pleasant, down to earth, African-American woman. Jesus appeared to Mack as male, and most perfectly, as one from a Mid-Eastern Jewish descent. The Holy Spirit manifested itself as a short inquisitive and always helpful Asian woman with a tender heart and who usually stayed in the background. Together, the Trinity helped Mack through a journey of soul searching, forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing.

During the weekend each person of the Trinity took turns to spend time alone with Mack, probing him with questions, answering his doubts, and patiently allowing their love to work its way into Mack’s heart. Each of the cycle of conversations that each person of the Trinity had with Mack helped him understand why God allows things to happen, and offered deep conversations and opportunities for reflection regarding God’s nature, love, and purposes. The Three Persons of the Trinity also talked among themselves and displayed deep affection, love, and acceptance for each other which helped Mack understand the real meaning of relationships and fellowship.

Along with a twisted presentation of the Trinity, The Shack also briefly touches on how God values the religions of the world as means of drawing people to himself (184). The book comes short of presenting a full blown affirmation of universalism but does provide the hope that through the search of man for God through their own understanding of the Divine they too will have an opportunity to find forgiveness through Christ. (Among scholars today there are at least 5 views which debate the question of “Who can be saved”? in light of today’s world religions.)

The weekend at The Shack produced a roller coaster of emotions that continually filled Mack’s heart. At the end, however, Mack makes peace with God, as well as with his abusive father, and his daughter’s murderer.

What does The Shack teach about evil in the world? What does it teach about the Trinity? What does it say about sin and salvation? What does it say about Jesus? And why has the book’s message touched thousands of people? These are the questions we’ll begin to address tomorrow.
Shalam Shalum (stay healthy, at peace and prosperous) in 2009

The Shack - Day 1: The Story

Two weeks ago I visited that most favorite of all doctors, the dentist. While sitting in my somewhat comfortable chair getting ready for my new crown, the assistant noticed I was reading a book. After sharing a little about my reading topic she volunteered that she too was reading a book that was fascinating her called, “La Cabaña”. That’s Spanish for “The Shack”. For the next few minutes we talked briefly about why the book had impressed her so much, and how she was beginning to understand the reasons behind suffering. I pressed her a little about her ideas about God, and gently shared what the Bible says about such things as the Trinity and God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. That lead to more conversations about spiritual matters until she said, “Now, open your mouth.”

The Shack has sold over 5 million copies worldwide. It will soon be translated into more than 30 languages around the world, and a movie is sure to come out in the near future. The web site for the book recently announced that “The Shack continues at #1 on the NY Times Best Seller list for its 29th straight week!” If you haven’t read the book you probably are wondering what’s the attraction all about. And if you listen to some preachers and teachers you probably have been warned to stay away from it. This week I will be blogging on some of the teachings found in The Shack, my feelings about the book and what approach I take regarding it.

The Storyline

First, let me say that the book, although I felt at times was awkwardly written, especially at the beginning (and too embellished at times), is a grabbing, emotionally-gut wrenching, and heart throbbing story. Second, since it is a work of fiction, and not a theological treatise, one familiar with the Bible and with some basic theological understanding can read it and quickly pinpoint some of the heresies as well as implications of the author’s presentation of God, the Bible, and other things theological. Third, whether or not you choose to read The Shack it would be helpful to familiarize yourself with the basic storyline and know how to respond to some of the less than orthodox theology it presents.

The author, W. Paul Young states that “The Shack is a metaphor for the ‘Place we get hurt and stuck.’” “It’s the facade, the inside no one knows.” The story is about a grown man, Mack, who lives stuck in his world of secrets, mistrust, and resentment. Mack grew up with his father, a drunkard pastor, who abused his mother as well as him. At the age of 13 he left home and never returned. This lack of relationship with his father would be significant for something he would later discover at The Shack.

Mack’s life is one blessed with a wife who has a strong relationship with God, who she calls ‘Papa’. He has three lovely children, of which the youngest, Missy, is a wonderful precocious, six-year old. Mack’s world comes to an almost halt after a gruesome event takes place at the end of a camping trip with his three children. His life after this event takes a downturn of which he almost never comes out of, if not for a note that he receives three years later from someone called . . . ‘Papa’. Thinking that this was either a cruel joke, or possibly (but how could it be?) a note really left by God, Mack decides to go back to the shack where he had lost his most treasured possession, his little Missy.

The metaphor of ‘the shack’ has helped many readers deal with the pain in their own lives. A simple reading of the postings at the book’s web site (www.theshack.com) illustrates this thousands of times over. At The Shack Mack has what could be called a supernatural enlightenment experience that helps him put his life in proper perspective and helps him make peace with past hurts and relationships. The healing journey Mack travels has probably been the greatest appeal of most readers of the book. (To be continued tomorrow.)
Shalam Shalum (stay healthy, at peace and prosperous) in 2009

Your Life Sentence for 2009 & Beyond (Continued)

How much thought have you given to how you want to invest this year in making a difference in others? Perhaps the economic uncertainties and the worry of what will happen this year in our country has not allowed you to focus much on how your life can be used by God to impact others.

I want to encourage you to take time to settle your heart before God and pray. Then, after praying, take pen and paper and write down a few thoughts, a few words that describe what you understand your life sentence to be (see yesterday’s blogspot). Anatole France’s words (quoted in Leadership Gold by John Maxwell) is significant: “The average man does not know what to do with his life, yet wants another one which will last forever” (246). The truth of the matter is that we have only one life to live. This is why thinking through writing a “life sentence” of how you view your life, your purpose, your gift back to God and humanity, can help you in impacting the next generation and leaving a lasting legacy. Think of this: writing and living out my “life sentence” will help me ‘be’ now those things which I want to leave others later.

I’ve thought a lot about my Life Sentence. Although my tasks in ministry and the opportunities to be involved in God’s work varies from time to time, I believe that my Life Sentence is based on my passion for knowing and teaching the Bible. Nothing brings me greater joy (and excitement) than to study and understand more clearly God’s revelation and to lead people to read, study and respond to God as a result of understanding God’s Word. Therefore, the following is my life sentence as I understand it today: To Love and serve God by helping others understand, love, and live out the Bible’s teachings for God’s glory and purposes. The chapters in my life thus far have often been tied to the study and teaching of God's Word, and future chapters of how my teaching ministry will impact others are being written now.

What is your life sentence? What legacy will you leave behind? Grenville Kleiser in his book, Training for Power and Leadership, reminds us of the importance of our daily agenda or habits which in turn will help us develop the legacy that we will one day leave to others:

“Your life is like a book. The title page is your name, the preface your introductions to the world. The pages are a daily record of your efforts, trials, pleasures, discouragements, and achievements. Day by day your thoughts and acts are being inscribed in your book of life. Hour by hour, the record is being made that must stand for all time. Once the word ‘finis’ must be written, let it then be said of your book that it is a record of noble purpose, generous service, and work well-done” (quoted by Maxwell, 247).

Have you written a life sentence that describes the legacy you would like to leave? Don’t just let this year pass you by; be intentional about constructing a legacy that you will pass on to your children, family and world.

This year too will pass; but, so will your life. Live it well! Live it for God! Live it for Kingdom impact! Write your life sentence and begin fulfilling your future legacy today.
Shalam Shalum (stay healthy, at peace and prosperous) in 2009

Writing a Life Sentence for 2009 & Beyond

It’s hard to believe that we are so soon at the beginning of a New Year. Where did the last twelve months go? I pray that in these uncertain times you will find deep fulfillment and peaceful existence as you live in harmony with God and find your soul’s rest in him.

Toward the end of last year our staff at church finished reading through Leadership Gold by John C. Maxwell. The last chapter in this book is entitled, “People Will Summarize Your Life in One Sentence – Pick it Now” (244). In it Maxwell talks about thinking through what kind of legacy we will leave behind. He defines “legacy” as follows: “A legacy is something we leave behind to the next generation. It can be possessions that we place in the hands of others. It can be principles we lived that carry on beyond our lives. It can also be people we have influenced whose lives are better as a result of knowing us” (244-245). In other words, thinking about the topic of a legacy is to think about how your life can have a lasting impact on future generations.

One of the ways we can effectively begin to think about what our legacy will be is tied to how we view our lives. For example we can ask, what is our purpose? Writing a “life sentence” can help us define and narrow our purpose in life. For the Apostle Paul his life sentence was to be a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ. In Titus 1:1 he wrote, “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.” (For help on thinking through one’s purpose in life, see my blogspot: “Life on Target,” http://musingsencolor.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html.)

Sadly, a lot of us still don’t know what we’re supposed to be doing with our lives. As believers we understand that we are to glorify God and make his will in Christ be known to all. However, what is God's particular calling for you? What is your purpose? Long ago, renowned violinist, Yehudi Menuhin, stated, “I did know instinctively that to play was to be.” How about you? What were you created and gifted to do? What gives you the most passion and satisfaction in life? If given the opportunity, what would you do for the rest of your life? The answers to these questions will spell out your life sentence.

Have you sat down and written your life’s purpose? Have you written your life sentence? Have you asked yourself what legacy you want to leave to your children and family? How about to your church, community, or even world? (To be continued tomorrow).
Shalam Shalum (stay healthy, peaceful and prosperous) in 2009

The Gift of Living Missionally: Worship

As Christians we want to share the love of God with people. Not only do we do so because God commands us to share his message, but because we have personally experienced his love (we know God has forgiven us and has accepted us as his children), but also because the love of God for sinners has been poured into our hearts. That is, we truly love people and want them to experience God's forgiveness.

The Bible says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Serving others and sharing the gift of God's love with them is the mission of the Church. We call this missional living. However, missions will not last forever. Why? Because missions is not the goal, only the means to the goal: the worship of God. And this is the real reason for why we want to reach out to people and witness to God's love. We know that people will be better off when they come to know God personally and know his plans for their lives. This is why the gift of missions is worship: the glory, good pleasure, praise and worship of God by his creatures.

Helping sinners find the cross and understand the reason for Christ’s death and resurrection (missional living) is not the goal. The worship of God by sinners is. To serve the poor, feed the hungry, educate the masses, and heal humanity’s pain is not the goal. The worship of God by those who are set free is. The enjoyment of the good things in life and the good pleasures of life is not the goal of our existence. The worship of God’s children who acknowledge that all good gifts come from him is.

As we enjoy another Christmas season let us be on the lookout for the opportunities God will give us to share the gift of his Son with people. As we develop relationships with others and spend time with folks may they see in us the peace and hope that flood our hearts because we have placed our confidence in God. And may we be ready, and willing, to point people to the Savior so that they too might experience God's hope, peace and forgiveness. May we not tire of living missionally so that people can come to know God, worship Him, and become followers of Jesus.
Por Su Gracia y Poder

"Dad, that's not right": Parents, Kids do Listen to Us

A few days ago I was reminded again that our kids listen to us more than we realize. Our family was traveling to Miami and began singing a few Christian songs. One of the songs we sang was “Trust and Obey.” The refrain says: “Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” My daughter interjected, “Dad, that’s not right. We don’t have to obey in order to be saved.” She surprised me because she repeated what I’ve said many times. Now the song is talking about fellowship and service, and in this regards, it reflects proper doctrine. Our greatest joy in the Christian life is found in our fellowship with Christ as we live obediently to his words. That’s pure theology. But, she was also right in stating that we are not saved “because we obey.” Initial salvation, or being justified(=declared not guilty) is not the result of what we do but what has been done. I believe that salvation is by grace, not works. Salvation will produce some kind of work, in varying degrees, but obedience doesn’t save us, nor will it keep us saved.

Of course, I did take the opportunity to once again stress not only “grace” as a significant word for the Christian faith, but also “obedience,” which is how we honor God, show our love for God, show that we are disciples of Christ, and is a requirement for the rewards we will receive in return for our obedience in heaven at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). The book of Acts does say that “many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7), but the mention of “disciples” that were increasing in numbers in the same verse leads us to affirm that what the phrase means is that priests were becoming convinced that Jesus was the Messiah and were now following him. Paul in Romans 1:5 speaks of “the obedience of faith.” This phrase has various possible meanings. Among the various alternatives given, the grammatical phrase can refer to 1) “the faith,” as in the content of the Christian message. Or, it can mean 2) the obedience which is the same as our faith and vice a versa. Others also believe it can mean 3)the obedience produced (even required) by our faith. Even if this last interpretation is accepted, obedience is the result of a saving relationship with Christ, and not the requirement for salvation, at least not initial salvation or justification.

Should we “trust and obey”? Yes, most definitely. We are saved and secure, however, because of the promise we have in Christ: “he who believes has eternal life” (John 6:47; see John 20:30-31; Galatians 2:16). To believe in Christ is to be convinced or have the inward certainty that what God says about his Son Jesus Christ to justify me and save me is true. I must personally come to faith in Christ to have my sins forgiven (See Acts 16:31).

Our children not only watch our behavior, but they also listen to what we believe about things, including our beliefs about God and his Word. I want my daughter to be committed to Christ and to want nothing more than to live obediently to God’s teachings because she loves him. But, I want her to be clear that salvation is not meritorious. It is always a grace gift for which she always ought to be thankful and obedient. “Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
Por Su Gracia y Poder